Everybody deserves to feel effortlessly comfortable and sexy in jeans
That’s why Ciera Rogers and I teamed up to create the ADAPTIVE collection by No Back Gap.
There’s nothing better than a good ol’ pair of denim. You know what I’m talking about - the perfect vintage wash that hugs all the right places. The jeans that can be styled with anything in your closet and are comfortable enough to wear all day without a second thought.
Finding that perfect pair of jeans can be hard – for anybody (I know we all have dressing room villain origin stories). AND I’ve learned from personal experience as a disabled person that it can be uniquely challenging to build a wardrobe that meets both my functional needs and my personal style.
Disabled people deserve to wear fun, stylish clothes. Disabled people deserve to have brands consider their needs when designing clothes. Disabled people deserve to be represented in marketing campaigns for said clothes.
That’s why I’m so proud of my collaboration with Ciera Rogers to create the ADAPTIVE collection for her denim brand, No Back Gap.
Adaptive clothing is designed with special buttons, clasps, openings or other modified features so people with disabilities can independently dress and undress themselves with ease.
So when Ciera and I teamed up to release this collection during Disability Pride Month in July, we knew we wanted to create a denim collection that allowed for that ease and independence. The No Back Gap ADAPTIVE Denim has the brand’s signature cinched waist and features an adjustable hook & eye enclosure, and anchor for any finger.
While this collection was designed with disabled people first, it wasn’t designed for disabled people only. Everyone can benefit from these designs, anyone can find a place for these jeans in their closet. That’s what really excites me about this collection — it is a true demonstration of the curb cut effect.
The curb cut effect, as I’ve written about before in this newsletter, argues that inclusive designs and accommodations benefit all people, not just the targeted demographic. The term, coined by Angela Glover Blackwell, stems from how curb cuts were initially designed to make sidewalks more accessible for wheelchair users, but they make mobility easier for people pushing strollers, riding bikes, and so much more:
So, how do these jeans fall within the curb cut effect, exactly? Glad you asked! Take the adjustable closures on the waist, for example: whether you experience pelvic abdominal pain from endometriosis, need a little bit more room at the waist while sitting in your wheelchair, or even just ate an overly-filling meal at dinner, you’ll be comfortable and fashion-forward all day.
Our thought was this: Style is style. If there is a piece of clothing that’s fashionable and well-made, then anyone who is stylish will want to get their hands on it and should be able to. So why not make great clothing accessible to as many people as possible?
I recently talked about this collection and more on the Pushing Forward with Alycia Podcast, which you can listen to on her website or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts:
I loved working with Ciera on this collaboration and am so proud of what we created. If you bought a pair, I’d love to know what you think or see how you styled them!
With gratitude for accessible fashion,
Jayne