Best Dressing Stick UK: Wooden, Foam and Hook Styles

By Scott Smith. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.

Which Dressing Stick Type Suits You Best?

The best dressing stick type depends on your grip and on which clothes cause the most trouble. A wooden dressing stick is light and rigid, with a hook at one end for pulling and a push end for easing garments off. A plastic dressing stick wipes clean easily and copes with damp bathrooms. A foam dressing stick has a padded handle that suits people with weak or sore hands, while a hook dressing stick has a deeper hook for catching belt loops and coat collars. Sock and shoe versions are shaped to slide socks off the heel or steady a shoe while your foot goes in. Compare the handle width in cm with a pen you hold comfortably, as a handle that is too thin is hard work to grip for long. An occupational therapist can suggest which style suits your movement, and a dressing stick for elderly users often works best with a foam handle.

How Do These Dressing Sticks Compare?

The table shows who each dressing stick suits and the type stated in its listing. Measure your seated reach to the floor first, then compare handle grip and hook shape.

How Long Should a Dressing Stick Be for You?

A dressing stick should be long enough to reach your feet from a seated position without leaning forward, which is usually 60 to 80 cm. Sit on the chair or bed edge where you normally dress, hold a tape measure at hand height and measure down to the floor beside your foot. Add a few cm so the hook reaches past your toes. Taller users and anyone told to limit bending will want the longer end of the range. A shorter stick of about 50 cm is easier to control for coats, cardigans and tops, so some people keep two lengths. Check the weight in grams in the listing too, as a heavy stick is harder to hold at arm’s length. If your GP or occupational therapist has given you movement limits, measure with those positions in mind.

Is a Dressing Stick Better Than a Long Handled Grabber?

A dressing stick is better for pulling and pushing clothing, while a long handled grabber is better for picking up small items from the floor. The hook on a dressing stick catches fabric, loops and waistbands without slipping off, and the push end lets you ease garments down your legs. A grabber has jaws that close on objects, which can snag or pinch thin fabric. Many people end up keeping both, with the dressing stick by the bed and the grabber in the living room. Compare the hook depth in cm, as a deeper hook holds thicker coats and trousers more securely. If you only want one tool, think about which task you struggle with most each day. For a full dressing kit, a sock aid and a long shoe horn pair well with a dressing stick.

How Do You Look After a Dressing Stick?

Look after a dressing stick by keeping the hook clean, checking the handle for wear and storing it where you dress. Wipe plastic and foam sticks with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let them dry fully before use. Wooden sticks only need a dry cloth, as soaking can swell or crack the wood. Check the hook every few weeks for rough edges, splits or a loose fixing, as a sharp edge can snag fine fabric. Foam handles can compress over time, so replace the stick if the padding starts to tear or crumble. Keep the stick hooked over the bed end or a chair back, so you can reach it without bending. If you find dressing still takes a long time even with dressing sticks, ask your GP for a referral to an occupational therapist, who can look at the whole routine. They may suggest a sock aid, elastic laces or a different chair height alongside the stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Dressing Stick Used For?

A dressing stick is used to pull clothes on and push them off without bending or reaching far. The hook end catches waistbands, straps and collars, while the other end pushes socks, trousers and sleeves down and away.

Who Needs a Dressing Stick?

A dressing stick suits people with stiff hips, knees or backs, limited shoulder movement or reduced grip strength. It is also handy for anyone recovering from surgery who has been told to avoid bending, and for carers who want to give a little help while the person stays independent.

How Long Should a Dressing Stick Be?

Most dressing sticks are 60 to 80 cm long, which lets a seated person reach their feet. Measure from your hand to the floor while sitting where you dress, then add a few cm so the hook reaches past your toes.

Can a Dressing Stick Help After a Hip Replacement?

A dressing stick can help after a hip replacement, as it lets you dress without bending past the limits your surgical team sets. Your occupational therapist will usually show you how to use one before you go home, so follow their guidance on positions and timing.

How Do You Use a Dressing Stick for Trousers?

Sit down, hold the dressing stick by the handle and use the hook to catch the trouser waistband. Lower the trousers to the floor, step your feet in one at a time, then use the hook to draw the waistband up to your knees before standing to finish.