After Wednesday’s doctor appointment Peter dropped Jon off at school, which is a bit more of an expedition than with his previous school! So on the way back home Peter stopped to do errands, and for a treat at Crema Coffee, one of the best espresso joints in town, located in the Junction. (For non-Torontonians, the Junction is one of town’s burgeoning “in” neighbourhoods. Also, we have a Crema right near us on the Danforth, and I can attest that their coffees are fabulous.)
After his latté and on the way to an art supply shop, Peter passed a display at a nearby clothing store, and was so intrigued that went in. And what, you ask, would make any of us here at Chez PLJ (total non-fashionistas as we are) give more than a second’s thought to a clothing shop? To the point of putting more money in the meter to do so?
This:
Notice the right-hand mannequin. In fact, notice what all the mannequins are doing.
It’s the storefront boutique by Toronto designer Izzy Camilleri called IZ Adaptive Clothing, which specializes in clothing for people in wheelchairs. Most clothing for people in wheelchairs tends towards sweats and other shapeless gear because it’s very hard to get decently-tailored clothing that’s easy to put on and take off while sitting. Jackets, coats and pants tend to bunch at the front, and pants also slide down the butt. (We’re guilty of dressing Jon in sweats a lot, but in our defence this what a lot of teenage boys wear anyway!)
All of the clothes at IZ Adaptive is specially made to fit the needs of people in wheelchairs. Trench coats’ back hems are short in the back and long in the front, so you don’t actually sit on the coattails. Other jackets have cut-away lower backs, and separate at the back as well as in front, eliminating excess fabric and facilitating dressing. The waistlines of pants are cut high in the back and slope to lower in front, again reducing excess fabric and bunching. The rear ends are cut in a curve, following the sitting position, and have no back pockets (not only are they inaccessible, but can cause chronic pressure marks). Zipper flies are extremely long, going right down to the top of the inseam, making access much easier. These clothes would look very odd on someone standing up, but for people mainly or permanently sitting this isn’t an issue. For women there’s even wheelchair-friendly evening gowns and bridal dresses!
The prices are surprisingly reasonable as well, considering the niche clientele: $90 for khaki pants; $265 for a wool coat or suit jacket. (Hey, once you’ve seen special AFO socks that cost $25 per sock, these are a bargain!) Once Jon has finished growing I can see checking out stuff there for whenever he needs dressier duds!