Why You Need a Chemo Capsule Wardrobe

Don't make the same mistake I did and overcomplicate an already complicated situation

You want to wear the same thing to chemo every week.

I know that might sound boring, or uninspired, but decision fatigue is a real thing. Our brains can only handle so many choices in a short period before our ability to make thoughtful decisions declines. It’s why Steve Jobs wore a turtleneck and jeans everyday.

And when your thoughts are on who’s going to drop your kids off at school when you’re at the hospital, how much your sick leave pay will be, and if you’ll still be alive at Christmas, clothing and style gets bumped down the list.

Which brings me on to my second point.

Figure out your chemo outfit now.

Not tomorrow, not the next day. I started chemo one month after I was diagnosed, but I only figured out what I was going to wear to these biweekly (followed by weekly) sessions the day before.

That meant I wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be right from the get-go. Instead, I spent what little energy I had the night before chemo trying to pick an outfit, instead of doing a Peloton meditation, or going for a walk outside, or watching Bluey with my kids.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Shop your existing wardrobe and if there are any gaps, buy whatever you’re missing online, either new or secondhand. Do it as soon as you’re told you’re going to need chemo. It’s also a nice distraction after hearing that depressing news.

So what should go in your chemo capsule wardrobe?

You need to think comfort above all else. This is not the time to wear those new high-waisted jeans that ride up your thighs when you sit down.

So let’s get into it.

#1 Buttery Soft Pants

Maybe you already own the Donni Rib Kick Flare. Those work fine, but the brand’s 100% cotton pointelle crop pant is ideal.

For my first couple of chemo sessions, I wore an old pair of Uniqlo sweatpants, but they were a little snug. So I bought a roomier pair of Arket sweatpants (which I’m wearing now as I type, two years later, so they’ve stood the test of time). I bought the matching sweatshirt (also wearing now), because we still love a set. Those particular sweatpants are no longer available, but these look similar.

Or these from Buck Mason.

#2 The Top So Comfortable You’d Sleep in It

Something you’ll hear a lot is that you should wear a top with a button or a zipper for easy port access (a port is the small medical device placed under the skin, usually in the chest, that gives nurses easy access to a vein for chemo infusions). They’re not wrong. You do need to be able to access your port.

There are a lot of companies making tops specifically for chemo, with a zipper or velcro etc. at the collarbone. If those have helped people feel better during a really hard moment, I’m all for that. But the ones I’ve seen are uninspired and cost too much. Especially considering you won’t wear them again once your treatment is over.

Black cami = easy port access

I ended up buying a couple of simple black cotton camisoles from Monoprix (think French Target but a little more elevated). They’re lowcut, which left my port area exposed. That’s what you want. You’re fine with Uniqlo, or Gap, or Marks and Spencer.

A nice but pricier option is Donni’s pointelle cami tank, to go with your pointelle pant. You don’t need to overthink this one. Pick something cotton and lowcut.

#3 The Top Layer

My chemo room tended to be warm, but a lot of people get cold during an infusion. This is where a loose-fitting top layer is important. It can be an oversized sweatshirt that has a loose collar that’s easy to pull down. I bought a cotton sweatshirt from Arket.

Digging around in your closet (or your husband/partner’s) is a good first step. Older sweatshirts are going to give you that softness and comfort you’re looking for.

A cardigan is another good option. For my first few chemo sessions I wore an old Alex Mill cardigan. Mine is a mustard color, which I can no longer find on their website, but how dreamy is this blue?

Or for a splurgy option, there’s Babaa.

Cashmere would also work here, like this more fitted J. Crew cardigan if you want a little more structure.

#4 Socks

This is important. You don’t want to rock up at chemo in flip flops sans socks. It’s common to get cold during chemo, plus cosy socks just make you feel safe and comforted.

You can’t go wrong with Uniqlo socks. They come in every color under the sun, and cost around 12 bucks for 4. Seriously, no need to look elsewhere.

Your doctor might recommend compression socks—you’re sitting for hours, which makes you more prone to swelling in your legs and feet.

#5 A Beanie or Headscarf

This one is optional, but it’s nice to at least throw in your bag. Like a lot of women, you might lose your hair if you’re on the AC chemo regime.

I made the choice not to wear a wig, so I either wore a beanie, a headscarf, or most often, nothing at all. It can feel good to have something soft and warm covering your head, and that becomes essential if the infusion room is cold.

Cashmere is your friend. I spotted this one at Comptoir des Cotonniers. How cool is the orange stripe?

Sometimes, I wore my headscarf. I liked how soft it was. But I felt more like myself in a beanie or bare-headed. This is such a personal decision! I saw women in wigs too, and if that makes you feel good, do it.

#6 Slip-On Shoes

Not a chemo outfit but close… My trusty Birks and Alex Mill cardi

I wore my slip-on Birkenstocks exclusively. They’re like slippers, but acceptable to wear outside. I especially liked to pair with them with a blue or red sock. It felt good to be able to simply kick them off once seated in the chemo chair, and to just as easily put them back on when it was time to leave.

Footwear isn’t as important as some of the other items of clothing on this list, since you likely won’t be wearing them during your infusion. If it makes you happy to wear boots or sneakers to and from the hospital, you do you. But pick one pair and stick with it. It comes back to the decision fatigue—don’t overcomplicate an already difficult day.

A Few Don’ts

• Bras with underwire. I went without a bra. I mean, I was already missing a boob, so I didn’t really need a bra!

• Anything with a high collar.

• Tight waistbands.

• Scratchy or synthetic fabrics.

That’s it! Your chemo capsule wardrobe. Would you add anything? What did you wear to chemo? I’m so curious to know!