Liberare

Why We Feature Liberare on Never Grey

The earliest challenge I faced after my stroke when getting dressed was simply putting on a bra. My occupational therapist suggested switching to sports bras, hoping the looser design and stretch would make dressing easier. But for me, maneuvering a sports bra over a partially subluxed shoulder and limited arm mobility was unexpectedly painful. More than that, I didn’t want to give up wearing pretty lingerie, I wanted the dignity of choosing what felt feminine, personal, and comfortable. That’s what drew me to Liberare, and why we are proud to feature them at Never Grey.

The Problem: Getting Dressed Is Not Always Easy

For many people recovering from neurological injury, surgery, chronic pain, or living with disabilities, clothing is not just about aesthetics, it’s a barrier. Traditional bras rely on reach, range of motion, finger dexterity, and shoulder mobility to hook and clasp behind the back. When those are compromised, dressing becomes a frustrating, painful, slow process.

In that tension lies the great unmet need: adaptive lingerie that respects both function and style. Too often, the only options are “medical looking” bras that sacrifice design for utility. And that sends a message that when your body changes, your self-expression should shrink, too.

Enter Liberare: Freedom, First and Foremost

Liberare (Latin for “to liberate”) was built to reimagine intimates for all bodies especially those navigating limitations. Its founder, Emma Butler, was inspired when her mother struggled with hand pain and hook-and-eye closures. Over years of research, design iteration, and user testing, Butler and her team created lingerie that’s easy to don and beautiful.

Key elements of their mission and design:

• HeroHold™ front magnetic closure: Instead of reaching backwards, the bra fastens in front via a magnetic glide and interlocking latch. It stays secure, and when peeled from the correct angle, it releases easily.
• Wireless comfort, adaptive cuts: Their bras sidestep underwires and incorporate soft knits, seamless designs, sculpted cups, and breathable fabrics.
• Grip loops and alternate manipulation aids: Recognizing that even pinching magnetic clasps might be hard for some, they include loops so fingers (or prosthetics) can guide fabric together.
• Adaptive underwear and side opening briefs: Their range extends beyond bras. They offer knickers that open at the sides (magnetic or Velcro), enabling easier dressing for seated users or those with restricted limb mobility.
• Inclusive sizing and design for many conditions: Their bras come in band sizes roughly 34–44 and cup sizes B–G. They market to people with limited hand dexterity, chronic pain, shoulder or rotator cuff injury, and more but with the philosophy that “adaptive” should simply mean “easy to wear,” not “only for X condition.”

Through all that, Liberare insists that lingerie should feel like lingerie, not a medical device. Lace accents, flattering silhouettes, and discrete finishes elevate their pieces.

Why We Chose Them for Never Grey

At Never Grey, we see mobility aids and adaptive products not as limitations but as tools of empowerment, style, and self-expression. Here’s why Liberare resonates deeply with our ethos:

1. Personal resonance: The first time I tried to get dressed post-stroke, I felt the frustration Liberare solves. Including them is more than endorsement it’s affirmation that no one should lose their sense of self after injury or diagnosis.
2. Holistic design: Liberare doesn’t just make something “that works” they make things we’d want to wear. Every detail is thoughtfully considered.
3. Bridging fashion and accessibility: Liberare doesn’t corner themselves into a “niche.” They push for inclusivity in mainstream lingerie, showing that adaptive design benefits everyone.
4. Mission alignment: Liberare’s root is in advocacy and voice. Their storytelling, team, and design process lift the lived experiences of people with disabilities.

By featuring Liberare, Never Grey helps elevate lingerie from a source of stress to a source of confidence and autonomy. Because dressing oneself is not a small act — it is daily affirmation of who we are.