Primark launches clothing range designed for people with disabilities
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Range of womenswear and menswear contains 49 pieces adapted from brand’s bestselling items to suit variety of needs. It’s a go-to shop for cheap knickers and designer dupes, but now Primark hopes to become the top destination for clothing designed for those with a range of disabilities.
![[A woman holding a walking stick is wearing a long-sleeved midi black dress]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d2673135d7b8024872cc202c55c7e0c40aef34c7/830_1910_4843_6054/master/4843.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
In a first for the budget high street shop, it is releasing a 49-piece line of womenswear and menswear, adapted from its bestselling items to suit a range of needs. Designed in collaboration with Victoria Jenkins, a disabled fashion designer and founder of the brand Unhidden, it follows the release of a so-called “adaptive” underwear range last year.
![[One woman sits on the floor, wearing a crop top and trousers. Another woman, with a prosthetic leg, sits beside her on a bench wearing a beige tracksuit]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/99841d781c60415252c5410d678ed04b6d8e9820/0_2410_6192_5418/master/6192.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Among the most wanted items is a cropped beige trenchcoat that can be put on or taken off while seated. It was a particular hit among wheelchair users at a preview of the range on Monday. “This has taken years of campaigning,” Jenkins said. “I didn’t think we’d see adapted fashion on the high street in my lifetime.” She said she hoped the launch would have a knock on effect among bigger brands.
![[Two men stand beside each other. One is wearing a grey tracksuit and the other, who has a prosthetic leg, is wearing a black sports top and shorts]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/456dafa62abbbe4a50c5454c0e957455fdd1c84e/0_0_6192_7740/master/6192.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Notable features in the range include magnetic zips for easy fastening on trousers; hidden access points for stomas, insulin pumps or other medical equipment; and cropped cut jumpers that ensure clothes fit better on seated wearers. It also includes ultra-soft pyjamas, loungewear, formal shirts and trousers with hidden elastic waistbands.
