As people age, their needs and fashion preferences will also change. There are many factors that can impact the type of attire an older adult might choose to wear, including their lifestyle as well as health factors such as mobility, arthritis, and incontinence.

Comfort is often named as the primary factor when seniors are choosing their clothes. Once they retire, there is no longer a need to dress for the professional environment. Many seniors look forward to the freedom of dressing as they see fit after spending many years limited to wearing business suits or uniforms, depending on the company’s dress code.

While looks remains an important factor for seniors, other factors can also affect their decision making when selecting appropriate attire. It is a sad reality that a significant portion of seniors will experience health problems which will require the use of adaptive clothing. Adaptive Clothing adapts to the wearer's special needs such as those who have difficulty doing up buttons, zippers, etc. These are clothes that will make senior feel great without the fuss. Older adults who may be limited in terms of dressing themselves and performing other daily functions are often able to maintain their independence with the use of adaptive clothing items.

Here are some examples of how adaptive clothing can help:

Seating dressing options: When a older adult has limited mobility or balance, getting dressed with regular clothes may be a challenge. Adaptive clothing can allow him or her to get dressed while remaining seated. These types of clothing items usually have open backs, making the act of dressing as stress free as possible for older adults who cannot stand up. Easy to fasten clothes: Seniors with limited dexterity caused by arthritis, osteoporosis, or other health problems, may find standard clothing very difficult and frustrating to use. Elderly clothing items often fasten with Velcro or snaps rather than zippers or buttons making it easier for senior with limited dexterity to dress themselves. Incontinence concerns: Incontinence is a problem that is shared by many elderly adults. Specialized clothes with Velcro or snaps will allow for easy access and rapid changes on a regular basis.

Adaptive clothing that fits well is important to senior consumers but so is clothing that improves their functional independence, makes dressing and undressing a breeze, provides thermal comfort, is adaptable to individual needs, and allows them to perform their routine duties easily.

Older adults spend only about 6 percent of their income on clothing and as a result generally have smaller wardrobes than any other age groups. Choosing, comfortable, easy to put on and with an appropriate fit items of clothing becomes very important for maximizing a limited wardrobe. And senior clothing does not have to be boring. Comfortable can also be fun and fashionable. Just remember that properly selected clothing that can help seniors maintain their self-esteem, by allowing them to dress themselves, and feel good about growing older will allow them to really enjoy their golden years. Happy shopping!