Help me dress- sensory issues

[Xanthezoo]

I have some sensory issues related to a condition which are a lot worse at the moment because of depression. I have short hair and have sorted my underwear (stretchy crop top, stretch boxer briefs and comfort top socks). I am struggling to find comfortable trousers that still look smart and tops the same. Anything constricting or itchy or tight is unbearable and I need to be able to squat down to small children and also bend over without flashing underwear. I don’t want to wear joggers and T-shirts everywhere. Feeling so despondent and scruffy and that the children will look back on pictures of us and think what a state I look.

Might a jumpsuit work instead? There are a few here that look appropriate: www.sweatybetty.com/shop/bottoms/dresses-and-jumpsuits/gary-long-sleeve-jumpsuit-SB5909_Black.html?dwvar_SB5909__Black_color=black&cgid=dresses-jumpsuits&tile=4.0#start=4

You need soft jersey jumpsuits - New Look or Hush

I should have said I’m 5’9” and 10-12 with a long body. If I could find that jumpsuit in tall sizes it would be perfect though.

Don't know if it helps, my mum absolutely loved the stretchy jeans from Asda. They have a stretch band instead of buttons/zip and she said they were extremely comfortable and soft!! I can ask her the specific name if you're interested

I'd have thought tunic tops would fit the bill. Sainsbury's TU clothing nearly always has some in that modal fabric, which is soft, stretchy and light all at the same time.

I’m really similar and find I gravitate to soft fabric in neat shapes. As pp suggested, Jumpsuits are your friend my friend! You can dress them up or down and they come in all sorts of jersey cotton etc fabrics. I also think if my hair is clean and groomed and I have some make up in, eyebrows done etc I feel much more put together.
Let us know how you get on and I’m watching for any more tips

I don’t have sensory issues but I love a good draping or oversized look. I find Uniqlo really good for this type of thing and they put a lot of thought into the structure of things so they are more than “just a t shirt”. They’re website has some really good ideas about how to style they’re clothes too.
They also happen to be good value and wash well.

ASOS have a great selection of tall jumpsuits.

How about wide leg jersey trousers, a brenton top and white trainers?

I have sensory issues. I've bought some cardigans and tops from Palava that are lovely and soft & look smart.

I have been WFH for months so for video calls I've gone for baggy black dungarees with soft top underneath (weirdly the top half does look smart), or soft black leggings (Uniqlo airism - these are great), very loose long shirt and cardigan. Uniqlo no longer sell the dungarees I had, but they do have these. The dungarees I have are v hard-wearing. Today I'm wearing them with airism leggings underneath for warmth (appreciate you are long of leg!) - what about longer socks?

I know you said you don't want casual stuff, but I have also just bought this from Baukjen and it's amazing - soft, comes down to mid thigh (I'm 5'3", wearing a size 10), quite loose around the neck - I can get it over my head (and I have a v large head) without snagging myself.

@Procrastatron, would love links to the Uniqlo tops that you recommend? 😊

@grey12 as long as the waistband wasn’t too ruched, they might be ok, thanks.
@waltzingparrot I wish I could wear tunic tops but I look so much like my Grandma in them with the short hair!
@Nanny2many I am going to try Uniqlo. My husband gets his things from them. I agree about the clean hair and I am also trying to use a bit of eyebrow pencil becasue that doesn’t bother my skin. It makes a difference.
@Procrastatron I am moderately large chested and so can look a bit blocky in drapey stuff, but I’d like to find a way to get round looking matronly because it’s much more comfortable.
@Thedarknightsaredrawingin do you have any jersey trouser recommendations? I can’t seem to find any thick enough. The Saint and Sophia ones had bad reviews but I like the wide leg style.
@AdventureIsWaiting I had a lovely dress for my daughter from Palava. I will browse again, thanks. I have never tried dungarees because of long body but they can look really smart. That Hoody looks great for long bodied people.

Something like these?

www.next.co.uk/style/ST583284/133237#133237

@Xanthezoo phase eight do great jersey trousers.

I've got the saint and sofia Camden pants (wide leg jersey) in long and find them great - they've washed well and no bobbling.

@MadameSapphire this is more of a reflection of the things I have bought over the years. I would recommend looking at the airism range though, as well as the rayon shirts. There are some nice looking draping joggers at the mo but I haven’t tried them.
@Xanthezoo I don’t know if this is a no for you but the current heattech range is very comfortable, slim fitting without being tight. And warm without being hot.

How about New Look soft touch dresses and leggings?

@DialSquareThey look a bit more like proper trousers, thanks.
@LateMumma That’s good to hear. They aren’t the cheapest and I’m crap at sending stuff back so I might take the risk.
@Procrastatron I will look at the airism and heat tech range. I don’t mind moderately fitted and I can always size up.
@Sosigsandwich Haven’t heard of them. I will google, thanks.

It’s getting so that I can’t even cope with a lot of colour and am mostly wearing grey and black. My husband bought me a blue scarf for Christmas and it was really nice but I just felt myself getting wound up by the relentlessness of the colour in my eyeline as the day went on. So ridiculous and limiting to be like this.

these are very comfy and don't shrink if shoved in the tumble dryer-go down a size.

this this very comfy and flattering/ Non restrictive too- I have several of these and they wash well. Go down a size.

Marks and spencers jersey trousers are great as comfy as joggers but look like trousers with an elasticated waist and some stretch. Wash well cheap and come in a long length version.

Thank you @PaulHollywoodsLowHangingFruit @katcatkat

@Xanthezoo I love them, I've lived in them with leggings during lockdown as they're really soft fabric so comfortable but I still feel like I look nice. They come in different shapes and colours too. Quite a lot on sale at the moment. The v-neck wrap ones are true to size but the smocks run big. I'm usually a 14 but got 12s in the smocks. www.newlook.com/uk/search/?text=soft%20touch%20dress&searchType=auto

Thanks for this thread. I have similar issues especially for things that touch my legs and this has given me some good ideas.

I have just picked up some cheap as chips thin viscose tops from amazon as an under layer which feel good .

As a warning though it is a bit of a lottery as I ordered 4 exactly the same except colour and they are all very different sizes despite me ordering the same size. Reviews said size up so I got a 16/18 instead of my normal 14 and the red version has now been donated to skinny 11 year old dd1 on whom a size 4 is too big and it's not THAT huge in her....... the green one fits me perfectly!

I know you didn't want casual but I also got a soft touch hoodie from tu at Sainsbury's following a suggestion on here and it's lovely and oddly smart for a hoodie.....

@Sosigsandwich You’re right, they do look dressy.
@funtimefrank The tops sound comfy. I like viscose.

One thing I have noticed recently is how many items have those long scratchy plastic-paper labels that need cutting out. Horrible. I am showing my age and thinking back to when clothes mostly had silky labels!

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Ponte-Legging-Trouser/134678010-Black

these 'ponte leggings' have sold out, but something similar might be good for you in the winter. You can make them look smart or dress them down. Wear with stompy boots, neat trainers, even glam heels. I have a pair very similar and they're so comfy.

Look for Lyocell paper bag trousers. They are so soft and the waist isn't tight. They can look smart.