Dressing aids - clothing

There are a number of dressing aids that make putting clothes on a much simpler task. The most popular and easy to use examples are described below.

Sock, tights (pantyhose) and stocking aids

These contraptions can make putting sock and stocking-like items of clothing on the feet and legs much simpler.

They work by using a plastic channel around which the sock or stocking is rolled. The foot is then placed in this foot shaped channel following which it is pulled up the leg by using narrow tapes attached to each side. As the channel is pulled up it brings the clothing with it without the need to bend, stretch or fiddle.

Underpants lifter aid

This is a simple but clever device in the form of a frame that makes pulling pants up very easy.

The aid, sometimes called a slip lifter, has a lightweight frame consisting of two side handles attached to a support around which the pants are fitted.

When in place, the pants will be stretched with two open leg holes. The wearer simply puts their feet through the leg holes and pulls the pants up. The lifter is removed once the pants have been pulled up to a more easily reachable level. The frame is very light and easy to use.

Trouser clips

Trouser clips are used to attach unfastened trousers to upper body items of clothing like a shirt or a jumper. They can be worn for comfort, or more usually as a dressing aid.

When worn for comfort, the clips remove the need to zip up and fasten a pair of trousers while in the privacy of one’s own home. This allows the wearer to sit with the trousers open (which is often more comfortable), whilst knowing that the trouser clips will work like temporary braces if he or she stands up and walks.

Alternatively, this aid can be used to initially hold trousers in place (that have been put on whilst in a sitting position) as the wearer stands up. Once upright the zip, button etc can be fastened without the worry that the trousers will slip down during the standing up process. When used in this way these clips can be a very useful dressing aid.

Dressing aid, button hook and zip puller (Dressing stick)

Stretching and reaching when putting on garments like shirts, jackets and even socks can be aided by the use of a dressing stick (or cane).

This device is an elongated stick with a smooth surfaced double hook on one end. It can be used to help pull up socks, pull around the shoulder and arm hole of a jacket, and generally reach and grab parts of a clothing item that are beyond easy reach (or that are difficult to hold). It is a simple device, but a highly effective one to use once the operator has become comfortable with it.

For those who find manipulating small fasteners like buttons hard, a button hook could be the solution. This is a clever device that combines a narrow button holding wire with a large easy-hold handle and it enables a button to be simply fed through the button hole and released once it is fastened and in place. It use requires a minimum of dexterity.

You can also get zip pulling cords that can be attached to any garment zip prior to the item of clothing being put on. Once the clothing is on, the cord is used to pull the zip up and it can be released once the zipper has been closed.