Number one rule for hospital clothing is comfort. Don't bring anything that's too small, itchy or that doesn't stretch. Bring stuff in colors that make you happy, that are comforting. If you buy a brand new pair of pajamas, bring some old pants that you KNOW are cozy in case the new ones end up sucking. Yeah, I speak from experience. My bright, happy red flannel pajamas made me feel fan-freaking-tastic until I tried to adjust myself in bed. Then their non-stretchiness made them get all bunched up underneath me. And don't get me started about trying to deal with having my blood pressure and blood taken in the middle of the night. I ended up swapping them for some worn-out gray lounge pants and a black hoodie that were a lot easier to deal with. Luckily I also had a bright green shawl so while I was in drab colors, I could drape myself with prettiness.
Because rule number two? Don't bring anything ugly. You want ugly, just continue wearing the hospital gown. Bring colors that make you happy, that are comforting. And, okay, if your stretched-out, faded beige sweatshirt makes you ridiculously happy, bring it. But color is incredibly therapeutic so take advantage. If you don't have pretty colors, bring an afghan or blanket. I also had a body pillow with a brightly printed case that my sister loaned me. I never really used it as a pillow, but its cheerfulness kept me company in the otherwise sea of hospital white.
I also highly recommend layers. Here's my dream hospital outfit:
* lounge pants
* ribbed tank
* wide-necked short-sleeved t-shirt
* hooded sweatshirt
* pashmina/large scarf/shawl
I didn't have the t-shirt so when I was hot, I had to be in just the tank top, which didn't really jive with how I was feeling. A short-sleeved t-shirt would have made life a lot easier when they needed to check my blood pressure, take blood or give me a shot in my upper arm. And with a wide neck, it would have been easy to get over my head even when I was still ginger about it. But then the tank would provide modesty since it's more form-fitting and won't slip down, plus sometimes I got so freaking hot in that room, even when the air was turned all the way down.
The shawl is important for when you're still hooked up to the machines and wearing the hospital gowns. You won't be able to take on and off a sweatshirt or jacket and even pulling the sheets up to your chin could be difficult or pull on your IV lines. But a shawl you can drape however works best - and the jolt of color helps take away from the blahness of the hospital gowns.
And then, of course, I would have a variety of colors in each of these items so I could mix and match at will. Old Navy, Target, Lands End and LL Bean are my favorite places to buy lounge-y type items, but definitely not the end of the list.
Final note - undergarments. I was a little surprised at myself for wanting to wear a bra all day long, but I did. It helped me feel pulled together and - again - more like myself. I think it was because the underwire helped counteract the schlumpiness of being in a hospital bed anyway. That slight uncomfortableness reminded me of my non-hospital life. Plus I didn't often have much notice when I had visitors and it was nice to always be ready.
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