Why it matters
21–39%
Research found that 21–39% of ready-made compression garments prescribed to people with lipoedema were never worn — wasting NHS money and resources, and leaving people without effective treatment (Macintyre et al., 2026).
At the same time, compression garments can be expensive and difficult to access, and many people with lipoedema reported struggling to find garments that fit (Macintyre et al., 2026). This service aims to change that — keeping garments in use for longer, reducing waste, and making compression more accessible.
Macintyre L, Murden S, Welsh L. British Journal of Community Nursing. 2026;31(Supp2). Read the paper →
You're in safe hands
✅ Every garment professionally cleaned and ozone-sanitised by ACS Clothing
✅ Inspected against a detailed quality checklist before listing
✅ Full label details and condition grade shown for every item
✅ Returns accepted — please avoid over-ordering, as handling and sanitisation costs are high and excessive returns would put the service at risk
A partnership between
Talk Lipoedema are helping to shape this service and will share in any profits the service makes.
ACS Clothing is a trusted Scottish B-Corp with inclusive employment policies and years of experience servicing rental and reuse clothing.
Heriot-Watt researchers have 30+ years of expertise in medical compression and sustainable practices, engaging with the lipoedema community since 2018.
Design HOPES is an AHRC-funded initiative, in collaboration with partner universities, working to make the NHS more sustainable.
Our impact so far
5,000
Garments Received
5,000
4,000
Garments Listed
3,000
Garments Sold
Diverted From Landfill
* This is a pilot service run by Heriot-Watt University in partnership with ACS Clothing and Talk Lipoedema, funded by Design HOPES. The service is currently in a pilot phase — while we evaluate its popularity and whether it can run without making a loss, as handling and sanitisation costs are high.