M&S launches high street's first kidswear range for children with disabilities

Marks and Spencer is winning praise from parents for releasing a new clothing line designed specifically for children with disabilities and those who need extra help when it comes to dressing.

The line, which was launched yesterday, aims to help little ones whether they have feeding tubes, crutches, are in a wheelchair or are just in need of clothes that are easy to put on and gentle on their skin.

Products from the range come with hidden care labels so they won’t irritate delicate skin, discreet openings for feeding tubes, as well as inside leg openings and to make dressing easier.

Commenting about the new collection M&S Online said: “There are around 1.5 million children in the UK who have a sensory or physical disability.

“So, after talking to parents and experts, we’ve developed an easy-dressing range for kids that’s fun to wear, plus the designs are the same as our standard range, so kids have the choice to wear the same cool clothes as their friends or siblings.

“From all-in-ones that allow for a cast (for hip dysplasia) to tees and dresses with discreet pockets for feeding tubes, the range uses the softest materials, the fewest seams possible and hidden care labels that won’t irritate sensitive skin.”

Rebecca Garner, Kidswear Designer at M&S who developed the range with Buyer Emma Chang and Technologist Charlotte Hunt. Rebecca said: “We’ve absolutely loved working on this project and are proud that every product started from listening to mums and dads.

“Parents passionately told us that disabilities don’t define their children, so the adaptations shouldn’t define their clothes, it’s why all the products are inclusively designed and modelled closely on our main collection.

“So whilst big sister might wear a dress with sequins, the little one who wants to match but has sensory needs will have a softer glitter. Offering great value has been a key consideration and parents purchasing Easy Dressing products will never pay more.”

To show off the range and some of its useful easy-dressing benefits, the high street giant also used children with Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy and hip dysplasia. And boy did the models rock it!

Both the collection and the campaign have been winning praise on social media from parents and organisations who believe this kind of clothing range has been a long time coming.

“So good to see @marksandspencer new easy dressing range and the models they have used to promote it is amazing. Well done #m&s,” one user wrote on Twitter.

“We invite ‪@marksandspencer to take a bow!” another added. “They’ve created a special range of easy dressing clothes for children who need extra help. The range is promoted as being super-gentle on sensitive skin & to help make dressing easier, quicker & more comfortable.”

Beads of Courage UK also tweeted their appreciation of the new range.

“Great to see that @marksandspencer have launched a range of clothing for children with additional needs. From feeding tubes, casts, to sensitive skin. Well done M&S!” they wrote.

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