Clothes when you are with someone in hospital
Short answer: Long days at a hospital are warm and spent mostly sitting. Clothes in layers that can come off, and soft fabrics without hard seams, make the days easier to get through, in the corridor, the waiting room and by the bed.
The warmth indoors
Hospital corridors and wards are kept warm for the sake of the patients, and as a relative you notice it quickly after sitting still for a couple of hours. A thin layer next to the skin takes up moisture, so you do not feel clammy for the rest of the day. Choose a fit that sits close. See bamboo undershirt for women.
Layers you can take off
The temperature changes between the corridor, the waiting room, the canteen and the trip home. A zip jacket or a loose sweatshirt can come off and go over the back of the chair when it gets too warm. Choose something that does not crease after a day folded in a bag. See the range in sweatwear.
Sitting for hours
When you sit on a hard chair for many hours, a stiff waistband and thick seams press more than you would expect. Soft trousers with an elastic waist give room when seated and still look neat on a walk to the canteen. Jeans are often the least comfortable choice here. See bamboo sweatpants for women.
Socks
Feet get warm and damp when you sit still indoors with shoes on all day. Socks in a fabric that moves moisture away from the skin make it easier to cope. A soft cuff without tight elastic also leaves no marks around the ankle after many hours. See all bamboo socks for women.
A change of clothes
A clean set waiting at home makes the transition easier when you finally walk through the door. It sounds like a small thing, but a shower and clothes that have not been on the ward all day help many people put the day behind them. Lay the set out in the morning so it is ready.
For men
The advice applies to men in the same way. A soft t-shirt next to the skin and a top that can come off are a better choice than a stiff shirt when the day is long and the room is warm. Choose one long enough to stay down when you lean forward. See bamboo t-shirts for men.
Pack a small bag
A small bag with the essentials saves you going home in the middle of the day. A spare pair of socks, a thin top, a water bottle and a charger are often enough. If you are being admitted yourself, or packing for someone else, there is a longer list. See also the hospital bag.
An extra layer in the bag
Waiting can take a long time, and the temperature changes between departments, from warm wards to cooler corridors and examination rooms. A thin top in the bag covers both without taking up much space. It can also serve as a change of clothes if the day drags on. See bamboo tops for women.
Frequently asked questions
What matters most on a long hospital day?
Layers you can take off, and soft fabrics without hard seams. That way you can adjust to the temperature and sit for a long time without clothes pressing anywhere.
Why do you get warm in a hospital?
Because corridors and wards are kept warm for the patients, and because you sit still for many hours. A thin inner layer and a top you can remove both help.
What should I bring in the bag?
A spare pair of socks, a thin top, a water bottle and a charger cover most needs. If you are staying for a long time, spare underwear is also a good idea.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
