Researcher(s)
- Cole Purcell, Anthropology, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Kedron Thomas, Anthropology, University of Delaware
Abstract
Adaptable apparel is clothing that has been modified and/or made to fit the specific needs of the wearer. This type of design is commonly associated with clothing made for people with disabilities. There are multiple frameworks to conceptualize and design adaptable fashion, such as the Patrick framework and the FEA consumer needs model. Although environmental sustainability is a growing concern across the industry, there has been very little scholarship on the importance of adaptable apparel for sustainable design solutions. This project illustrates the value that adaptable apparel has for sustainable design, which centers the wearer in the design process. Through literature reviews and analysis of the design strategies of brands that are seeking innovative solutions for sustainability, a major finding that emerges is that adaptable features may extend the lifespan of garments by increasing durability and allowing garments to change or be modulated to fit the wearer as the body changes. Extending the lifespan of garments can lead to greater sustainability through the decreased consumption of new clothes. This research advances adaptable apparel and inclusive design as sustainable design strategies for the fashion industry.