What Clothes to Wear After Shoulder Surgery With a Sling 

 
Hi, Im Sarah I'm 52 years old and had surgery on a rotary cuff injury, heres my honest review on products I needed on my recovery journey. Recovering from shoulder surgery, can be a somewhat challenging experience so I have found. Especially when it comes to getting dressed. After undergoing a rotator cuff repair surgery, I quickly realized that my usual wardrobe was not going to work for my post recovery needs. Lifting my arm was impossible, and the sling made things even trickier. I needed clothes that were easy to put on, comfortable, and wouldn’t irritate my healing shoulder.

If you’re wondering what clothes to wear after shoulder surgery with a sling, here’s what worked for me—and what I’d recommend to anyone going through the same experience.

1. Front-Closure Bras: (Something you wouldn't think about!)

As a 42D, I couldn’t just skip wearing a bra altogether. However, traditional bras with back closures or pullover sports bras were completely out of the question. I needed something soft, supportive, and—most importantly—easy to put on without lifting my arm.

After trying a few different styles, I found three incredible bras from Liberare that made dressing so much easier.

⭐ The Comfort Seamless Sculpt Bra:

This bra was a lifesaver. It’s wireless, soft, and designed to be easy to put on. The front closure meant I could slip it on without painful arm movements. Plus, the seamless design meant no irritating seams rubbing against my sensitive skin.

⭐ The Smooth-On T-Shirt Bra:

 If you have larger breasts (D+ sizes), this one is fantastic. The molded cups give great shape, and the wider, adjustable straps provide extra support without digging into your shoulders. It was my go-to bra when I needed a more structured option.

 

⭐ The Everyday Easy-On Bra:

True to its name, this bra made my daily routine so much easier. It’s wireless, super comfortable, and supportive enough for all-day wear. I could easily fasten it in front and adjust it without unnecessary arm movement.

 

2. Loose, Button-Down or Zip-Front Tops

Pulling anything over my head was impossible, so I relied on button-up shirts, zip-up hoodies, and loose-fitting cardigans. These allowed me to get dressed without straining my shoulder or messing around with my sling. Soft, breathable fabrics were key to recovery, as anything too stiff or tight felt restrictive and uncomfortable.

3. Oversized or Adaptive Pants

Since my mobility was very limited, I needed pants that were easy to put on and take off with one hand. Loose joggers, sweatpants with an elastic waistband, and wide-leg yoga pants became my staples. Avoid anything with tiny buttons or zippers, as they can be frustrating when you’re only working with one good hand.

4. Slip-On Shoes or Adaptive Footwear

Another everyday activity that I did not realise would be such a struggle! Tying shoelaces. I opted for slip-on sneakers and soft, adjustable slippers. I loved slip on shoes from Kiziks, they're desigend to be slipped on. If you normally wear shoes with laces, consider switching to something more accessible during your recovery.

Having the right clothing made a huge difference in my post-surgery recovery and not only that your independence, recovery can be long and painful so its vital to have as much support around you.