Intimate Apparel Challenges and Consumer Satisfaction among Female and Non-binary People with Disabilities: An Exploratory Study to Formulate Future Research Opportunities

Abstract

Adaptive intimate apparel is an emerging market that has yet to gain traction in the apparel marketplace. Female and non-binary individuals with disabilities (FNBIWDs) are the largest minority group in the world (Donovan 2020). However, despite their significance, their intimate apparel needs and wants have been ignored (McBee-Black 2021). While some literature explores the intimate apparel needs and wants of people with disabilities (PWDs), the scope of this research is narrow. It needs to address consumer satisfaction and intimate apparel challenges fully. Therefore, this study aimed to fill the gap in the literature by exploring whether FNBIWDs are satisfied with the intimate apparel in the marketplace and what challenges they face when using or wearing intimate apparel. The study is guided by the following exploratory questions: How satisfied are FNBIWDs with the current intimate apparel products in the marketplace? What are the intimate apparel challenges facing FNBIWDs? What features do FNBIWDs want in their intimate apparel? A secondary data method explored intimate apparel challenges and satisfaction among FNBIWD consumers. The study results show a lack of satisfaction in intimate apparel due to a failure to address both the functional and aesthetic needs of the FNBIWDs consumer.

Keywords:

• intimate apparel
• adaptive
• disability
• exploratory
• secondary data analysis

Disclosure Statement

The first and third authors received grant funding from GAMUT Management, the owner of the secondary data used in this study, for research related projects. However, this study did not receive any grant funding from GAMUT Management; it was conducted independently.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kerri McBee-Black

Kerri McBee-Black is an assistant professor in the Textile and Apparel Management Department. Her research areas include the intersectionality of disability and apparel, adaptive apparel and the supply chain, social and moral implications of adaptive apparel, and user-and human-centered inclusive design. [email protected]

Md. Rafiqul Islam Rana

Md. Rafiqul Islam Rana is an assistant professor in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina. His research areas include emerging trends in consumer behavior and technologies in the fashion retail industry, textile and apparel supply chain management, and sustainability. [email protected]

Halimat Ipaye

Halimat "Hali" Ipaye is a McNair Scholar and Ph.D. Candidate in the Textile and Apparel Management Department. Her research focuses on historically marginalized and underserved people in the apparel industry, including plus-size women, people with disabilities, and older adults. [email protected]

Jia Wu

Jia Wu is a PhD student in the Textile and Apparel Management Department. Her research areas include ergonomics, functional, inclusive design, and digital apparel supply chain. [email protected]

Cali Burns

Cali Burns is an undergraduate student in the Textile and Apparel Management Department. Cali interned with Resource Fashion, where she worked with an intimate apparel brand to develop supply chain and production solutions due to manufacturers’ unfamiliarity with the goals of creating intimate apparel. [email protected]