Research+Paper

Fashion and its related industries have continuously grown to appeal to those around the world. It is a form of expression that many feel is necessary within the conforming world we live in today. As a whole, fashion trend are perceived as welcoming to all that want to take part in artistic expression. However, common trends seen in today’s fashion world are very difficult for those with special needs to appropriately wear. Due to an immense amount of people with physical disabilities being unable to wear many popular styles of clothing and feeling outcasted because of this, fashion designers should create clothing that is more accommodating for those with physical disabilities. Fashion has a strong history of connecting to cultures and different groups, making it a common staple in everyone’s daily life. While those in China look for flowing and free falling silhouettes, Europeans find comfort in more form fitting and structured pieces. Although these trends differ, each offers a unique example of fashion and the different cultures that partake in the constantly changing idea. While concentrating more on the western fashion scale, followers including the United States and many European countries, work to express themselves by taking risks within fashion. Common wardrobe pieces, such as the blue jean, are taking on new meanings right before our eyes. Today, jeans are considered a common look, whether the occasion being a formal dinner or a casual sporting event. The jean has not only taken on a new venue for its appearance, but it has also developed into very different shapes and fits. The ever popular skinny jean has become very chic within recent years and demonstrates how designers are drastically changing the way they approach jean style. The skinny jean, attributing its name from the slim and form fitting fit they give, can be found in various colors, washes and even material; however, they all contain the uniformity of completely tapering at the bottom of the leg. Shirt styles have also gone through revolutionary changes, which have affected both the shape and style they contain. The classic white button down has always been a standard “must have” for closets; however, it has now taken on a new interpretation. Buttons are becoming both larger and more decorative, while ties and bows are also appearing on many classic shirts. These changes offer the opportunity for personal expression with a somewhat simple fashion choice. Many choose a button down that contains interesting accessory pieces, rather than one that uses simple accents. Many believe apparel is the main form of expression, but accessories play a large role in trends as well. With accessories becoming larger and more prominent, many rely on them to complete an outfit. Jewelry is an exceptional way to accentuate a look, and shoes are increasingly being worn to add contrast and interest to the outfit one is wearing. Shoes are also growing into a large and profitable section of the fashion world. High end shoe designers, such as Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, are offering both lines of extravagant footwear as well as easy-to-wear, comfortable styles. The addition of new and unique materials, such as fringe and straps, makes shoes able to stand on their own. While the classic heel is still widely used, boots, whether they be ankle or over the knee, are offering a new look for fall and winter. Many boots contain buckles and other various hardware and are made of strong leathers and other unique materials, giving them a rustic and more casual feel. All of these trends are examples of popular fashion today; however many, if not all contain elements that are difficult to manage for those who have motor skill impairments. While the severity of the disability can vary, each person who suffers from a specific special physical need must rethink the way they dress to accommodate to their need. In most instances this hindrance results in the inability for them to participate in common trends and distances them from the clothes they see themselves wearing. People who suffer from special physical needs can be seen across the globe and range in all ages. While there are many who can relate to someone who suffers from a disability, I witness firsthand the struggle those with motor skill impairments must face everyday. My younger sister Julia suffers from cerebral palsy. Being diagnosed at birth, Julia has grown up believing the braces that she wear on her legs and the limited motor skills she is paired with on a daily basis are the norm. While it has been a lifestyle she has accepted, Julia tries to distance the rest of her life from her disability, including her extracurricular activities, circle of friends and the way she prefers to dress. While this is the way Julia prefers to live, her distinctive disability unfortunately makes a prominent stance in her daily life, including getting dressed in the morning. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders involving movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking that occur due to problems with brain development (“NINDS Cerebral Palsy Information Page”, 1). Its main causes center around injuries or abnormalities of the brain that develop during growth in the womb or within the first few years of brain development after birth. The lack of oxygen to specific parts of the brain account for the severity as well as the classified case of cerebral palsy. Overall, the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is unchanging, however the disability branches out into to more precise categories. These include, Spastic cerebral palsy, the one most commonly seen, Dyskinetic cerebral palsy, involving abnormal movements such as twisting or jerking, Ataxic cerebral palsy, involving unsteady gait and loss of coordination and Hypotonic cerebral palsy which includes loose muscles and joints (“Cerebral Palsy”, 2). These symptoms of cerebral palsy, as well as other disorders, further demonstrate the difficulty that would occur while one is trying to dress themselves. As mentioned earlier, the trends we are currently seeing involve the wearer to be able to have functioning use of their hands and feet. While someone could easily help them into the clothes they wish to wear, the fact of the matter is that the clothing sold to mass markets around the world do not cater to those who suffer from special needs and rarely take this issue into account. There are almost 50 million people living in the United States today that are affected with some kind of disability or contain a specific special physical need (Burks, 1). This number seems like a relatively small percentage of the growing 308, 103, 535 people nationwide (U.S. & World Population Clocks, 1), however each one shares the same goal of acceptance and in some way or another strives to be included within society. Clothing fits into that conformity and, in recent years, has become a large contribution to the way people are viewed. Whether one’s style contradicts the norm or if one enjoys wearing the top trends, the opportunity to make those decisions should be available. Unfortunately at this time, this way of thinking remains absent from buyers and sellers and all that are related to the fashion industry. The shape of all clothing, naturally, in one way or another is affected by the wearer and the disabilities they are faced with. However, certain items of clothing tend to exclude specific body parts if not formed correctly and fail to take into account assistive devices that are the norm for those with special needs. One way this is clearly demonstrated is through a walking impairment, needed to be met with some sort of support system. My sister wears mafos (molded ankle-foot orthosis), or leg braces (Burks, 2), which gives her legs a much broader stance. This creates a large obstacle when trying to find pants that properly fit. With styles in jeans today containing a slimmer and straight leg, difficulties getting them over leg braces appear. This issue does not just apply to jeans, but is prominent with various other types of pants. The overall style is created to emulate a tall straight silhouette, one not seen in disabled persons, and certainly not resembling one who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. With a slight curvature to her spine, Julia walks with a small hunch. This adds to the difficulty of finding pants that properly fit around the waist and do not pucker during activity, such as sitting and bending over. Putting fit aside, fabric also plays a large role in the convenience of clothing that is worn by those who contain physical disabilities. When an item of clothing is made of a thick and sometimes stiff fabric, motor skill impairments effect the accessibility of dressing oneself. It can become difficult to properly move and shift, while also getting dressed in a relaxed and timely manner. The first step to solving this problem is to work on the fit of pants. Sewing bands of elasticity is one exceptional way to correct the waist of most pants. Unfortunately, most retail stores only sell adjustable pants for young children. Due to this inconvenience, many over the age cut off limit are forced to buy clothes that do not properly fit them, resulting in low confidence and a constant frustration. Bottoms prove the difficulty that those effected by a physical disability must face when trying to cloth themselves in a trendy fashion. However, this difficulty does not only pertain to the bottom half, but the top as well. Blouses, jackets and even t-shirts all contain their own difficulties for physically disabled people. Trends in most outerwear are providing a new look by adding large buttons and snaps. They now also contain intricately designed zippers and various ties that require both proper hand skills and patience to maneuver these accents. Those that must tolerate with motor skill difficulties do not contain the coordination to properly achieve the desired look on their own. After questioning Julia on her disability and the difficulties she faces while getting dressed, it was mentioned that this specific factor alone has come to be the most difficult. Claiming that ties, buttons and buckles all add time and frustration to getting ready, it is inconvenient to not have an alternate choice. Applying pre-sewn buttons and other decorative pieces, would give a new way of dressing that would satisfy the wearers personal needs, while continuing to keep it’s visual appeal. Garments can also be decorated with accent pieces that do not even need to contain buttons or ties. By using ruffles or bows, clothing items can achieve the same decorative look without presenting a hindrance of struggling to use one’s hands to properly bind and tie. Basic tops, such as cotton t-shirts, may seem to cater to all the needs that those effected by physical or motor disabilities have. However, they pose an entirely new issue, length. For example, my sister, due to her cerebral palsy, must deal with buying shirts that are of a larger size in order to accommodate for her long torso and curved spine. When wearing clothes that are oversized, many who want to participate in common trends, can no longer be seen as participants. The solution to this problem is quite simple and can be solved by just applying more fabric to tops of all sizes and shapes, to gain more length. Clothing has proven to be a constant barrier for those with special physical needs but even basic items, such as socks, take much effort to properly be worn. Walking into a store, disabled shoppers are immersed with trendy pieces that appeal to them but not to their disability. Trying to find a proper fitting garment takes twice the amount of effort a common person would need to go through. This factor alone demonstrates a form of prejudice that is rarely considered. When put in these situations, the clothing takes on a stronger persona and is a simple way that one who suffers from a physical disability sees something the ordinary world might take for granted. Fashion trends are setting a precedent of how many relate to one another. Fashion designers should expand their options to accommodate to those with all lifestyles. The inability for disabled peoples to wear certain types of clothing further demonstrates how those with special needs are prohibited in their involvement with fashion trends, therefore they are limited in the types of clothing they can wear. With simple alterations, a revolution can be seen throughout the fashion world and provide a more unbiased appeal to those who want to establish their own personal style.