Adaptive clothing is on the rise — experts share what it is and where to shop

A year ago, adaptive clothing was a topic matter unbeknownst to me (that is, until I received a pitch for an adaptive clothing collection that sparked my interest). Since then, it's become apparent that the disability community is beginning to get its fashion fix — and rightfully so.

When Lady Fines — an adaptive brand focused on offering garments to people with disabilities — eventually reached out, my curiosity about adaptive clothing was piqued even more.

While the name itself reads "adaptable," adaptive clothing is more than easy-to-wear pieces or adjustable garments. Fashion isn't one-size-fits-all and designed just for the abled; style is for everyone and should serve every body type.

While adaptive clothing has been around for decades, there is still a big gap in the industry. Retailers like JCPenney, Anthropolgie and Target are among the few that cater to people with needs (additional brands are listed below). Still, there's an urge for more high-fashion and functional clothes.

To understand more about why this clothing category is so important, we tapped experts for their input as well as those who are shopping the collections.

What is adaptive clothing?Benefits of adaptive clothingadaptive clothing important?Features of adaptive clothingWhere to shopAdaptive clothing for womenAdaptive clothing for menAdaptive clothing for kidsWhy is it difficult to find adaptive clothing?How we choseMeet the experts

What is adaptive clothing? "Adaptive clothing is clothing that is functional for the user and garments that are adaptive to a certain disability," says owner and designer of Lady Fines Adaptive Fashion, Natasha Fines.

For example, clothes that have modifications to fit someone's physical needs are considered adaptive. This can be as simple as the zipper placement or other innovative closures.

"In simple terms, most of our clothes are not accessible. If you have very bad arthritis, these people won't wear most clothes. Most garments are not functional and have tiny buttons or uncomfortable zippers," says occupational therapist Elvis Hernandez.

Also, in the words of an above-the-knee amputee, "Adaptive fashion is clothing that makes you feel empowered and have access to a device or prosthetic leg, and have that accessibility while wearing something that you love," says volleyball player and certified veterinary technician MaKenzie Franklin.

"In the best case scenario, adaptive clothing is the one that addresses all the underlying skills that are necessary to promote independence," says occupational therapist Emily Kittoe.

What are the benefits of adaptive clothing? Adaptive clothing has many benefits for those with disabilities.

"Some people can't tie shoes because of their arthritis, and some clothes will feature Velcro straps for comfort. Some people have a degenerative condition, such as osteoporosis , where they can't bend their fingers anymore. It sounds simple but that can affect your daily activities," says Hernandez.

There is a disconnect between fashion and functionality.

Not only can adaptive clothing transform someone's style, but it can also help simplify their routine. "There is a disconnect between fashion and functionality. The medical industry wants to focus on achieving their basic needs first. But in reality, most of us will need adaptive fashion," says Syl Tang, journalist and author of "Disrobed."

Another benefit adaptive clothing can address is someone's independence. Not wearing the right clothes can impact someone's quality of life, especially when they go out.

"Either way, they have to fix their processes or they have to go to the bathroom. We want to provide them with an easy reach to socialize in society. The challenge to go to the bathroom becomes gruesome and if you add to the removal of clothes, whatever instrumentation they're using, is even a lot harder," says co-founder of Lady Fines, Emeline Fines.

Why is adaptive clothing important? Delivering care and promoting independence starts with basic needs, such as getting dressed.

"It [adaptive clothing] has become such a niche category for the elderly, just like medical gear. You need to have a shift in the entire fashion industry to think about those people with disabilities," says Tang.

Most companies don't address adaptive clothing because of costs in manufacturing, but it's essential for people who want to express their personality through fashion.

"Fashion is the least utilized sector within the disability community and at the same time, the most beneficial sector," says CEO and founder of Be More Adaptive, Caitlin Conner.

"The majority of us will go through some sort of disability, and fashion is a huge area that clothing retailers could address. Most people will need it at some point in their lives. If you don't want to wear a hospital gown for the last years of your life, we will need it and that's why it matters," says Tang.

"Why would you not want luxury in the form of adaptive clothing? Adaptive clothing should not be separate from our notions. Dignity is the most luxurious. If you don't have the right kind of clothes and feel uncomfortable, you don't have dignity and there's not a reason to take away that from people," shares Tang.

What are some features of adaptive clothing? "Some of the features [of adaptive clothing] include magnetic closures for people who have limited dexterity, so you can easily close your pieces. Same with hook and loop closure, which is Velcro," says Natasha. The importance of an "opening at the crotch area, so [there is] no struggle when doing necessities," was also noted as an example.

These details help to accommodate people with medical devices, and they facilitate people's daily activities when it comes to dressing.

Lady Fines has garments that are wheelchair- and sensory-friendly, as well as pieces designed for people with limited dexterity or port and IV access.

If you're wearing artificial or medical devices, adaptive clothing can help by addressing those discomforts.

While there are companies that offer adaptive clothing, they might not be asking the disability community for their feedback. The Rebels with a Cause Foundation (founded by Lady Fines) is a community that helps raise awareness about chronic illnesses and disabilities, and one of its members shares how the fashion industry rarely considers feedback from disabled groups.

"I cut all of my legs off when I buy bottoms. Because I need to access my prosthetic leg at all times, it's just easier to cut the pant's leg off," says Franklin.

In children, textiles are an important element for adaptive clothing, especially if they have autism. "You want to focus on breathable and flexible materials such as bamboo if the child has a sensory disorder," says Kittoe.

Where to shop for adaptive clothing

Easy Access Clothing

Joe & Bella

Buck & Buck

Kohl's

Victoria's Secret

Tommy Hilfiger

Adaptive clothing for women Victoria's Secret Adaptive Bikini Panty Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors:Materials:Special feature: Magnetic side closures

If you refuse to sacrifice style for functionality, these adaptive panties from Victoria's Secret are the way to go. This low-rise underwear is specially designed with magnetic side closures in sensory-friendly fabric to provide the most comfortable feel and fit, according to the brand. These panties also have the GAMUT Seal of Approval (a set of requirements for adaptive clothing) and come in five unique hues.

Seven Jeans Adaptive Tummyless Skinny Seated Jean Sizes:Colors:Materials:Special feature: Velcro waist closures

For those in a wheelchair, these jeans offer a minimalist design with adaptive features. The Velcro waist closures allow for an easy fit — and the jeans come with side hems, which accommodate leg braces and orthotics.

Liberare Wrap BraletteSizes: XS-XL | Colors:Materials:Special features: Velcro and adjustable band

Feel comfortable and secure with this adaptive bra. The bra features an adjustable band and Velcro for easy fastening and closure. Also, this wireless bra is great if you have limited strength on your hands.

Slick Chicks Adaptive Accessible "V" Neck Crop TopSizes: XS-XXL | Colors:Materials: Cotton and polyester | Special feature: Clasp buttons on the sides

This top features an elastic waistband with a clasp-button closure so it can be easily put on. It's also designed with a wide opening for those who need extra space or can't raise their arms.

Lady Fines Wheelchair-Friendly Adaptive Cargo PantsSizes: S-XL | Colors:Materials:Special feature: Full-length side zippers

If you have limited dexterity, these pants offer big loops to zip up and down while undressing. The oversized design is ideal for those with a prosthetic leg and those in a wheelchair, and the easy-pull drawstring can be simply tightened. However, our favorite part is the "Rebel with a cause" graffiti-inspired detail.

Maeve The Bennet Button-Down ShirtSizes: XXS-3XL | Colors:Materials: Cotton | Special feature: Magnetic front closure

I love a good button-down shirt , and this one is a great example of aesthetics and functionality. The shirt features and oversized fit, tabs to cuff the sleeves and magnetic front-snap for easy wear. It can worn for casual or semi-formal events, and it's a classic design that will embrace the wearer's style.

Joe & Bella CareZips Women's Adaptive PantsSizes: XS-3XL | Colors:Materials:Special feature: Inseam zipper

These pants are designed for those who have medical devices and need incontinence care . It features waist-to-knee size zippers on both legs for easy access and enough stretch for all-day comfort. Whether you need these for daily activities or a wheelchair, these pants are convenient and feel high-quality.

Adaptive clothing for men St. John's Bay Universal Adaptive Pant Sizes:Colors:Materials:Special feature: Hook and loop fasteners

There are many features included in these pants: an elastic waistband, hook-and-loop closures and wrinkle-free material. They're easy to wear and come with an adjustable elastic waistband for all-day comfort.

Sonoma Goods For Life Adaptive Pull-On Pants Sizes: S-XL | Colors:Materials: Cotton and spandex | Special feature: Hidden hook and loop closures

Getting dressed in the morning just became easier with these adaptive pull-on pants. These lightweight bottoms feature sensory-friendly materials and easy snaps for accessibility. They also include a higher waistline to provide more coverage when bending down or sitting.

Easy Access Clothing Classic Short Sleeve Shirt Sizes: S-L | Colors:Materials: Cotton and polyester | Special feature: Velcro closures

If you've been searching for a nice dress shirt that's easy to slip on and off, look no further. This sophisticated short-sleeve shirt features a Velcro front closure, deep set sleeves and hidden snaps to help make getting dressed much less of a daunting task.

Tommy Hilfiger Classic Cotton Cardigan Sizes: XS-XXXL | Colors:Materials:Special feature: Magnetic closure

This is a timeless piece for days when you want to dress up or look classy. The button section has magnetic closures and features a traditional button placket for elegance. While it features faux buttons, the cardigan looks like a traditional one.

Adaptive clothing for kidsCat & Jack Short Sleeve Floral DressSizes:Colors:Materials:Special feature: Opening for abdominal access

These adaptive short sleeve dresses come in a pack of two and are designed specifically for your child's sensory needs. Featuring flat seams and no tags to avoid skin irritation, these adorable toddler dresses are intended for those who have sensitive skin, sensory sensitivities or sensitivities to fabric, says the brand.

Billy Footwear Kids' Harbor Sneakers Sizes:Colors:Materials:Special feature: Wraparound zippers

Give an easy on-and-off experience to your kids when they need to wear the shoes on their own. These sneakers are trendy and feature a wraparound zipper on the upper to help them step in quickly.

Why is it difficult to find adaptive clothing? To start understanding why adaptive clothing is very limited, we need to explore what other areas lack resources within the disabled community.

"The perception that this community doesn't go out, is sick and stranded in the hospital is one of them. Second, is that on the business side of it, is not until behemoth retailers get the point of how this category can be a growth into their business," says Emeline. She explains that some manufacturers are hesitant to produce clothes for Lady Fines, especially if they require intricate features and complicated construction, which adds to the cost.

"It's a lot of hard work and attention to detail. They don't want to tap into it because it's not a good business standpoint for many buyers," says Natasha.

Lack of adaptive clothing is not the only issue. According to a report from Disability Scoop, most money and funds from vocational rehabilitation agencies go unspent and returned to the federal government. Natasha tells us that she has experienced this first-hand when she requested a hearing aid from a vocational rehabilitation company and was unable to acquire one.

According to a recent report in the Orlando Sentinel , billions of dollars go unused for adequate resources. So, when it's time to focus on fashion, it's not uncommon to see a white space.

Adaptive fashion is disconnected from mainstream fashion Adaptive clothing has been on the fringes of the fashion industry for a long time, according to Tang. For example, when it comes to medicine, Tang says, "There is a disconnect between fashion and functionality. They [medical professionals] want to focus on achieving their basic needs first." Of course, style isn't the main priority when it comes to medicine; getting proper care is. However, there is room in the industry for an emphasis on fashion, if that's what the patient wants.

"It also starts with the leaders in the fashion industry and what the bar has been said of what is beautiful. We're missing the leaders making a stand and them making it a continuous cover of adaptive clothing, and not just a seasonal topic. The industry has to set that standard and start with representation, and people forget this community exists," adds Natasha.

Gamut, a management company that represents people with disabilities and serves as a liaison between businesses and the disability audience, is also trying to break the gap in the industry. When a garment has the GAMUT seal of approval, you know it meets adaptive standards . This seal means that the products in the market have been vetted by people with disabilities, caregivers and experts in the disability community.

However, one thing people don't think about when they think about universal design is "how it should always adapt," says Conner. "Our world and populations are always changing, therefore we need things to change with us."

Additionally, the width of the dressing rooms, the length of the mirrors and the representation of the mannequins are other neglected areas. "If we want to make a difference in the community we have to start by offering simple access when it comes to wheelchair, electric doors and more," says Natasha.

Style is a second thought for adaptive clothing Every body is different and every person who has a disability requires specific features. When it comes to adaptive clothing, all experts interviewed expressed their discontent with brands neglecting the aesthetics and designs on clothes.

"I'm paying full price for pants when I only need half of them, and sometimes I feel like I'm cutting $100 worth of fabric," says Franklin.

"There has to be equity in fashion and cognizance that everyone wants to look beautiful and express themselves through clothes," shares Conner.

According to Conner, the most important thing a designer can do is connect with the disability community, listen to them and ask for their needs. "The disabled community is the most creative you'll find because we have to survive every day with all sorts of issues and roadblocks, and basically, we have an answer when it comes to clothes," adds Conner.

How we chose We asked experts for their brand recommendations in the adaptive clothing category and selected items with inclusive sizes, as well as those with unique features. Also, experts provided insights about the necessary features adaptive clothing should have.

Meet the experts

Emeline Fines is the COO, CFO and co-founder of Lady Fines Adaptive Fashion LLC. She is also the co-founder of Rebels with a Cause Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy, representation, and equality.

Natasha Fines is the visionary CEO, Founder, and Creative Director of Lady Fines Adaptive Fashion LLC and the Rebels with a Cause Foundation.

Syl Tang is a journalist and the author of Disrobed: How Clothing Predicts Economic Cycles, Saves Lives, and Determines the Future .

Elvis Hernandez has been an occupational therapist for 9 years now. He works with the geriatric population and now specializes in hand therapy.

Emily Kittoe is an occupational therapist at ChildServe and is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

MaKenzie Franklin is a certified veterinary technician, real estate agent and plays volleyball for the USA Women's National Sitting Team . She has been a left above-the-knee amputee since 2020.

Caitlin Conner is the CEO & Founder of the nonprofit Be More Adaptive , an organization dedicated to providing accessible resources that empower people with disabilities worldwide to lead fulfilling, sustainable, and productive lives.