Adaptive Clothing Brands for Women 2021

In one of our latest blog posts on lessons about life and disability, we discussed a ton of practical life advice — many of which revolved around clothing. “Sexy is a state of mind, not the clothes or makeup you wear” is a great tip to remember, especially as we grow older, but we have to admit that clothes do have power over us. Even if we think what we wear doesn’t really matter, our state of mind shifts the moment we change out of our house clothes and into something more formal. Unfortunately, shopping for clothes is one of the trickiest things about living with a disability. There’s a lack of options and access when it comes to clothing for people with disabilities. But the rise of adaptive clothing — pieces designed to make life easier for disabled wearers — is changing that, and at a really fast pace. The global adaptive market is expected to grow by 4% between 2018 – 2024, due to an increase in awareness when it comes to disability needs. Adaptive clothing is becoming increasingly accessible as more brands and designers make adaptive clothing available to consumers.

4  Adaptive Clothing Brands to Watch Out For

While there is a long way to go to make the fashion industry more inclusive, new adaptive clothing brands are creating trendy, functional clothes now, including: #1 Unhidden Clothing: Based in London, Unhidden Clothing offers made-to-order adaptive tops, dresses, and bottoms for all genders. Using deadstock and organic fabrics that would otherwise go to landfills, this affordable clothing brand emphasizes comfort and style for a range of wearers. Their minimalist capsule collection for women includes a t-shirt, a wrap top, a silk shirt, twill trousers, and a doublelayer dress.

2# Yarrow: Yarrow is an adaptive apparel line that just launched this year. The high-quality designs use adaptive technology from MagnaReady (magnetically infused closure system), so they’re easy to wear for people with limited mobility and dexterity. Best of all, the initial 10-piece capsule collection incorporates pieces you can layer, like cozy cotton knits, lightweight all-occasion dresses, and skinny jeans that are very comfortable. 3# Slick Chicks: Named the best adaptive underwear brand by Good Housekeeping, Slick Chicks creates underwear with clasps on both sides, so wheelchair users and mobility impaired individuals can put underwear on whether they’re sitting, standing, or lying down. The nylon, spandex, and cotton fabric used are soft, anti-bacterial, and come with moisture-wicking capabilities. 4# Miga Swimwear: Miga designs women’s swimwear based on specific women and their conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, ostomies, or burns. Miga’s swimsuits take limb differences and medical devices into account for a universal design; their Mio one-piece, for example, comes with extra long straps that accommodate people with limited mobility.

Tips for Adaptive Clothing Shopping

It can be extra challenging to shop with a disability. There could be a mismatch between your body proportions and the current sizing in the clothing industry, or you could have a hard time undressing because a lot of clothes fasten at the back.

Consult with your caregivers: More often that not, even carers and medical staff find it difficult to slip clothes and shoes on for people with disabilities. It’s important to consider everyday care, too. This is why speaking with someone who has undergone nurse practitioner training can help, especially if you’re struggling with getting dressed and need some additional advice. Their expertise in providing adult primary care will have given them insights on which products would be easiest for you to use. Healthcare professionals would have handled people with disabilities before, so they may even be able to recommend other brands to try aside from what is on this list. Visit online shops: You can also browse different e-commerce shops for new pieces. Jupiter Unlimited, in particular, is the first online shopping platform that sells products specifically for people with disabilities and their caregivers. When browsing an e-commerce site, be sure to look for items that are designed with your particular condition in mind. Check if the zippers, Velcro strips, magnet closures, and snaps are strategically placed, so you can save more time when you dress. The outlook for fashion trends in adaptive clothing is pretty positive, given the greater push for inclusivity and diversity on and off the runways. Luxury and indie labels alike are starting to release adaptive clothing lines, too, so we can expect to see even more brands following suit in the coming years. Written by Yasmin Walton for trend-able.com