Adaptive clothing is often seen in environments where caregivers, whether professionals or family members, are on hand to help individuals who have a wide variety of physical mobility challenges. People living with physically-limiting conditions are well-versed in the benefits of adaptive wear, from underclothes to outer wear. Featuring attachments like snaps, hook-and-loop patches, or magnetic buttons within designs that are created to assist dressing and undressing, adaptive clothing pieces bring comfort to their wearers and to those who care for them. Shared discussions about purchases can provide bonding moments between caregivers and those they care for when discussing new products. For differently-abled individuals, adaptive clothing can increase personal confidence and allow for freedom of movement. These effects also reduce stress that may otherwise appear while socializing, working, and performing daily tasks.

As a person who is average in ability, and a student of design, the use of adaptive clothing has been a technical and conceptual focus for me for the last five years. However recently this all changed when I experienced a life-changing injury that introduced me to the benefits of adaptive clothing as a wearer. I experienced an injury, which developed into a frozen shoulder and produced a total lack of use and loss of strength in my dominant arm, reaching all the way to my fingers. My doctor informed me that the injury would change my routine, and that I would be unable to use my arm or hand as usual for up to twelve months. As a middle-aged person with arthritis I have experienced limitations in movement, but not a sudden and complete loss of ability like this.

Unable to dress myself as usual, and not being able to close a button, tie a shoelace, or do my hair, I felt a severe loss of confidence. Getting in and out of clothing I love became beyond disappointing as my list of “I can’ts” grew. My world quickly became smaller, as dressing and undressing became large-focus tasks that took three or four times longer and were more frustrating than usual. I noticed how many times I needed to ask for help. Between buttons, zippers, and bra hooks, I had to seriously reconsider how to participate in my own life. I began to wonder if I should reduce my time in the spaces outside my home, by cutting back my responsibilities in order to manage my changed physical state. I cancelled physical meetings and met others online instead, where I could, if at all.

As an apparel design student, the study of adaptive wear, once conceptual, had become an ironic reality. I understood that adaptive wear is championed by those with long-term physical challenges, but I had not ever considered their use for injury scenarios like mine. Thankfully I was aware of the great products available at Silverts, and decided to try them. Because of the affordable price point offered, and very quick home delivery, I found myself trying a new Silverts front-closing bra for my initial appointment with my physiotherapist. One month into treatment, I had purchased a magnetic-seam t-shirt and magnetic button-down shirt as well. Dressing for treatment appointments became easier with the adaptive closures offered by the excellent designs I chose, such as the warm shawl wrap. I found I could still wear a bra, a comfortable shirt, and feel like myself in my clothing.

As my treatment appointments continued, I noticed that my physiotherapist, Katherine Wolfe, was able to access my arm and shoulder with ease. I asked her if she had many patients who came to see her wearing adaptive clothing. She replied, “I wish!” Later I asked Katherine about the benefits of having patients who showed up to appointments wearing adaptive clothing. She said, “Adaptive wear allows me to save time in sessions, by letting me get to body areas that usually require me to roll up fabric, like sleeves, with towels, or by other draping methods. For patients, adaptive clothing saves time as well, and patients can dress or undress themselves while retaining their personal dignity.” While Katherine works with patients of all ages and with a wide variety of needs, she noted that her clients and co-workers are mostly unaware of the benefits adaptive clothing provides.

Adaptive wear is not just for people experiencing longer term physical mobility challenges. For injuries or other recovery scenarios, adaptive wear can provide increased comfort and can reduce stress related to dressing and undressing. The availability of fashionable designs and colours at Silverts adds a dimension of choice and style to otherwise uncomfortable situations. For me, this means I can socialize, visit family, keep appointments and continue my work and studies without thoughts about looking different than others. Not only does my Silverts clothing look great, but I feel able to take charge of dressing myself, go to treatment sessions on my own, and do all of the recovery exercises I need to do at home without worrying about my clothing getting in the way.

For people experiencing sudden events like injuries that transform usual dressing tasks into stressful events, design features like pull-up loops on pants or magnetic closures, are small but essential assistants. For physiotherapists and other medical professionals, adaptive wear can save time and reduce patient discomfort, both physically and mentally. Adaptive clothing is a benefit to patients and to care providers, reducing discomfort and making care and treatment more accessible. I am so grateful for my new adaptive wardrobe essentials, and find them as stylish and comfortable as my other clothing. I feel like myself in my Silverts pieces, and look forward to continue my healing journey over the next months with confidence.