Vincente Chacon, 8, is pretty proud of his dragon spoke guards by Rollinman. Vincente also is wearing a back-opening V-necked sweatshirt from Adrian's Closet.

Back in the 1950s when my husband was young, his relatives gathered every Christmas for a party and gift exchange. Significant amounts of "Christmas cheer" preceded the swapping of presents, leading to raucous appreciation of each item. But the biggest crowd pleaser was always the gifts for men. Back in the Dark Ages of Men's Fashion, each and every adult male received the same gift, which he would unwrap and hold up for inspection.

"Another white shirt!!" the crowd would roar in unison.

Today, with the huge variety of fabrics, cuts and styles out there, there's no reason for anybody to get stuck in a "white shirt" rut. So for our 2001 Holiday Gift Guide, Quest searched out adaptive clothing and accessories for men, women and children that offer both function and fashion. Because wheelchairs can contribute to personal appearance, we've included some gift ideas for dressing them up as well. And let's not forget accessories for the trusty service dog or family pet!

See the "Directory of Clothing Sources," and order soon to be sure your gifts arrive before the holidays. Remember that the prices quoted here may have changed by the time you order.

May your holidays be bright and free of boring gifts!

KIDS & TEENS

Elastic waist walking jeans

Elastic waist walking jeans offer easy style for kids who struggle with zippers. Stone-washed denim jeans have side pockets and an invisible Velcro fly.

Lower leg zippers can be added for ease in putting on and taking off braces. Sizes go from 24-inch to 30-inch waist, at $34. From Adrian's Closet

The Markel Brace Boot

The Markel Brace Boot has a rugged "cool" look in an extra wide width to accommodate braces. In tan suede with a full leather lining, the boots have no left or right foot and the tongue folds completely down for ease of entry. Sized to fit children and small adults, the child version is $76, youth size is $90, and, adults 31/2 to 6, $115. From Adrian's Closet

Cargo pants

Back-opening sweatshirts end the struggle to pull things over the head. Available in a soft navy fabric with contrasting trim at the V-neck and wrists, the back is cut shorter for less bulk in wheelchairs, and closes easily with Velcro tabs. Sizes range from child's medium to adult XL; prices range from $26 to $30.From Adrian's Closet

Children's T-shirts

Cargo pants are another way for kids to look sharp and be comfortable. These pants feature an elastic waist with Velcro closure and invisible inside zippers for leg brace convenience. They're available in navy, tan and green in children's sizes S-XL and adult sizes up to XL. Children's pants are $30; adults' are $38. From Able Apparel

When a wider neck opening is needed, check out these children's T- shirts. The comfortable cotton knit shirts with contrasting collar have a Velcro opening at the shoulder seam, disguised by ornamental buttons. Available in children's sizes XS-XL, in colors for boys and girls, at $35. From Finally It Fits

MEN

Flap front pants with Velcro closure

Flap front pants with Velcro closure have a classic double pleat front and a covered half-elastic back, and won't fall down when the fly or drop-front panel is opened. The pants have two deep side pockets and a back set-in pocket. Black or khaki twill, adult sizes S-XL, at $49. From Forde's Functional Fashions

The Velcro-close long-sleeved shirt makes dressing easier with Velcro tabs under the buttons. It's available from Finally It Fits in white, tan, light or dark blue, and you can add up to four pockets (two front, two sleeve), in adult sizes S to XL, for $55. Forde's Functional Fashions' Velcro-close men's shirt features a longer tail and one breast pocket. It comes in sizes S-L, in blue, black, white or stripes, $40.

Carlos Durazo is wearing a back-snap cardigan and showing off a back-snap polo shirt.

A back-snap cardigan makes a great gift for the man with limited arm mobility. The sweater appears to button in the front but actually snaps all the way down the back. In 100 percent acrylic with two front pockets, the sweater comes in assorted colors, adult sizes S-XL, for $30. From Wardrobe Wagon

The back-snap polo shirt in short or long sleeves looks as if it pulls over the head, but actually goes on from the front for ease of dressing. The poly/cotton blend has a two-button placard and pocket and comes in assorted stripes, plaids and solids. Available in adult sizes S-XL for $20, and 2X-3X for $22. From Wardrobe Wagon

Wheelchair cuts suits feature both fashion and function

Men's suits and sportcoats, cut for wheelchair users, feature a variety of custom alterations that allow you to look sharp, not rumpled. The coats feature adjusted shoulder and elbow seams, shoulder darts for a better fit, and shorter front and back lengths. Pants are cut higher in the back with elastic insets and straight-cut pockets. Wool and wool-blend suits and sport coats, sizes 33-inch to 50-inch chest, range in price from $175 to $189; pants in the same material, sizes 30-inch to 53-inch waist, range in price from $79 to $99. From Rolli-Moden

WOMEN

Back-closing fleece coordinates

Back-closing fleece coordinates offer comfort, style, warmth and ease of dressing for those with limited mobility. Tops close up the back and pants have a wide side closure, available in your choice of snaps, zippers or Velcro. A variety of colors and prints are offered in sizes S-3XL. Prices range from $35.99 to $54.99. From Spec-L

Wheelchair-cut Fit While You Sit jeans have the look of regular jeans, but are designed for the special needs of wheelchair users.

This classic long-sleeved blouse goes with almost everything and never has to be buttoned because it closes with Velcro. A sleeve button tab allows you to convert from long sleeves to three-quarter length for fashion or function when pushing a wheelchair, and side slits allow extra comfort when seated. Choose no pockets, front pockets or sleeve pockets. Available from Finally It Fits in white, tan, cranberry or blue, in adult sizes S-XL (2X and 3X sizes coming soon), $55. Forde's Functional Fashions' classic blouse has dolman sleeves and no pockets or decorative buttons, in white or cream, sizes S-L, $35.

The front-close skirt in denim and twill can easily become the most popular piece of clothing in the closet, thanks to its "go anywhere" style. Mock buttons hide the Velcro closures at the half-elastic waist and down the front. Waist pleats complete the classic look. Black or khaki twill, adult sizes S-XL, $33. From Forde's Functional Fashions

Back overlap dress

This back overlap dress with large patch pockets opens flat for dressing ease and closes with buttons at the shoulders, eliminating any pressure points on the back. Choose from an all-print style or a solid-colored yoke, sleeves and pocket trim coordinated with a matching small print. The longer length covers knees while sitting. It's available with long or short sleeves, in pink, blue, lilac, purple and dark green, adult sizes S-L $40, XL-3XL, $45. The back overlap blouse is basically a shorter version of the dress, with a slightly more tailored cut. Available in long or short sleeves, sizes S-3XL, at $35. From Specially For You