Clothing

[Fulliautomatix]

Seems I am having trouble with standard trousers - too low at back, high at front, zips not long enough.
Does everyone use standard trousers or wheelchair specific? - higher at back, lower at front, longer zip.
If specific - where do you get them?
Thanks.

[Burgerman]

We all seem to have that problem I am interested too.

[ex-Gooserider]

What I've been wearing since I was injured are sweatpants made by a company called Buck & Buck. They mostly make "nursing home clothes" for old folks, and assorted other HP gear, but these pants have zippers down each side that reach about half way to my knees. They work very nicely, though they do tend to be a bit short in the back. However the side zippers make them easier to get on, as you only have to deal with the legs and back half when sliding them on in bed or otherwise. I also do intermittent catheterisation, and the zippers let me fold the entire front of the pants down past the crotch, making it easier to access the "equipment"... (The flap also makes a somewhat usable shelf to hold the stuff in my kits if I don't have any other options)

Medical folks also seem to love them for making it easier for them to get to the relevant areas...

I also had a friend that liked to sew convert some of my old jeans to the same style, and do a semi-wheelchair conversion by adding the side zippers, removing the back pockets, rivets, etc. and adding a sort of triangular panel about 4" wide in the center back of the waist - it tapers to nothing at the side zippers. Does a reasonably decent job of making up for the "down in back" problem so that the waistline is fairly normal. I don't wear them as much though, as the stiffer denim material isn't quite as comfortable. (I've also put on a bit of a gut, so they don't fit as well now as they did at first...)

Wouldn't mind trying a few pairs of the "wheelchair jeans", but pre-injury, I seldom paid more than US $15-20 for a pair of pants, and really don't like the $50-75 they seem to want for the wheelchair jeans, even the ones without the side zippers, which I've really gotten to like...

The other thing that I wear almost always, that I really depend on is a pair of gizmos called "Cast Handles" essentially they are a pair of velcro straps that go around your legs one just above the knee, and one just above the ankle, with a web strap connecting them. Originally intended for people with broken legs to move their casts / splints around, I find they are very useful for moving my dead legs, either for repositioning, transfers, or picking up one ankle to put it across the other knee... Much easier than trying to grab my pants, or get my hand under my leg... I got one for the splint on my broken leg while I was in rehab, liked it so much that I asked for one to use on the other leg as well... Relatively cheap as well (Note, Amazon also carries them for a bit less...)

ex-Gooserider

[Fulliautomatix]

http://www.legawear.com/index/aboutus
http://www.benedictcutler.com.au/home
http://www.izadaptive.com/Home.aspx

[Step]

I got some pants and other stuff from here:http://www.rollimoden.de/epages/RolliModen.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectID=12828

longer legs, higher back, lower front, flat seems, pockets placed differently...
Not cheap but good quality.

[sacharlie]

Khaki works best for me. The brand here in the states I like are St. Johns Bay.

[Martin O Refurbisher]

A good source of lowcost workwear tye clothing is:

http://www.jolliman.co.uk/index.asp?pageID=47

Best,

Martin

[Ironside]

Although quite expensive, I got a company called able2wear to make me especially fitting trousers that fit me properly when I'm sitting in my wheelchair. I've had some jeans made, also cargo pants and also a smart of trousers me, I would highly recommend them will stop

[marillion2]

I found http://disabledgear.com/Products/WheelchairJeans.aspx last year, run by a chap called Guy, I got a great pair of wheelchair jeans from him.

[Fulliautomatix]

Well...I have found that some of my old pants work well with the addition of a velcro opening in the leg for discharge.
I did buy http://benedictcutler.com.au/item&id=5E74EB86259013324863CCFB441F3F4B and they are quite good!
Stretch fabric that slides really well when transferring, nice high waist all round to keep yer gut in, well shaped...the legs are a little narrow for my liking but look good. Had to adjust the hem and didn't tell them of discharge port so had to add one.

[Anderida]

Many dry cleaners in the UK do clothing alterations too. It wouldn't be difficult for them to insert zips / velcro to trousers or sweat pants.

If you buy extra long trousers (so there is extra material available) they may be able to set in extra fabric into the back seam and/or waistband. They could also add a ready-made knitted ribbed cuff/waistband (from haberdashers, fabric shops, online and dept. stores e.g John Lewis) at the back of the trousers tapered down to side seams to give height and a close fit. Not difficult to do.

Also, check small ads for local dressmakers. With the right measurements they will make something from scratch for you and keep your basic pattern for next time. In my experience they would be happy to make something other than dresses for bridesmaids and garden parties!

[BronwynH]

Consider looking at motorcycle pants and other gear such as Draggin Jeans - http://www.dragginjeans.com/ProductInfo ... oductid=MF . They are made for riding. I used to drive a Vespa GT250 scooter.

[wheelboy]

Lol some abled people seem to forget that we sit the whole day .

My bf witch who i live together with for 15 years now thought he did good .When he won a trip to turkey at his work .He bougt a ed hardy jeans for me with a big parrot on the backside .He only forgot that you dont see anything of that parrot since i sit the whole day.Second pant he bought looked realy nice .But 2 big buttons on the back pockets .Since i still have sensation in my but it didnt sit to well the whole day .I removed the buttons now it fits well only little to low on the back.

For me the standart jeans and one size longer works good .also combat pants work good .I cant wear low rise pants ore pants with narrow pipes.Some cloths i think dont look to well in a wheelchair .i never wear a trainingpant anymore ore leather jeans .

Lol another very expencive tip .Go to bali ore singapore ore thailand .Last time i was on bali i let a tailor made all new cloaths didnt cost very much.

[Anderida]

My ex-hubbie is a large man (larger now!) and he can't always find clothes to fit comfortably. On one of his trips to Thailand (he has much younger Thai gf now, bless) he got a whole new wardrobe made up. Perfect fit.

The saving he made on the clothes was nearly enough to cover the air fare. Of course, he's AB so no probs with airports, planes, taxis, hotel facilities etc. Might be worth the effort if you are thinking of longhaul holiday.