I’m 5’5, curvy and wearing a size 16.

When I’m in the market to shop for a new dress, how it’s going to look with the variety of mobility aids I use is always a factor. Outfits do not look the same standing as they do seated, especially not when you’re contending with a curvy figure and a stoma bag. That’s why I adored this Popsy London dress from the second I saw it. It blends two of my favourite things in an item of clothing – stripes and strawberries.

You all know that strawberries have been my obsession of the summer season of 2026 and so this dress felt very ‘me’ from the second it arrived. I think, quite possibly, it could even be classed as ‘dopamine dressing’- the feel good trend where you wear clothing that makes you happy, whatever that looks like for you – and honestly, I’m here for it.

Pair it up with red wedges (a secondhand bargain from my favourite superstore, Barnardos!) or down with Converse, this is an easy style dress that require minimal faff – which is ideal for a chronically ill person who some days doesn’t have the energy to committ to figuring our what to wear.

Talk sensory to me

A factor I always consider when purchasing new clothing – no matter how fun it may look visually – is how it feels, because I know, if I choose something that scratches or irritates, I’ll be very unlikely to wear it for any length of time. In fact, it’ll drive me mad and it’ll become all I can think about, which is entirely not the purpose. I’m pleased to report that this dress is a nice quality and very soft, to the point where it’s actually enjoyable to wear because it stretches with ease. I find a pair of Snag Tights ‘chub rub’ shorts underneath doesn’t go amiss, just to keep everything secure (a preference since my stoma surgery – I don’t like to feel my bag moving freely… just me?). The waist tie is made of the same material and nice and stretchy, so you can choose how tightly you want to wrap it and undo it if you’re sitting, but honestly I haven’t come across the need to do that even once.

The burning question…

Will it wheelchair?! I am so sick of seeing clothing brands neglecting to incorporate seated users in their campaigns – because you can’t tell me that items look the same standing as they do seated – it’s simply not true! We need users of different shapes, sizes and statutes, seated as well as standing. It feels surreal that in 2026, we’re still arguing this and so many brands have yet to listen.

Without further ado… I think this dress wheelchairs rather well! I often feel frustrated when a garment has the print towards the bottom as it means you’ll miss a section of it during normal movements, so I actually love that the strawberry print is highlighted on your knees when seated – I think it genuinely transforms it into quite a unique piece that is perfect for wheelchair users.

If there’s one thing I’d change, I do find the length is slightly awkward, I wouldn’t say it’s a midi or knee-length – it’s more like somewhere in between. I am 5’5 so it’s quite possible that it would look shorter on someone taller, but I do find it just a tad confusing to know which boat it fits into it.

I’ve been rather impressed with my first piece of clothing from Popsy and I do hope that it won’t be my last – what do you have your eye on over on their website? Let me know below! These rainbow boots rather have my heart for the autumn (a great dupe for the Doc Marten alternative, at a fraction of the price and with a zip which is SO much easier for accessibility!) and if you (like me) are still having a strawberry moment, this playsuit is stunning.

AD / PR Gifted item (all thoughts are my own)