Good evening, fellow be-wheeled fashionistas!  I have a question for all of you: has anyone else wondered how to integrate all the cute little handbags popping up in stores with our somewhat, shall we say...unusual situation?  Well, I have an even more unusual solution to keep those purses safely in our laps, and maybe even help to carry shopping bags home from the mall!

But, I'll warn you, ladies...it's not for the faint of heart...

Once upon a time, I was given a set of "love cuffs" by a friend as a gag gift.  Naturally, as open-minded as I am, I was highly amused and not even a little bit offended, but I'm not exactly what some might call a, 'submissive,' kind of girl.  So, a perfectly nice pair of purple neoprene wrist restraints sat, gathering dust, until one day I finally figured out a more practical use for them.

I had been out earlier that night, dancing and having a few cocktails with some girlfriends, when I hit a bump and my *adorable* sequined clutch slid off my lap and popped open on the ground.  Lipstick, a compact, my ID, and cash all went flying.  Rather than looking savvy and independent with my chic little purse, I suddenly found myself scrabbling to find all my night-out necessities, with random helpful strangers bending to come to my rescue.  So not sexy.

As I got ready for bed that night, I found myself ruminating over my handbag faux pas, and wondering what, if anything, could be done to keep it from happening ever, ever again.  I examined the purse; there was a short chain handle that could be detached, so I began experimenting with places where I could hook it on my chair.  After a few unsuccessful, albeit innovative, attempts, I realized the chain was simply too short.  I considered the notion of buying a longer chain at the local hardware store and attaching it to the bar across the back, but the metal chain would eventually chip the paint and scuff it.  Not acceptable.  Luckily, my eyes slid over to my dresser and to where the love cuffs still sat in their box.  Perfect!

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Step 1. Purchase (or repurpose *winkwink*) a pair of neoprene 'love cuffs' with adjustable Velcro fasteners.  If you're too timid to visit your local 'Adult Toy Store,' visit some places online, such as BetterSex.com, for more clandestine delivery.

Step 2. Wrap one end of a cuff around the back bar of your favourite chair and adjust according to the length you want.  (This is when these particular cuffs come in handy -- they're secure at almost any length thanks to the strong hook-and-loop closures.)  If you have a mini-backpack on your chair, as I do, be sure to wrap the cuff around the strap to keep it safe, too.

Step 3. If you find you need a little extra length, or you know you're going to want to carry other bags at the same time, add in a few additional carabiners.  (Available everywhere from cutesy accessories stores at the mall and sporting goods shops, to true camping and outdoors superstores.)  I got one to match the snazzy purple, but I've even seen them glittery, crusted with rhinestones, or emblazoned with your own name.  When you want to carry other bags, such as grocery sacks, just clip them into the carabiner

Step 4. Link the other cuff around your purse strap.

Step 5. Place your purse in your lap, make any final adjustments, and enjoy feeling safer and more secure while still rocking your sassy style!

What's in a name?  Well, maybe not that much, but a friend on FaceBook referred me to a collection whose name caught my attention right away.  Designers Angela Irick and Antonio Wingfield are collaborating on a line called Heels with Wheels, and although the whole collection isn't available online yet, what they're showing is right in step with the more prominent names in adaptive fashion.  And I'm impressed.

For those unfamiliar with adaptive fashions, let me give you some perspective.  First, imagine your favourite pair of skinny jeans.  You know, the ones with a little stretch in them that lift your booty up to the sky?  Yeah, those.  Now, picture how you put them on: one leg, then the other, then a little shimmy to get them up your thighs, followed by a few hops to get them over the aforementioned booty.  Finally, you zip them with a satisfied smirk, throw on a cute button-up top, and you're out the door.

What if you couldn't hop and shimmy?  What would you do if you were unable to hold something as small as a zip, or manage tiny, difficult buttons?  And what if no one ever saw that nice booty because it's firmly planted in a wheelchair?  These are just a few of the issues that face rolling fashionistas, and depending on the type and severity of disability, this list of concerns can grow exponentially.

To help wheeled chicks speed up their morning routines and improve independence, a number of designers are stepping up to the plate and crafting collections made with these issues in mind.  Hot names like Canada's own Izzy Camilleri have even jumped into the market, upping the product availability from the foul granny-gowns and Snuggie-esque coverups of yore to genuinely covetable fashion.  I'm 29 -- I have no desire to dress like I'm 79; unless, of course, it's Coco at 79.  In that case, bring it on.

So, when I was shown the adorable duds on display at Heels With Wheels, I just had to spread the love.

First off, the "Lounging and Cover-Ups" section has gowns for lazy days, sipping wine by the pool, and according to the website, are even apropos for the boudoir.  Unlike other loungewear created for disabled individuals, these are actually cute.  And yeah, kind of sexy.  All the pieces appear to be light and silky, and I love the graphic-print halter tunic and the long strapless gown.  The strapless number is gathered at the bust and drapes beautifully on both the model in a power wheelchair and *gasp!* the standing model, too.  Yes, ladies, these are dresses that appeal to both able-bodied and disabled women alike, and I can certainly see why.  No Snuggies here, thank the gods.

The "Happy Hour" collection is perfect for the woman on the go.  Easy, flattering, fitted tops and dresses that can help turn any girl into Day to Night Barbie.  A quick accessories change, a sweet clutch, and any gal is ready to go from office to cocktail hour with her BFFs.  I'm especially impressed with the fit of these garments.  If any of you have ever seen most of the so-called 'adaptive' garments, many of them are bulky, shapeless, and completely unfeminine.  It's like the designers just want to make something convenient to put on and remove, and the self esteem and sexuality of the wearer are completely ignored.  Irick and her co-designer, Wingfield, clearly have other things in mind: like that we're women.

And, finally, in the "Glamour" section, we see a small sampling of two chic, easy wrap-tops.  As a devoted fan of Diane von Furstenberg for more than one reason, I'll scoop up anything that is wrap-like.  I have arthritis in my hands and it can often make it painful to grasp little zip pulls and fasten buttons.  One day, I was wandering through Holt Renfrew and thought I'd try on a classic DVF wrap dress.  It went on like a dream, tied at the waist painlessly, and suddenly I was wearing a gorgeous, sexy, yet professional frock that made me feel like a million bucks.  And, I thought as I handed over my debit card, on my student budget it felt like I was paying about the same amount.  But it was so worth it.

That was quite some time ago, and to this day, whenever I need a new outfit, I head straight for the DVF section at Holt's.  Failing that, I scour the Internet for wrap dresses in classic cuts and prints.  The wrap-tops on Heels with Wheels offer that kind of elegant simplicity, though  am hoping for more colour options.  As much as I love the wider, retro-cut sleeves and elongated kimono-style bodice, I'm not a huge fan of either the orangeish pattern or the gold lamé.  I prefer silver any day, but I also think that some more subtle patterns or solids might be nice given the voluminous cut.  I do love the slimming effect, and as this is not the full collection, for all I know there are a zillion more colours from which to choose.

As of right now, there isn't a way to buy from the site directly, but I'm hoping that will soon change.  I'm jonesing to get my paws on a few of these pieces and report back my final opinion.  Any time fashion and femininity meet function, I'm all over it, and Heels with Wheels is definitely on the right track from the look of these samples.

That, and I totally dig the name...  ;)

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Update! Designer Angela Irick confirmed that yes, there are other colours, solids, and patterns available.  I can't *wait* to scoop up some finery!  Check back often for further updates.

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(All photos are from the Heels with Wheels website.)