Looking Good in a Cast: Your Complete Guide

Breaking or severely injuring an arm or leg means you’re probably going to need to wear a cast.  It’s all for the better!  After all, without the support of a cast or sling, your bones stand little chance of healing correctly, or within a reasonable space of time.  Therefore, it is so important to make sure you keep wearing your casts and moulds for as long as your doctor or specialist advises you to.

However, casts aren’t useful because they are highly fashionable. No, they stand out, clash with outfits, and generally look clumsy.  Many who pride themselves on their style and fashion sense can find cast fitting to be rather devastating!  However, there are plenty of ways in which you could style an arm or leg cast.

Here at Cast Covers NZ, we offer more than purely waterproof covers.  We also specialise in designer cast covers!  Before we talk about the benefits of covering up, however, let’s consider the broader problem.  How do you make sure you continue looking good while wearing a cast?  Is it even possible?

Of course, it is – read on for the full lowdown.

Problems with Casts and Style

Casts aren’t meant to look fabulous.  They’re there to meet an essential physical purpose!  Therefore, you may sadly find that most doctors advise you to find your own way to adjust your personal wardrobe.  However, as you are likely to wear a cast for long periods – may be weeks at a time – you’re going to need to find an enduring solution.

Covering up entirely is one way of doing things.  However, this can lead to some awkwardness.  After all, you are supposed to keep an arm or leg injury elevated so that your bones can set and heal!  However, some of the major problems with cast and style are easy to remedy.

If you have an arm cast or sling, it may be a good idea to consider wearing coats or blazers likely to cover the injury.  For leg casts, you may wish to wear larger trousers or long skirts.  While it may seem like a shame to cover up, sometimes, you may need to.

For example, if you can still work with a cast, you may need to adhere to uniform standards.  What if you need to wear company tops and trousers?  It’s crucial you ask your management what the policy is for working with a cast, and what you can do to dress it up to uphold the company image.

Consult a Tailor

If you’re likely to attend business meetings, or if you need to wear formal clothes regularly, then you have a different kind of dilemma.  How do you style out a cast for the better?  One idea, therefore, could be to consult a tailor outright.

You could take your existing blazers and pants to a tailor who can adjust them for you.  Alternatively, you could simply invest in new suits and have them altered.  If you can’t bear the thought of adjusting your wardrobe too much, this might be the best route to take.

Choose Stretchy Clothes

One of the best things you can do regarding style and wearing casts is to opt for stretchy clothing.  Loose clothing isn’t a look that everyone wants to go for though, so you might want to think about what’s out there in terms of sportswear and leisure clothing.  These items are likely to have a lot of give.

It’s essential to wear clothes that are breathable as well.  While it is tempting to wear suits that bind your cast to you, you should make sure to keep as loose and as comfortable as possible.  Otherwise, things are going to get hot, tight and painful.

Stretchy clothes and adaptable wardrobes will help you at home as well as at work.  Think about what you’d like to wear during downtime, as well as that which you might wear to meet with clients.  Styling out a cast is just as much about comfort as it is about looking good.  That is unless you really want to suffer for fashion!

Cover Up – If You Want

Not everyone likes the idea of throwing on baggy coverings.  What’s more, it’s not always a look that suits everyone!  Therefore, it’s still worth thinking carefully about your options should you wish to go deep undercover. 

If you’re wearing an arm cast and sling, why not use scarves?  You could wear long coats, too.  As mentioned earlier, long skirts and dresses will help you as far as leg casts are concerned.  However, you have to make sure that your cast is unlikely to get snagged on any material!

It’s worth bearing in mind that covering up really only works well in colder months.  Therefore, if it’s the height of summer, you are likely going to swelter in scarves and big jackets.  It’s worth getting creative, however, as there are plenty of designer scarves out there with thin material for use all year round.

Use Moon Boots

Moon boots are fantastic at helping to keep a broken foot or ankle off the floor when walking around.  They can also look great as part of specific outfits.  Many people choose styles of moon boot to reflect their dress, and they are also open to customisation.  However, moon boots should always be a physical aid first, and a styling aid second!

Get Creative!

Younger people – as well as those of us who really like to stand out from the crowd – might go one step further.  You may wish to ask for a cast in a specific colour, for example.  Not all casts are grey and white!  You could walk away with a red, blue, green or purple cast that fits your personal style.

One of the most popular ways to make the most of a cast is to have it signed.  This is something children and teenagers tend to do in school if they injure an arm or leg.  You may well have done it yourself!  It’s a great way to help your cast look a bit more decorative, and what’s more, it’s nice to read all the support!

There are also stickers and ‘casttoos’ which you can buy to apply to your dressings.  These may vary in terms of brand and style.  Again, they are very likely to be popular with young people.  However, that doesn’t mean big kids can’t get in on the fun!

Use Decorative Cast Covers

One of the quickest, easiest and most creative ways you can fashion out a cast is to use a designer cast cover.  Decorative cast covers come in all colours and a variety of styles.  That means it shouldn’t ever be too difficult for you to narrow down a choice.

Decorative cast covers for arms and legs not only help to match your outfits but also have plenty of physical benefits, too.  They can be weatherproof, which means you can wear them in rain and sleet without worrying about damage.  They are also great at protecting your arms and legs from snagging.

Decorative cast cover designs can be stylish, contemporary, wacky and fun.  What’s more, you can also choose from decorative covers for moon boots, as well as for slings to fit your arm.  This means, regardless of your injury, you always have the opportunity to style out and look great. 

When Might Cast Style Be Important?

You may be reading this guide while thinking that looking good in a cast doesn’t matter that much to you!  We’re all different in this regard.  However, if you continue to work with an injury, you may have to uphold an image.

For example, the front-of-house staff at a hotel or restaurant will need to present in formal dress.  With a cast or moon boot, this image can take a beating!  Therefore, you need to start thinking creatively about how to dress for work.

Alternatively, you may not even be able to work at all while injured.  In many cases, a doctor will advise you to take a desk position, if not extended time off.

However, many of us are still well enough to work in various industries with broken arms and legs.  Always consult with your management if you’re worried about the dress code.  The last thing you want to do after suffering a painful injury is to get in trouble at work!

Conclusion

There are plenty of great ways to style yourself while wearing a cast.  It really isn’t going to damage your look as much as you think it might!

Therefore, with a wide array of dressings and covers available, you can find spectacular new ways to add character and style to your dressing.  Remember, of course, that a cast is only temporary!  In just a few weeks, you will be able to get back to wearing the clothes and accessories you love.

Why not read more of our guides to wearing arm and leg casts for additional support?

Further Support and Guidance

Please note that the above guide is advisory only and should not replace any medical support or guidance.  We recommend asking any questions you may have regarding your cast and injury during consultations.  Do always take care with your cast, and never over-exert yourself.

However, if you are interested in buying a cast cover, there are plenty of great choices available online.  Why not take a look at our range, or call our team for more information?