I was born with an artistic spirit, a cast-iron tongue that can handle any spicy food, and a limb difference – one arm. I guess you could say I’m the ultimate “right-hand woman”. 

What really gets to me – more than the awkward silences and unsolicited advice I get every day – is how difficult it really is to just get dressed. You don’t see a lot of big fashion brands selling the best adaptive clothing for women.

At least – I thought that was the case.

In recent years, I have seen more adaptive clothing that’s actually quite cute. I wanted adaptive clothing that was going to make my life easier, as well as being flattering, and ultimately affordable. As a plus-size, fashion-forward woman with a disability, here are, by far, the best adaptive clothing brands.

The Best Adaptive Clothing for Women: What Really Matters

I want to get this out of the way first because a lot of companies say they cater to everyone – but they really don’t. Just because a shirt doesn’t have buttons, or you can (with great difficulty) pull a sports bra over your head without fiddling with a clasp doesn’t mean these things are “adaptive”. 

After trying a bunch of clothing options that claimed to be designed for me, and spending several tearful mornings in front of the mirror, I figured out really counts:

• Single-Handed Simplicity: You don’t have to have one arm to know how difficult some clothing is to get on and off. Anyone with arthritis (Hi mom!), shoulder problems, limited mobility – or just bad dexterity knows simplicity counts. If you can’t put it on independently without stress, it’s not adaptive – that’s particularly important for bras. 

• Comfort and confidence: I want to feel good in my clothes - adaptive clothing shouldn’t mean sacrificing style. If something is comfortable but makes me feel frumpy or medicalized, it’s not worth it. The best pieces let me move freely and feel like myself. Bonus points for breathable fabrics and no irritating seams.

• Versatility & Durability: My wardrobe needs to work with me, not against me. I want pieces that can go from lounging at home to grabbing lunch with friends. And I don’t want delicate fabrics that fall apart after two washes. Adaptive clothing should be built to last - because we use it every day. 

The Best Adaptive Clothing for Women: 3 Amazing Brands

Growing up, I dreaded gym class- not because I hated exercise, but because changing in front of others was a nightmare. I’d try to be quick, fumbling with tight leggings and struggling with sports bras. I remember once getting stuck halfway into a hoodie and needing help from a friend to get it off. I laughed it off, but inside, I felt helpless.

Even in adulthood, things didn’t get easier. Button-down shirts were basically impossible. High-waisted jeans with multiple fastenings were a no-go. And as trends changed, I constantly felt left behind - not because I didn’t want to dress well, but because most clothes weren’t made for me.

So, if you feel like you’re in the same (rocky) boat, here are the brands you need to check out.

Liberare: The Lifesaver in Adaptive Bras and Underwear

Starting with the company closest to my heart (literally) we have Liberare. Lingerie is by far the most difficult item of clothing to deal with when you have a limb difference. 

I read about Liberare in Vogue, and it felt like I was discovering some kind of hidden treasure. Sure, I’d tried sports bras and bralettes before – but over more than 30 years, I never found anything that offered comfort, support, and simplicity. 

The Everyday Easy-on Bra was the first bra I tried from Liberare, and it changed everything. 

It was my first magnetic bra – and I never want to look back. The magnets don’t actually “hold everything in place” – they basically allow the fasteners to automatically slide and lock into place. That means I don’t have to grapple with trying to hold everything together with one hand. 

It’s not just the closure either – I loved the fact that there are assistive grip loops on these bras, so you can slip your fingers through to adjust (if you have a little trouble with finger dexterity). I even bought one of these for my mom – who was struggling to find a bra suitable for someone with arthritis.

After being blown away by Liberare’s Everyday Easy-on bra, I went on a bit of a shopping spree. I grabbed the comfort sculpt bra (great for everyday wear), and the Smooth-on t-shirt bra (ideal for ladies in need of extra support). 

I even snagged a pair of bikini-style underwear (which features the same magnets for easy, pain-free dressing). If your biggest gripe searching for the best adaptive clothing for women is that there aren’t enough lingerie options out there – trust me, Liberare will change your world. 

 

 

 

Magna-Ready: Amazing Shirts and Blouses

My mom bought me my first MagnaReady shirt as part of a Birthday present. At first, I looked at her like she had gone insane. A button-up shirt- for me? 

What I didn’t realize is that these shirts have magnetic buttons. Just throw the garment on, guide the sides together and they automatically “fasten” themselves. 

No tiny buttons, no threading through holes, no swearing under my breath. Just magnets. Strong, secure, invisible magnets. I just love these shirts. 

There are so many options to choose from, with the same patented magnet closure, and they’re so comfortable, breathable and soft. Whenever I’m looking for the best adaptive clothing for women – either for myself, or to recommend to a friend, I often head here first. 

These days, I’ve built up quite the impressive collection of flannels, sweaters, tops, and shirts. I’ve even got my hands on a few beautiful summery dresses that are perfect for when I want to feel a little more feminine. Paired with my adaptive bras from Liberare, I’ve got everything I need for an outfit that makes me look and feel amazing. 

Joe & Bella: My Go-to for Pants (and Gifts)

Joe & Bella are another company I think offer some of the best adaptive clothing for women. While I think the collections from MagnaReady are a bit more feminine sometimes – Joe & Bella give me all of the more “practical” wardrobe extras I need – starting with pants.

Their “signature side-zip” pants come with a simple zip that go from your knee, all the way up to your hip. It literally takes seconds to get them on and off. Once you’ve pulled up the zip, you just clip the button at the top closed and you’re ready to go.

The thing I love about these pants is they look really professional. It doesn’t look like I’ve had to shop at a specialist store to get my outfit for work. Beyond that, the clothing is extremely lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. 

The blouses and shirts this company offers don’t match my style exactly – but I’ve got MagnaReady for that. Plus, they have a great men’s collection, so if I’m shopping for one of my friends (with similar dressing issues as me). I know where to go. 

In fact, I recently made my mom a great “easy clothing kit”, combining a pair of pants from Joe & Bella, with a blouse from MagnaReady – and of course, my favorite Everyday Easy-On bra from Liberare. Who doesn’t love a ready-made outfit that’s incredibly easy to wear?

The Best Adaptive Clothing for Women: My Experience

If you’re like me, you’ll know that finding the best adaptive clothing women can feel like a major chore. But let me tell you – things are getting better. 

New companies are popping up all the time, recognizing those of us who are so commonly overlooked by those other major fashion labels. I’m still working my way through trying all of them – but I wanted to highlight some of the big players that really made a difference to my life. 

If you’re looking for adaptive clothing that really works for you – all of the brands above have got you covered. But I have to give a special shout-out to Liberare.

After all, your underwear is the foundation of your outfit. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t found Liberare’s incredible selection of adaptive bras – probably still crying in front of the mirror.