Head Back-to-School in Style with Adaptive Fashion

For many families with kids, the end of summer includes preparations for heading back to school for a new year of growth, learning, and activities. On top of school supplies, schedules, and meeting new teachers and classmates – this time of year also usually means back-to-school clothes shopping.

As the fashion industry continues to make strides towards a more inclusive arena, more and more clothing companies are introducing lines of adaptive clothing geared towards better meeting the needs of those living with disabilities. From magnetic and hook-and-loop shirt closures to pants designed to fit comfortably while using a wheelchair, there are more options now than ever before.

Clothing lines with you in mind

Large companies are beginning to focus on designing and providing articles of clothing, both for kids and adults, that are inclusive by design. These companies are increasing inclusion in their clothing lines by including adaptive features like easy on-and-off components, seated wear for wheelchair users, sensory friendly fabric and designs, and more.

Adaptive Seated Wear Bike Shorts from JCPenney’s Thereabouts fashion line.

JCPenney now carries multiple brands that have embraced the importance of providing fashion that serves those living with disabilities. ThereAbouts offers a wide variety of kids’ clothing options for young learners, while popular brands like Arizona, liz claiborne, and St. John’s Bay provide a multitude of options for high schoolers and college bound students. You can shop all of JCPenney’s adaptive fashion lines here.

Kohls and Target are also among some of the larger corporations getting on board with creating clothing that is both stylish and accessible. Target’s kids’ line, Cat & Jack, and a variety of brands carried at Kohl’s, like Sonoma, Tek Gear, and Nine West, now carry clothing with designs informed by those living with disabilities.

In addition to large name stores and brands, the last two decades have seen an increase in the creation of smaller, disability-focused clothing lines and companies. Fashion designers like Izzy Camilleri, creator of IZ Adaptive, are recognizing the needs within the disability community for fashion that not only removes barriers and increases comfort, but that also empowers individuals with access to stylish clothing to express their own personality. Along that same thread, June Adaptive aims to provide clothing that is struggle-free while also bringing the joy of fashion to the community. With lines for teens, men, and women, both brands feature options that can make back-to-school shopping a little easier, and more fun, for teenagers and young adults.

Magnaready and Joe & Bella are two lines that feature men and women’s clothing with magnetic zippers. And the children’s line, be easy kid, aims to remove barriers of buttons and zippers with both magnetic and hook and loop closures. The hidden adaptations allow for expressive fashion without limits.

Our fan favorite staples

Adaptive seated wear with velcro side openings are designed to make dressing and undressing easier.

The increase in brands focusing on creating adaptive clothing means an increase in options for back-to-school clothes shopping. We chose a few of our favorite wardrobe staples below.

Adaptive pants and shorts

Seated-wear adaptive pants are designed with a higher-waisted back and often include side-seam openings and hook-and-loop fasteners, making it easier for wheelchair users to dress and undress while also increasing comfort. Other bottoms are designed with easy-on-easy-off features and accessible fabric.

• Thereabouts girls’ seated flare-leg jeans (kids)
• Therabouts girls’ seated wear knit, full length leggings (kids)
• Arizona women’s seated wear, wide leg cargo pants (teens and young adults)
• John’s Bay women’s seated wear, bootcut jeans (teens and young adults)
• n.a women’s high rise, straight leg, easy-on + easy off jeans (teens and young adults)
• Tek Gear women’s adaptive, ultra-stretch, high-waisted leggings (teens and young adults)

• Thereabouts boys’ pull-on, adjustable waist cargo short (kids)
• Thereabouts boys’ seated wear jeans (kids)
• Izod boys’ easy-on + easy-off, adjustable waist khaki pants (kids)
• Cat & Jack boys’ seated fit, pull-on woven pants (kids)
• John’s Bay men’s seated wear khaki pants (teens and young adults)
• Sonoma Goods for Life seated wear jeans (teens and young adults)

Tops for every style

Hidden hook and loop closures offer adaptability without compromising style.

Adaptive tops often feature a wider neckline to pull on more easily, hidden magnetic or hook and loop fasteners, and side openings. From T-shirts to button-ups, these staple tops are anything but basic.

• French Toast uni-sex adaptive hoodie (kids) Note: This brand offers a wide variety of adaptive boys’ and girls’ clothing and specializes in kid’s school uniform pieces. Check out all of their adaptive options

• Okie Dokie girls’ adaptive peplum top (toddlers)
• Thereabouts girls’ easy-on + easy-off, V-neck, short sleeve shirt (kids)
• IZOD girls’ easy-on + easy-off polo shirt (kids)
• Thereabouts girls’ easy-on + easy-off sweatshirt (kids)
• Nine West women’s adaptive ruffle blouse (teens and young adults)
• Jamey Perry women’s adaptive, cowl neck, short-sleeve sweater (teens and young adults)
• Sonoma Goods for Life women’s adaptive, button-down, boyfriend shirt (teens and young adults)
• n.a women’s adaptive, round neck, long sleeve T-shirt (teens and young adults)
• Dry Tek women’s adaptive athletic shirt (teens and young adults)

• Thereabouts boys’ adaptive, short sleeve T-shirt (kids)
• Thereabouts boy’s easy-on + easy-off flannel shirt (kids)
• Sonoma Goods for Life boys’ adaptive short sleeve, button-down shirt (kids)
• Sonoma Goods for Life men’s easy dressing, crew neck T-shirt (teens and young adults)
• John’s Bay men’s easy-on + easy-off polo (teens and young adults)
• John’s Bay men’s easy-on + easy-off, seated wear flannel shirt (teens and young adults)
• Tek Gear men’s adaptive, zip-up, light jacket (teens and young adults)

Shopping made simple

Whether you are shopping for yourself, a young child, a teenager, or a college-bound young adult – access to affordable, adaptive, and stylish back-to-school clothing is just a click away. Didn’t find what you were looking for in our suggestions? Search “adaptive clothing” on your favorite shopping sites for even more options.

Note: Quest Media does not have paid endorsements with any of these brands.