Compression socks, what to wear in summer?

[WWLD]

Help! I've been told I'm going to have to wear compression socks for at least the next year (probably longer), and have no idea what to do over summer.

I'm usually a flip flops/knee length skirt/cropped trousers type of person in the warmer months, but those are now out of the window, as they'd look stupid. What do I wear now??

Any advice welcomed!

(I'm probably being silly, asking this question, but I've just got back from the hospital, looked at my wardrobe and cried.)

Maxi dresses are your friend and full length linen trousers. My mum has to wear compression socks permanently and she wears these. Shoe wise she has closed toe sandals.

Maxi Dresses and Trainers/ Crocs?

Or wide leg linen trousers and the same?

Hmm.. are there any attractive compression socks? There should be, shouldn’t there!

at least, some have an open toe so you can paint your toenails!
https://compressionsockshop.co.uk/shop/164-main/2843-compression-stockings-bamboo-open-toe-black/

Full length wide leg cool trousers in linen or cotton. My friend has to wear them all the time and couldnt care less. He came out to town with me in shorts and teashirt.

Full length linen trousers, wide-leg will be cooler. Long skirts or maxi dresses. Fisherman's sandals (enough strappy bits in the toe area that it won't be obvious at a glance that you're wearing compression socks).

You might eventually decide that you'll just wear what you want and ignore anyone inclined to be judgemental about a health-related item. We don't expect people with a prosthetic limb to avoid wearing shorts.

My mother has worn prescription compression hosiery for years and these days she doesn't let it affect her clothing choices. She likes open sandals and doesn't worry about the toe seams of her stockings showing. Compression hosiery can feel very hot in warmer weather, so I'd probably focus on finding fabrics and designs that feel cool and airy.

These may not be stylish but they're fun
https://koalasocks.com/products/pink-black-flamingo-compression-socks

And they have loads of designs

Thanks for the ideas, everyone - and for not making me feel like an idiot. I've been wearing them for a few months, but wasn't expecting to be told they'd probably be a 'forever' thing.

@LadybirdsProcessing do you mean clothing that is light and airy, or compression socks? If your mum has any suggestions on brands that aren't as hot, I'd be very interested.

@Torchout - I'll look at those, thanks. Fun patterns may be the way to go!

i wear wide leg trousers and longer length dresses. Also have an open toe option which means I can wear fit flops. The summertime is when I really notice if I don’t wear my stocking as my leg swells

You can get ones that go from ankle to knee so nothing on the foot if that would be OK for your medical needs. Nothing worse than hot feet! I got some on amazon. Really hard to get on though! Might be worth buying one of those cages that helps you put them on if you need to do it every day.

@Doggodoggo do they roll up? I'll check with the anticoagulant nurse to see whether they'd be appropriate. Thanks!

Yes those cages that you put them on with are amazing - you get them from a website called helping hands I think - makes it so much easier.

They might not be compressing enough, but I wear really brightly coloured Monkey Socks and make a statement of it. They're marathon socks so have moderate compression

What class do you need? Find out what class of compression you need and you can see what will work for you. Also do you need flat knit or round knit?

I agree that you need to know what class you need before buying, a lot of the fun designs are only class 1. I use class 2 and just stick with beige or black and use open toe ones in the summer (sometimes in summer I go without but I usually regret it).

@WWLD My sloppy sentence construction! - light and airy fabrics for clothes. Sadly compression hosiery doesn't come in light and airy options.

Serendipitously I spoke to my mother last night. She needs the highest grade compression, so doesn't have a huge choice (e.g. no tights available with high enough compression). She favours toeless compression socks over compression stockings most of the time, because they don't need a suspender belt and the open toe option avoids squashed toes and all the problems that can cause. She was fairly sure hers are the Activa brand. Colour options for her are limited to two or three flesh tones (to cater to different ethnicities) and black, but there might be more choice at lower compression grades.

As I expected, she's fully Team Cropped Trousers. They're her standard summer choice along with midi skirts. She's got linen and cotton versions and very expensive walking trousers in some sort of ultra-lightweight, multistretch technical fabric.

I'm class 2, and have found some interesting patterned ones. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to 'not care' and still wear cropped trousers (although I envy those who do - maybe I'll get there...)

Loose linen trousers and long skirts are going to be a complete change, but they're clearly the way to go.

Thanks, everyone.

Koala compression socks in leopard print are my go to if I need to wear them and on flights