Created 5/2019
Introduction
Adaptive clothing, or adapted clothes, are clothing, accessories and footwear specially designed for people with physical disabilities and others who lack the full range of motion required for self-dressing.
Adaptive clothing comes in many different forms and styles, including magnetic closures instead of buttons or zippers or flat hems that are less prone to catching or snagging. Adaptive clothing should benefit the wearer both physically and psychologically, as quality clothing often makes us feel good about ourselves and promotes a sense of well-being.
Adaptive clothing can be considered one of the many High- and Low-Tech Aids for Daily Living.
National Resources
The contents of the following websites are solely the responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Amputee Coalition. The Amputee Coalition cannot and does not make specific recommendations for products or services. No Amputee Coalition endorsement is implied.
Adaptations by Adrian
Formerly known as Adrian’s Closet, Adaptations customizes individually made adaptive clothing for special needs. They strive to ease dressing challenges, of those working within physical limits, to help make daily lives easier and more convenient. Why? Some wheelchair users have dressing challenges, such as uncooperative hands or legs, stiffness, or needing help adjusting clothes while toileting. Circulation problems create cold, swelling feet. A constant seated position creates pressure problems, sensitivity to seams, and the inability to wear store clothing. Come in and see how they try to solve these challenges!
Web: adaptationsbyadrian.com
Email: sales@adaptationsbyadrian.com
Phone: 760.744.3565
Adaptive Clothing Showroom
Adaptive Clothing Showroom provides clothing and accessories for men, women and children in need of adaptive clothing to help ease the task of independent or aided dressing. Their adaptive clothing has been designed especially for those who are wheelchair users or have limited mobility. They keep price affordability in mind, trying to provide quality clothing at reasonable and competitive prices.
Web: adaptiveclothingshowroom.com
Email: acs@kewnet.com
Phone: 845.352.1651
Association of Sewing and Design Professionals Referral Directory
Whether you need a custom-made garment for a special occasion or alterations to clothing that’s already in your closet, a sewing and design professional can help you look and feel your best! ASDP members are dressmakers, tailors, seamstresses, alteration specialists, designers, teachers, sewing instructors, patternmakers, fabric and materials suppliers, and many other sewing and design specialists. They offer personalized service, custom fit, unique design, and quality workmanship. You may search the directory by location as well as professional specialties. Under professional specialties, you may select Adaptive/Special Needs Clothing.
Web: sewingprofessionals.com/referral-directory
Phone: 877.755.0303
Billy Footwear
Using universal design and innovative FlipTop technology, BILLY Footwear changes the game by smashing fashion with function, blurring the line between adaptive and non-adaptive. Intended for the masses, the zipper shoes of BILLY Footwear revolutionize how footwear is put on and taken off. No more Velcro. No more stuffing your feet into shoes. Step in unobstructed, be empowered, and live your story as it is meant to be told.
Web: billyfootwear.com
Email: info@billyfootwear.com
Buck & Buck
Adaptive clothing is a design that changes everyday clothing into styles that are easily worn by individuals with physical disabilities or diminished motor skills. Buck & Buck has designed a variety of adaptive clothing options for you to choose from based upon their own observations and from their discussions with customers like you. Their adaptive clothing designs promote independence in dressing and personal care for the wearer. Hemming and garment labeling services are available for no additional charge. Look for their adaptive clothing symbol “AD” on their website.
Web: buckandbuck.com
Email: info@buckandbuck.com
Phone: 800.458.0600
Cat & Jack by Target
Cat & Jack set out to introduce a limited selection of sensory-friendly kids’ clothing that’s affordable and offers kids stylish options to feel comfortable and confident to take on their day. Adaptive styles include items with zip-off sleeves, side openings to make dressing easier or openings in the back for those who are sitting or lying down.
Web: target.com/c/kids-adaptive-clothing/-/N-1laue
Phone: 800.591.3869
IZ Collection by Izzy Camilleri
A revolutionary and completely unique brand of clothing, designed around a seated frame, to provide a superior choice for wheelchair users. IZ Collection pioneered the way for adaptive clothing and pushed boundaries within the fashion world, making the world more accessible, not just through clothing, but also through raising awareness around disability issues and raising the profile of models who use wheelchairs.
Web: izzycamilleri.com/galleries/iz-collection
Web: izadaptive.com
Email: info@izzycamilleri.com
JLine by Silvert’s
As a result of extensive research, Silvert’s is proud and pleased to introduce JLine Fashions adaptive clothing, offering fashionable dressing solutions to younger disabled adults and younger people with disabilities. Focus research groups have been established, consisting of clients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. As a result, Silvert’s has expanded its clothing line to incorporate JLine Fashions adaptive clothing, which offers easy access specialty clothing for people with disabilities that enables younger disabled adults to dress in comfort and style.
Web: jlinefashions.com
Email: customercare@jlinefashions.com
Phone: 800.387.7088
MagnaReady
Patented technology. The home of Stress-Free Shirting®. A magnetically infused closure system that eases dressing for those with limited mobility or dexterity. The magnetically infused adaptive shirts make getting dressed both quick and painless. You can even leave the collar magnet “unbuttoned” for a more casual look. Includes men’s and women’s wear.
Web: magnaready.com
Phone: 866.635.8866
NBZ Apparel
NBZ Apparel International is an Ohio-based apparel maker and online clothing retailer which serves customers in the United States and around the world. As a social good company, they are committed to making a life-changing difference in the lives of disabled veterans, amputees, stroke victims, seniors, as well as adults and children with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, ALS and more by providing resources and adaptive clothing options.
Web: nbzapparel.com
Email: info@nbzapparel.com
Phone: 844.341.9065
Reboundwear
Reboundwear’s mission is to create adaptive athletic wear under the Reboundwear® brand for the style and comfort of millions of people who face the daily struggle of getting dressed in conventional clothing. In just one year, the founder of Reboundwear® experienced life after surgery for her children, friends and parents. She watched the pain and stress of her loved ones struggling to get dressed and go to doctor’s appointments and physical therapy in conventional clothing, which hindered the recovery process. These experiences inspired her to design a line of clothing that solves dressing issues for the millions of people with limited mobility, with an emphasis on style and comfort. The result, Reboundwear®, was born — a line of multifunctional athletic wear designed to look stylish even when you’re not feeling so stylish.
Web: reboundwear.com
Email: info@reboundwear.com
Phone: 646.688.3450
Ross Daniel Adaptive Apparel
Established in 2009, Ross Daniel Adaptive Apparel® (RDAA) is more than a designer and maker of adaptive clothing; they are fashion pioneers and advocates who are filling a niche for the special needs community. They are driven by a fashion initiative that is in response to the lack of sensitivity by clothing manufacturers to the needs of physically challenged — and fashion-conscious — children and teens.
Web: rdadaptiveapparel.com
Phone: 866.675.6004
Runway of Dreams Foundation
The Runway of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit that works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. Founded on the basis that clothing is a basic human need, the Runway of Dreams Foundation develops, delivers and supports charitable initiatives to broaden the reach of adaptive clothing and promote the differently abled community in the fashion industry. Through adaptive clothing donations, employment opportunity initiatives, adaptive design workshops, awareness-building campaigns and scholarship programs, the Runway of Dreams Foundation is empowering people with disabilities with opportunity, confidence, independence and style.
Web: runwayofdreams.org
Email: info@runwayofdreams.org
Phone: 201.919.5142
Tommy Adaptive by Tommy Hilfiger
For one in five Americans living with a disability, something as simple as getting dressed each day can be a challenge. Inspired by their experiences, Tommy Adaptive’s design team committed to think in new ways and uncover new solutions. Starting with iconic Tommy style as a template, they are rethinking everything from conception to production. Categories include: Easy Closures, Fits for Prosthetics, Ease of Movement, and Seated Wear for Men, Women, Boys and Girls.
Web: usa.tommy.com/en/tommy-adaptive
Email: tommyhelp@tommy.com
Phone: 888.TOMMY4U || 888.866.6948
Universal Thread by Target
Universal Thread is all about making great style available to everyone, while offering unprecedented value and never compromising on quality. Sensory-friendly options within Universal Thread will be free of tags, have flat seams and feature extra-soft material. Adaptive denim in the collection will offer a high-rise back and longer inseams, wider leg openings to make dressing easier, no back pockets and faux front pockets.
Web: http://www.target.com/c/women-s-adaptive-clothing/-/N-r23zu
Phone: 800.591.3869
Zappos Adaptive
A few years ago, a Zappos employee took a call from a customer whose grandson received the wrong shoes. Sadly, the employee was unable to find a replacement for what she needed. The customer was frustrated — and rightfully so. She shared that her grandson, Gabriel, has autism and is unable to use shoes with laces due to the challenges of tying them. As Gabriel ages, it becomes increasingly difficult to find footwear for his needs.
That call made a lasting impression on Zappos’s employee, and he vowed to do something about it. Following several months of immersive research, education and talking with families and people with disabilities, he helped create a team dedicated to sourcing products that are functional, fashionable and meet all types of needs. Zappos Adaptive aims to connect people with products that make life easier.
Categories include: Easy-On/Off Shoes, Slip-On Shoes, Sensory-Friendly Clothing, Diabetic Shoes, Pull-On Pants, Reversible Clothing, Orthotic-Friendly Shoes, Adaptive Jeans, Post-Surgical Wear, Treatment Wear, Magnetic Closures, AFO-Friendly, Compression and Wheelchair-Friendly for Men, Women, Boys and Girls.
Web: zappos.com/e/adaptive
Email: cs@zappos.com
Phone: 800.927.7671
It is not the intention of the Amputee Coalition to provide specific medical or legal advice but rather to provide consumers with information to better understand their health and healthcare issues. The Amputee Coalition does not endorse any specific treatment, technology, company, service or device. Consumers are urged to consult with their healthcare providers for specific medical advice or before making any purchasing decisions involving their care.
© Amputee Coalition. Local reproduction for use by Amputee Coalition constituents is permitted as long as this copyright information is included. Organizations or individuals wishing to reprint this article in other publications, including other websites must contact the Amputee Coalition for permission to do so, by emailing a request to rc@amputee-coalition.org.