The Adapted Trends Story
What we wear and how we wear our clothes is a reflection of our personality and gives the outside world a glimpse into who we are. Imagine if that choice was not an option due to limitations in clothing designs and a lack of availability of adaptive clothing.
Limited mobility shouldn’t mean that you can’t wear up to date fashions. In the UK there are very few clothing brands who specialise in designing disability inclusive clothing for adolescents with special educational needs (SEN) and wheelchair users, and that needs to be rectified.
In 2023, I was invited to be part of a fashion event for individuals with special needs (SEN) and mobility issues, to raise money for a local charity, Cherry Trees who provide home from home care for children with complex disabilities. As part of the initiative I was asked to up-cycle and customise a denim jacket for a young girl, ‘Jane’ and to design a pair of modified trousers for those with disabilities.
Jane is a wheelchair user and is non verbal, using a pod book to communicate. With the help of her parents and the pod book, she expressed to me exactly which fabrics and colours she liked. Her parents, along with many others I met, explained how there was very little fashionable adapted clothing available to their children. Often jogging bottoms are their only option.
This was my lightbulb moment. How can young people and children express their personality if there is no choice available?
Over the coming months, with the help of the children and their parents and school staff, the unique, fully accessible trouser design was developed.
We are excited to make our adapted trousers available to everyone, and hope to introduce a variety of colours and fabrics over the coming months. Our aim is to create accessible clothes that are both on trend and fit for purpose. Clothes that make getting dressed/undressed and going to the toilet easier, whilst also providing the freedom of personal choice.
In time I hope to expand the clothing line and create future designs and adaptations with the help of users, parents and carers of young people with special educational needs and wheelchair users. I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback on the trouser and bib design and welcome any ideas or wishes for future projects.
Thank you.
About the trousers
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On trend cargo style
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Front full length zip allows trousers to be put on or taken off while sitting, lying and standing
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Drawstring ankle cuffs open wide to allow for specialist boots or callipers
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Side pockets positioned as far to the front as possible for easy access whilst sitting in a wheelchair
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Lower front waistband to prevent bulking fabric when sitting, and higher back waistband to fully cover incontinence pants/aids
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Zips are backed inside the trouser legs to prevent rubbing on the skin
