When my doctor first booked me in for shoulder surgery last year, I did what I assume a lot of people do these days, started Googling. I did get a basic pamphlet from the hospital, but I wanted to be extra prepared. At 65, I don’t just take chances anymore.

Honestly, I was pretty impressed with myself. I had a list of seemingly obvious tips for how to handle sleep, deal with pain, stay active, and even ideas on what to wear after shoulder surgery. Loose clothes, nothing with tight straps, the basics.

But when I actually started the recovery phase, I realized I wasn’t as well prepped as I’d thought, at least from a clothing perspective. So I thought I’d share how I ended up filling my wardrobe with all the stuff that eventually made the healing journey easier.

Quick Tips on What to Wear After Shoulder Surgery

Just in case you haven’t gone through the same Googling marathon as me yet, I thought I’d share some quick dressing tips first. If you follow these, you might not need to buy an entirely new wardrobe, and you may even be able to sidestep disapproving looks from your surgeon:

• Skip anything that goes over your head. Even when the pain starts easing, you’ll want to avoid lifting your arms too high. Swap tank tops for button shirts, and sports bras for front-closure alternatives.
• Soft and loose is better: You want tops that open wide, pants that don’t cling to your legs, and soft materials that won’t rub against your stitches or sore skin. 
• Pay attention to entry: Bigger arm holes, longer zips for pants that let you open them all the way, and wider mouths on shoes will save you a lot of headaches.
• Bras matter more than you think. I’ll talk more about this below, but the right post-surgery bra makes getting dressed so much less stressful. Do make sure you listen to your surgeon though, they might recommend going braless for a while.
• Adaptive clothing isn’t just for nursing homes: I used to think “adaptive” meant clinical or frumpy. I was wrong. Some of the best clothes I found were from brands that specialize in adaptive apparel.

Make sure you follow step-by-step guides on how to actually get dressed and undressed after surgery on your shoulder too. Quick tip, start with the injured side first.

What to Wear After Shoulder Surgery: My Wardrobe

There are probably a few items in your wardrobe that will work fine after shoulder surgery. I wore my sweatpants a lot, and frequently relied on button-up shirts. I wouldn’t advise replacing everything you own. You will heal eventually. Just make sure you’ve got the basics.

These are my top picks.

A Comfortable Front-Closing Bra

I was a big fan of front-closing bras before my surgery. They’re just easier, particularly for us older ladies who don’t always have the best mobility. But if you don’t have one yet, make sure you get one before your surgery date. Preferably one that’s going to be super comfortable.

My favorite is the Liberare Comfort Sculpt. In my opinion, it’s the easiest bra to wear after shoulder surgery for a few reasons. First is the front closure, which uses standard clips, so you don’t have to worry about it popping open like some button or Velcro bras. However, it also has magnets built in, and useful finger loops to help guide the clasp together.

Secondly, the material is extremely soft, so it won’t irritate your surgery site, or your skin. There’s also extra-wide straps, which are great for taking the pressure away from your shoulders. I still wear this bra often now, even though my pain has definitely subsided.

Easier Underwear

I actually didn’t think I’d need special underwear at first. I figured I’d just live in my softest cotton briefs. But pulling those up was tricker than I expected during the early recovery days, so I ended up buying a pair of Liberare’s adaptive pull-up briefs.

These are actually leakproof panties, which isn’t really a feature I needed (thank goodness), but it’s still nice to have that extra support. The great thing about them for people buying adaptive apparel after shoulder surgery, is they have loops on the side you can hook your fingers into.

If your hands get a little weak while you’re recovering (which they probably will), these briefs will make life a lot easier. Plus, they’re comfortable, reliable, and the waistband is super soft.

The Ideal Around-The-House Shirt

If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend a lot of time just lazing around at home while you’re recovering, waiting for the pain to subside. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you’re probably going to need something easy to wear on those days.

I found this Deyeek post shoulder surgery shirt on Amazon, and it’s great for low-fuss days. It’s not going to win any fashion awards (although there are some nice colors). Still, the sides open fully, so you can just get it on and off in a few seconds without lifting your arms too high.

I also loved that I could just drape it over my injured shoulder if I didn’t want to remove my sling again after popping on my comfort bra.

A More Stylish (But Easy to Wear) Shirt

For the days when you do want to dress up a little more, I absolutely recommend the Everyday Magnetic Button blouse from Joe & Bella. This is a far more glamorous shirt, with a silky material and beautiful patterns that look fantastic on anyone.

Unlike most of my button shirts, this one has hidden magnets, so it snaps closed without you having to fiddle with anything. That’s great if your fingers aren’t listening to you on a difficult pain day.

The elastic cuffs are super wide, so it’s easy to pull the shirt on and off. Plus, the fabric is really soft and breathable, which is just what I needed. This was my go-to for “real clothes” days, particularly combined with my magnetic bra from Liberare (which gave me a super smooth silhouette).

The Easy Dress That I Still Love

Somewhere around the four-week mark, I had to go to a follow-up appointment with my surgeon, and after I was going for lunch with a friend, so I wanted something pretty.

That’s when I found the MagnaReady Adaptive Wrap Dress, and honestly? It was perfect.

It looks like a classic wrap dress (flattering cut, soft drape, easy to style), but the magic is in the Velcro closures. Instead of trying to tie or button anything, I just slipped it around my body and pressed it shut. I still wear this now, and I feel so put together in it.

Although these days, I tend to wear it with the Smooth-On T-shirt Bra from Liberare. That bra still has the magnetic front-closure, it just gives me a bit more shape and lift too.

The Simple Pants for Cooler Days

I had no idea how hard pants would be until I tried to put on my favorite jeans post-surgery. With one arm, no core strength, and a sling in the way, it was almost impossible.

Most of the time, at home, I just stuck to pull-on leggings or sweat pants. But when I left the house, I wanted something a bit more structured. Joe & Bella came to the rescue again here, with their Side-Zip pants. They don’t look like adaptive apparel, just regular pants.

The great part is that they have an ultra-long invisible zipper that runs almost to your knee. That makes stepping into them a lot easier when your range of motion is limited. Oh, and there are a lot of different color options too, so you can match them to any outfit.

A Jacket That Really Surprised Me

By the time I actually had my surgery appointment last year, we were getting into winter territory. I assumed my standard jacket would be fine, but honestly, the shoulders were a little too tight, and handling the zipper was tricky when I had one hand in a sling.

The No Limbits Limited Dexterity Jacket ended up being one of my favorite purchases, next to the Liberare bras for after shoulder surgery.

It’s designed specifically for people with limited arm mobility, which meant I could get it on and off without needing help or risking messing up my shoulder. The key is the easy-entry side design, you can slip your bad arm in first without lifting it much, then slide the rest on like a cardigan.

The zip self-aligns with magnets too, which makes things much simpler when you only have one hand free. It’s a little pricey, but worth it.

Slip on Shoes That Keep You Steady

If you’re currently relying on standard lace-up sneakers, you’re probably going to need something else for post-surgery recovery. Slip on shoes are definitely the best option, particularly if you can find ones with a large mouth opening.

I’ve got the Kizik Women’s Athens shoes in “Bahama”, and they’re amazing. They feel great, they’re easy to get on, and they look fantastic. These shoes are so much more than just convenient, with their “hands-free” slide on technology.

They also have removable and washable insoles, strong traction on the sole to help you avoid slips and spills, and a breathable knit upper portion to keep your feet cool. Like a lot of the clothes I bought wondering what to wear after shoulder surgery, these are still part of my wardrobe today.

The Nightgown for Cozier Evenings

Last but not least, nightwear. Evenings are bound to be the hardest part of the day for most people recovering from shoulder surgery. By the time you go to bed you’re going to be exhausted, sore, and sick of everything. You might even skip pajamas entirely.

That’s fine if you’re comfortable with it, but if you like to wear something to bed, I’d recommend the Dignity Pajamas Home Care Line nightgown. It’s pretty, simple, and breathable. It also comes with a wrap back and sash tie so it’s easy to get on and off.

I usually pair this with the Liberare wrap bralette, one of the simplest front-closure bras I’ve tried. The combo worked particularly well when I was feeling extra tender, but felt like I needed some support.

What to Wear After Shoulder Surgery: The Easy Wardrobe

Chances are you’ll find your own go-to outfits for dealing with shoulder surgery. I just wanted to give you a look at what worked for me. If you’re not sure where to start, or you don’t want to spend a fortune, I’d recommend getting the essentials first.

Grab one easy-to-wear shirt, a front-closing bra that’s not going to dig into your shoulders, and a pair of slip on shoes, and you’ll be at least a little better prepared. You can figure out the rest as you go, just like I did.

Trust me, even having a couple of clothing items worked out in advance will save you a lot of headaches later on.