J.C. Penney debuts apparel line for women who use wheelchairs

Dive Brief:

• Alongside other brands launching adaptive clothing collections, J.C. Penney has partnered with disabled writer and athlete Jamey Perry to create an apparel line for women who use wheelchairs, the retailer announced Monday. 
• Priced between $44 and $99, the collection runs from size XS to XXL and features 18 styles, including blazers, dress slacks, blouses and cocktail attire. The items are designed with zippers, pockets, fabrics and waistband loops to be comfortable and functional for seated wearers, per the press release.
• The collection debuted at Runway of Dreams’ Fashion Revolution show during New York Fashion Week and was released online on Monday, the company said.

Dive Insight:

Perry joins a growing list of collaborators J.C. Penney has worked with in recent years, including fashion designer Prabal Gurung, fashion and lifestyle influencer LaDarius Campbell and celebrity costume designer Johnny Wujek.

The department store retailer has also offered adaptive apparel from other brands like Liz Claiborne, Izod, St. John’s Bay, Thereabouts and others. Though Perry doesn’t have a fashion design background, J.C. Penney drew from her lived experience while designing the collection.

“Jamey made it clear how hard it can be for women who use wheelchairs to find outfits that work for dressier moments — weddings, a night out, or an important work event — that are also comfortable and meet their mobility needs. We took on that challenge together and are delighted to have created a collection that is high-fashion and high-function,” Chris Phillips, J.C. Penney’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager of apparel and head of e-commerce, said in a statement.

As J.C. Penney ventures further into the adaptive clothing space, other major brands and retailers are releasing apparel for people with disabilities. In August 2023, QVC added adaptive styles to its Denim & Co. private-label brand, in sizes XXS to 3X. A year ago, Kohl’s and Nine West rolled out an adaptive apparel line with blazers, blouses, dresses, pants and tops. The following month, Victoria’s Secret & Co. debuted its adaptive line of intimates, featuring details like magnetic closures and adjustable front straps. 

Though brands and retailers are launching more adaptive apparel lines, critics question whether the fashion industry is properly serving people with disabilities. Ben Barry, dean of fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York, who is disabled, noted that companies changing their hiring practices — instead of simply launching adaptive collections — would bring about more meaningful change in the fashion industry.