Consumer Behavior

Exploring the Intimate Apparel Challenges and Consumer Satisfaction among Female and Non-binary Individuals with Disabilities

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Abstract

The domestic lingerie market is estimated to be worth $9 billion, with projected growth in 2025 of $11 billion (Smith, 2022). People with disabilities (PWDs) are the largest minority group in the world with about 1.2-1.85 billion people, or 15% of the global population, living with a disability (Donovan, 2020). Due to the significant size of the PWD population, the convergence of intimate and adaptive apparel results in a market ripe for growth. Therefore, this study aimed to fill the gap in the literature by exploring whether female and non-binary PWDs are satisfied with the current offering of intimate apparel in the marketplace and what challenges they face when using or wearing intimate apparel. The study shows that female and non-binary PWDs lack satisfaction in their intimate apparel due to a failure to address the functional needs of the disability as well as the aesthetic needs of the consumer. 

Keywords: Intimate apparel, disability, adaptive apparel, non-binary

How to Cite:

McBee-Black, K., Islam Rana, M., Ipaye, H., Wu, J. & Burns, C., (2024) “Exploring the Intimate Apparel Challenges and Consumer Satisfaction among Female and Non-binary Individuals with Disabilities”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17090