Can I adapt my clothes for wheelchair use?

Q. I have recently started using a wheelchair full time and it is only just starting to dawn on me what an impact this has had on my choice of clothing and my overall wardrobe. I’ve always been fashion conscious and have a collection of clothes I absolutely love, however as I’m now seated all the time, my body shape is changing and I’m finding it much harder to get in and out of my old favourites (blasted little zips!). I know there are now some trendier accessible clothing lines, but are there any way of professionally adapting my existing wardrobe?

A. When it comes to adapting your existing clothes, depending on your needs you may be able to get some simple solutions such as Velcro fastenings and side openings in trousers and skirts altered for you at a local tailor or alterations service. As you noted zips were problematic, one option is to use magnet fasteners. Stitch-in magnets with a PVC envelope are great options and are strong enough and small enough to secure your clothing well.

Extra help

Depending on where you live, there are also a few businesses and charitable organisations that may be able to help you. Dressability (www.dressability.org.uk) is a charity which supports the clothing needs of people with a disability and those with limited dexterity. They provide a personal, tailored and bespoke service developing practical solutions to everyday wardrobe problems. On their website it says that they help by ‘adapting people’s clothing and not their style’, which sounds like just what you need.

Dressability is based within the Neuro Wellbeing Centre which was formerly the Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, so has a great connection to the MS community.

Clothing Solutions for Disabled People (www.clothingsolutions.org.uk) is a charity that has been improving the quality of life of disabled people in West Yorkshire for 30 years. They offer a service that both alters and creates clothing for people with a variety of disabilities or mobility difficulties. They work closely with their customers to make sure that fabric, colour and style are all suited to the individual’s needs and personal preferences.

The Able Label is a clothing label with style in mind. They have a really strong brand style for men and women, and crucially offer an alterations service for those loved items from your own wardrobe.

For higher-end adaptive tailoring, King & Allen (kingandallen.co.uk/adaptive-tailoring) have locations that serve Surrey and Hampshire, central London, Birmingham, Cheshire and the North West of England. King & Allen offer bespoke tailoring and alterations and they say that their tailors are all trained in adaptive tailoring to ensure the perfect fit.