Last week, Target.com debuted sensory-friendly tees and leggings, part of its Cat & Jack line and a first for the brand. The pieces (size 2T-5T Toddler and XS-XL Big Kids) are tagless and have flat seams and one-dimensional graphics, to minimize discomfort from skin contact. There's also more ease through the hip and a higher rise in the leggings to accommodate diapers worn by older children.
Target designer Stacey Monsen had personal motivation: she has a seven-year-old daughter with autism. The team also did research, meeting with parents and organizations. This fall, Cat & Jack will add adaptive pieces for children with disabilities—think zip-off sleeves and side openings, to make dressing easier.
Obviously, it's a big deal when a behemoth brand like Target comes out with clothing for kids with sensory processing sensitivities and disabilities. Runway of Dreams' adaptive clothing collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger has also been leading the way. Hopefully, more companies and brands will follow suit, with options for teens and adults. And hopefully, someday I won't be writing posts like this because my boy will be able to browse any rack in any major store and find clothing he can put on by himself.
I asked Facebookers to share what Target's sensory-friendly clothing means to them:
"It means that my son can wear clothing that his friends wear! He won't have to miss a math lesson because of a tag.... It means a little freedom and normalcy."—Tracy C.
"It means that I don't have to spend time 'fixing' clothes so that they are comfortable for my son!"—Lisa S.
"No more crying in the mornings."—Tegan L.
"No inside out shirts."—Kathie N.
"Need them for adults as well!"—Deb M.
"Their bigger pants for kids still in diapers means my kid might be able to wear pants that don't fall down on her tiny waist."—Debbie S.
"Including seamless socks would help us get out the door a LOT more easily."—Joanne M.
"Hopefully it means I won't be ripping tags out of my shirts, my oldest can get on the bus without a meltdown and that they will make some magical underwear that doesn't 'feel weird.'"—Cassandra L.
"No more scratching. Better yet, no more complaining and trying to rip the tag out!"—Adrianne B.
I agree and love that Target is doing this... but I have a couple complaints. I've looked at the full line on Target's site, and my daughter wears a lot of Cat and Jack clothes currently. I feel disappointed that the regular line of Cat and Jack clothes are fun prints, colors, and designs, while the "sensory line" is really dull and boring looking. I just can't imagine that it would be that hard to make a line of sensory clothes that are just as cute as the non-sensory clothes are. I feel like that's the case for many brands with sensory lines... they perform in function, but not necessarily in style. It's something I would wish to see changed in the future.
ReplyDeletePaige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I think they may be also catering to kids with visual sensory issues as well. My son has Cortical Visual Impairment and we have to be careful with what clothes he, and we, wear, because bright, flashy prints can be overwhelming for him and cause what vision he does have to "shut down"
DeleteSeriously, there are people who don't automatically rip the tags out of all their clothes? Lol. I am otherwise nero-typical but not on piece of my clothing has a tag in it.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they make them in adult sizes, and if they don't, I can always go to the boys section and find something hopefully. Yay indepencence!
ReplyDeleteTags are annoying. :/
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