Emma’s Spring and Summer Fashion Tips
Ah, the warmer months! The bane of every eczema sufferer’s existence...that time when wearing sweaters and long pants all the time ceases to be socially acceptable! Luckily, I have had many years of practice with dressing myself to hide the max amount of problem areas while still looking great and mostly season appropriate, and today I am going to share all my secrets with all of you!
Tip #1: Use long socks to your advantage! If you have eczema on your lower legs but still want to wear something that isn’t ankle-length, invest in a few pairs of thigh-highs or knee length socks. They hide legs exceptionally well while looking great with almost anything that shows a bit of leg- rompers, shorts, summer dresses, you name it! Plus they come in all sorts of patterns, which is great if you’re like me and love collecting fun socks :)
Tip #2: Leggings! They come in almost as many patterns as socks, and they have the added benefit of covering up your whole leg! If I’m having a bad leg day, I always have a pair of leggings at my disposal to make me feel more secure. Plus, they’re light, so you can wear them in both spring and summer!
Tip #3: Layer using jackets and flannels. This year, I’ve been wearing flannels over almost anything- dresses, t-shirts, etc. They work well for when I’m feeling a bit shy about my arms, and the sleeves can be rolled up a bit if I’m feeling hot but I’m not willing to expose my flared skin to the public. Nice jackets or sweaters can serve the same purpose, while accessorizing whatever you’re wearing with it :) Another plus is that they can be removed as a last resort, while long-sleeved shirts cannot!
Tip #4: Distract from your flares! If you’re having a bad flare day somewhere, try wearing something, like a really cute pair of shoes or some unique earrings, to distract people from noticing and direct their attention elsewhere. With any luck, they’ll be saying “hey, cool earrings!” instead of “what’s wrong with your arms?”
Final Tip: Above all, wear what you want! If you’ve got a flare on your legs but you want to wear your best pair of shorts, go for it!! Obviously, these tips are only suggestions, and overall, my advice is to say fuck what everyone else might think of the flare on your arm and wear the short-sleeved shirt!!
I hope that my tips were helpful, or at the very least amusing!!! If anyone else has any personal eczema fashion advice, feel free to send it to me and I’ll publish it here!!