A Fit That Fits

Finding clothes that are accessible and suit a person’s style can be difficult, but as the fashion industry begins to acknowledge disabled, chronically ill and neurodiverse people, it’s beginning to look like this might improve

Finding clothes that suit your needs and your style can be difficult, but for disabled, chronically ill, and neurodiverse people it can be almost impossible. Finding clothing which sits at the intersection of form and function can be extremely hard, especially when so few large brands or retailers create - let alone carry - clothing that fits the needs of, for example, someone who experiences sensory sensitivity with certain fabrics, or a of fashion and lifestyle items to underrepresented groups by 2025. The collection sees them introduce clothing for people living with a wide range of impairments, including limited mobility, limited dexterity, and sensory sensitivity; there are items designed for wheelchair users, items that accommodate prosthetics and bandages, and sensory-friendly fabrics. They have also designed clothing for disabled children’s caregivers, showing just how extensive the research they undertook to understand the needs of disabled customers before launching the collections. Alongside this, they’ve begun stocking Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, one of the first luxury designer brands to create an adaptive clothing range - although it must be said, in a time where disabled people are some of the hardest hit by the cost of living crisis, this may not be as accessible as it needs to be. Adaptive fashion should be just that - adaptive and fashionable, but it should also be available to all who need it. Here’s some adaptive brands you might be able to recommend to clients or patients who need them:

wheelchair user who needs their trousers to fit in a very specific way. In October, fashion and lifestyle platform Zalando launched an adaptive fashion collection across its brands in some of their European markets, which include Zign, Pier One, Anna Field, Yourturn and Even&Odd. The collection consisted of over 140 styles for men and women, including footwear, in an effort to reach its goal of offering an inclusive experience and assortment

HEWINSON

This UK-based clothing company produces jeans and jogging bottoms that are designed with the specific needs of wheelchair users in mind. Available in an assortment of washes and sizes, the jeans feature high backs, elasticated waists, pockets designed so that they don’t lose their contents when the wearer sits down, reinforced belt loops that allow them to be pulled on with ease, flat seams to reduce the chance of sores, and an extra-long zip. The jeans are £65, while their trackies are £52.

Hewinson.com

Optivus challenges the idea that accessible clothes need to pick style over function; this streetwearinspired brand creates fashionable clothing with accessibility in mind, offering wardrobe staples that wouldn’t be out of place on ASOS. Their statement flannels are available with velcro or snap fasteners, and their OG jeans are designed for wheelchair users, sporting a design that makes toileting and changing easier and is catheter friendly without compromising on style.

Optivus.com

UNHIDDEN

Unhidden make clothes for every body, and their website allows customers to make specific alterations to each item they buy, further emphasising that claim. Their clothing is perfect for work or semi-formal wear, designed to be put on with ease, and allowing space for bloating and sitting down, offering invisible zips and concealed openings. As each piece is individually designed based on the wearer’s needs, they’re also happy to make any size of clothing needed, making it even more accessible.

UnhiddenClothing.com

This Australian brand creates leakproof underwear that reduces the need to use disposable pads, liners and tampons during the wearer’s period. Their adaptive Boyleg range are perfect for wearing overnight, and is suitable for a heavy flow or light to moderate bladder leaks. The underwear can be put on without having to pull it up from the feet thanks to the hook and loop fastenings on both sides at the hips, which makes them ideal for people living with limited mobility.

Modibodi.co.uk

WHITE ROSE

White Rose has been creating ostomate-friendly clothing for over 30 years with the help and feedback of their loyal customers. They offer swimwear and underwear for men and women, and have created a line of fashionable skinny jeans and leggings that are super fashionable as well as functional. All of their clothing features an internal pocket that supports the wearer’s stoma bag while preventing it from sitting on the skin and causing irritation or discomfort.

WhiteRoseCollection.com