What women tell us

The complaints are remarkably consistent

Read through women’s conversations about menopause and the same themes come up again and again. They match what we hear from customers:

• Waistbands. A firm, non-stretch waistband becomes uncomfortable, especially after eating, when bloated, or sitting for hours. Elastic and drawstring waists suddenly make sense.
• Heat. Hot flushes and night sweats make some fabrics feel suffocating. Many women say heavy or non-breathable fabrics trap heat.
• Touch sensitivity. Tags, seams, scratchy trims and anything tight at the neck or wrist can feel irritating. Some women cut out every label.
• Dry or itchy skin. Fabric that rubs, clings or doesn’t breathe can make skin feel worse.
• Bras. Many women move away from underwires towards softer, wire-free support.
• Shape and fit. Many women notice their shape changing, often with more fullness through the middle, so familiar sizes and cuts no longer sit the same way.
• Feet. Some find their feet feel swollen later in the day and want roomier shoes.

None of this is a sign that you are “getting difficult to dress”.
It is a sign that comfort has become a requirement, not a bonus.

Why fabric matters

Stretch is not a luxury: it is how a garment keeps up with you

A rigid fabric asks your body to stay the same shape all day. A fabric with stretch moves when you sit, bend, reach and eat, and it forgives the changes that happen between morning and evening. That is why stretch and comfort become so important at this stage, and why we look for them first in the fitting room.

Cotton with stretch

Natural fibres feel soft and are comfortable against skin, but a pure woven cotton can be stiff and unforgiving. Cotton with a little stretch gives you both. Our Lania pieces are a good example, using cotton-rich blends with elastane for movement. The Port 7/8 Pant is 69% cotton, 27% nylon and 4% elastane, and the Chrome Jean is a soft stretch denim blend of 55% cotton with 1% elastane. They keep a neat shape but move with you.

Technical fabrics that manage heat

Not every comfortable fabric is a natural fibre. Technical polyester fabrics are made to wick moisture away from the skin, which helps when you are running hot. Mela Purdie’s Maché and Joseph Ribkoff’s jersey knit are both chosen for lightness, stretch and ease of movement, and Joseph Ribkoff’s stretch jersey does not need ironing, which is a bonus when you are already hot and tired.

Soft, natural and gentler on skin

If your skin has become sensitive, organic cotton can be a comfortable choice. Orientique makes its pieces from organic cotton and other organic materials, with eco-conscious dyes. The Easy Fit Dress below is 100% organic cotton with a relaxed A-line shape that avoids a fitted waist altogether.

Three labels we trust for comfort

Why we choose Mela Purdie, Joseph Ribkoff and Lania

• Mela Purdie

  Travel-friendly Australian fabrics such as Maché and Microprene, with stretch, easy waists and a polished finish.

  See the Travel T and Soft Stand Shirt collections.

• Joseph Ribkoff

  Stretch jersey that does not need ironing, plus lightweight Featherweave jeans with great stretch, which are comfortable enough for a long flight.

  See the Featherweave jeans and browse all Joseph Ribkoff pants.

• Lania the Label

  Our third core label, with great fabrics that are mostly from natural fibres.

  Start with the Port Pants, the Chrome Jeans and the Cuffed Shorts.

• Orientique

  Organic materials and eco-conscious dyes for gentle, easy-fitting pieces.

  See the Orientique collection.

Lania the Label

Lania pieces to try

The Port Pant has an elasticated waist with an adjustable drawstring tie, a relaxed leg and an optional turn-up cuff, in lightweight cotton-rich stretch. The Cuffed Short is the same fabric in a relaxed knee-length shape with an elasticated waist. The Chrome Jean is a wide-leg stretch denim, and the Rome Jean is a classic five-pocket jean with a stretch waist.

Port Pants and Cuffed Shorts come back each season in Black, Navy, White, Nickel and Stone, so you can add to what you already own.

Cut and construction

Details that make a difference

Fabric is half the story. The cut matters just as much.

• Waistbands. Look for elastic, a drawstring or a stretch waist that you can adjust through the day.
• Necklines. If anything snug at the neck bothers you, choose open or V necklines and button fronts you can undo when you are warm.
• Seams and labels. Run your hand over the inside of a garment. Flat seams and soft or removable labels are kinder to sensitive skin.
• Skimming, not clinging. Tops that skim the body and end around the hip are comfortable and keep air moving.
• Easy layers. Lightweight layers you can take off quickly beat one heavy piece. Unlined dresses and jackets are cooler.
• Length and rise. A lightly cropped pant shows the ankle and keeps hems away from swollen feet and sandals.

Our Soft Stand Shirts are a good example: a relaxed shirt shape that sits loose over a waistband. The Travel T collection offers easy tees in travel fabrics.

Try before you commit

The five-minute fitting-room test

A garment can look right standing still and feel wrong ten minutes later. Before you decide, do this:

• Sit down for at least a minute. Does the waist dig in? Does it ride up?
• Reach and bend as if putting a bag in the car or picking something up.
• Lift your arms to check sleeves and armholes.
• Walk about and notice whether anything rubs or clings.
• Run your hand inside to check for scratchy seams and labels.
• Ask yourself whether you would still be comfortable at the end of a long, warm day.

Putting it together

Five comfortable outfits

• Everyday ease: Port Pant in Stone with the Soft Stand Shirt worn loose and flat sandals.
• Smart casual: Chrome Jean in Indigo with a relaxed tee and a light layer you can take off.
• Warm days: Cuffed Short in Navy with a Travel T and a hat.
• Dressier: Nomad Pant with a loose top and loafers.
• Dress it down: Orientique Easy Fit Dress with simple sandals.

For more ideas, browse Pull-On & Elastic-Waist Pants, Cotton Clothing, Easy Care Clothing and Travel Clothing.