Kohl’s offers adaptive collection for adults

Kohl’s Corp. is extending its adaptive product offerings beyond the kids market.

The department store retailer, which expanded its adaptive kids collection in time for back-to-school shopping in July 2022, is now launching adaptive product offerings for adults. The collection, designed in partnership with Gamut Management, a consulting and talent management company for people with disabilities, includes integrated garment features focused on ease and comfort at the forefront.

Available now on the Kohls.com e-commerce site, the collection includes women’s adaptive products across Kohl’s private-label brands Sonoma Goods for Life, Tek Gear, and SO, and men’s offerings in both Sonoma Goods for Life and Tek Gear, as well as an assortment from Tommy Hilfiger.

Designed to empower people with disabilities with confidence and self-expression, Kohl’s says it developed its adult adaptive apparel with three core principles:

• Physical functionality - Each piece is made with a focus on ease of dressing, through attributes that allow increased functionality, such as wider necklines and plackets at shoulder seams for easier accessibility, as well as functional leg openings and built-in waistline adjust-ability for seated comfort.
• Comfort first - Each piece is designed with a focus on the comfort of the wearer, with the inside of the garment being soft and smooth. Design incorporates soft fabrics, using heat-sealed tags and engineering extra features to ensure all details are comfortable against the skin.
• Everyday staples - The collection offers every day, foundational offerings, including regular fit denim jeans, active leggings, long and short sleeve base layer t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Kohl’s adult adaptive assortment spans new, as well as existing, categories and brands. Kohl’s Sonoma Goods for Life adaptive women’s collection will feature crew and v-neck long sleeve shirts, and crewneck sweatshirts, as well as straight leg jeans and long leggings. Kohl’s Sonoma Goods for Life adaptive men’s collection will feature flannel tops, short and long sleeve solid tees, henleys, joggers and regular fit jeans.

Meanwhile, Tek Gear activewear will feature women’s long sleeve performance tees, active leggings, ultrasoft fleece sweatshirts, jackets and joggers. Tek Gear men’s products will offer ultrasoft fleece hoodies and pants, Dry Tek tees and shorts and Tricot pants. In addition, Kohl’s SO adaptive women’s collection will include lounge leggings, crew neck and pocket tees, as well as joggers, jeggings and denim shorts.

Kohl’s and Gamut Management teamed up to host “Fit Focus Groups” with people with disabilities.

“Kohl's is proud to expand our adaptive assortments and offer inclusive collections for the entire family,” said Ron Murray, Kohl’s interim chief merchandising officer. “At Kohl’s, we understand how important it is to ensure all of our customers and associates are able to celebrate their personal style and independence in a way that meets their individual needs. Our adult adaptive collection is about creating apparel that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability, and serving more of our customers with disabilities. We’re happy to offer adaptive designs that provide everybody the opportunity to express themselves, without sacrificing comfort and ease.”

“In America, more than 41 million people live with a disability, and yet people with disabilities have historically had limited-access to fashionable and functional apparel that meets their individual needs,” said Michelle A. Banks, Kohl’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. “At Kohl’s, we believe we can create lasting change by offering relevant products and designs that are meaningful to our customers. By listening to customers across the country, Kohl’s design team was able to create new apparel that provides new options for adults with disabilities and we look forward to continuing to expand in this market to address the growing needs of our customers.”

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s operates more than 1,100 stores in 49 states.