Warm clothes for an older lady
October 20, 2013 3:02 PM Subscribe
My mother is in assisted living, so she's inside much of the time, but has no control over the temperature of the building, and likes to walk outside when she can. She's asked me to find warm clothes for her to wear. I got her some fleece cardigans, but I'm having a hard time finding warm pants which are simple: pull on, no buttons or zippers. Difficulty level: petite, and not too expensive or fancy.
She does have long johns, but simpler is probably better. Other suggestions of warming clothing are welcome, too.
I've found Wal-Mart to be a good source of inexpensive,warm clothing for my elderly mum. Look in the men's section for flannel/ fleece sleep pants ( good enough for outdoors) and thermal tops. She also has a variety of sweats that can double as extra warm jammies. Items can be hemmed if need be and machine wash and wear is a bonus.
posted by pentagoet at 3:19 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by pentagoet at 3:19 PM on October 20, 2013
My mom, who is 80+ and very petite has a few pairs of warm pull-on pants/sweats that are most definitely outerwear and I'm pretty sure they all come from Ross. (She has a few fleecy Lakers sweatshirts that she loves; I'm sure they are warm, but I think half the reason she likes to wear them is because of the young men that strike up basketball conversations with her. Maybe your mom would just like some plain fleecy sweatshirts.)
posted by Room 641-A at 3:21 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by Room 641-A at 3:21 PM on October 20, 2013
I have a pair of pull-on fleece pants that are more or less like these (those have a drawstring, but it's optional). You can get decent thick pile fleece pants which are totally AOK for pretty cold weather as long as it's not wet outside and you have long underwear underneath them.
posted by jessamyn at 3:21 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by jessamyn at 3:21 PM on October 20, 2013
If you can stomach American Apparel the "thermal" stuff is very insulating. (Difficulty level: rural Canadian.) The Not-So-Perfect Unisex Baby Thermal Long Sleeve bag of 10 tops is a great deal. There are leggings. There's a softness trade-off with it being a poly/cotton blend, but they're very durable and wash without fuss, and being fairly fitted and non-bulky the AA thermal stuff is an easy base layer but it doesn't look too underwear-y on its own.
posted by kmennie at 3:37 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by kmennie at 3:37 PM on October 20, 2013
For long pants, you might try sporting goods stores. I have several sets of warmups that aren't quite sweatpants, but are definitely long, cotton pants you just pull on. I use them as pajamas but also wear them out when I'm too lazy to put on real pants. You look like you're going to/coming back from the gym but they work fine.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 3:39 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 3:39 PM on October 20, 2013
How about drawstring/elastic-waisted sweat pants from Target? I usually buy a small men's size because they seem more rugged and to get pockets, which often don't come with women's sweat pants. If your mom is really petite, a boys' size might fit her better.
posted by Lynsey at 3:57 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by Lynsey at 3:57 PM on October 20, 2013
This may sound odd, but my mother had the same issues, when she was in assisted living/nursing care - and I found the best selection/price at local Goodwill and Value Village. I was able to find nice, not worn or 'beat' in any way pull-on sweats with no elastic at the ankle for $2-$5/pr. I would launder them and they were often like new - I even found a couple of 'suits' -matching jackets that worked really well for her.
Good luck!
posted by dbmcd at 4:23 PM on October 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
Good luck!
posted by dbmcd at 4:23 PM on October 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
Lands End Also Has A Corduroy Version Of Their Pull On Sport knits.
posted by brujita at 4:31 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by brujita at 4:31 PM on October 20, 2013
Track suits! Here's a link to the bottoms from Sierra Trading Post. There's also a matching jacket.
When I worked at a nursing home I thought the women who had track suits were cute and smart. It was easy for them to match tops and bottoms and they could layer turtlenecks or t-shirts underneath depending on just how cold they were.
posted by MadMadam at 4:34 PM on October 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
When I worked at a nursing home I thought the women who had track suits were cute and smart. It was easy for them to match tops and bottoms and they could layer turtlenecks or t-shirts underneath depending on just how cold they were.
posted by MadMadam at 4:34 PM on October 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
These Icebreaker pants are probably more than you want to spend, but they are really warm and extremely comfortable. I'm about 5'5" and did not have to hem them, so they may be too long for your mom.
And I recommend them all the time, but Ureshii does made to measure in a reasonably quick time. They have a french terry pant that is comfy and warm (although not as warm as wool). JJill also has a french terry pull on pant in petite length.
These Michael Kors ponte knit pants are an internet favorite at Nordstrom.com. They have a fly, so they might not work, but they are more like pants and less like leggings, unlike most ponte knit pants at Nordstrom (save the $250 ones from Eileen Fisher), see these and these.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:38 PM on October 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
And I recommend them all the time, but Ureshii does made to measure in a reasonably quick time. They have a french terry pant that is comfy and warm (although not as warm as wool). JJill also has a french terry pull on pant in petite length.
These Michael Kors ponte knit pants are an internet favorite at Nordstrom.com. They have a fly, so they might not work, but they are more like pants and less like leggings, unlike most ponte knit pants at Nordstrom (save the $250 ones from Eileen Fisher), see these and these.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:38 PM on October 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
MEC Watchtower fleece pants are warm, comfortable and inexpensive ($39 CAD). They are pull-on with a drawstring waist and I think they look pretty stylish for fleece pants! The smaller sizes were a good length for me when I bought mine many years ago--I am petite (5'2"). The reviews seem to indicate that hasn't changed but you may want to check.
For a little bit more, you can get MEC Trek4 fleece pants. Not sure why they're more, but maybe it's the pockets (the Watchtowers are pocketless). I think they're cute too.
MEC stuff is well made and easy-care--it wears like iron. Their customer service is really good too. I live in a VERY cold winter climate and their stuff makes being outdoors bearable.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:58 PM on October 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
For a little bit more, you can get MEC Trek4 fleece pants. Not sure why they're more, but maybe it's the pockets (the Watchtowers are pocketless). I think they're cute too.
MEC stuff is well made and easy-care--it wears like iron. Their customer service is really good too. I live in a VERY cold winter climate and their stuff makes being outdoors bearable.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:58 PM on October 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ah, I found the sizing chart for MEC pants. The XS inseam is 27"; the S inseam is 28".
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:59 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:59 PM on October 20, 2013
First thing to come to mind is boys size snow pants. I love mine for walking our dogs in the winter. I'm petite and 112 lbs so I buy a boys large at Kohls at cheapo prices. Flannel lined, wind-breaker nylon outside. And they fit over jeans when wintery winds blow. Stretchy waist band. Comfy enough to wear inside as regular pants when Michigan hits it frigid levels in Jan-Feb.
posted by Lornalulu at 5:03 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by Lornalulu at 5:03 PM on October 20, 2013
Check out Laura Scott petite at Sears. I found a pair of sweats that look like pants with nice pockets in the clearance rack for $3. Thick, comfy, elastic waist, the basic pants and fleece pants are not that expensive. I know my mom always loved pockets so she could keep a Kleenex or whatever in them. I have also heard good things about Starfish from Land's End but I want pockets, otherwise I will lock myself out taking out the trash unless I have my keys in there.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:15 PM on October 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:15 PM on October 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
A pair of soft, stretchy leggings is easier to put on than long johns, and works the same way as an under layer (you may just make sure to get the pants a bit fuller in the leg so they can accommodate a thicker pair of leggings). Old Navy has inexpensive leggings.
Also try Chico's and J.Jill seasonally, they have a lot of elastic-waist pants with fits styled for older women.
I don't know if this would interest your mom, or be in the right price range, but silk long johns are warmer and more comfortable than cotton ones (and often easier to put on, the cotton ones that are warm often don't have a lot of stretch to them) ... this place has reasonable prices for silk long underwear. But if you just want ONE silk underthing, my terminally-cold husband swears by his silk sock liners. They're socks that go under your socks to keep your feet warmer, and they're not too spendy because they're just socks.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:09 PM on October 20, 2013
Also try Chico's and J.Jill seasonally, they have a lot of elastic-waist pants with fits styled for older women.
I don't know if this would interest your mom, or be in the right price range, but silk long johns are warmer and more comfortable than cotton ones (and often easier to put on, the cotton ones that are warm often don't have a lot of stretch to them) ... this place has reasonable prices for silk long underwear. But if you just want ONE silk underthing, my terminally-cold husband swears by his silk sock liners. They're socks that go under your socks to keep your feet warmer, and they're not too spendy because they're just socks.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:09 PM on October 20, 2013
I have 2 pairs of these fleece pants from Sahalie. They're very comfy and warm. I see they come in petite.
posted by mon-ma-tron at 6:12 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by mon-ma-tron at 6:12 PM on October 20, 2013
2nding Lands End catalog/website particularly the Starfish Collection -- keep an eye out for sales or coupon codes. They also have a mini store inside Sears.
posted by NikitaNikita at 6:13 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by NikitaNikita at 6:13 PM on October 20, 2013
Look on QVC or Home Shopping Network or something. They have several lines that appeal to older ladies who may not find a lot of plain, comfy clothing in their style in stores.
posted by Madamina at 6:18 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by Madamina at 6:18 PM on October 20, 2013
Highly recommend Uniqlo-- especially their "heat-tech" clothing and their comfortable, affordable down jackets.
posted by three_red_balloons at 7:59 PM on October 20, 2013
posted by three_red_balloons at 7:59 PM on October 20, 2013
Nthing the Starfish Collection from Lands End. I have three pairs of pants from there. Oddly, I'm a petite woman myself and these pants were the appropriate length for me but the original Starfish pants are a little too long, though when I wear them with running sneakers, they're totally fine (just not great for rain to have pants that are too long dragging). But for layering purposes, the original Starfish pants are great. I ran in a race yesterday and pulled them on over my shorts before and after. If she wore those with leggings, she'd probably be pretty toasty.
Also, maybe she'd like hand warmers?
posted by kat518 at 7:30 AM on October 21, 2013
Also, maybe she'd like hand warmers?
posted by kat518 at 7:30 AM on October 21, 2013
Look at the Perfect Fit pants from L.L. Bean. I wear them all the time. They are durable, warm enough, and plain. They pull on and come in three cuts. She may really like them.
posted by Jenna Brown at 10:23 AM on October 21, 2013
posted by Jenna Brown at 10:23 AM on October 21, 2013
Response by poster: Thank you all! I did hit a thrift store but it was hard to find petites there. I ordered both she and I Starfish pants this summer, but I admit I don't find them very warm. I have ordered some pants from Sierra Trading Post.
posted by Riverine at 11:25 AM on October 21, 2013
posted by Riverine at 11:25 AM on October 21, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:18 PM on October 20, 2013 [4 favorites]