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Ive loved fashion ever since I got my first pair of plastic princess heels.
Caroline Reilly
Worseningchronic paintransformed getting dressed from a pleasure to a fraught challenge.
Jeans felt like fiberglass around my abdomenand pelvic discomfort meant thatanypants became my worst enemy.
Wearing stiff clothes could be so unbearable that I felt like I was going to throw up.
My uniform: stretchy black pants and an oversized button down
In the years since, Ive mastered the art of looking and feeling good despite these limitations.
I have a web link of close friends who also have endo.
When dressing became hard, so did looking in the mirror and liking the person I saw.
When it comes to pants, give yourself room to breathe.
Pants suck when it comes to pain-friendlinessthey can be constrictive and overly structured.
With endo, theres also always the potential for bloating, which is often referred to asendo belly.
For shirts, Isurprise!focus on fabrics that feel good on my skin.
I especially love silhouettes that make me feel feminine without being too tight, like oversized button-ups fromGapandAbercrombie.
For romantic blouses, I splurge onDoen.
My post-op Doên blouse
Some faves include sweaters fromDjerf Avenue, cotton tops fromSezane, and anything fromGaps CashSoft line.
Ive recently found my holy-grail T-shirts for $15 at Old Navy.
I love thecroppedandboxy vintagecuts, both of which are super-gentle.
Commandos modalButter Collectionunderwear is extremely lightweight.
TheWhipped Collection from Negativeincludes modalboxersthat are fantastic for working around vulvodynia symptoms.
Ive been a convert ever since.
Whatever you choose, go with a bra thats wireless and breathable.
When the sensation of fabric against my skin is agony, I rely on flowy dresses.
Make those pieces some of your favorites in your dresser.
A going-out look in an AYM dress
Beyond YogasSpacedyecollection gets me through flares regularly.
A fit that stood up to a marathon of surgeries and doctor visits.
Aeries loungewear is also great (and less expensive than Beyond Yoga).
If I wear lace, it can trigger discomfort to the point that I wake up.
If I wear something with a waistband, it can hurt my pelvis overnight.
I love the selection of patterned slips onNatori, which has a price range starting around $50.
A going-out look in an AYM dress
If you like something a little longer or prefer cotton,Eileen Westis the GOAT of nightgowns.
Its not the most glamorous lookand feeling like Im being controlled by my pain is also really emotionally trying.
On days like that, I rely extra-hard on my precious collection of accessories to cheer me up.
My go-to is a silk scarf because theyre slinky and unobtrusive.
I scour resale websites like TheRealReal for deals on designer pieces; ditto for bags and jewelry.
A comfy outfit with a luxurious scarf
Accessories help me feel prettier and more glamorousmorehumanon my worst days.
As I see it, thats what fashion is about:feeling like myself.
It buoys my spirits and makes me feel whole.
And, sorry, but thats bullshit.
A fit that stood up to a marathon of surgeries and doctor visits.
So: Go build a fire wardrobe…that doesnt also set your pain on fire.
A comfy outfit with a luxurious scarf
A comfy outfit with a luxurious scarf
