Where to find clothes and shoes that fit perfectly and look good.

One of the many challenges facing people with lymphoedema, is finding clothes that fit comfortably and look good, without buying a size three times larger than you would normally.

I have had lymphoedema for nearly 9 years now, getting it as a result of a perfect storm of surgery, then injury, then cellulitis.At it’s peak, my left leg was over 50% larger than my left.It was evident very quickly, that I could not buy trousers off the shelf any longer and shoes had to be wide fit. As a 40 year-old at the time, I wasn’t overjoyed when my therapist gave me a brochure from Cosy feet!

During the early years of having lymphoedema, I purchased jeans 3 sizes too big around the waste so that I could fit my leg in. I found Clarkes produced wide-fit shoes, not that they were in the style that I would usually buy, but what could I do. Buying trousers off the peg for work, was impossible, and my self-esteem was plummeting, so with the help of my lovely wife, we had to take action!

Made to Measure Jeans

Anyone with lymphoedema in their lower limbs will probably agree that buying jeans is a little frustrating to say the least. The good news is that there are companies that provide a made to measure service for jeans. Over the years I have bought from several of them and these are my favourite so far.

Levi’s Lot 1

• Based at the Levis’s Head Office near Regent Street, London, Lot 1 is the name of the Levi’s made to measure service. Head tailor Lizzie Radcliffe and her team create a wonderful experience starting from when you attend your initial consultation right through to receiving delivery of your jeans.
• You can choose from many types of denim and colour, before then selecting the colour of thread, buttons, patch, pocket style to make the jeans totally unique to you.
• However, the single most important factor for me, was the way in which Lizzie treated me, knowing that I was there out of necessity, not fashion.
• She was sensitive and discreet when measuring me, kind and encouraging during the consultation and genuinely thrilled to see me wearing the finished product, including how the jeans made me feel like ‘me’ again.
• The cost is much, much higher than I would normally pay for jeans, but bearing in mind how many times I have worn them and how good I feel, they are definitely worth the money.
• I have recommended Levi’s Lot 1 to friends and people I have met with lymphoedema and have bought from them again.

https://www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/features/lot1

Made to Measure clothes & shoes at reasonable prices

So, I had my jeans, now I needed some shoes, but not the typical sensible, wide fit, comfy shoes with the Velcro straps (I do wear Hotter by the way – very good!). I wanted a trendy pair, like I used to wear before lymphoedema. We took to the internet and did a thorough search.

iTailor – Bespoke Made to Measure Shoes

We found a company called iTailor who make tailor made shoes, online! It was surprising how simple it was to design my own shoes online using their interactive website.

I love my shoes and they come at a very reasonable price, considering they are bespoke. A tip for you, you may want to keep your stocking/toe glove on when you take your individual foot measurements and send an email explaining that one foot may be slightly bigger/wider than the other. It doesn’t show, but it makes them more comfortable.

When you have completed the order online, it is advisable to email them at info@itailor.com with any other information including sizes and pictures, which can assist their shoemakers.

www.itailorshoes.com

www.itailor.com

iTailor – Made to measure clothes

• iTailor also produce made to measure clothes for men and women including suits, trousers, shirts and blouses. The prices are very reasonable and there are measuring guides as part of the shopping experience, so you can feel in control of the sizes you order. I would suggest measuring with your compression garment(s) on, to improve the fit, whilst giving yourself a little wiggle room too, for comfort.

There is no cost or obligation to visit their website and have a play with their online bespoke design system. It’s exciting, great fun and simple to do.

www.itailor.co.uk/women

https://www.itailor.com/designsuits/

Purchasing made to measure clothes and shoes is worth the investment and I wear them with confidence, helping me to feel like ‘me’ again.

About the author

Matt got lymphoedema in 2011 at the age of 40, at the time of a young family and starting a new business. In 2016, he joined The Lymphoedema Support Network as a Trustee and over the years has raised a significant amount of money by running several fundraising events and obtaining a large corporate donation.His passion for helping people with lymphoedema continues, and Matt is now working as a consultant for Haddenham Healthcare since November 2019, to provide guidance from a patient’s perspective.