If you wear an insulin pump, you probably know the feeling: standing in front of your closet, holding a dress you love, and asking yourself the same question again —

How do I wear this with my insulin pump?

When you live with type 1 diabetes, the math behind getting dressed gets a lot more complicated. You’re not just thinking about weather or occasion. You’re thinking about comfort, accessibility, site placement, and whether your insulin pump will stay in place — or end up halfway down your leg by lunchtime.

That’s exactly why we made these pump shorts. Because we’ve been there. And there just weren’t any good options.

We’re KINNAMON — a brand built by and for women with T1D. And, we’re launching something we’ve needed for years: comfortable, secure, pump-friendly under-shorts that disappear under your clothes and hold your pump in place, without all the DIY workarounds.

But before we dive into what makes our shorts different, let’s talk about the real problem — and why it’s taken this long for someone to get it right.

The Problem: So Many Products Miss the Mark

A few years ago, Naomi — our T1D co-founder and the mind behind our clothing designs — in need of a pair of undershorts for her pump, bought a pair from a brand called RevelWear. At the time, they were one of the few companies offering clothing specifically made for people with insulin pumps. They were even listed on Tandem Diabetes’ website as a partner.

But when the shorts arrived, they were a letdown. The material was flimsy with minimal stretch hold, the cut was bizarre with the back waistline swooping down, and the size Small was way too big. The two pump pockets were the right idea in theory, but without a secure closure, her pump often slipped out halfway through the day and ended up dangling from under her dress. Everything about the design felt like it wasn’t actually tested on a real person before manufacturing. And like so many other people with T1D, Naomi had to alter them herself just to make them work.

After taking in a lot of seams, she was able to get them to fit reasonably, though the cut was very awkward. They weren’t great — but definitely better than nothing.

It was frustrating, but not surprising.

The truth is, most adaptive or “inclusive” clothing still doesn’t really work for the people it claims to serve. It’s usually made without user testing, without real feedback, and without understanding the daily life of someone with a medical device attached to their body 24/7.

Revel Wear eventually closed its shop, with some other users expressing dissatisfaction with fit, and their products disappeared from the market. And women like Naomi were left — once again — to figure it out on their own.

Our Mission: Design That Starts With Real Life

When we launched KINNAMON, it wasn’t just to make cute clothes with pockets (though we do love a good pocket). It was about solving real problems for people living with type 1 diabetes — people like Naomi, and people like you.

We knew one of the biggest challenges women face is how to wear a pump with outfits that weren’t designed for medical devices. Dresses. Jumpsuits. Rompers. Anything without a waistband or pocket.

We kept saying the same thing: “If someone just made a pair of simple, supportive under-shorts with a real pocket, it would change everything.”

So we did.

Introducing Our Pump Shorts

Our pump shorts are a base layer — super soft, secure undergarments designed to be worn under your clothes. They’re for women who want to wear a dress without wondering where their pump will go. They're for T1Ds who are tired of clipping their devices to underwear, tucking them into bras, or using garters (hello, chaffing!).

We designed these with intention, with feedback, and with real bodies in mind. And we know that’s what makes them different.

What Makes Our Shorts Different

1. A Pocket That Actually Works

It sounds simple, but most pump “solutions” don’t get this right. Every pair of KINNAMON shorts has three pump pockets, two in the front and one in the back. YOU decide what is the most comfortable for your outfit that day. The front two pockets are placed at slightly different angles (gotta give a lady options) and sewn with an enforced stitch so your pockets will last a lifetime! The back pocket is stitched invisibly into the waistband. All pockets have our signature buttonhole feature to feed your tubing through, AND include an easy to use velcro closure, so your device stays in place all day!  No falling out. No shifting. And most importantly — no constant readjusting.

2. Fabric You Can Trust

These shorts are made from super soft, high-quality, supportive fabric with just the right amount of stretch and hold. They’re amazingly soft against the skin, but strong enough to support the weight of an insulin pump. The goal is to feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all! The fabric is designed to be hyper breathable so you can wear them with or without underwear. They are not 100% opaque, meaning you can usually see some underwear through them, but again, the goal is comfort and support! We tested multiple fabric weights and blends to make sure the pocket wouldn’t sag, slip, or stretch out over time.  They are made from a Tencel™ Modal Stretch Jersey Spandex blend that is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, and TENCEL™ Modal certified! This means you can always feel great about purchasing and wearing these shorts because of their high ethical sourcing standards and unparalleled texture! Read more about the high ethical sourcing standards and certifications below!  

“LENZING’s fibers are derived from sustainable wood sources that are harvested and certified according to LENZING’s strict guidelines. These cellulosic fiber offerings boast high tenacity, unparalleled next-to-skin softness, biodegradability and eco-responsible production including the dedicated use of renewable forestry practices.

“The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a worldwide consistent, independent testing & certification system that tests for harmful substances used during all stages of production (raw materials, intermediate, and end product). This includes testing for illegal substances, legally regulated substances, known harmful (but not legally regulated) chemicals, and other parameters for health care. It provides manufacturers with a uniform benchmark when evaluating harmful substances potentially used in the production process. Extensive product checks and regular company audits also ensure that the industry has a globally sustainable awareness of the responsible use of chemicals.”

3. Designed by a T1D (and Worn by Her Daily)

Naomi wears these all the time under flowy dresses, skirts, and rompers that weren't made with pockets. She designed them for herself and others — based on years of frustration, adaptions, and sewing fixes into clothes that never should’ve needed them. This isn’t a product dreamed up in a boardroom. It’s a solution crafted out of a common lived experience.

4. A Real Fix, Not a Temporary Hack

Let’s face it — most of us with T1D have made it work in ways we shouldn’t have had to. Tucking pumps into tight waistbands. Clipping them to the outside of our clothes (perfect for our tubing to catch on everything). Switching to other devices/diabetes management because pump placement is too tiresome. It gets old. This is a product that says, you don’t have to compromise every time you get dressed.

What We’re Not — Yet

We know there’s more work to do. We are planning on launching different colors for all occasions, launching different styles with side pocket placements, and alternative hem lengths. While these shorts are made for wearing underneath clothing, we can’t wait to create more styles for athletic or higher-impact movement.

We know that many women prefer wearing undershorts under their dresses, T1D or not. But now there are shorts precisely made for T1Ds! 

Why This Matters

We believe clothing should meet people where they are. And for the millions of women who live with T1D, that means more than just “it has pockets” or a half-hearted “adaptive” collection.

It means design that starts with questions like:

• Will this fit under my outfit without showing?

• Will it be comfortable?

• What features do I need to feel secure?

• Can I move freely without worrying about my pump falling out?
  
  

Join the Movement

If you’ve ever skipped buying or wearing something you loved because you didn’t know where your pump would go… we made these for you.

If you’ve ever ordered something adaptive, only to be disappointed by the quality or function… we made these for you.

If you’ve ever wished your clothes just worked with your life instead of working against it… we made these for you.

And we are dedicated to making more clothes for you! These pump shorts are just the beginning — but we truly believe they’re going to make a difference!

We can’t wait for you to make these shorts your own and to tell us what you think! Tag us on Instagram, share with your T1D friends, or send us feedback. This brand is about more than clothing — it’s about community, advocacy, and making space for people who deserve better.

Thank you for being here. We’re so glad you’re part of the KINNAMON story.