If you’ve ever tried to shop for clothes with a child who has sensory sensitivities, you understand the struggle: “Oh no, this shirt has a tag!” “What if I cut it out?” “But this one has seams.” And just like that, you leave the store with a pair of slippers and a child who is still wearing clothes that are two sizes too small. Luckily, Target is stepping in to make this experience a bit easier with their new line of sensory-friendly clothing.
Available exclusively on Target.com, the retailer has rolled out 17 new pieces under their popular Cat & Jack collection. As of now, the line includes four shirts and four pairs of leggings designed for toddler girls, four shirts and one pair of leggings for girls, and four shirts for boys. But this is just the beginning! In their initiative called “Design For All,” Target plans to expand the Cat & Jack line further in the fall to include adaptive clothing that meets the diverse needs of children with disabilities.
The introduction of this sensory-friendly clothing line is designed to tackle the typical challenges faced by kids with sensitivities: uncomfortable tags, seams, and bumpy graphics. The new pieces feature heat-transferred labels instead of tags, flat seams, and simple graphic tees—all created to minimize discomfort against the skin. The project was inspired by a designer named Mia Thompson, who has a child with autism. She gathered a team of designers who volunteered their time to develop this inclusive clothing line after speaking with parents and organizations that support children with special needs.
Julie Hartman, Target’s Senior VP of Product Design and Development, expressed excitement about the proposal, noting how it addresses an underserved market and reflects the needs of their customers. While the initial focus is on sensory-friendly clothing, plans are in place to introduce adaptive styles that could include features like zip-off sleeves and back openings for easier dressing, especially for children who may find traditional clothing challenging.
Kudos to Target for recognizing that all children deserve comfortable and functional clothing options! With this new line, back-to-school shopping will be a less stressful experience for many families. (And hey, could we also get some seamless socks next? Just a thought!)
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In summary, Target’s new sensory-friendly clothing line is a significant step toward making shopping easier and more enjoyable for families with sensory-sensitive children. The initiative is set to expand, promising more inclusive options in the future.