Taylor, our Joe & Bella’s Chief of Customer Happiness and former Geriatric RN, answers your questions about aging with dignity, style, and comfort.
Q: What clothing options work best for someone who spends most of their day in a wheelchair?
Taylor: I’ve worked with many wheelchair users and have seen firsthand how clothing can make a significant difference in terms of both comfort and dignity. The key considerations are preventing pressure points, maintaining ease of dressing, and preserving style.
For tops, I recommend button-downs with magnetic closures, like our Everyday Button Shirts for men and women. The traditional style looks great while seated and the hidden magnetic closures behind decorative buttons make dressing easier. Importantly, they're designed with a slightly longer back panel that stays tucked in and prevents fabric bunching that can lead to painful pressure points.
For pants, look for designs with elastic waists and slightly higher back rises. For those who are seated all or much of the day, traditional back pockets, thick seams, and belt loops can create painful pressure points. Our Everyday Side-Zips and CareZips address these concerns with smooth back panels and strategic seam placement. Side zippers on pants open them up wide, making it much easier to slip legs in and wrap around at the waist while seated.
Remember, clothing that's easier to put on and take off also enables more independence in bathroom routines, which is incredibly important for promoting independence and reducing caregiver assistance needs. CareZips was developed specifically for this need.
Q: My father-in-law refuses to wear 'old man clothes' but struggles with traditional buttons. Any suggestions?
Taylor: I hear this so often! Many of my patients were stylish dressers their whole lives and hated the idea of surrendering to what they perceived as "old people clothes." The good news is that adaptive clothing has come a long way. In fact, one of our guiding principals when designing new clothes is to ensure they are of timeless, classic styles that are appropriate for a wide age range. We don’t actually believe that “old man” or “old lady” clothes exist. Older adults are looking for quality construction, durable fabric and the classic styles that they’ve always worn. Our job is to just make sure those clothes are as easy to put on and off as possible.
For your father-in-law, I'd recommend our Joe & Bella Magnetic-Button collection. These look exactly like classic, premium shirts—with real buttons on the front—but they actually close with hidden magnetic fasteners behind those buttons. This preserves the classic, stylish appearance he's looking for while eliminating the frustration of manipulating small buttons. It’s a small, hidden change to a timeless shirt design, but this small adjustment makes a world of difference.
What makes our shirts special is that they're designed with contemporary styling and premium fabrics. They don't look "adaptive" or "medical" in any way. We've had customers tell us that our shirts are the first adaptive clothing they've encountered that maintains their sense of personal style.
For a more casual look, our Signature Zip-Up has the appearance of a traditional quarter-zip but with a hidden magnetic zip closure that makes it much easier to put on and take off.
Q: My mom has arthritis in her hands and struggles with buttons. As a nurse, what kind of nightwear would you recommend that's both dignified and practical?
Taylor: In my experience working with patients who have dexterity challenges, finding dignified yet practical nightwear is so important. I often recommend front-opening designs with easy closures like our Everynight Gown. It features secure Velcro closures that don't require fine motor skills but still provide complete coverage and privacy. The fabric is a perfect year-round weight, and the elegant design ensures your mom will still feel like herself. Many families tell us their loved ones appreciate how it combines the ease they need with the style they prefer. By the way, it's currently available at a special clearance price of just $19 (originally $68), which makes it an excellent value as well.
Q: What innovations have been made in clothing to help those with dexterity issues?
Taylor: This is an area where we've seen tremendous innovation in recent years! As a geriatric nurse, I've witnessed the dramatic impact these changes can make in daily independence.
The most significant advancement is the refinement of magnetic closure systems. Unlike early versions that were bulky, unreliable or far from discretely constructed, today's magnetic closures are fully hidden, secure, and integrated seamlessly into garments. At Joe & Bella, our magnetic closures are precisely engineered to provide enough strength to stay closed during normal wear while remaining easy to open intentionally.
We're also using innovative and modern fabric blends that provide stretch and flexibility while maintaining the appearance of premium traditional fabrics, making all movements—including dressing—far more comfortable. A practical tip I often shared with families: Choose coordinating colors for all layers so they look intentional whether wearing one, two, or all three pieces. Our collections are designed with complementary colors for this exact purpose.
For outerwear, I recommend our Signature Zip-Up (mentioned above as well) for men and our Signature Magnetic Cardigan (which looks more like a blazer); it provides core warmth without restricting arm movement, and it's much easier to manage than a full coat.
Have a question for Taylor? Email hello@joeandbella.com for consideration in an upcoming Tuesday Tips, Trends & Tales.
Your design team knocked it out of the park! I never thought adaptive clothes could be so fashionable.
