Adaptive clothing can be life-changing, but first, you have to find the right pieces–learn how.

The worldwide disabled community consists of over 1 billion people and every single one of them needs clothing. Despite this massive market, today’s top retailers do not always offer accessibility-friendly clothing. Fortunately, the market is changing–and the arrival of adaptive clothing is redefining the clothing industry as we know it.

Adaptive clothing is clothing that was made with accessibility and the varying needs of the disabled community in mind. Let’s explore adaptive clothing and how to find the best options for you or your child!

Everything You Need to Know About Adaptive Clothing for Kids and Adults

Before you can choose adaptive clothing for you or your child, you will want to understand what adaptation in fashion is and how adaptive fashion design celebrates those with disabilities.

What is Adaptive Clothing?

Clothing comes in many different shapes, sizes, and styles–but not all clothing is accessible. Adaptive clothing combines accessibility with modern fashion to support the unique needs of people with disabilities. 

You can learn more about adaptive clothing here.

Who is Adaptive Clothing For?

From sensory needs to mobility considerations, adaptive fashion design is made to be used by anyone who needs clothing that offers a little bit more. While standard clothes are primarily made for aesthetics or to support a specific purpose, adaptive clothing is clothing that has been adapted to fit individual needs. Whether you’re looking for clothes that offer more space for life-saving tools or are just easy to get in and out of, adaptive clothing can help.

Choosing the Best Adaptive Clothing: A Beginner’s Guide

Shopping for clothing is a lot more exciting when it is made with you in mind. These additional considerations can help you to choose adaptive clothing that you love.

A Comfortable Fit

Any time you shop for clothing, fit is always going to be a key consideration. With adaptive fashion, you will find that fit plays a critical role in both comfort and function. For this reason, you should always aim to find adaptive clothing that fits well. 

The fit of clothing comes down to several different factors. Size, shape, and accommodations can all influence how your clothing fits in the end. Keep this in mind while you shop the latest adaptive fashion trends so you can find something you love wearing.

Remember, a comfortable fit is even more important when shopping for children. How a child’s clothing fits can impact their confidence, ability to focus, and how they play. Fortunately, kids adaptive fashion has plenty to offer children of all ages.

Mobility Aid Accommodations

A mobility aid can play a critical role in the comfort and independence of a person who is disabled. All around the world, disabled children and disabled adults rely on mobility aids to navigate the world and maintain their independence. Fortunately, this is one area where adaptive clothing can really shine.

Depending on your needs, you may need clothing that offers an accommodating fit for one or more mobility aids. Adaptive fashion can offer this, allowing you to feel more comfortable as you use these staples in your life. Look for options that fit with your favorite aids and limit the chance of clothing getting caught on them!

Easy and Secure Closures

Some articles of clothing are more challenging to get into, and some can be nothing short of impossible to navigate for many of us. Closures, in particular, offer a significant challenge for many members of the disabled community. However, they do play a critical role in many articles of clothing, including those that are designed to be more accessible. 

Everyone wants secure closures on their clothing to avoid any kind of embarrassing incident. However, secure does not have to be synonymous with difficult. Adaptive fashion is often made with easy-to-use closures that anyone can navigate. 

Don’t worry–they are just as secure as ever!

Sensory-Friendly Fabrics

Adaptation in fashion can accommodate countless different accessibility needs, including sensory needs. If you or your child are particularly sensitive to certain fabrics, you will be glad to know that adaptive clothing can absolutely accommodate this.

Although adaptive clothing is available in a great many popular fabrics, it can also be made with sensory concerns in mind. Simply look for adaptive clothing that is made using sensory-friendly fabrics, and you will find great wardrobe matches. 

If you’re not sure where to start, try a few sensory-friendly options, and see what feels best.

Activity Needs

We all live our lives in motion, even if it is at varying levels. Activities can influence what kind of movement, motion, and temperature needs are right for the clothing we wear. If there is an activity that you or your child loves, you will want to keep that in mind when shopping for adaptive clothing.

These common considerations can help you to find adaptive clothing that suits any activity needs:

• Are you likely to feel hot or cold during this activity?
• How much will you be moving while participating in the activity?
• Are there any safety considerations that might impact your decision?
• How breathable should your clothing be during this activity as it progresses?
• Is there a type of clothing that is common for this sort of activity?

Fashion and Function

The best clothing always offers a combination of both fashion and function, and adaptive clothing is just as fashionable as the clothes you see in magazines. 

You want to wear clothing that you are comfortable and confident in. The good news is that adaptive clothing can actually make certain types of fashionable clothing more accessible than their standard-issue counterparts.

When shopping for adaptive clothing, take time to consider your needs and your style. The best way to find adaptive clothing that you love is to choose pieces that allow you to express yourself while also accommodating your disability. 

Shop around to find adaptive fashion that lets you combine your signature look with your one-of-a-kind lifestyle.

Celebrate Accessibility Through Adaptive Clothes Made Just For You!

Adaptive clothing was made to adapt to the unique needs of your body–and your preferences too. As you shop for adaptive clothes that suits your needs, dig deep and ask yourself what you would like to see and feel. The more time you spend reflecting and exploring your options, the more likely you are to find that perfect clothing match!