Fashion Choices and Disability: How I Decide What Fits and Know What Doesn’t

One of my goals with this blog is to let my readers understand a bit of what I go through in everyday life as a disabled wheelchair user. One of the few things I don’t use (or at least, I haven’t for several years) is adaptive clothing. So, you may wonder: How do I choose fashions that won’t get in the way of my mobility?

That’s not always an easy answer. I’ve been wheelchair bound and unable to walk since middle school. I’ve mentioned in past blogs that I’m blessed to live with my parents, who often assist me with getting dressed and similar needs. They help me make sure that I have things in order before I go out, if necessary. These days, that’s rare (and by choice; I’m a homebody) as I’m usually holed up writing, though I do make it out for the occasional meeting with friends, a doctor’s appointment, church, and other random activities.

What about adaptive clothing?

Adaptive clothing is an option, but it’s not one that I prefer. Many adaptive options have features I don’t need, like open backs. Also, most adaptive clothing options are about as expensive as the regular clothing I buy. Most of what I get is purchased from standard retailers. I’m also plus-sized, which means any options I find are likely to be pricy anyway, unless I bargain hunt.

So where do I find my clothes, and how do I know what works?

The only real way to know what works is to try it on. Shops like Torrid or basic retailers like Walmart can have compelling choices. From time to time, Cato’s may have some options. My aunt, who shares my birthday, got me a gorgeous sweater dress recently from Cato’s, which I adore. I wear leggings underneath it.

Pictured above: Me in a summery dress I bought from a Torrid store two years ago.

And this is one of my favorites: Me, aged 25 at the time, in a rare photograph out of my wheelchair for professional graduation photos. (This chair was very difficult to maintain a balanced pose in, as I recall!)

Pull-on options are a lifesaver. I often wear pointe leggings, which are thicker and designed to be worn like pants. I can also wear regular pants that are easily pulled on (elastic waisted jeans are some of my favorites and I keep a couple of pairs.)

Here I am, aged 22, in my college dorm before leaving to go to class sporting elastic-waisted jeans, a simple black top. denim jacket and leopard print ballet flats!

I have to look carefully, but online retailers can have some wonderful options. I know a lot of people have divided opinions on websites like Temu, but I’ve found some beautiful, soft dress and shirt options from them. I’ve also tried fast fashion like SHEIN, and found it to be hit or miss, but shirts are easy to find there.

Requirements that assist with my disability

While I mentioned earlier that I don’t wear adaptive clothes, one consequence of my disability is that I have chronic edema in my legs and feet that was discovered last year when I developed an infected wound on my right foot. At that time, wound care recommended that I regularly wear socks or hose that offer moderate, graduated compression (15-20mmHg). I’ve learned to live in loose shoes or slipper shoes (though I’ve considered a return to sneakers if I can find comfortable fitting ones.) One of the other issues with my feet is that my toenails grow very hard and it physically hurts to have my toenails clipped. As a result, I’m very skittish and whiny about letting anyone near my feet and toenails.

I also have to be mindful in my choices in other ways. Longer items like jackets, skirts or shawls may need to be gathered at my legs so they don’t get caught in my wheels. My compression socks or hose sometimes require me to put lotions on my skin to help prevent friction. Shoes that cause my feet to slip on my chair’s footplate aren’t great.

I’d love to hear from you!

Are you surprised by any of my choices? Do you have questions about how my clothes affect my mobility or how I choose? Let me know in a comment, and I’ll be happy to respond!