Sensory clothing sensitivities can make getting dressed stressful for kids and adults. Find sensory friendly clothing for all types of tactile sensitivities, for kids and adults!

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For many people, getting dressed each day is a mindless part of the morning routine with little thought or concern except for what type of weather to dress for. 

But if you’ve got a sensory kid, or have sensory sensitivities to clothing yourself, you know this is not the case. 

When your child has a tactile sensory aversion or sensory issues with clothing, putting on socks, underwear, and clothes for the day can turn into a frustrating and stressful meltdown that disrupts daily life. 

But what is really going on during this daily battle, and more importantly, what can you do to help? 

Why Won’t My Child Get Dressed? Help For Kids Who Hate Wearing Clothes

The experience of wearing clothing is a BIG sensory experience for kids and adults alike. Rough fabrics, itchy tags, and a tight or loose fit can all be irritating to a person’s skin that is getting tons of feedback while they are wearing clothing. 

This is the person’s tactile system sending a signal to their brain that the item of clothing they’re wearing is or isn’t uncomfortable. 

Sensory processing is unique to each person, and for those who are more sensitive, these sensations can range from annoying to downright painful. It’s a common complaint for kids to say their clothing “hurts” and to them, it is true. 

If this is the case, no wonder it’s a fight to get dressed! If the seams of your jeans feel more like fire ants on your legs, surely you’ll put up a fight and opt for the soft seam or seamless option over the scratchy denim. 

It’s important to understand your child’s unique sensory processing difficulties in this situation to separate the avoidance or meltdown from intentional behavior. 

The vast majority of kids who hate getting dressed are responding to their brain’s own unique perception of the clothing and truly can’t help their response.

But there is good news. There are ways to help. Sensory friendly clothing is one of them and they’re designed to be less triggering to the tactile system. That means getting dressed easily is possible. 

Why Sensory Friendly Clothing Helps Kids Wear Clothes

Since kids who hate wearing clothes are often acting out of an over-responsive sensory system. Their tactile sensations are sounding an alarm to their brain that is hard to ignore. 

In fact, by avoiding the clothing that sets off this “alarm,” they are actually taking steps to protect themselves from discomfort and even feelings of pain. 

If you or your child have difficulties with clothing textures, there are strategies to decrease this response, and build tolerance to different textures over time. Read about these long-term strategies in Sensory Issues With Clothing.

But in the short term, Sensory-friendly clothing is a great way to turn off the alarm- so to speak- and immediately decrease the stress around wearing clothing. 

With a focus on smooth and soft fabrics, tagless labels, elastic waistbands, and options for things like oversized hoodies, compression vests, or tight clothing that offers deep pressure, sensory-friendly clothing is a great option for kids with sensory processing disorder (SPD), special needs parents, and just those with clothing sensitivities.

Sensory clothes for Autism (ASD) are also a great option, but a person does not need a diagnosis to benefit from these adaptive clothing.

The benefits of sensory clothing are totally worth the investment in my opinion.

If you want more strategies for addressing ALL sensory processing difficulties in your child, get a seat in our free sensory workshop! 

Types of Sensory Friendly Clothing- Underwear, Pajamas, Socks, and more!

 If you know your child’s unique preferences to clothing, you can definitely seek out general clothing that fits their tolerances on your own. Many kids go through phases of only wanting to wear shorts, leggings, or dresses. 

But as an occupational therapist who has worked with lots of kids with tactile aversions over the years, like many in our RISE with Sensory course, having a list of specific sensory-friendly clothing is really helpful as a starting place, and for kids with stronger sensory issues to clothes.

Sensory Friendly Underwear

Issues with wearing underwear are a common cause for sensory overload in kids because they are the closest article of clothing to a part of the body with sensitive sensory receptors. 

Aversions to wearing underwear can even impact potty training for some kids. Read more on sensory issues with potty training to learn more. 

Soft fabrics like organic cotton, and special features like flat seams, high or low rise waistbands, and level of tightness are very helpful when looking for sensory friendly underwear. 

Here are a few we recommend: 

1. All-cotton sensitive skin briefs for boys 
2. Seamless sensitivities briefs and boy-cut underwear for girls 
3. Seamless comfort boxer briefs 
4. Seamless shorties underwear 

Sensory Friendly Pajamas

It’s really hard to wind down to sleep when your pajamas are itchy or uncomfortable. Many kids also won’t sleep well if their temperature can’t stay regulated because of the clothing they’re wearing to bed. 

Again, it’s important to pay attention to what your child does tolerate and prefer, and go from there. Consider fabric, (again, natural fibers tend to be more comfortable) length, (short or long sleeved, pants vs. shorts) and fit to make decisions for what your child may enjoy. 

Try these sensory friendly pajama options: 

1. Boys and girls breathable long johns thermal underwear
2. Unisex buttery soft cotton pajamas for babies and toddlers
3. Organic cotton pajamas set
4. Unisex raglan cotton pajama set

Sensory Friendly Socks 

Socks are a big complaint among sensory kids who have issues with clothing. Many kids will flat out refuse to wear them because of the seams or constricting feeling on their feet. I’ve worked with many kids who turn their socks inside out to avoid annoying seams.

But this makes living in a climate with cold seasons difficult and unsafe. We recommend trying these options for sensory friendly socks to try with your child: 

1. Smart Knit kids seamless socks 3-pack
2. Silky Toes bamboo athletic style socks

Sensory Friendly Clothing

As a general rule, giving your child flexibility over their clothing is a great first step when it comes to tolerating clothing. It also helps cut down on battles you don’t necessarily have to fight. This means lowering expectations around outfits and cutting out stress where you can. 

Many kids with sensory issues around clothing prefer simple articles of clothing like t-shirts, sweatpants, or dresses. 

Here are a few of our favorites: 

1. Boys tag-free cotton tee shirts
2. Girls dri fit tee shirts
3. Girls super soft athletic jogger pants
4. Unisex compression undershirts
5. 3-pocket jersey shorts
6. Organic cotton biker shorts
7. Sensory-friendly kids hoodie
8. Girl active dress

Sensory Friendly School Uniforms 

Having to wear a school uniform takes away a lot of that freedom for comfort and preference that I just mentioned when it comes to your child and their sensory needs.

 And for many kids, the formality of the clothing items are more uncomfortable, itchy, or cause skin irritation.

Fortunately, there are brands that have created more comfortable options that still comply with required dress code rules for many schools. 

Check some of these options out here for extra comfort when it comes to dressing for school: 

1. Sensory friendly uniform pants with stretch
2. Uniform friendly terry short
3. Sensory-friendly uniform polo shirt
4. Flat seam skirt
5. Sensory-friendly jegging

5 Sensory Friendly Clothing Brands 

There are so many great brands, many of which are small businesses, who are making an effort to provide comfortable and stylish clothing for kids and adults with sensory difficulties around clothing!

If you want to do some exploring for sensory friendly clothing for you or your child, be sure to check these out: 

1.Parker and Talia

This sensory-friendly children’s clothing line is simple and functional, using a bamboo and cotton blend to make clothing buttery soft and comfortable for kids. 

2. Mazi and Mom Clothing

Inspired by a girl with sensory sensitivities, Mazi and Mom Clothing focuses on loose, flowy, and tagless dresses for girls. The price point is great, and these are super cute for a little girl in your life with sensory needs. 

3. Sam Sensory Clothing

This is a great option for people of any age. Sam Sensory Clothing has a range of styles for kids, adults, and even elderly people with sensory needs. Sensory clothes for adults are definitely harder to find, so this is a great option no matter how old you are. 

Spend some time looking around their website and you will find tons of options for different items of sensory clothing.

4. City Threads

You may have noticed a few items of this brand listed in the categories above, and that’s because they ship through their own website and also are available on Amazon. 

They are not just a sensory-friendly clothing company, but most of their products fall under this category as they are free of snaps, zippers, and use soft cotton and bamboo. They are one of the more affordable and readily available options out there. 

5. Kozie Clothing

Kozie clothes are some of the best adaptive clothing options for sensory friendly clothing along with special needs options like weighted blankets, belts, vests, and other items. They have tons of styles, patterns, and ways to make your kids’ clothing feel like they can express themselves. 

More Help For Kids With Sensory Sensitivities

If clothing sensory issues and needs are something you and your family is working through, there might be other areas in your child’s life that are being impacted too. 

Sensory issues can be sneaky and look like a kid that’s being bad, difficult, or withdrawn.  

Check in on some of the most commonly missed signs, click here to download our free  sensory red flags printable.

Keep Reading About Sensory Sensitivities

What to Do If Your Child is Overwhelmed in Crowds or Parties

Create a Sensory Diet with this Template: Free PDF

7 Ways to Help Kids Sensitive to Hair Brushing!

Here’s a Method to Help Kids That Hate Hair Washing

Laura Mau is a licensed occupational therapist and member of the Your Kid’s Table team. She has over 8 years of clinical experience in helping families navigate complex feeding and eating, sensory processing, and reaching developmental milestones with their children. She currently practices in Colorado and has 2 young kids of her own.

Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 19 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.