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In the past few years, the adaptive clothing market has exploded, with major retailers such as Target, Kohl's, JCPenny, Zappos, Tommy Hilfiger, Land's End, and QVC getting into the space. But what exactly is adaptive clothing, and why does it matter? 

What is adaptive clothing?

Adaptive clothing includes clothes, shoes, and other outwear designed for the specific needs of individuals with various disabilities and physical limitations. Traditionally, it can be adapted to support a person's ability to dress independently, quickly access medical devices, or facilitate toileting access, enhance comfort, or promote safety. But with the involvement of major designers and retailers, it now serves an additional purpose. Fashionable adaptive clothing can allow a person with disabilities to maintain their sense of self in a changing body, express themselves, and help control how others percieve them. 

Changing attitudes toward adaptive clothing.

Clothing choice is an important way we express our personalities, show others how we see ourselves, and can influence how others see us and others believe about us. So having clothing options that are consistent with our self-perception and with the image we want to convey to others is important to our well-being. 

In the past, adaptive clothing was mainly designed for the convenience of caregivers that dressed individuals needing assistance, such as those in nursing homes, paralyzed persons, or disabled children. The clothes were designed with utility rather than fashion in mind. 

But disabled people span every age and walk of life, with varying needs for adaptationl. Thankfully, today, designers are creating adaptive clothing for all ages and levels of abilities in a variety of modern styles. This can allow individuals to meet their clothing needs without feeling like they have to sacrifice the types of clothing they prefer. 

If you haven't looked at today's adaptive clothing, consider some of the ways it could help you. The list below gives examples of common reasons individuals with multiple sclerosis use adaptive clothing and examples of types of apparel that may be helpful in these areas:

• Access: Some clothing is desgned for easy access to medical devices or parts of the body. For example, individuals who receive their medication by IV infusion may benefit from adaptive jackets that have a zipper on the arm, allowing healthcare providers access to a vein without sacrificing warmth and comfort. Those who need quick access for toileting or catheterization might use undergarments that fasten with Velcro or snaps for easy removal without bending. Individuals who use leg braces, AFOs, or functional electrical stimulation devices for walking may benefit from pants with roomier or zipped lower legs, allowing for device access. 
• Comfort: Adaptive clothing can provide greater comfort for people with pain, heat intolerance, or who are wheelchair users. Wheelchair users benefit from clothing designed for sitting, such as jeans without heavy seams in the seat or back pockets that can cause discomfort. Those with heat intolerance may find new high-tech fabrics helpful at keeping cool. Cooling shirts, socks, and even dresses are now available. For those with pain, nonbinding bras and undergarments may increase comfort, as well as soft, nontextured clothing designed for people with sensory disorders. 
• Safety: Those who experience numbness or who are at risk for pressure sores can find adaptive clothing that contributes to their safety. For individuals with numbness in their feet, adaptive shoes can be particularly important. For individuals at risk for pressure sores, particularly those who primarily remain in bed, clothes that do not rub or create friction are vital.
• Independence: For individuals whose physical limitations make dressing difficult, adaptive clothing can allow them to maintain their independence. Clothing with magnetic or Velcro closures can help those who can no longer use buttons. Underwear that can be laid flat and fastened while seated can help those who are unable to stand. Bras with a front zipper or magnetic closure can make dressing easier for those who are unable to use transitional hook closures. 

Finding your options

While the number of adaptive clothing options has skyrocketed, searching for them can still be quite challenging. When you type "adaptive clothing" into a search engine, the first results are the established brands for the elderly and residents of nursing homes. So dig a little deeper. Scroll further down the list to check out retailers, large or small. You can also narrow your search looking for specific items (such as "cooling clothing" or "shirts with magnetic closures"). Or go directly to your favorite retailers' website and search for "adaptive clothing." With a little persistence, you will find clothing options to support your independence, safety, and comfort without sacrificing style. 

On November 6, MS Focus will be highlighting adaptive clothing in an exclusive event. See page five in our spring 2025 magazine in the issue archives at msfocusmagazine.org, or visit msfocus.org/events for more information on the event and how you can help support. 

Aids for dressing and grooming

In addition to adaptive clothing, there are several helpful devices for dressing and grooming:

• Dressing: Button hooks, zipper pulls, sock frames, and jewelry helpers make life easier for those who struggle with dexterity.
• Grooming: Easy grip hairbrushes and toothbrushes, adaptive tweasers and nail clippers, and tube squeezers are a few common devices. 
• Beauty: Adaptive makeup brushes, eyeliner applicators and easy-to-open packaging are a few recent innovators in beauty.