Having rheumatoid arthritis shouldn't mean sacrificing your style. Check out these practical tips for fun, flattering, and frustration-free fashion.

Achy, swollen joints and the stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis don't have to cramp your sense of style.

Since her early twenties, Quia Querisma, the fashion and travel expert behind My Jet Set Style has stayed au courant despite having RA. “I can tell you from personal experience that RA doesn't have to stop a person from being stylish,” she said. Querisma added that she’s had swelling and pain in just about every joint in her body at varying times but she's found practical ways to keep her wardrobe RA-friendly — without looking and feeling dumpy. 

RA and Clothing: Comfort and Fit

During an RA flare, you're likely to be tempted to reach for oversized and shapeless clothing that doesn't restrict or bind. While this may be fine for days when you're lounging at home, you don’t necessarily want to go to work or a social function in even your nicest sweat pants. Instead, opt for fabrics and cut options that offer comfort and ease while still making you look great. Here are a few of Querisma's go-to pieces:

Wrap dresses. “Easy to slip on and secure at the waist, they don’t require as much work as pullover dresses or dresses with zippers in the back,” she said. Choose materials that stretch easily like jersey knit or cotton.

Bootcut and wide-leg pants and jeans. “The loose fit of these styles camouflage knee and foot swelling,” she said. Consider options that have elastic at the waist so you can simply pull them on without having to deal with buttons or snaps.

Maxi dresses. “Whether tank-style or empire waist, their simple construction makes it easy to put them on and take off,” Querisma said. Choose designs that you can step into if putting on clothes over your head is difficult.

Empire waist tops in jersey knits. “The fabric stretches to accommodate limited range of motion in the arms and hands, and these tops don't have any pesky buttons," she said.

Add Some Fashion Flair

Accessories and footwear can make an outfit, but putting on shoes with buckles and jewelry with tiny clasps may be mission impossible because of your RA. Not to worry — there are many possibilities that aren't taxing on your joints.

For fashion accessories, Querisma suggests long necklaces that you can slip over your head. She also likes silk scarves that can be wrapped or tied loosely. She avoids rings, bangles, and watches on days when her hands or fingers swell, but she doesn't shy away from statement handbags or shoes. Swelling in the toes and feet will instantly rule out a pair of heels,” Querisma said. Luckily, trends are leaning toward more comfy styles that include skimmers, flat sandals, and flat boots.

Shopping Tips for Fashion Accessories

Use these strategies when setting your RA style:

• Don’t rule out items based on sight alone. If something catches your eye, try it on. Designers are more aware of comfort these days. You might be surprised at how good a pair of platform shoes feel once you slip your feet inside.
• Look for clothing styles with larger zippers or oversized buttons — they might not be as hard to manage as regular sized fasteners. It never hurts to give clothing items a test run, especially since many shops today take returns and exchanges. 
• If you find a piece of jewelry that you like but it has a frustrating clasp, consider having the clasps modified so it is more RA-friendly. Karen Curtis, a jewelry designer in New York City, uses magnetic clasps for clients who have RA. “This makes it much easier for anyone who has joint problems — just line up the two ends and voila! They hold strong and do not detract from the beauty of my jewelry at all,” she said.
• If you have favorite pieces sitting in your jewelry box, unworn for years, Curtis recommended checking with your local jewelry store to see if they can attach magnetic clasps so that you can enjoy them once again.