If you don't wear jeans...

[rainbowzebra05]

I've come to the realisation that my day to day wardrobe is either jeans, or dresses with tights. That's it, and it's feeling really restrictive!

Those of you who don't wear jeans (or wear other trousers as well as jeans), what type of thing do you wear? I can't get out of the mindset of jeans for home, other trousers for work so I'm struggling to picture other things as casual wear. I'm worried about looking too smart/dressed up for a trip to the supermarket and similar.

I like to be comfortable (don't we all) as I'm autistic and struggle when things feel wrong. But I'm equally sick of feeling like a scruff and as if I'm wearing a uniform! Wanting to introduce some variety into my wardrobe to help.

Any help/advice/ideas appreciated! I'm completely useless at things like this, but at nearly 30 think it's probably about time I learned how to dress myself properly!

I'm a size 18 if it helps, 5ft 2in. Most of my weight's on my tummy - I'm trying to lose weight but due to a restricted diet for sensory reasons it's very slow going so I can't see any of that changing any time soon!

I wear "smarter" joggers, or cotton / linen trousers. I also find some soft, thin, denim style trousers more comfy than jeans.

You might want to look at Lucy and Yak Alexa trousers. Come in loads of prints and colours, made from organic cotton, and have a really big stretchy waistband.

lucyandyak.com/pages/search-results?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage&q=Alexa

I mostly wear jersey dresses with Snag tights and find them super comfortable and striking just the right balance for me between smart and casual. Some work year round with layering too.

But also some smarter jogger type trousers as pp mentions - elasticated waists and a "peg leg" shape mostly. I also have quite a few pairs of dungarees. The corduroy from Lucy & Yak is the softest thing and easy to dress up or down. When I'm going really casual, it's leggings with a longer top.

I’m also autistic and really struggle with some clothing, so I know how you feel. I find leather (pleather) trousers very comfortable and pretty much live in them. I’m ok with some jeans but can’t stand it if they’re to rigid and I can’t wear tights or leggings!

*too

Joggers from Hush
Leather leggings
Midi length dresses and ankle boots.

Maybe think of it as having one or two outfits for different occasions. Eg jeans for a Saturday, an outfit for going out at night, a nice shirt and trousers for a Sunday lunch out etc
Or change it up gradually eg find a pair of wide leg trousers you like and then a jumper that goes with them.
I mostly wear blue jeans or black thick cotton jeans (rather than denim) though!

Thank you!

It isn't helping that I'm so fussy about how stuff feels that my jeans are all the same but in different colours! The lack of variety is doing my head in, but I don't concentrate on anything if I'm distracted by clothes feeling wrong.

I'll have a look at all these suggestions thanks! I wear linens in summer but it's too cold for them now. I'm not a massive Lucy and yak fan - I don't like big waistbands, but hadn't thought to try their dungarees.

Are snag tights more comfortable than others? I love dresses but don't wear them often enough because of tights. I ladder everything and can't stand the feeling of them rolling down!

Corduroy trousers. I find them super comfy and warm. I also look at Boden for trousers, they tend to have more interesting fabrics.

I wear a type of yoga pants. Last ones I had were from M & S. Very similar to some sportswear, but much more comfortable than jeans. They are past their best, but I luffs them, and I want to be in the next size down to replace them really.

Nothing wrong with jeans!

Cords can be a nice alternative if you just want a change.

Snag tights are good too.

Yoga pants, smarter jersey ones, nothing with a stuff wait and as I bloat.

@GettingStuffed where do you buy your yoga pants please? Short derail. As you were

How do people style these smarter joggers? I’m in a similar boat to you OP but feel like I’d look even more scruffy in joggers

Peacocks, but they are long.

Gap khakis, combat style trousers, harems, lucy&yak dungarees, gap dungarees, shorts, joggers

@cookiemonster2468

Nothing wrong with jeans!

Cords can be a nice alternative if you just want a change.

Snag tights are good too.

There isn't, but there's a point where you start to feel like something from the Simpson's when wearing the same things every day 😂

I'd love to know how to style smart joggers too. I look like I'm in pyjamas in joggers no matter what I try so I'm obviously missing a mark somewhere!

I'm 62. I haven't worn jeans since 1990. I very occasionally used to wear tailored trousers but haven't worn them in last 20 years.

At work I used to wear tailored skirts and jackets (but not suits) and dresses for non- work. Nowadays, it's dresses all the time. Ranges from at top end made to measure from Edina Ronay and ready to wear from Eponine to & Daughter, lots of Palava, some Cos, Hobbs, Oska and independent local shops. I have at least 80 dresses.

I can't do joggers either - wore the sweaty betty Gary's over lockdowns and feel depressed about them now. I couldn't find a way to make them look smart though, i don't that the skills. Loose jersey can sag a bit after use, even the dear stuff, the worst ever were those hareems from Hush, looked like rags in one week on me.

Comfy for me is a lightly skimming dress or flat waistband leggings. I like skirts but the waists can be a pain if i am bloated.

My tip is don't try to make yourself comfy or interested in clothes that don't please you. So if jeans and joggers don't draw you to them, just avoid. For this reason i don't wear any trousers at all apart from leggings if the weather is super bad under a long coat.

Oh and my dress choices are super casual, and can take some heavy use - i don't do 'dressy' so you definitely can wear other stuff than jeans and still be causal and weather appropriate.

apologies for that clusterf*ck of typo's. My keyboard is a dick.

Hi OP, I am autistic too and been feeling the same frustration re jeans lately. I work from home and struggle to find a smart alternative that don’t look like office wear.
All my clothes have to be very soft due to sensory issues and at home I wear harem style pants which feel loose and soft. But although they are incredibly comfy, they are not smart so I don’t wear them out.
I cannot stand wearing tights either, but tried snag tights a few years ago. They feel much better and I can wear these happily.

I wear joggers a lot with jumpers and sweatshirts. I layer with a long vest top. I have some quite thick ones and some velvet ones, which I wear out with blouses.

I also have cargo trousers.

Joggers need to be slim and have some stretch, or be mixed with polyester so don't buy 100% cotton as they bag and knee and look shite. I've just bought some denim ones.

Sometimes the mens are good!

I've moved from skinny jeans to slim with a turn up - the Lily ones from M&S are amazing.