A Guide to Sensory-Friendly Clothes for Adults

If you’re an adult with sensory sensitivities, finding comfortable clothing without tags, seams, or itchy fabric can be challenging. Most sensory-friendly clothes are made for children but, with a little research, you can discover retailers and brands like FLAT SOCKS® that carry sensory clothing for adults, too.

Keep reading for tips on how to find sensory friendly clothes for adults including what to look for, where to shop, and other solutions to sensory challenges around clothing.

Understanding Sensory Issues with Clothing in Adults

Have you ever found yourself ripping the tags out of your T-shirts or going sockless to avoid itchy toe seams? Do certain fabrics make you sweat excessively?

Hypersensitivity to textures and other stimuli is common for people with sensory processing disorder (SPD). This happens when the brain struggles to process certain sensations, causing emotional and physical distress. Many adults with ADHD, autism, and OCD have sensory issues, but it can also be related to anxiety or skin sensitivities.

Sensory issues in adults affect everyone differently at varying intensities. Feeling overstimulated can get in the way of daily tasks, interrupt your focus, and make social interactions harder. Sensory-friendly clothes help minimize tactile stimuli so hypersensitive individuals can feel comfortable, calm, and focused every day.

What is sensory-friendly clothing?

Sensory-friendly clothing are clothes made of comfortable, soft fabrics with no irritating textures, seams or features. While there are clothes specially designed for sensory sensitive people, you can also find clothing that happens to have the same preferred qualities.

Just like with sensory-friendly clothing for kids, clothes for adults with sensory issues have one or more of the following features:

• Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, silk, performance and bamboo-based fabrics.
• Stretchy waistbands and loose fit silhouettes that are easy to move in.
• Tagless design including print-on tags or super soft, discreet tags.
• No seams, flat seams or inside-out seams that aren’t noticeable.
• Easy on and off for less hassle like slip-on shoes.
• Compression for calming pressure and added support.
• Adaptive elements such as side zippers, fidget pieces, or additional openings. 

Adult Sensory-Friendly Clothing Brands & Retailers

The hardest part of finding clothes for sensory issues is knowing where to shop. Some autism friendly clothing retailers have limited choices, especially for adults. The clothing you find might be more expensive due to quality and comfort. Meanwhile, brands like FLAT SOCKS keep daily items like socks affordable with clearance and discounts.

The following brands and retailers offer seamless clothing and sensory-friendly apparel from T-shirts and trousers to socks and underwear:

FLAT SOCKS

Socks with bumpy toe seams and tight cuffs are especially irritating for adults with sensory issues. FLAT SOCKS are the best sensory friendly socks for adults because they replace your socks with a completely seamless, soft, and cushy no-sock feel.

FLAT SOCKS are like seamless socks for men and women that go inside your shoe like a shoe insert. They don’t slip, bunch up, or show, and your feet stay comfy and dry thanks to built-in moisture-wicking and odor-control tech. You can choose your fabric preference from smooth mesh to micro-wool socks and more.

The best socks for Hey Dudes, sneakers, and other sockless shoes, FLAT SOCKS come in different prints and colors to suit your style. If your kid shares your hate for wearing socks, try sensory-friendly FLAT SOCKS Kids with trimmable sizes for children and toddlers.

Bombas®

If you are sensory sensitive, you might already be aware of the Bombas brand. Popular for their merino wool socks and seamless T-shirts, Bombas designs clothes to be free of toe seams, pilling and other features that sensory sensitive people find irritating.

Unlike FLAT SOCKS’ completely no-show and no-sock style, Bombas men’s and women’s seamless socks go over your feet. The brand also sells slippers, long sleeve tees, and other sensory clothing for adults.

No Limbits®

Designed specifically for people with ADHD, autism, and disabilities, No Limbits adaptive clothes for men and women come ready-to-wear without noticeable seams or tags. The company designs clothes for wheelchair users, sensory sensitive individuals, and people with limited dexterity.

The No Limbits brand uses flat seam technology, textureless labels, and some of their articles of clothing offer compression elements for those who need it.

Target®

Even big-name retailers like Target have sensory friendly clothing options in store and online. While their adaptive and sensory clothes for kids are the most popular, Target also carries a limited variety of adaptive clothing and accessories for women and men.

From undergarments and belts to T-shirts and FLAT SOCKS, Target's sensory safe clothing includes both clothes that are listed as sensory-friendly and other apparel that have the same qualities.

Under Armour®

Athletic clothes for adults with sensory issues can be as comfortable as they are functional. The popular athletic brand Under Armour has a large selection of seamless clothing for women and men that feature soft, breathable fabrics.

Finding comfortable underwear is challenging for highly sensitive people. Under Armour’s vast selection makes it easier to find comfortable, seam-free undergarments. Plus, the large activewear line includes stretchy and loose fit items for comfortable movement.

Tips for Choosing Sensory-Friendly Clothes for Adults

Going clothes shopping can cause anxiety for highly sensitive people. Even the thought of trying on clothes in a public dressing room might feel jarring. Shopping online can be worse still, since you can’t physically see or touch the fabric. Here are a few ways you can approach these sensory challenges:

• Shop athleisure wear. Many performance clothing brands have the same seamless, tagless, and soft features as sensory safe clothing. Athleisure clothing appeals to adults, as well, thanks to its versatile styling.
• Focus on undergarments. Always prioritize comfortable underwear first since it can be the hardest to shop for and the most irritating when it isn’t the right fit or feel.
• Buy extras. When you’ve found a favorite pair of socks, shoes, or a T-shirt, consider buying a few extra. This ensures you always have something comfortable to wear and keeps you from wearing out the originals too soon.
• Shop all occasions. From casual wear to work clothes, choose clothing that is versatile, so you always have an outfit you feel comfortable in. This includes tank tops and white T-shirts for layering as well as lightweight trousers.
• When in doubt, layer. You can make an uncomfortable outfit feel a lot less irritating when you layer a super soft T-shirt or leggings underneath. Sensory-safe layers act as a barrier against other fabrics.

FLAT SOCKS Sensory-Friendly Socks for Adults & Kids

Prioritizing sensory comfort isn't just about clothes; it's about enhancing your overall well-being. Start with the basics like soft fabrics and seamless designs and explore brands like FLAT SOCKS for innovative solutions like no-show, sensory-friendly socks.

FLAT SOCKS® is not affiliated with Bombas®, No Limbits®, Target®, Under Armour® or any other clothing brand or retailer. Reference and trademarks used above are examples of sensory-friendly clothing brands and retailers.

References:

Pedersen, T. (2024, July 9). How Does Sensory Processing Disorder Affect Adults? Healthline.