Fashion and Assistive Technology might seem like a bizarre intersection, but for most people with disabilities, it makes complete sense.

Adaptive clothing can help people with a variety of disabilities manage their clothing independently throughout the entire day. Just as there is a myriad of disabilities, there is also a myriad of adaptive clothing needs. You might need clothing that is easier to put on in a sitting position, that can accommodate limb difference, allow for medical device access, doesn’t require fine motor skills to interact with or offers smaller size options for adult styles of clothing. On top of these need related differences, the number of considerations increase exponentially when choice of adaptation comes into play like: magnetic vs Velcro closures; back, side and hidden access openings; designs that are toileting-friendly; provide seated comfort; offer step-in options; grant easy access points; or soft/sensory-friendly material types. All of this comes into play, many times, before the user’s sense of taste is even brought into the picture. That is why Where It’s AT is here with a current set of adaptive clothing options and vendors. That way, your clothes are not only functional for your needs, but are also the form of self-expression they should be.

• Liberare offers a line of beautiful underwear with magnetic front openings that eliminate fiddly hook and eyes and snaps, side opening underwear that eliminates the need to bend and allows for easy seated dressing without the need to lift your legs, and grip loops allow you to fasten bras and underwear utilizing loops that can me managed with a single digit, biological or prosthetic.
• Slick Chicks sells anti-microbial and moisture-wicking undergarments like bras with Velcro and zip front closures and underwear with side hook and eye and Velcro closures to support seated dressing.
• BraEasy provides a wide variety of designs that are moderately accessible with front and side openings using snaps, hook and eye, slide closure and buttons. They even have a bra specifically designed to provide compression for those living with Lymphedema and offer period panties.
• Glamory Hosiery offers lovely, perfect-fitting hosiery options for little people.
• AnaOno supports people who have had full or unilateral mastectomies, lumpectomies,  reconstruction and more, with their bras uniquely designed to support any body type. The cost of their bars can even be covered through traditional Medicare coverage nationwide, or through private insurance in a great many states, including California.
• Aerie sells a wide line of clothing, but their line of hook and loop side opening underwear is really nice and their period panties are some of the cutest I have seen.
• Patti + Ricky have lingerie options that include magnetic front fastening bras, mastectomy camisoles with built-in prosthetics, and wrap around panties.