Sensory Friendly Clothing Go-Tos?
May 17, 2021 4:35 PM   Subscribe

I'm looking for comfortable clothing for someone who is pretty sensitive to e.g. tags, exposed elastic, itchy seams, restrictive fit, snug cuffs, and tight crewnecks. Do you have an affordable go-to brand or shop? Bonus points if they have petite sizes. You win the thread if it's also gender-neutral clothing.
posted by moira to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total) 17 users marked this as a favorite
 
I like Marine Layer and American Giant basics for exactly these reasons - specifically, Marine Layer tees and American Giant tanks and henleys. A lot of the Marine Layer stuff is heavily gendered but you can find plain basics if you dig a bit. American Giant stuff is mostly gender-neutral to my eye.

I also wear a lot of Gudrun Sjöden, which is made to the same standards but is much femme-ier (in a witchy, Baba Yaga way that doesn't make me feel too dysphoric; YMMV.) And while I haven't bought anything of theirs yet, Industry of All Nations looks like another brand in the same sensory-friendly vein as all of the above.
posted by rdc at 5:01 PM on May 17, 2021 [1 favorite]


Affordable, no, but Lululemon is quality for the comfort criteria that you indicate. They have solid colour and low-key options.
posted by porpoise at 6:16 PM on May 17, 2021


I bought some rockin' plain black T-shirts from Uniqlo recently. I think they meet your criteria.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:44 PM on May 17, 2021 [1 favorite]


For button-ups I've had good luck with Express men's slim fit shirts. Order online to get the XS sizes. May be a bit long if they're under 5'4" or so, use a thread ripper for the tag.

Target has very soft tees, I've found pieces in their Original Use and Universal Threads lines. Some are specifically made to be sensory adaptive.

Pants, fuck if I know. Good news: joggers and tights are still in and denim is getting looser. Bad news: low waists are out, high waists are back. Sometimes I find things at Nordstrom Rack, Dick's Sporting Goods or aerie. I look for cotton athleisure wear or men's slim fit raw denim, buy it tight and roll/ take the cuffs in but don't wash so it molds to your body.
posted by lloquat at 9:24 PM on May 17, 2021


Seconding UNIQLO for being pretty well constructed basics that bind seams, has no tags, and offer a range of fits from skinny to generous. I’m a 6’ tall man, typically wearing M/L, but I have the impression from product reviews that their XS and S sizes are smaller than US brands typically run. Gender-neutrality? Their product lines are designated Men and Women, but there’s some crossover in their models emphasizing that many pieces aren’t rigidly gendered.
posted by mumkin at 9:50 PM on May 17, 2021 [2 favorites]


Maybe this is a UK/US difference, or it's something that's changed only in the past year? but the Uniqlo clothes I own (T-shirts, turtleneck jumpers, undershirts) all have quite large, soft tags low on the side seam with the washing instructions; the jumpers and T-shirts also have small stiff tags in the collar to show the size. I cut them out if/when they bother me. I wear women's size M.

I agree that Uniqlo clothes are broadly gender-neutral in style (that's why I buy them) - similar clothes for men and women, albeit with the usual annoying differences in things like T-shirt sleeve length.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 2:50 AM on May 18, 2021


I also have sensory issues with clothing and find that Uniqlo tees are not comfortable - they’re heavy with no stretch and feel constricting. J. Crew vintage cotton is my go-to. No tags, lightweight, and nice seams. I have a long torso and giant breasts and they are a bit short on me but if you are looking in petite you should be good.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 8:15 PM on May 18, 2021 [1 favorite]


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