If you’re perimenopausal or menopausal, you may find that it’s a bit trickier nowadays to find clothing that’s comfortable. It’s not uncommon for women in menopause to find that once-familiar and beloved clothing styles no longer flatter their changing bodies or accommodate unpredictable menopause symptoms, like hot flashes.
But, finding your style and dressing after 40 doesn’t have to feel impossible. With a few tips and tricks, you can feel confident in your clothes, no matter where you are in the menopause transition.
Let’s dive into what symptoms you can expect as your body changes and how your style may evolve to support you during menopause.
How to Dress When Your Body Changes
Changing hormones during perimenopause mean the body burns calories less efficiently, resulting in extra fat storage—especially in the midsection—and a reduction in bone and muscle mass.1,2 Coupled with night sweats and hot flashes, women in midlife may need to try out different styles and fabrics to help them remain cool and confident.
Here are a few midlife style tips to keep in mind.
Look for Elastics in Perimenopause Clothing
Whether you’re battling bloat or experiencing ‘meno-belly,’ pants that offer tummy control can help add extra support around your stomach.3
Not all elastics are created equal, though—some waistbands can cut into the abdomen and create an uncomfortable, squeezing situation. The right pants for your changing body should have you feeling more confident, not less.
Pants, underwear, and shapewear with low compression can help smooth out curves, while medium compression may conceal bumps and smooth your silhouette.4 Items with firm compression, on the other hand, can help provide comforting tummy control while lifting and sculpting thighs and hips.5,6
Whether your goal is to support your waist or 'lift' other problem areas, consider choosing pieces that are comfortable and flattering and make you feel good.
Best Fabrics for Perimenopause
The best fabrics for perimenopause are breathable, keeping you cool as you ride the waves of hot flashes and night sweats.7 Style experts recommend: 8
- Linen
- Cotton
- Wool
- Modal
- Chambray
Natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and wool are breathable, but they can hold onto moisture. For the hot summer months, you may prefer moisture-wicking, synthetic fabrics like polyester to stay cool and absorb sweat (see more on this below).
Layers Are Your Friend When Dressing After 40
Hot flashes are about as predictable as a good night’s sleep—which is why dressing in layers is essential.
Style experts recommend a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric as a base layer. In colder temperatures, especially, you may like to add additional clothing layers of temperature-regulating fabric with a relaxed fit, like cotton or linen shirts or a light jacket.9
As you warm up or a hot flash nears, simply pull away layers to manage your body temperature and stay comfortable.
Prioritize Sleep with Moisture-Wicking Pajamas
Those who have entered the unpredictable waters of perimenopause may be all too familiar with night sweats and occasional sleepless nights.
While you can’t always control nighttime menopause symptoms, you can increase your chances of a comfortable night’s sleep by finding the right fabric for sleeping during menopause.
The fabrics mentioned above, like cotton and linen, are breathable and soft, but they may absorb the moisture from night sweats rather than wicking them away. This is where man-made fabrics, like polyester, come into play. Synthetic fabrics should help pull moisture away from the body and allow it to evaporate, helping you avoid that ‘wet-blanket’ feel at 3 in the morning.10
Synthetic, moisture-wicking materials include: 11
- Polyester
- Viscose
- Rayon
- Modal
- Lyocell
Dressing for Comfort and Confidence in Perimenopause Is Possible
When it comes to staying comfortable and confident during perimenopause, the best approach is by trial-and-error. The above suggestions are general guidelines—ultimately, you may find it useful to try out different styles and fabrics to see which feel right for you.
Resources
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/after-the-menopause/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8569454/
- https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-jeans-for-tummy-control
- https://www.oprahdaily.com/style/g44662655/best-tummy-control-shapewear/?
- https://www.oprahdaily.com/style/g44662655/best-tummy-control-shapewear/?
- https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-tummy-control-underwear
- https://www.womansworld.com/shopping/fashion-shopping/best-menopause-pajamas-for-women-over-50-168240
- https://www.today.com/shop/best-fabrics-hot-weather-t285517
- https://weather.com/atmosphere/reviews/best-clothing-to-stay-cool-in-heat
- https://inchemistry.acs.org/atomic-news/dont-sweat-it.html
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/g39640717/best-cooling-pajamas/
