-
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
8% OffRegular price $108Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $1088% Off -
8% OffRegular price $108Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $1088% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
Regular price $54Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $540% Off -
11% OffRegular price $48Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $4811% Off -
11% OffRegular price $48Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $4811% Off -
Regular price $54Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $540% Off -
Regular price $54Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $540% Off -
30% OffRegular price $38Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $3830% Off -
30% OffRegular price $38Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $3830% Off -
9% OffRegular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $989% Off -
9% OffRegular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $989% Off -
Regular price $108Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $1080% Off -
9% OffRegular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $989% Off -
9% OffRegular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $989% Off -
Regular price $108Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $1080% Off -
11% OffRegular price $48Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $4811% Off -
11% OffRegular price $48Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $4811% Off -
11% OffRegular price $48Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $4811% Off -
11% OffRegular price $48Regular priceUnit price per$54Sale price $4811% Off -
17% OffRegular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $9817% Off -
17% OffRegular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $9817% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
10% OffRegular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
20% OffRegular price $78Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $7820% Off -
Regular price $118Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $118 -
Regular price $118Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $118
-
-
-
Magnetic Button-Down | Tailored-Fit
Regular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
Magnetic Button-Down | Relaxed-Fit
Regular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
HoodEase®: The Magnetic Zip-Up Hoodie
Regular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $989% Off -
HoodEase®: The Magnetic Zip-Up Hoodie
Regular price $98Regular priceUnit price per$108Sale price $989% Off -
-
-
Short-Sleeve Magnetic-Button Shirt
Regular price $88Regular priceUnit price per$98Sale price $8810% Off -
-
Magnetic Zip-Up Sweater For Men
Regular price $118Regular priceUnit price per$118Sale price $118
Arthritis can make everyday dressing more painful and tiring than it should be. Stiff or swollen fingers, reduced grip strength, and limited movement in the shoulders, hips or knees can turn simple tasks like buttoning a shirt, pulling on pants or putting on socks into a challenge.
Adaptive clothing for arthritis is designed to reduce some of the gripping, pinching, bending and reaching involved in traditional dressing.
At Joe & Bella, our arthritis-friendly clothing uses features such as magnetic closures, flexible fabrics and easier-access designs while maintaining the look and feel of everyday clothing.
For many older adults, arthritis-friendly apparel is also part of a broader need for adaptive clothing for seniors.
What Clothing Is Easiest for Someone With Arthritis?
The easiest clothing for someone with arthritis depends on which part of dressing is difficult.
Helpful features may include:
- Magnetic closures instead of small buttons
- Easy-grip zipper pulls
- Flexible or elastic waistbands
- Side-opening pants
- Wider sleeve and pant openings
- Soft, stretch fabrics
- Socks that are easier to pull on
- Clothing that can be managed while seated
Someone with arthritis primarily affecting the hands may benefit most from easier closures, while someone with hip or knee stiffness may need clothing that reduces bending and leg lifting.
The goal is to identify the difficult movement first, then choose a garment that requires less of it.
How Arthritis Can Make Dressing More Difficult
Arthritis can affect everyday dressing in several ways:
- Reduced finger dexterity
- Weak or painful grip
- Swollen or tender joints
- Limited shoulder movement
- Hip or knee stiffness
- Difficulty bending toward the feet
- Fatigue during everyday tasks
Traditional clothing often requires repeated pinching, twisting, pulling and fastening.
The Arthritis Foundation notes that tasks such as buttoning a shirt can become difficult for people with arthritis and recommends adaptations and assistive devices to reduce strain on affected joints.
What Shirts Are Easiest to Fasten With Arthritic Hands?
For someone with arthritis in the fingers, hands or wrists, small traditional buttons can be particularly difficult because they require precise pinching and coordination.
Helpful alternatives include:
Magnetic Button Shirts
Magnetic button shirts maintain the appearance of a traditional button-down, but hidden magnets replace the functional button-and-buttonhole closure.
Instead of forcing a small button through a buttonhole, the two sides of the shirt are brought together and the magnets connect.
This can reduce the fine-motor effort involved in fastening a shirt.
Magnetic shirts may be helpful for people who:
- Have painful or swollen finger joints
- Struggle to pinch small buttons
- Have reduced grip strength
- Use primarily one hand for dressing
- Want to keep wearing traditional-looking button-down shirts
Easier Cuffs
Cuff buttons can sometimes be even harder to manage than buttons down the front of a shirt.
Look for:
- Magnetic cuffs
- Stretch cuffs
- Wider sleeve openings
- Cuffs that do not need to be repeatedly fastened
Easy Zippers
For jackets, sweaters and hoodies, larger zipper pulls or easier-start zipper systems can reduce the amount of precise finger coordination required.
Adaptive Clothing for Arthritis in the Hands
If arthritis mainly affects the hands and wrists, prioritize clothing that reduces pinching, gripping and twisting.
Useful features may include:
- Magnetic closures
- Larger fasteners
- Easy-grip zipper pulls
- Stretch fabrics
- Flexible cuffs
- Simplified closures
The Arthritis Foundation also recommends tools such as zipper pulls and buttoning aids when fastening clothing becomes difficult.
Joe & Bella's women's adaptive shirts and men's adaptive shirts include options designed to reduce some of these fine-motor demands.
What Pants Are Easiest to Put On With Arthritis?
Lower-body dressing can become difficult when arthritis affects the hips, knees, back, shoulders or hands.
Helpful pant features can include:
Flexible or Elastic Waistbands
A flexible waistband reduces the need to manipulate small buttons, hooks or belts.
Side Openings
Side-zipping pants can create a wider opening, reducing how much the legs need to be lifted or pushed through a narrow pant leg.
This can be especially useful when dressing while seated.
Stretch Fabrics
Fabric with some give can be easier to pull into position around stiff or painful joints.
Wider Leg Openings
More room through the pant leg can reduce the amount of pulling and bending required during dressing.
For lower-body dressing, explore our adaptive pants and side-opening options.
Start With the Joint That Makes Dressing Difficult
Arthritis does not affect everyone in the same way.
Instead of choosing clothing only because it is labeled “arthritis-friendly,” ask which movement is causing the problem.
If Your Fingers or Hands Hurt
Look for:
- Magnetic closures
- Larger zipper pulls
- Fewer small fasteners
- Easy cuffs
If Your Shoulders Are Stiff
Look for:
- Front-opening shirts
- Wider arm openings
- Flexible fabrics
- Clothing that does not need to be pulled overhead
If Your Hips or Knees Are Stiff
Look for:
- Side-opening pants
- Wider leg openings
- Stretch fabrics
- Clothing that can be put on while seated
If Bending Is Difficult
Consider:
- Easier-on pants
- Socks with more flexible openings
- Long-handled dressing aids
- Dressing from a sturdy seated position
The Arthritis Foundation recommends sitting while dressing when helpful and putting a stiffer or more painful limb into the garment first.
Nurse Taylor's Tip
"Don't try to solve every dressing challenge at once. Pay attention to the exact moment that causes pain or frustration—buttoning the shirt, reaching into a sleeve, pulling pants over the hips or bending down for socks. Once you identify that step, you can look for a clothing feature or dressing aid that specifically removes some of that movement. A small change to one part of the routine can sometimes make the entire process feel easier.”
Soft, Flexible Fabrics Can Make Dressing Easier
When joints are stiff or painful, rigid clothing can create more resistance while dressing.
Look for fabrics that are:
- Soft
- Flexible
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Comfortable against sensitive skin
- Stretchy enough to move with the body
The goal is not necessarily to buy larger clothing. A well-fitting garment with appropriate stretch can be easier to manage than an oversized garment with excess fabric.
Socks and Foot Comfort for Arthritis
Arthritis in the feet, ankles, knees or hands can also make socks difficult to manage.
Look for socks with:
- Flexible openings
- Soft materials
- Enough stretch to pull on without excessive force
- Gripping surfaces when additional indoor traction is useful
Joe & Bella offers arthritis socks and other adaptive socks.
Compression socks serve a different purpose and are not automatically the best choice simply because someone has arthritis. If you're considering compression for swelling or circulation concerns, choose the appropriate compression level based on your individual needs and medical guidance.
Dressing Tips for Arthritis
A few changes to the dressing routine may help reduce unnecessary strain:
- Sit in a sturdy chair when dressing the lower body if standing or balancing is difficult.
- Lay out the complete outfit before beginning.
- Dress the stiffest or most painful limb first when practical.
- Choose clothing with fewer complicated fastening steps.
- Use larger joints rather than relying on small finger joints whenever possible.
- Consider assistive tools such as button hooks, zipper pulls, dressing sticks or long-handled shoehorns.
Occupational therapists can also help identify ways to modify everyday activities and reduce unnecessary joint strain.
Choosing Arthritis-Friendly Clothing
Before buying clothing, ask:
- Which joint makes dressing difficult?
- Which movement causes the most pain?
- Are traditional buttons or zippers difficult?
- Is reaching overhead uncomfortable?
- Is bending toward the feet difficult?
- Does the person dress standing or seated?
- Is one side of the body more painful or stiff?
- Would a different closure or opening eliminate a difficult step?
Choosing clothing around the actual dressing challenge is usually more useful than shopping based on the diagnosis alone.
Adaptive Clothing for Arthritis From Joe & Bella
Joe & Bella designs adaptive clothing to reduce some of the movements that can make traditional dressing frustrating.
Depending on your needs, helpful options may include:
- Magnetic button shirts
- Magnetic-zip outerwear
- Side-opening pants
- Flexible waistbands
- Stretch fabrics
- Adaptive socks
The goal is simple: make the clothing easier to use without making it look medical.
Explore the arthritis-friendly clothing above to find options for easier upper-body and lower-body dressing.