ASOS' NEW ADAPTIVE OCCASIONWEAR IS READY FOR YOUR AUTUMN PLANS

Lauren wears the ASOS ADAPTIVE drape mesh midi dress, £55

 

While inclusivity is part of the conversation more than it ever has been, inclusive clothing options often remain limited to basic styles. Adaptive clothing uses specially designed modifications to make getting dressed easier for those living with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Chelsea wears the ASOS ADPATIVE tie-front jersey dress in burgundy, £48

 

The problem is, adaptive clothing tends to prioritise function over style. ASOS believes everyone should be able to enjoy fashion – both as a staple of everyday life and an outlet for creative expression. That’s why we created our new adaptive occasionwear range, providing quality garments for special moments in the calendar.

As ASOS Senior Designer Sarah Buchanan explains, ‘We wanted to create a collection that supports our customers across every occasion – from work and interviews to weddings, celebrations and everything in between. Versatility and confidence were key considerations throughout the design process.’

Lyric wears the ASOS ADAPTIVE collarless blazer in chocolate, £60

'Tailoring is present throughout the collection,’ says Sarah, and this collarless blazer, styled on Lyric, is a standout. ‘The details are adapted for different ways of dressing,’ and give classic tailoring a softer, more modern feel. This cropped hem and torso are designed with seated comfort in mind, while a stretch lining allows for easier movement. Discreet tube-access holes sit within the pockets for wearable medical devices. We’d style ours with the matching trousers for a polished suit, but you can just as easily dress it down with denim or a casual maxi skirt.

A more relaxed take on tailoring, these trousers combine an easy elasticated waistband with a polished silhouette. Hidden hem zips make independent dressing simpler, while tube-access holes within the pockets allow wearable medical devices to pass through discreetly. Pair with the matching blazer or a chunky knit for your next autumnal outing.

Lyric wears the ASOS ADAPTIVE sleeveless drape maxi dress in abstract print, £55

This dress is a personal favourite of Sarah’s. ‘Its fluid silhouette and effortless styling feel inherently ASOS, combining a strong fashion point of view with accessibility. Being able to bring that aesthetic to a broader customer in an inclusive and wearable way has been a particular highlight of the collection for me.’ Pleat details and a regular fit keep the silhouette on trend, as seen on Lyric.

Destiny wears the ASOS ADAPTIVE wrap slinky jersey dress in black, £48

Draped designs are having a moment of late, and this slinky jersey dress, worn by Destiny, is a modern take on the wrap silhouette. Its fastening-free, stretchy design makes dressing seamless while allowing greater freedom of movement, with discreet tube access along the side seams. Add statement jewellery and heels for an occasion-ready look. This works especially well with an animal-print clutch – if you fancy tapping into one of the season’s biggest trends.

'The clothes are comfortable, chic and classy,' says Destiny. 'The adaptability is so thoughtful and inventive. It will be be very hard to top the experience I had working with ASOS on this collection.'

Destiny wears the ASOS Adaptive cape supersoft midi dress in brown, coming in October

Chocolate brown will always be a key shade for autumn, and this super-soft midi makes a strong case for wearing it head to toe. A boat neckline, cape sleeves and ruched sides give a contemporary silhouette, while hidden zips and side-seam tube access make the dress more functional. Destiny styles it with gold statement jewellery and sharp heels for an easy autumn occasion look.

As Sarah puts it, the aim was to make adaptive fashion feel like fashion, full stop. ‘Being able to bring that aesthetic to a broader customer in an inclusive and wearable way has been a particular highlight of the collection for me.’ You can explore the full range on ASOS now.