Pimp my Limp
April 1, 2017 10:16 AM   Subscribe

So it looks like I might end up using a cane - or at least carrying one around - a lot more of the time. I'd rather affect a cane than need one; give me your ideas about how I can turn assistive equipment into part of a fashion statement.

I have Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, and among the complications is occasional pain in my foot. Recently it's gotten pretty bad and I've needed a cane to get around - but it's transient; it'll hurt like hell for twenty minutes and then go away. There's no way to predict when it's going to kick in, which has meant for the last week or two I've been carrying a cane with me just in case, even though I've only needed it maybe fifteen percent of the time.

I don't know if this is going to be my new normal or not, but if so, I'm trying to think of ways to make the prospect less depressing. How do I not be that guy who needs a cane and instead be that distinguished gentleman sporting a cane?

My current mode of dress is basically jeans and t-shirt on weekends and professional but not fancy for work. I occasionally (20-25% of the time) wear a tie and have to wear a suit for work maybe have a dozen times a year. I'm 42, 5'8", and somewhere in the 190-200 lb range. Brown hair kept pretty short (I work in regulatory affairs at a utility company), glasses. My cane is a very generic black metal thing with a rubber grip - boring.

I need my cane to be actually capable of supporting me when I need it - like, not purely for show - but I'm also trying to figure out how to have it not be something I'm constantly annoyed to have with me.

I'm aware of Fashionable Canes but what else is out there - not just in terms of the cane itself, but general style ideas? Like, should I start dyeing my temples gray to look more distinguished? Should I migrate my wardrobe towards tweed (winter) and seersucker (summer)? What kind of fancy cane options are out there - WiFi-enabled with built in pedometer? Super-light-weight telescoping options so I can pack it easily if I'm bike commuting? What famous and stylish cane user should I model my look after? Since I don't know for sure that I'm even going to need to keep using it, budget isn't really a concern and nearly anything is up for consideration, so let's have fun with this.

(No sword canes, please; I'm not really interested in carrying a weapon.)
posted by nickmark to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (25 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Is there anything Prince can't do best? I think one of the reasons his cane works so well with his look is because he was such a snappy dresser. I know you probably aren't looking to Prince-out your wardrobe, but perhaps you could invest in a beautiful cane that you love and a few statement complementary accessory pieces for it like jackets, hats, belts, jewelry (rings!), and/or shoes.
posted by juliplease at 10:35 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]


Switch Sticks brand makes folding canes in a great variety of patterns, example.
posted by gudrun at 10:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]


No kidding, if you need inspiration for making a cane look HOT, it's Prince all the way. I think part of it is that he didn't try to hide it or be embarrassed about it, but instead flaunted that shit. Mrrrrow. Just one more opportunity to be fabulous.
posted by fiercecupcake at 10:43 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]


Another vote for using this as an opportunity to become the dapper, hyper-fashionable cane-using gentleman you always wanted to be. Wield it with attitude.
posted by actionpotential at 10:58 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


Ugh, forgot a link

How to Dress in Your 40s

This is more general fashion advice, so I'm sure you know plenty of it if you're already fashionable, but it never hurts to be a besweatered man with a tie and nice jeans and a cool, subtly-accented cane.
posted by actionpotential at 11:00 AM on April 1, 2017


Top & Derby makes a really nicely designed, modern cane that appeals to me in a way that most canes don't. Definitely not a senior-citizen look...
posted by flod at 11:03 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]


Idk, I think "distinguished gentleman with fancy cane" is a little on the nose and not really in sync with your existing look or lifestyle, by the sounds of things (possibly same for the Princean aesthetic? Which I do admire! On Prince :/)

In your shoes, I might go for "tech-savvy urban adventurer" - eg something in neon orange or green, + hiking boots (that eg might fit any eg orthotics).
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:11 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


Whatever your look, you're on the right track with the idea that your whole look is going to have to work with the cane, not that you have to dress like Steed (like there's anything wrong with that).

There are an infinite number of looks that would work, but a cane with jeans and a t shirt is going to work about as well as a Fedora with jeans and a t shirt.

Angelo from Fishbone carried a cane for decades.
posted by bongo_x at 1:14 PM on April 1, 2017


Search eBay for "cane" or "antique cane" or "walking stick". You'll find a wide variety there. I'm a fan of the Irish shillelagh, but those are also used as weapons, so you might not want to go there.
posted by FencingGal at 1:21 PM on April 1, 2017


I think there is definitely an opportunity for a Harry Potter-steampunk option here, if you're willing to look at Mad-Eye Moody. Lupin didn't carry a cane, but could have and is a good example of that tweed look.

I worked at a bakery in Oakland for a while and had a regular customer come in wearing a bespoke suit, fedora, cape (black, with purple velvet lining) and gold tipped cane (a large knob to hold instead of a handle). It was really amazing. He definitely pulled it off but he was also 100 percent committed and had a larger than life presence. (Always half a dozen PB cookies if you're wondering.) Anyway, it can definitely be done!
posted by jrobin276 at 1:35 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


When I broke my foot, I already had a cane I'd found on the street that worked, and wasn't interested in buying something I'd only use temporarily. But I was nevertheless still tempted to buy the 8-ball cane on this site when I saw it just because.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:12 PM on April 1, 2017


Hey, I've walked with a cane on and off for like... 12 years? More? (I'm 45.) And I do not mean to rain on your fashion parade but for on/off use, the best option is a foldable cane. That's what I use all the time. You can get them in patterns and colours and even glitter so you can have several for different outfits.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:19 PM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]


I love umbrella canes. I also like that it's a bit of a conversation starter. If someone say "an umbrella? It's so nice". You can reply "Always prepared." or "50% chance on Saturday" or "It's raining right now in Miami".
posted by ReluctantViking at 2:44 PM on April 1, 2017


Nthing foldable canes, especially if you only need it intermittently. I'm someone who only needs a cane when I get dizzy, so I carry a foldable cane everywhere even though I rarely actually need it.

Before reinventing your wardrobe, I would say start using the cane for a couple of months and see what happens. Chances are, you're going to stop noticing it. I bought myself so many different fancy canes when I first needed to start using a cane (as a 20 year old woman, so trust me I know how you feel on the fashion front), but I'm at the point where I just use my plain metal brown folding cane for everything, because it matches everything, and I don't really pay that much attention to my cane. You definitely do not need to match your outfit to your cane. You can wear a t-shirt and jeans with your cane. Seriously, unless it's a flashy color or glittery, it's totally going to blend in.

Your mileage may vary though 'cause I'm also the person who just wears the most comfortable shoes regardless of fashion, so it may be a personality thing. I would say it's worth taking some time to see if you're going to care that much once you start using it, though.

Honestly, if you really are worried about working your cane into the outfit, the only thing you really need to think about is "does this color/style" match my outfit, not "does a cane match my outfit at all." Canes are like glasses. They're gonna be there, all the time, regardless of what outfit you wear, and it's really not going to detract from your outfit unless you get something really wild. The only difference is you can tailor the cane specifically to your outfit because buying ten different canes is a lot cheaper than buying ten different pairs of glasses.

I mean if you're the kind of person who would insist on wearing contacts for fear of glasses ruining the look maybe this analogy doesn't work, but that's just how I see it.

If you do decide to reinvent your look, dapper gentleman is definitely not your only option. You can make a cane work with literally any outfit, I guarantee you. amiafairyprincessyet is one of my favorite fashion bloggers who sports a cane; her style is probably not what you're going for, but it's a great example of how canes really don't limit your outfits at all. The #spoonie fashion and #cripplepunk tags on Tumblr also have lots of great examples of people sporting canes of all fashions. Maybe you can get some inspiration there? I personally love the cognitive dissonance caused by the combination of punk aesthetics and a cane, so if you want to really reinvent yourself, that could be fun.
posted by brook horse at 2:47 PM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]


I agree with DarlingBri on the folding cane.

I've used a cane on and off for the past ten years due to a spinal condition. I started using a cane when I was in my late 20's. Personally, I've bought most of my canes from Fashionable Canes as they have a big selection of folding canes - which are a total A+ thing to have.

I prefer the folding canes because I can put it in my purse or bag when I am sitting down, or just take it with me for situations where I need extra balance (like on the subway or large flights of stairs.) If you are unsure when you might need to use your cane, and want to bring one along, a folding cane is an excellent thing to stuff in a backpack.

For me, I refused to let my use of a cane age me or dictate how I dress. I've used my cane with formal wear all the way to shorts and a tank. I get a lot of compliments on the patterns and colors I have in my cane and yes, my canes have clashed with my outfit on many occasions. I did not change my aesthetic to please the cane. The cane just has to acquiesce to my aesthetic!

I picked out the boldest patterned canes, mostly in purple (see Prince inspiration above.) The cane is just a tool, I am the person using it. I would stay away though from the handle type that Prince uses - it's not actually very comfortable. It may seem depressing at first to have to use an assistive device, but I personally found for me that boldness begets confidence. All of my canes are bright and in your face.

Depending on what you'd like to spend, there are custom cane makers. There are a number of cane makers on Etsy - perhaps one of them could create something awesome and functional for you?

Aside from a custom cane, I've found that no matter where I've looked, most of the online companies carry the same canes across the board. If you want to go the distinguished gentleman route, I'd look for something with a bit of gold/silver, etc - perhaps a fancy handle, etc. You could also do a wood/precious metal combo. Either way, super fancy canes won't hold up to the daily use you'll them to weather, so I would balance the need for lack of boring (which I totally get) with a dash of practicality.

Also, any commercial cane meant for balance/walking should support your frame as described. I'm 5'11" and about 165 pounds and I've never broken a cane or felt that a cane couldn't support me! I would make sure the cane you buy is adjustable so you can accurately configure the cane for the length of your legs!

Best of luck in your cane search!
posted by carmenghia at 3:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


Whatever can you choose will become absorbed into your style. Folders are convenient but so is having a cane to hand all the time.

And just for the record, disparaging the "senior citizen look" is not super very cool.
posted by firstdrop at 3:47 PM on April 1, 2017


I can't find it now, but it's worth looking around for!

On amazon I got a walking stick - looks like wood but untwists into three parts. So doesn't look like a cane and is easy to carry.

The best part is thats it's actually both a cane and a walking stick - just leave out the middle part and screw the top and bottom together to make a cane. (I hated looking like I was using a cane, but walking stick! Also, higher and better to lean on when fatigue sets in for me.)

It looks like real wood. I of course decorated it. But got lots of compliments at Disneyland of all places. I love that I can use the different heights based on my needs.

Also, it was maybe $30. Very sturdy.

I wish I could find it. But search around. It has to be there. Definitely worth it on so many levels!
posted by crankyrogalsky at 3:57 PM on April 1, 2017


I decorate my crutches with patterned duct tape, which is fun. And you can switch it out for different colours and patterns, or to match an outfit.
posted by BlueNorther at 8:17 PM on April 1, 2017


Caveat: walking sticks are not (always) canes and fashionable sticks are often not recommended for orthopaedic use. So some of the coolest stuff out there is going to get a no-no from your health care provider. Sadly.

That said, a flask cane is awesome. It's not hollow; it's usually a bunch of vials stored in the cane, so you can be the generous life of the library, coffee shop, movie theatre, anywhere a pour of whisky is totally unexpected...

I would also expect to be able to store this in an utterly fabulous cane and umbrella stand by my door, too. That's an important part of swanking it up here. (Stunning hook for your workplace for it, maybe?)
posted by kmennie at 9:20 PM on April 1, 2017


Hercule Poirot or GTFO. (See also this one, though that's more of a walking stick.)

Seriously, though, I've been considering whether a cane would help me as well. At the moment I think it would be more of a hinderance than a help, but the main options I've been looking at are:

• Fancypants (à la Poirot) — see above

• Simple traditional — something like this (that site has loads of fancy canes, including really nice folding ones and much cheaper crook options)

• Modern, colorful — Omhu makes a couple

• High tech — this the is area that is the most disappointing. I haven't found anything really cool, maybe a DIY is in order. Like, for example, if you could do a light-up cane like this, but out of a cleaner design like this it could be really modern and fun I think. Or concealing some tech into a wooden cane could be cool.

•Umbrella cane — these are widely available and do seem really great for rainy days

In my ideal world I would probably have one of each! Probably the simple one fits most with my style, though. So maybe think about what fits best with your style, or the style you'd like to have if it's a good excuse for you to make a change, and start from there.
posted by rafaella gabriela sarsaparilla at 8:15 AM on April 2, 2017


Oh man, I may have to add folk art to my potential cane categories. This is obviously way too expensive and probably too fragile to use, but that face! Those eyes! 13/10, would give treats and pets.
posted by rafaella gabriela sarsaparilla at 8:53 AM on April 2, 2017


Sorry, one more comment and then I'll leave you alone: another fictional character you might look to who is a little more low key style-wise (and more modern) is Hugh Laurie as House. He has a couple of different canes, but they're all very simple, but made of nice materials (I think all dark woods), so complement his low-key wardrobe well. (See also his portrayal of Bertie Wooster, who carries surprisingly low-key classy walking sticks, I'm sure due to the steadying influence of Jeeves.)
posted by rafaella gabriela sarsaparilla at 10:20 AM on April 2, 2017


Jordan Gehman was a visiting artist at my university's wood program last year, and he was making some really beautiful canes using a steam-bending technique.
posted by taltalim at 2:34 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]


I currently have three canes - a folding black one that's functional and goes with everything, and two patterned in bright pink roses. These days, I only leave the house to go to doctor appointments, and use a wheelchair to do so, but the pink canes get me down the stairs to the car.

Should I ever be in a position to do so, the next cane I'd purchase would be a walking dulcimer cane. I love the idea of having an instrument at hand at all times to play whenever the mood strikes me.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 3:07 PM on April 2, 2017


What kind of fancy cane options are out there - WiFi-enabled with built in pedometer?

I haven't seen a pedometer, but there's a class of gadgety Chinese canes that show up under various vendors' names on Amazon with a range of functions. All are collapsible, most with a built-in flashlight, many with mp3 player, several with a radio, sometimes GPS (however that works on a cane), often a fall/panic alarm. The one I had bookmarked to buy for my father seems no longer available, but here's another example. I think the MP3-playing ones tend to be described as "trekking poles," so you might search around the edges of that space.
posted by mumkin at 11:58 PM on April 2, 2017


« Older First, be smart from the very beginning.   |   Montreal Weekend Recommendations: 2017 Edition Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.