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To not be able to find fashionable clothes for sensory problems

105 replies

FountainsSummer · 19/07/2025 22:44

Do they exist?!
My lovely little girl. She's 11 and all she wants is to wear fashionable clothes like her friends. At the moment they're all in denim shorts and she's desperate for a pair too. So far I've bought her 5 different pairs but she cannot cope with the denim waistband when it pushes in to her tummy when she sits down. I've already sized up a year and have been buying them age 12 in anticipation of this, but even though they're a year bigger than her age to try and make surd the waistband is looser, they're still a problem. Today I've bought her a pair 2 years up, in age 13, and still the waistband is a problem when she sits down. She says the feeling of the denim pushing against her tummy when she sits makes her feel really ill and distressed.
Why does this happen?
What is it that's happening in the brain that makes a sensory response to clothing cause her to feel ill and distessed?
She starts crying and then feels really bad about herself because I've bought them all for her.
I've had a decade of problems with clothes on her that she won't wear because she gets an overwhelming sensory response against all sorts of skirts, dresses, trousers, tights, PJs, seems, materials....oh my God it drives me insane. I buy the softest cotton clothes but still so many go unworn.
She will only wear A line dresses with no waistband, no fitted design, no tiers or ruffles with seams. Won't wear skirts because of waistband. Won't wear Tshirts in her size because the material sits against her skin, despite being softest cotton, will only wear big oversized Tshirts. Won't wear leggings. Won't wear trousers. Won't wear jogging bottoms. Now there's an issue with shorts. Yet she says the soft comfy oversized cotton shorts she's previously worn are babyish now and she wants to be trendy!
It's a bloody nightmare.
She cries and says she just wants to wear fashionable clothes like everyone else, but then can't handle how they feel.
If a child experiences this, does it 100% mean they have ASD? Or can people have this problem even if they don't have ASD?
She's not diagnosed and doesn't display any other ASD type symptoms, but does this confirm it?
And where oh where can I find sensory comfort denim shorts from?!?!
I just want to help her feel nice about the clothes she wears. I want her to feel like she fits in with peers. Not constantly dressed in soft organic cotton clothes that are too young looking for her now.

OP posts:
FountainsSummer · 19/07/2025 22:57

Floatingdownriver · 19/07/2025 22:47

can you visit and Occupational Therapist? She may have retained reflexes causing her to feel these issues more?

I have never heard of this.
Just searched it online, read about it, and don't understand it at all.
Please could you explain it in more detail?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 19/07/2025 22:56

Maybe try some denim maternity shorts. They'll have a soft front panel and will.probably be more comfortable. Mint have to have a hunt for sizes.

cherrycherrypickin · 19/07/2025 22:52

There are companies who make more trendy clothes while still making them better for sensory issues. I can't think of the names but there are several online. I don't think that it's 100% associated with ASD but so what if it is? Right now you need to deal with helping her through the sensory issues rather than wondering about what it all means.

FountainsSummer · 19/07/2025 22:51

Even elastic waist or stretch waist denim shorts are no good when she sits down

OP posts:
Floatingdownriver · 19/07/2025 22:47

can you visit and Occupational Therapist? She may have retained reflexes causing her to feel these issues more?

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