There are moments in life that change the temperature of everything.

A diagnosis. A surgery date. The long stretch of recovery at home.

They are rarely loud. They don’t always come with the right language. But they require care; real, practical, human care.

That’s why we’re proud to welcome TONIC London to We are The Helpful.

TONIC designs modern medical and recovery wear for people navigating treatment, surgery and healing - clothing created to restore comfort, dignity and autonomy at a time when those things are often quietly taken away.

And that matters so much more than we usually acknowledge.

Why we invited TONIC into The Helpful Collective

At We are The Helpful, we don’t list products. We curate support.

We exist to make it easier to show up well when life happens - whether that’s illness, surgery, grief, new motherhood, burnout, recovery or simply a season that feels heavier than usual.

Our community has told us, time and time again, that recovery is one of the hardest moments to navigate. Not just for the person going through it, but for the people who love them.

You want to help. 

You want to make it easier.

You want to take the discomfort away. 

You don’t want to say the wrong thing.

And yet so much of what exists for medical treatment and recovery still centres on the clinical side, not the human one. Traditional hospital gowns. Standard issue slings. One-size-fits-none solutions. Exposing, uncomfortable, impersonal.

TONIC changes that. 

They design recovery wear for surgery, chemotherapy, treatment and at-home healing that actually responds to the lived experience of patients and the practical needs of clinicians.

It’s dignity by design, and that’s why they belong here.

Meet the Founder: Sophie Kinross

TONIC was founded by Sophie Kinross - someone who understands recovery from both sides of the bed.

Four years ago, Sophie had shoulder surgery. It was the height of summer. The Euros were on. The heat was unbearable, but not as unbearable as the sling she was given. It was itchy. Scratchy. Plastic. It cut into her neck. It felt like it was actively working against her.

As she complained (loudly and frequently), she discovered she wasn’t alone. Friends and strangers echoed the same frustration: patient wear was failing people. “One size fits all” meant it fit no one. It was undignified, uncomfortable, and completely disconnected from what real recovery actually feels like.

Then a friend with breast cancer told her she left hospital with surgical drains tucked into two Sainsbury’s plastic bags, and as you could imagine, that moment stayed with her.

There had to be a better way.

So Sophie created TONIC, modern recovery wear designed not just to cover people, but to care for them. And then, on the eve of launch, life changed again.

Sophie was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and began chemotherapy. Overnight, she went from founder to patient. In a full-circle moment, she found herself wearing the very chemotherapy tracksuits they had designed, in the wards they were made for.

That experience gave her fierce clarity; TONIC isn’t just about design. It’s about empathy. About dignity. About helping someone feel human again when everything feels uncertain.

And that lived experience is woven into every piece they create.

What makes TONIC London different

Designed with clinicians and patients TONIC works alongside medical professionals and people who have navigated treatment themselves - ensuring every garment functions within real clinical environments.

Functional, thoughtful detail Easy access for ports and drains. Considered fastenings. Soft fabrics that don’t irritate already sensitive skin. Pieces that support independence rather than restrict it.

Modern medical apparel that feels like you Not shapeless. Not institutional. Calm, elevated, wearable pieces that restore a sense of self - whether you’re in a hospital ward or recovering at home.

This is recovery clothing that recognises the emotional and human side of treatment, not just the clinical one.

Who this is for

A gift from TONIC London is especially helpful for:

• Surgery and post-operative recovery
• Chemotherapy and ongoing treatment
• Hospital stays and outpatient appointments
• At-home recovery where comfort and ease matter
• Thoughtful recovery gifts when words feel insufficient
• Life in hospital, the home and being out in the world

It’s for the woman navigating treatment. And it’s for the friend who wants to show up in a way that genuinely helps by bringing a sense of confidence, comfort, ease and style.

The kind of gift that lingers

When we asked Sophie about the most helpful gift she’s received, her answer said everything about the power of practical support.

During chemotherapy, friends left food (and bread and carrots for her guinea pigs) on her doorstep each week. A quiet reminder of love that didn’t require her to socialise, or ask for anything in return.

Sophie also recalls that just at Christmas, just after her diagnosis, her oldest friends sent a Fortnum & Mason hamper filled with sausage dog and disco ball decorations “so we didn’t have to go into the attic.” A simple, powerful gesture that truly saw Sophie in the moment, and will stay with her forever.

It’s proof that support doesn’t have to be all-encompassing to be meaningful; sometimes it’s carrots for the guinea pigs, and sometimes it’s clothing that doesn’t make an already hard day harder.

TONIC & We are The Helpful: beautiful alignment

When asked why TONIC joined We are The Helpful’s Partnership Collective, Sophie put it simply: "Recovery is hard. It tests the body, strains the spirit, and often strips away comfort, dignity and control. People in recovery deserve better. We Are The Helpful understands this and curates the most thoughtful and impactful gifts on the market."

That alignment matters.

We are building a gifting platform rooted in research, listening and lived experience, curating support that helps women (and the people who love them) navigate real life with more ease and dignity.

TONIC is exactly that.

Why this matters

Recovery is not a niche moment. It is a common and deeply human one.

And when life shifts into treatment, surgery or healing, what someone wears - how supported they feel - can change their entire experience of it.

Support doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. It can be intentional. Practical. Designed with empathy.

That’s why we’re proud to welcome TONIC London to We are The Helpful.

Helpful gifting.

Real life.  

Dignity by design.

Explore TONIC London on We are The Helpful

Helpful Q+A About Recovery Wear & Recovery Gifting

When someone is navigating surgery or treatment, it can be really hard to know how to show up and support them. 

There's often so many questions, so here are a few we’re often asked.

What is recovery wear, and why does it matter?

Recovery wear is clothing designed specifically for surgery, chemotherapy and medical treatment.

Unlike standard hospital gowns, it prioritises comfort, dignity and practical access for care. When someone feels exposed or vulnerable, what they wear can quietly restore a sense of autonomy, and that matters more than people realise.

Is recovery clothing a thoughtful gift for someone having surgery?

Yes, especially when chosen well.

Flowers are kind. But comfort is useful. Modern recovery wear shows you’ve thought about what will actually make their day easier, not just prettier.

It’s practical care, delivered gently.

What makes TONIC London different from traditional hospital wear?

TONIC London designs recovery clothing alongside clinicians and patients.

That means soft fabrics, considered access points for treatment, and pieces that work in real hospital environments while still feeling like you, not a hospital number.

It’s dignity by design.

What should I gift someone going through chemotherapy?

Think ease. Think comfort. Think energy preservation.

Chemotherapy can be physically and emotionally draining. The most meaningful gifts are the ones that reduce friction; recovery clothing, nourishing food support, calm home comforts, practical support.

The best gifts during treatment don’t demand anything in return.

How can I support someone recovering from surgery?

You don’t need perfect words.

Offer something practical. Lighten something small. Choose comfort over cliché.

Recovery is often lonelier than people expect. Consistent, useful support beats grand gestures every time.

Where can I find modern recovery wear in the UK?

Modern medical and recovery clothing in the UK is available through specialist brands like TONIC London, and via We are The Helpful who have curated some key pieces.

We focus on thoughtful support for illness, surgery and recovery so you don’t have to search blindly when someone you love needs help.