News

With changeable UK weather, it is essential to have a wardrobe to suit.

The stylish Stella Top is the perfect option with long sleeves to keep you covered but in natural breathable fabrics, will mean you do not overheat.

Having a fit and flare silhouette, the shoulders are neat giving a flattering fit and the hem is flared providing extra comfort in this on trend shape.

Available in a variety of colours, the Stella Top is extremely versatile being effortless enough to wear in the day but smart enough with the fabrics beautiful drape to wear in the evening too.

Not only does this top look stylish and feel super comfortable, it is also easier to get on and off. We talk you through why our Stella Top is so special:

1.) No overhead dressing needed - all of our tops open all the way down the front making it easier to dress and undress if getting arms above shoulders or fatigue prove an issue when dressing.

No fiddly fastenings – not only does the top open at the front, it fastens with a premium quality Velcro that requires only a touch to close and less strength to undo.

2.) Long sleeved - meaning the style can be worn across seasons, not only now.

3.) Quality fabric – made in Portugal, known for it’s high standards in jersey. We have two fabrics used on the Stella Top, 100% cotton and Viscose/Elastane making them breathable and more comfortable to wear being soft against the skin. The fabrics used on both fabrics for the top are quick drying and wash at 40 degrees making them easier to care for. Cool iron if required.

Stella Tops in 100% cotton       Stella Tops in Viscose/Elastane

4.) Flattering fit – with a fit and flare shape, this is a relaxed and effortless style that falls comfortably covering the waist area. It's a particularly flattering shape for anyone seated for long periods of time.

5.) Higher neckline - our Stella Tops have a flattering higher neckline so they can be worn confidently.

6.) Colour coordinate armholes – make them easier to see and aim arm into especially for anyone with cognitive difficulties. Lime is for left and red for right to help prevent dressing back to front.

7.) VAT exemption – is applicable to anyone with a long term on chronic illness buying this style. Find out more on our VAT exemption pages here…

We have a choice of six colours for you to choose from including one stripe.

See all our Stella Tops available online here.

1. Deep Teal                         2. White Stripe                    3. Paradise Pink

4. Golden Lime                    5. Dragon Red                     6. Seaspray

The Kent County Show is an annual event showcasing farming, countryside and rural life. The show brings together the very best of Kent with animals and food, fun and excitement and above all, a flavour of what ’The Garden of England’ has to offer. The three-day event saw over 90,000 visitors, 400 exhibitors and trade stands and over 300 competitions, activities and displays this year.

The Able Label proudly exhibited with a stand in The Wrinkly Roadshow Hub Marquee. A brand new addition at the Kent County Show this year, the hubs aim was to provide advice, information and support in order to maintain independent living. All those with stands in the marquee had the same goal of helping people to live independent lives.

Exhibitors showing alongside The Able Label clothing included:

CROP – a charity setup to help with citizen rights for older people as well as with technology or any problem that may require a second opinion or some intervention from an experienced volunteer to help out

Home Instead Senior Care - supporting loved ones to stay safe at home without losing any personal freedom. This leaves family members feeling happy and confident that their loved ones are enjoying the highest standards of care at all times

The Family Funeral Service in Maidstone – a small independent funeral company

Argo Life & Legacy – provides advice, guidance and support to help you plan for the future whilst dealing with the present. Wanting to help you achieve your wishes, lighten the stress and strain that comes with age, affluence or ill health.

Audley Homes – retirement villages that enable you to stay firmly in control, with complete freedom and independence to live the life you choose. Own  your own retirement home, in a beautiful and secure environment, without having to give up the things you love, including your pets. Plus, you have the added luxury of having your gardens and property maintained for you.

Domus Live-In Care – offers a professional, reliable service, providing 24 hour care and support to clients in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes

Centra – have a wide range of care and support services to protect their customers’ individual needs, safety and independence. Through their breadth and depth of experience and resources, they deliver quality services to meet individual needs

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services – a not for profit charitable organisation that aims to enable people with dementia to remain in their own home for as long as possible

Oakhouse Foods – with a reputation for quality, great value and a caring service, they have become one of the country’s favourite ready meal services delivering food straight to your door.

The Garden of England Homecare – aims to raise the standards and quality of social care provision in Kent, by providing the highest quality of care to all their service users regardless of status in accordance with the Equalities Act 2010.

It was great fun showing alongside all of these exhibitors, learning more about the great services they offer to encourage independence.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to those of you who were able to come down and see us at the show. It was a fantastic event, which enabled us to let more people know about the range of easier dressing clothes we provide to encourage independence and grow self-confidence through self-dressing.

If you know anyone who may benefit from The Able Label’s range of adaptive clothing, please help to share our details:

www.theablelabel.com

Facebook: TheAbleLabel/

@theablelabel.com

The world’s most prestigious tennis tournament is now well underway, and with it, comes that infamous dress code. Wimbledon has the strictest dressing requirements of all tennis tournaments.

Players must wear white – it is tradition and has been since the 1800’s when tennis was played mostly at social gatherings. ‘Tennis whites” became an institution as sweat spots through coloured clothing was deemed unbecoming.

In fact in recent years, this dress code has only become stricter. Despite the US Open allowing coloured clothing since 1972, Wimbledon introduced new rules stipulating that:

• off-white or cream cannot be worn
• where there is a trim of colour, this can be no wider than 1 centimetre
• any undergarments that can be seen during play, also must not be coloured

Even Roger Federer has expressed his views that he feels these rules are too strict. In the 2013 tournament, he was forced to change is orange trainers in the following game.

Fortunately The Able Label is not as strict on colour, quite the opposite as we actively encourage colour passionately believing that it can boost confidence. But out of respect for Wimbledon, we want to show you our favourite whites (even if they may be breaking the stringent rules)!

True to Wimbledon rules, our Imogen Shirt and Maria Vest are both in true white.

Imogen Jersey Shirt (White)     Maria Jersey Vest (White)

Front opening, they avoid overhead dressing with discrete white patches of Velcro. Even the cuffs on the shirt fasten with Velcro so you can roll them up in warmer weather. The vest is great for hot days or as a layering piece on cooler days.

True white may be too stark for some skin and hair tones though, giving a slightly washed out look. We therefore have cream on hand with our Iona Jersey Shirt. This gives the appearance of white but without the harshness.

Iona Jersey Shirt (Cream)

The Iona Shirt is also front fastening with Velcro patches to avoid overhead dressing and fiddly fastenings.

Going completely against the Wimbledon rules, we also have stripes and spots on a white base. Martina Navratilova, who has won the tournament nine times had her white and blue striped skirt banned – perhaps we will just keep these strictly off court!

Charlie Woven Spot Shirt (White)    Stella Jersey Top (White Stripe)

Both styles make dressing easier with the option to open at the front.

See the full, colourful range of clothing available online by clicking ‘view all clothes’.

This summer, keep up with the latest fashion trends. We talk you through what’s hot and how The Able Label clothes can make these accessible if dressing is a challenge.

There are 3 key trends that should not be ignored and must be embraced - super brights with pink being a particularly prominent colour, floral prints and shirts.

Which looks will make the biggest impact on your wardrobes this summer?

1.) Pretty in Pink

Think Pink – the loud and proud bright variety – it flooded the catwalk at shows such as Celine, Valentino and Balenciaga. Whether layering lots of different hues over your separates or colour blocking, you won't go wrong as long as it's pink, pink, pink.

Stella Top, Paradise Pink, £47.50 (exc VAT £39.58) 

Maria Vest, Paradise Pink, £25 (exc VAT £20.83)

The Able Label has just released a new colour to the easier dressing range – paradise pink. This colour can be found across several styles but our favourites are in the Stella Jersey Top and Maria Jersey Vest pictured. They are simply perfect for summer.

2.) Fabulous Florals

Head-to-toe florals were also big at the shows and have a strong presence on the high street. If it's covered in florals, you're on to a winner.

Carmel Floral Dress, Red, £59.95 (exc VAT £49.96)

Cassie Floral Shirt, Blue Rose, £45 (exc VAT £37.50)

Our pretty tea dress has an on trend all over floral print in red, white and navy. It opens at the front so you do not need to dress over head. We also have a selection of floral print shirts available. We particularly love the summer ready, fresh design on the Cassie Floral Shirt in Blue Rose as it looks fantastic with navy trousers or skirts.

3.) Stylish Shirts

The trusty shirt is here to stay and is just getting interesting. Shirts were seen across all the fashion shows and strongly feature on the high street. Oversized and loud dominate but key to the trend is styling – loosely tuck in the front only, wear off one shoulder and definitely don’t do all buttons up.

Charlie Floral Shirt, Deep Teal, £49.95 (exc VAT £41.63)

Charlie Gingham Shirt, Paradise Pink, £49.95 (exc VAT £41.63)

If buttons are a challenge, The Able Label shirts all have buttons fixed for display only. They actually fasten with discrete touch closures. We have designed the shirts to have a very small patch of velcro at the top so you can achieve a buttoned up look but also wear undone with the velcro remaining discreet. We have even added velcro to the cuffs knowing how it can be difficult getting arms through with cuffs buttoned.

You can find the full range of clothing by The Able Label at theablelabel.com 

Happy shopping!

Here at The Able Label, we think that bold colours and prints are the way to a happy wardrobe this Summer.

Our new Spring/Summer range is full of gorgeous shades- and best of all? They all have little hidden extras that will make dressing easy for you.

There are three key colours within the new botanic story - paradise pink, golden lime and deep teal. On their own they're versatile vibrant colours but together they compliment one another perfectly.

Paradise Pink

      Stella Jersey Top                                                            Maria Jersey Vest

Tabatha Jersey Tee                      Leo Print Scarf               Charlie Gingham Shirt

Golden Lime

 Stella Jersey Top                      Maria Jersey Vest                Leo Print Scarf

Imogen Jersey Shirt                   

Deep Teal

Stella Jersey Top                                                            Frankie Straight Leg Trouser

Multi Colour

Tabatha Tee                                 Charlie Floral Shirt             Charlie Check Shirt

Colour Co-ordinated Internals

Colour is not only important to us on the visible designs - it is just as important on the hidden extras!

Discretely located inside the armholes or side seams on our jersey styles, colour can be found. These colours represent lime for left and red for right. We use them for a couple of reasons:

a.) to aid anyone with cognitive difficulties in dressing the right way round, helping to prevent back to front dressing

b.) to help ensure the velcro is fastened to the right place

c.) to act as a visual target making it easier to get your arms into the armholes

So with summer here, there's no better reason to invest in bold colours and prints that make your wardrobe happy this Summer. You can shop all the new colours here...

Showcasing the very best in garden design and inspiring millions, the worlds most prestigious flower show is back.

The grounds at the Royal Hospital Chelsea are transformed once again with world-renowned horticultural displays and stunning inspirational floral exhibitions for the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The annual events opening day saw all the celebs turn out for the VIP Preview. With it, came some beautiful outfits that were nearly as impressive as the botanical displays themselves.

The Telegraph covered ‘The Queen, celebrities and highlights’, in pictures which you can see here. A few celeb outfit highlights we loved included:

Mary Berry with a white and pick floral wrap dress. It was similar in silhouette to our Su Jersey Wrap Dress.

Our favourite Absolutely Fabulous friend, Joana Lumley wore a lime coloured top. See our ‘Golden Lime’ colour in Imogen Jersey Shirt, Stella Jersey Top and Maria Jersey Vest as well as Leo Print Scarf.

Lumley also donned a gorgeous printed scarf - very similar to our Botanic Print Scarf – Navy Stripe, it had a unique combination of stripe and floral in the design. She wore this along with her usual warm smile!

 Stella Jersey Top                   Maria Jersey Vest                   Leo Print Scarf

Imogen Jersey Shirt       Botanic Print Scarf - Navy Stripe

Both Lisa Snowden and the lovely Anneka Rice had punchy red floral dresses on. Take a look at our Carmel Floral Dress in Red for a similar shade.

Suitably in all over floral attire, Kirstie Allsopp mixed colours to create a stunning summer outfit. Our Charlie Floral Shirt in Deep Teal has the same pretty affect with complimenting bold colours.

Countryfile’s Ellie Harrison wore this seasons must have colour – pink. Looking pretty in pink, she wore it in the form of a block coloured, structured tulip shaped skirt. The colour was very similar to our ‘Paradise Pink’, which can be found in a variety of styles including Stella Jersey Top, Maria jersey Vest, Tabatha Tee, Leo Print Scarf and Charlie Gingham Shirt that all front open to avoid overhead dressing.

Stella Jersey Top                                                       Maria Jersey Vest

Tabatha Jersey Tee                  Leo Print Scarf             Charlie Gingham Shirt

Last but by no means least on our highlight list of outfits from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the Queen! She had a beautiful white based dress on with all over blue floral print. The closest design to this print is our Cassie Floral Shirt in Blue Rose. Also on a white base with floral blue print, we have the Charlie Floral Shirt in Med Blue.

Cassie Floral Shirt - Rose Blue   Charlie Floral Shirt - Med Blue

So with florals proving a big deal this summer, make sure you have yours - the perfect peice for any flower show or garden party.

Take a look at the full range of floral styles here.

Happy shopping!

At last, the warmer weather is here and we have just the t-shirts to make sure your wardrobe is ready for it.

Effortless style in a variety of designs, the Tabatha Tee is a daywear essential.

There is more to this tee than meet the eye though. Not only does it look and feel great, it is also easier to get on and off. We talk you through why our Tabatha Tee is so special:

1.) Option to avoid overhead dressing - all of our tees open all the way down the front so easier to dress and undress if getting arms above shoulders or fatigue prove an issue when dressing.

No fiddly fastenings –  not only does the tee open at the front, it fastens with a premium quality Velcro that requires only a touch to close.

2.) Raglan sleeves – make getting arms into armholes easier giving extra room and allowing more movement. This also means our raglan sleeve tees are more comfortable to wear.

3.) Quality fabric – made in Portugal, known for it’s high standards in jersey. All tees are 100% cotton making them breathable and more comfortable to wear being soft against the skin. The fabrics used on our tees are quick drying and wash at 40 degrees making them easier to care for. Cool iron if required.

4.) Flattering fit – with a soft A line shape, this is a relaxed and effortless style that falls comfortably covering the waist area.

5.) Size vents - allow greater movement when worn and seated making more comfortable.

6.) Higher neckline - our tees have a flattering higher scooped neckline so they can be worn confidently.

7.) Colour coordinate armholes – make them easier to see and aim arm into especially for anyone with cognitive difficulties. Lime is for left and red for right to help prevent dressing back to front.

8.) VAT exemption – is applicable to anyone with a long term on chronic illness buying this style. Find out more on our VAT exemption pages here…

We have a choice of five designs for you to choose from. The only difficulty is deciding which one!

See all our tees available here.

Complete the look...

Left to right:

Debbie Skirt, Dragon Red - £49.96 (exc VAT £41.63)

Debbie Maxi Skirt, Gingko Print - £55 (exc VAT £45.83)

Flora Wide Leg Ponte Trousers, Charcoal - £55

Frankie Trousers, Navy - £45 (exc VAT £37.50)

This season, you can’t go wrong with our versatile Imogen Jersey Shirt. It will see you through all occasions being elegant and sophisticated enough to dress up but also casual enough that it looks great with jeans.

There is more than meets the eye with this beautiful shirt though. Not only does it look and feel great, it is also easier to dress too. We talk you through what makes the Imogen Shirt so special:

1.) No fiddly fastenings – buttons are for display only. We use a premium quality Velcro that requires only a touch to close making it ideal for anyone who finds buttons difficult.

2.) Rolled sleeves – with Velcro fastening tabs at the sleeves, there is the option to wear the shirt long sleeved or three-quarter sleeved allowing you to get more wear from it.

3.) Quality fabric – made in Portugal, known for it’s high standards in jersey. With a natural silky viscose mix, the shirt has a beautiful drape and a super soft luxurious finish feeling lovely against the skin. You won’t want to take it off! It is quick drying and washes at 40 degrees making it easier to care for. Cool iron if required.

4.) Flattering fit – with a raised waistline and pleat detailing, this is an extremely complimenting, feminine style. A line in shape, the shirt falls comfortably hiding any lumps and bumps discretely! It also sits very neatly on your lap when seated.

5.) Colour coordinate armholes – make them easier to see and aim arm into especially for anyone with cognitive difficulties. Lime is for left and red for right to help prevent dressing back to front.

6.) VAT exemption – is applicable to anyone with a long term on chronic illness buying this style. Find out more on our VAT exemption pages here…

Now available in a choice of six colours, you can’t go wrong. The only difficulty is deciding which one!

See all our shirts and blouses available here.

We are thrilled to let you know that the new summer 2017 range is now available!

This summer, live life fully in comfort and style.

Don’t let fiddly fastenings and tricky overhead dressing hold you back. The Able Label’s easier dressing range of stylish clothes, make the daily routine quicker, easier and safer. This leaves you time to spend living life, in clothes that look as good as they feel.

The new collection is called ‘Botanic Beauty’ - it is inspired by the plush, overgrown leaves and beautiful flowers found within a beautiful botanical garden.

It brings with it a fresh and vibrant colour palette that includes, paradise pink, golden lime and grounding deep teal. The tropical tones, perfect for summer are paired back with neutral seaspray blue and blossom white.

With a botanical theme, you can be sure to find a strong presence of brilliant floral prints. They pull the story together incorporating the key colours making them perfect to mix and match with other items in the collection.

Viscose elastanes are still core but cool natural cottons feature more prominently amongst tees, ideal for exploring the tropics.

We have several new categories including printed and checked woven shirts; an array of printed scarves to match back to your new outfit in this seasons colours and a new flattering ponte fabric across trousers and skirts.

You can also be sure to find new colourways of the styles you already love like our best selling Stella Top, Imogen Shirt and Maria Vest. The only difficulty is picking which colour!

Don't forget:

• Our clothes are VAT exempt to anyone with a long term disability
• There are free returns on all items
• We offer an alterations service: contact the customer services team to discuss your requirements and we will see what we can do to help

The new range can be bought:

• Online – at theablelabel.com through our ‘new in’ section
• By mail order – request your catalogue here and either call 01622 744742 or return the mail order form to us
• Over the phone, just call 01622 744242

Should you want any further information on any styles in particular, please don’t hesitate to contact the customer services team who are happy to help.

View Botanic Beauty online through our ‘new in’ section. 

We hope you love the range as much as we do!

Live life fully in comfort and style.

This is the concept behind The Able Label's new spring / summer range which launches this April. Combining the latest colours and trends with the most comfortable fabrics and made them all easier to dress into and out of – you can now have style, comfort and function in clothes that look as good as they feel.

The collection brings you bright colours, brilliant prints and stripes as well as new woven shirts to give a versatile casual-smart look. We hope you love them as much as we do!

To request a catalogue in advance, call 01622 744242 or email cservices@theablelabel.com