SUMMARY
A three month stint in the hospital left me wondering why traditional hospital gowns are still the go-to garment. Drab, unflattering and generally uncomfortable, I knew there was space for something better. An updated hospital garment that is designed with more than medical functionality in mind.
challenge
The current offerings as far as hospital accessible garments go are majorly underwhelming. Function is put at the forefront, with little to no thought put into aesthetics, identity, or comfortability. When hospitalized, patients' can lose both their sense of self and control. This garment aims to put the patient at the forefront of the hospital experience, rather than their illness. It gives them back identity and control, letting them choose what they want to wear and when they want to wear it.
Outcome
Taking inspiration from the poncho, the only sewn closures are along the shoulders and neckline. It's made of a durable yet soft linen, allowing for both comfortability and the necessary heavy washes it'll go through. Down the arms and sides, there are ribbon closures, allowing access to any ports the patient may have. Rather than resembling a traditional hospital gown, it's designed to just look like a shirt, as to not exist as another reminder of their hospitalization. All of this restores a portion of the identity and control they lose to the illness they're facing, allowing for the betterment of the patient from a holistic standpoint.
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