Body+Paragraphs

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 and the trends they put forth are perceived as welcoming to all that want to take part in the artistic expression. However, common trends seen in today’s fashion world are very difficult for those with special needs to appropriately wear. This 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.

Fashion has always connected to cultures and different peoples, making it a common staple in everyone’s day to day 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 new example of fashion and the different cultures that partake in the constantly changing idea of fashion.

While concentrating more on the western fashion scale, followers including the United States and many European countries, trends are important to many who are working to express themselves through risks within fashion. Common wardrobe pieces, such as the blue jean, are taking on a new meaning right before our eyes. Today jeans are considered a common look, whether the occasion be 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 taken on a very different shape and fit. The ever popular skinny jean has become very popular within recent years and has drastically changed the way we 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 staple of tapering completely at the bottom of the leg.

Various shirts have also seen this revolutionary change, affecting both the shape and style they contain. The classic white button down has always been a 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 a personal expression on 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 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 styles. Adding new and unique materials, such as fringe and straps, makes shoes able to stand on their own. While the classic heel is still a staple, boots, whether they be ankle or over the knee, are offering a new look for fall and winter. Many contain buckles and other various hardware and are made of strong leathers and other unique materials, to give them a rustic and more casual feel.

All of these examples show what is popular in 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 need must rethink the way they dress to accommodate to their needs. In most instances this hindrance results in the inability to participate in common trends and distances them from the clothes they see themselves wearing.

People who suffer from special needs can be seen across the globe and range from all ages. While there are many who can relate to someone who suffers from a disability, having a sister who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, I witness the struggles she faces with finding outfits everyday. Being diagnosed at birth, Julia has grown up believing the braces and limited motor skills she is paired with on a daily basis is the norm. While it be a norm she has excepted, 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 day to day life, including getting ready 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 (“Cerebral Palsy”, 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.

These symptoms of cerebral palsy, as well as other disorders, further demonstrate the difficulty that would occur while one was trying to dress themselves. As mentioned earlier in my paper, 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 the mass markets around the world do not cater to those who suffer from special needs rarely take this issue into account.