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Creating Dementia – Inclusive Fashion: Designing Thoughtful Clothing Solutions

11-02-2025   


We all know that fashion has this amazing way of letting us express who we are. But let’s talk about something important – for folks dealing with dementia, picking out the right clothes can be a bit tricky. 

Handling buttons and figuring out what to wear can be a challenge, impacting their independence and confidence. That’s where we step in with dementia-inclusive fashion! 

It’s all about creating clothing that’s not just stylish but also makes life easier for those with dementia. So, let’s chat about why this matters and check out some key design tricks that make a difference.

Importance of Dementia-Inclusive Fashion

The experience of living with dementia varies from person to person. Some people may be in the earlier stages of dementia and are still able to answer the phone, while others may be in the final stages and are not able to make decisions about dressing. 

To create a truly inclusive clothing selection for individuals with dementia, we must consider the varied experiences of these individuals. 

Inclusivity also extends to the people who are caring for them, including us. Clothes should be easy to wash and care for, and care home staff should be able to dress residents with ease.

When creating fashion for people living with dementia, comfort is a key concern when selecting materials. Look out for soft fabrics that can easily be worn without irritating the skin. 

Choose materials such as cotton or bamboo as they breathe, allowing the wearer to stay comfortable. It’s also important to select clothing that doesn’t feature too many buttons, zippers, or clips.

Adaptive features also play a big role in creating dementia-friendly fashion. This might include items that have Velcro closures, magnetic buttons, or elastic waistbands that allow the wearer to make minimal movements when dressing themselves. 

We should also ensure that any fashion items have a relaxed fit, so there’s no need for the person living with dementia to adjust to any changes in their body shape that arise later in their condition. Additionally, we should ensure that clothing not only needs to be a relaxed fit but also be chosen for the individual’s body shape. Keeping in mind the approach of dressing for body type can not only improve physical comfort but also boost a positive self-image, even as their condition progresses.

Dementia-inclusive fashion also has the potential to positively impact the lives of caregivers, as the less time and energy they need to expend on managing an individual’s apparel, the more they can then spend on other aspects of care

Key Design Principles for Dementia-Inclusive Fashion

Far from creating clothing that is merely functional, dementia-inclusive fashion has the potential to be empowering, to ensure that dignity is preserved, and to greatly enhance the quality of life of those living with dementia. 

After all, fabric choices, adaptive features, and color and pattern selections can all contribute to showcasing the style and zest for life that individuals with dementia already had before they were diagnosed. Let’s take a closer look at some important points:

Comfort and Softness

Comfort is a top priority when designing dementia-inclusive fashions. Clothing should be ultra-soft so it won’t be itchy or irritating. Items should be easy to put on and gentle against the skin to help reduce discomfort and the potential for agitation. 

Adding features such as seamless construction and tagless labels can eliminate sensory irritants and help increase comfort.

The fabric selected for clothing is an important consideration when designing for dementia. Choose lightweight and breathable pieces that help regulate the body’s temperature to avoid overheating. 

The choice of colours and patterns in the fabric is also an important consideration, as many individuals with dementia undergo changes in their visual perception. 

When selecting fabric for dementia-inclusive fashion, we choose solid colors or patterns that are very subtle so clothing can be recognised more easily and without confusion.

Adaptive Closures

People with dementia will have difficulty managing complicated closures. Buttons and other fasteners require dexterity that may no longer be possible and can cause frustration when it comes time to get dressed. 

Designers can add adaptive closures, such as Velcro or magnetic fasteners, to make getting dressed much easier.

This is essential for dementia-inclusive fashion because it allows a sense of independence, accomplishment, and a reduction in frustration while dressing. 

Front-opening clothing—meaning that someone dressing can put on shirts, blouses, or dresses with front buttons or snaps—gives individuals with dementia the ability to dress on their own.

Front openings eliminate the need to pull clothing over one’s head and arms, which can cause many bruises and pain for these individuals, providing easy-in-easy-out dressing.

Simplified Clothing Options

Offering a range of basic wardrobe-building pieces also helps reduce the need to make decisions while promoting independence in dressing. 

There is always something in a palette of coordinated colors that will work together without having to make happy/sad decisions!

A pair of elastic-waist pants, not pull-on — the waist needs to be adjustable—or pull-on pants or elastic waistbands like these designs from Blair that do not need fasteners.

Complex garment fasteners, such as small buttons or zippers, can pose dexterity and other challenges for individuals with dementia. 

We need to simplify clothing with larger buttons at fewer, one with elasticized waistbands, not zippers at all instead of multiple buttons.  

Streamlining fastenings makes dressing easier, but it also promotes independence, autonomy, dignity, and confidence.

Incorporating Dignity into Design

When it comes to inclusive design, dignity should always be front and center. We believe in making sure clothing choices respect and preserve each person’s unique sense of self.

No one wants to feel like they’re stuck in some old-school hospital outfit, right? So, we’re all about steering clear of that and offering up clothes that are not just practical but also look stylish and on-trend. 

It’s all about helping individuals with dementia keep rocking their style and holding onto their identity.

Stylish and Age-Appropriate Designs

Age-appropriateness is vital in dementia-inclusive fashion; clothes should not only look appropriate for the wearer’s age but should also reflect her or his personality and offer them psychological comfort

Concealed Adaptive Features

Of equal importance to these aforementioned fashionable and age-appropriate designs are concealed adaptive features. 

Clothing can be adapted for the unique needs of people with dementia while maintaining the dignity of the wearer through the use of hidden adaptive elements, ensuring that the garment doesn’t draw attention to the wearer’s adaptive needs or give away its purpose. 

For example, hidden magnetic closures can provide ease of use without drawing attention to the adaptive nature of the garment.

Inclusive Sizing

Inclusive sizing is essential in a dementia-inclusive fashion. Those with dementia are of various shapes and sizes and should have access to well-fitting, comfortable clothing. Their dignity and comfort, as well as the many benefits of properly fitted clothing, are often contingent on inclusive sizing.

Personalisation Options

Personalisation options allow those with dementia to retain their individuality and identity. 

We can embed in clothing range pockets for names of family, friends, or carers, or for their favorite mementos and keepsakes, as well as the option to attach and remove badges, including any showing their support for dementia charities and organisations. 

With personalisation, a deeper level of connection can be felt between clothing and the person wearing it.

Engaging the Dementia Community in Design

No one understands the challenges and needs of those with dementia as much as those in the dementia community. 

Through engaging with those with dementia as well as their carers and support groups, we gain invaluable insights into dementia-inclusive design. 

By conducting focus groups, surveys, and consultations, we, as designers, caregivers, or family members, can uncover the specific requirements and desires of those in the dementia community. 

This ensures the clothes we develop are as comprehensive and impactful as those who will ultimately wear them!

Intro image by Cottonbro Studio – pexels.com




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