JCPenney has partnered with disabled writer and athlete Jamey Perry on a line of fashionable, functional apparel for women who use wheelchairs. The collection includes 18 styles at prices ranging from $44 to $99 and includes blazers, dress slacks, blouses and cocktail outfits, all designed to reduce common issues faced by women in wheelchairs.
The limited-time collaboration was launched Sept. 9 at the Runway of Dreams Fashion Revolution show at New York Fashion Week. The Jamey Perry for JCPenney line joins adaptive apparel lines for children and adults offered by the retailer since 2021 that include Liz Claiborne, Izod, St. John’s Bay and Thereabouts.
The new collection includes:
- Well-placed zippers for easy access;
- Pockets positioned to be maximally useful to a seated person;
- Soft, breathable fabrics to reduce skin irritation;
- Extended back rises to accommodate seated wearers;
- Shorter sleeves to prevent interference with wheels; and
- Waistband loops to make dressing easier.
“Creating this line with JCPenney has been a dream come true,” said Perry in a statement. “Although I’m new to the design world, the JCPenney team understood that my lived experience lent a unique perspective when creating this collection. Women like me want to look great and feel great, and we also need clothes that fit our lives. JCPenney gets that and the result is incredible.”
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“Jamey made it clear how hard it can be for women who use wheelchairs to find outfits that work for dressier moments – weddings, a night out or an important work event – that are also comfortable and meet their mobility needs,” said Chris Phillips, SVP, GMM Apparel and Head of Ecommerce for JCPenney in a statement. “We took on that challenge together and are delighted to have created a collection that is high-fashion and high-function.”
Other brands have been expanding their adaptive offerings in recent years: in December 2020 Zappos expanded its adaptive footwear offerings, and in September 2023 Kohl’s launched an adaptive apparel line for women from Nine West. Victoria’s Secret and Pink launched a line of adaptive intimate apparel in October 2023.
JCPenney is in the midst of a $1 billion turnaround plan unveiled in September 2023 that includes investments in its fulfillment capabilities and digital tech stack.
