Where to Buy Adaptive Clothing in The US

Adaptive clothing has revolutionized the way children with special needs experience comfort and style. These garments are designed to accommodate various needs, including sensory sensitivities, functional requirements, and the unique challenges faced by those who spend a significant amount of time seated. In this article, we explore brands that are leading the way in adaptive clothing for kids in the US, categorized into sensory, functional, for seated bodies and children who require feeding tubes or any kid of stomas.

Sensory-Friendly Clothing

Sensory-friendly clothing is a boon for children with sensory processing sensitivities, which can make ordinary clothing feel uncomfortable or even unbearable. These garments are thoughtfully designed to minimize discomfort and sensory overload, offering several advantages and specific tailoring techniques.

Advantages of Sensory-Friendly Clothing

Reduced Sensory Irritation: By eliminating common irritants like tags, rough seams, and tight elastic bands, sensory-friendly clothing reduces the likelihood of sensory irritation, making it easier for children to focus and engage in daily activities.
Increased Comfort and Calm: Soft, breathable fabrics and smooth seams provide a soothing effect, which can help in reducing anxiety and increasing overall comfort, leading to a calmer, more content state of mind.
Enhanced Independence: These clothes often feature easy-to-use closures, like magnetic buttons or Velcro, empowering children with fine motor skill challenges to dress themselves more easily.
Promotes Inclusivity: Sensory-friendly clothing allows children with sensory sensitivities to participate more fully in various settings, such as school or social events, without discomfort.
Improved Focus and Participation: Children are less distracted by uncomfortable clothing, which can lead to better concentration on tasks and improved participation in educational and social activities.

How Sensory-Friendly Clothing is Tailored

Tagless Design: Labels are either printed directly onto the fabric or eliminated entirely to avoid the itchiness and irritation that tags can cause.
Flat Seams: Seams are flattened and made soft to prevent them from rubbing against the skin, which is especially beneficial for children who might feel overwhelmed by the sensation of standard seams.
Soft, Natural Fabrics: Fabrics like cotton, bamboo, and modal are often used for their softness, breathability, and natural hypoallergenic properties, reducing the risk of skin irritation.
Stretchy, Form-Fitting Materials: These materials provide a snug but comfortable fit, avoiding the discomfort of loose, baggy clothing that can overwhelm the sensory system.
Elastic Waistbands and Closures: Replacing buttons and zippers with elastic waistbands and simple closures makes dressing and undressing easier and less frustrating for children with sensory sensitivities or motor skill challenges.
Minimalistic Design: Avoiding excessive decorative elements like ruffles, sequins, or heavy embroidery that can be irritating to touch.
Non-Restrictive Fit: Ensuring that the clothing does not restrict movement, allowing children to move freely and comfortably.

Primary

Primary is known for its simple, colorful, and comfortable children's clothing. What sets Primary apart in the sensory-friendly category is their commitment to minimalism and comfort. Their clothing is free of tags, embellishments, and harsh seams, making them ideal for children with sensory sensitivities. The brand focuses on using soft, high-quality fabrics that are gentle on the skin. Primary's range includes a variety of basics like soft tees, leggings, and pajamas, all in a wide range of solid colors and simple patterns.

Uniquely Regal Kids

Uniquely Regal Kids specializes in sensory-friendly clothing that is both functional and fashionable. They offer a range of clothing designed to meet the needs of children with various sensory sensitivities. Their products often feature tagless designs, soft fabrics, and minimal seams. Uniquely Regal Kids also focuses on inclusive designs that are stylish, helping children feel confident and comfortable in their clothing.

Sensory Smart Clothing

Sensory smart clothing is designed specifically for individuals, especially children, who experience sensory processing challenges. These challenges can make ordinary clothing feel uncomfortable or even unbearable, leading to distress and difficulty in daily functioning. Sensory smart clothing addresses these issues with specialized designs.

The Good Day Lab

The Good Day Lab specializes in innovative children's clothing designed to make everyday life easier for both kids and parents. Their key feature is the stain-repel mission, where garments are crafted to repel stains and spills, preventing them from soaking in and simplifying laundry routines. Despite this functionality, comfort is not compromised, as their clothing is made from super soft fabric, packed with extra features for enhanced wearability. This approach not only eases the burden of frequent washing for parents but also encourages uninhibited play for children, supporting their active lifestyles.

Lander’s Kid-Approved Reversible Sweats

Lander's Kid-Approved Reversible Sweats are a unique and practical clothing choice for children, offering versatility and style. These sweatpants are designed as iconic statement reversibles, featuring soft double-knit cotton for maximum comfort. The key appeal lies in their reversible nature, providing two different outfits in one garment, which is both cost-effective and space-saving. Lander's focus on ultra-durable, kid-friendly clothing is evident in these sweats, making them a perfect fit for active children who need comfortable, long-lasting wear. The brand's commitment to maximum wearability is showcased through these unisex, reversible designs, catering to the dynamic lifestyle of modern kids.

Sense-ational You

Sense-ational You is a unique clothing brand that specifically caters to the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The brand is dedicated to creating sensory-friendly clothing that addresses multiple sensory needs, a feature that sets it apart from most other brands in this niche. Their innovative approach includes designing garments like hoodies that are not only comfortable and functional but also meet the sensory needs of autistic children. Sense-ational You's clothing line is recognized for its inclusivity and focus on both the functional and aesthetic needs of children with sensory sensitivities.

Kozie Clothes

Kozie Clothes is a specialized brand that offers a range of sensory and adaptive clothing designed to cater to the unique needs of children, particularly those with sensory processing challenges and other special needs. Based in Pottstown, PA, Kozie Clothes focuses on creating garments that are safe, easy to wear, and facilitate treatment access. Their product line includes compression shirts, pants, socks, weighted sensory items, and accessories. The brand is committed to combining style, fun, and therapeutic functionality in their clothing and products, making them a valuable resource for the pediatric special needs community. Kozie Clothes' offerings are particularly beneficial for children who require comfortable, sensory-friendly clothing that can accommodate medical devices or provide sensory compression.

Functional Adaptive Clothing

Functional adaptive clothing is designed to address the diverse needs of children with physical disabilities or mobility challenges. These garments are tailored to make dressing easier and more comfortable, offering several advantages and incorporating specific design features.

Advantages of Functional Adaptive Clothing

Ease of Dressing: One of the primary benefits is the ease with which children can dress and undress, fostering independence and self-confidence.
Accommodating Physical Needs: These clothes are designed to accommodate various medical devices, braces, casts, or mobility challenges, ensuring that children can wear them comfortably and safely.
Reducing Pain and Discomfort: For children with physical sensitivities or conditions that cause pain, adaptive clothing minimizes the need for movement that could cause discomfort or pain.
Promoting Inclusivity: By providing clothing options that address specific physical needs, adaptive clothing helps children feel more included and less different from their peers.
Time-Saving: For both children and caregivers, adaptive clothing can significantly reduce the time and effort required for dressing, making daily routines more manageable.

How Functional Adaptive Clothing is Tailored

Magnetic or Velcro Closures: Replacing buttons and zippers, these closures make it easier for children with limited motor skills to dress themselves.
Adjustable Features: Clothing may include adjustable waistbands, hems, and cuffs to accommodate growth or changes in body shape, as well as to fit over braces or casts.
Open-Back Designs: Particularly useful for children who spend a lot of time seated, open-back designs allow for easier dressing and greater comfort, especially in a wheelchair.
Side-Opening Pants and Shirts: These allow for easier access for dressing and undressing, and are particularly helpful for children with limited mobility.
Reinforced Areas: For children who use mobility aids or are prone to wear and tear in certain areas, reinforced patches add durability.
Seamless or Flat-Seam Construction: To avoid irritation and pressure points, especially important for children who may be prone to skin breakdown.
Accessible Pockets: Pockets are placed in accessible locations and may include easy-open features like Velcro.
Integrated Features for Medical Devices: Some garments include special openings or pockets for feeding tubes, catheters, or other medical devices.

Target Cat & Jack Adaptive Collection

The Cat & Jack Adaptive Collection from Target is known for its affordability and style. This line includes sensory-friendly items with flat seams and no tags, as well as adaptive clothing designed for easy dressing. Features like hidden openings for abdominal access, diaper-friendly designs, and wheelchair-friendly clothing make this collection particularly inclusive. Target has been praised for offering adaptive clothing that is both accessible and in line with current children's fashion trends.

Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive

Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive is a pioneering brand in the adaptive clothing market, known for integrating innovative features into stylish, mainstream designs. Their adaptive collection for children includes a wide range of clothing such as shirts, pants, dresses, and outerwear. Key features of Tommy Hilfiger's adaptive line include magnetic closures, adjustable hems, and Velcro fastenings, all designed to make dressing easier for children with various physical disabilities. The brand focuses on ensuring that their adaptive clothing is as fashionable as their standard line, allowing children with special needs to enjoy the latest trends without compromising on functionality. Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive is celebrated for its commitment to inclusivity and fashion-forward designs in the adaptive clothing space.

Lands’ Ends

Lands' End's adaptive clothing collection is a thoughtfully designed line that caters to the needs of individuals requiring easy dressing solutions. This inclusive collection is particularly beneficial for those with sensory sensitivities, as it features sensory-friendly clothing with no snaps and Velcro fasteners. The range includes a variety of garments such as shorts, skirts, shirts, polo shirts, and school uniforms, all crafted with features that make dressing simpler and more comfortable. Lands' End has ensured that their adaptive clothing maintains the same quality and style as their standard lines, making it a great choice for those seeking both functionality and fashion. The collection is designed to be age-appropriate and comes in various patterns, colors, and designs, ensuring there is something for everyone.

Magnetic Me

Known for their magnetic fastening system, Magnetic Me offers adaptive clothing that is easy to put on and take off, which can be beneficial for children with cerebral palsy

EasyWear Adaptive Clothing

Based in Cambridge, ON, EasyWear Adaptive Clothing offers a range of adaptive/disability clothing options that could be suitable for children with cerebral palsy.

French Toast

French Toast is a prominent brand specializing in quality school uniforms and children's clothing. Renowned for its wide range of kid-friendly apparel, French Toast offers embroidered uniform polo shirts, pants, skirts, and more for both boys and girls. The brand is celebrated for combining style, comfort, and durability, making it a preferred choice for school uniforms. French Toast's clothing line is designed to withstand the rigors of school life while ensuring children look neat and presentable.

Myself Belts

Myself Belts offers a unique solution to belt fastening for children who may struggle with traditional belts due to physical limitations or motor skill challenges. Their belts are designed for easy one-handed closure, promoting independence and confidence in dressing. Myself Belts' range includes a variety of colors and styles, making them both practical and fashionable.

RAGS

RAGS is known for their fashionable and functional children's clothing, particularly their signature rompers. These rompers are designed for ease of use, featuring stretchy, comfortable fabrics and simple, pull-on designs that make dressing hassle-free. RAGS combines trendy designs with practicality, making their clothing appealing to both children and parents.

Adaptations by Adrian

Specializes in custom adaptive clothing for children with various disabilities

Generation Joy

All the clothing is tagless with adaptable waistbands, and many styles have grow-with-me features that allow your kids to get more life out of their wardrobe

Adaptive Clothing for Seated

Adaptive clothing designed for seated bodies specifically caters to the needs of children who use wheelchairs or spend a significant amount of time seated. This type of clothing addresses various challenges associated with traditional clothing when in a seated position.

Advantages of Adaptive Clothing for Seated Bodies

Improved Comfort: Traditional clothing can bunch, press, or rub uncomfortably when sitting. Adaptive clothing for seated bodies is designed to prevent these issues, enhancing overall comfort.
Ease of Dressing: Putting on and taking off clothes can be particularly challenging for those who are seated. Adaptive clothing often features designs that make this process easier, promoting independence.
Reduced Pressure Points: Sitting for long periods can lead to pressure sores or discomfort. Adaptive clothing minimizes seams, buttons, and pockets in areas where pressure sores are likely to develop.
Enhanced Mobility: This clothing is designed to allow for better movement in a seated position, accommodating the use of wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Aesthetic Appeal: Adaptive clothing for seated bodies is tailored to look good in a seated position, ensuring that the clothing drapes attractively and maintains its shape.

How Adaptive Clothing for Seated Bodies is Tailored

Higher Backs and Lower Fronts: Pants and skirts often have a higher back to cover more while seated and a lower front to prevent bunching.
Strategic Seaming: Seams are placed to avoid pressure points, often being flattened or moved to less sensitive areas.
Stretchable and Durable Fabrics: Fabrics that stretch can accommodate different seated positions and are durable enough to withstand extra wear from wheelchair use.
Open-Back Designs: Shirts and dresses with open backs make it easier to put on and take off clothing without having to stand.
Adjustable Waistbands: Elastic or adjustable waistbands help the clothing fit comfortably and securely while seated.
Side Openings: Pants with side openings (with zippers, snaps, or Velcro) make it easier to dress and undress, especially for those with limited mobility.
Accessible Pockets: Pockets are placed in accessible locations, considering the seated position.
Flat or No Pockets at the Back: To avoid discomfort and pressure sores, back pockets are often eliminated or made flat.

befree

befree is an adaptive clothing brand that offers innovative solutions for children with disabilities. Their clothing is designed with special features like easy-access openings, comfortable fits for seated bodies, and soft, stretchable fabrics. befree focuses on creating clothing that enhances mobility and independence for children with various physical needs, ensuring that their garments are both functional and fashionable.

Adaptive Clothing for Tubies

Adaptive clothing for tubies, children who require feeding tubes, is specifically designed to address their unique needs. This specialized clothing offers numerous advantages and is tailored with specific features to ensure comfort, functionality, and ease of use.

Advantages of Adaptive Clothing for Tubies

Ease of Medical Access: One of the primary advantages is the ease of access to the feeding tube site. This simplifies the process of feeding and administering medication, making it less intrusive and more efficient.
Increased Comfort: These garments are designed to minimize irritation around the tube site. They often feature soft fabrics and protective coverings to reduce friction and pressure on sensitive areas.
Safety and Security: Adaptive clothing for tubies helps secure the feeding tube, reducing the risk of it being accidentally pulled or dislodged, which is a common concern with standard clothing.
Discretion and Normalcy: Many designs mimic the look of standard clothing, offering children a sense of normalcy and discretion. This can be particularly important for their self-esteem and social interactions.
Reduced Stress for Caregivers and Parents: Caregivers find these garments helpful as they simplify the process of caring for a child with a feeding tube, reducing the physical and emotional strain.
Promotes Independence: For older children, these adaptive features can promote self-care and independence in managing their feeding tube.

How Adaptive Clothing for Tubies is Tailored

Strategically Placed Openings: Garments typically have openings with zippers, Velcro, or snaps, strategically placed to provide easy access to the feeding tube. These openings are often discreetly integrated into the design.
Soft, Stretchable Fabrics: To accommodate the tube comfortably and reduce skin irritation, these garments are made from soft, stretchable, and breathable materials.
Protective Padding: Some designs include padding or a soft layer of fabric around the tube site to protect the skin and the tube from external irritation.
Adjustable Openings: The access points can be adjustable to accommodate different tube sizes and positions, ensuring a good fit and ease of use.
Flat Seams and Tagless Designs: To avoid irritation, many of these garments feature flat seams and are tagless. This is especially important for children who might have additional sensory sensitivities.
Easy Care and Durability: Given the nature of their use, these clothes are designed to be durable and easy to clean, often made from machine-washable fabrics that can withstand frequent laundering.
Aesthetic Appeal: Despite their functionality, these garments are designed to be visually appealing, with fashionable styles and colors that allow children to express their personalities.