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Autistic Fashion, what do we want it to look and feel like? Comfort, off-trend and jewelry for stims?

Dawn

I just took part in a fascinating research survey which really made me think.

I signed up to the Autism Research Centre volunteer list. You know Mr Barron Cohen's lot at the University of Cambridge. Well worth doing folks. Once and a while they send me an e-mail with assorted research projects on Autism I may like to assist with, say by filling out a survey. Got one today. A social scientist and a fashion designer, both autistic themselves, are having a little dig at what clothes we choose to buy and why, and what our ideal choices are, do we feel the high street caters to us, do we even care if we are fashionable? Here's the link, if anyone is interested in putting in their penny worth:

[link removed as the link is to a research study requesting participants. This breaks rule 9 of the online community rules]

But completing it did make me think....

I'm a yarn and fabric junky. Yes, my yarn stash does occupy a whole room in my house. Yes, once the sewing machine comes out, I can't put it away for months whether I actually need new clothes or not. Yes having made one pair of crochet socks, I will spend the next two years making my own designs ever convinced that next pair will be the perfect pair. Yes, I can bore you rigid with yarn blends, stitch types and pattern books, uh err hum, "special intetest" alert....

But why did I start with all that? Well, crochet has rhythm.. calming when the social and sensory stressors on the bus are bothering me...I'm just counting stitches and making socks. Also, hey! I got a draw full of socks that meet my sensory needs, 'cos I made them. Lol

Do I care about fashion - no, but I got funky, not very fashionable socks I love, 'cos I made them.

But seriously guys, just what do we want clothing manufacturers to consider for the autistic consumer? What would your ideal clothing outlet offer?

Parents

  • I'd say comfort was my main priority over fashion these days, not going to pay extra to display someone else's brand label.

    I've bought the same walking type shoes/trainers for the last ten years plus & buy 5 sets at a time, not as though my feet are going to grow anymore now at my age & I find them very comfy.

    I usually stick with the same type jeans, again & buy 3-5 pairs at a time, saves me going back again. 

    I tend to wear fleeces, very warm, easy to wash & no need to iron them.

    I also tend to wear cotton t-shirts, brushed cotton p.j's, down to the feel of them. I don't mind paying a bit more for clothes that last, wash well & don't shrink within the wash. Dislike disposing of cheap clothing that only lasts for 5 minutes, due to being extremely cheap & poorly made.

    When I go into a shop to buy clothes I like to be in & out as quickly as possible, as I don't particularly enjoy shopping, anyway.

    I am also fussy when buying clothes, I may try on 5 t-shirts on & only buy one, down to the fit, really. Another reason I tend to buy a few items if I like them & they fit well. 

    I tend to go for safe colours, as I don't want to stand out too much. 

    My underwear has got to be cotton, I like fitted socks, medium weight, don't do baggy cheap socks that slide down your feet & twist upside down on your foot, dislike white socks or black socks, as black socks leave too many bobbles on the carpetJoy

    Absolutely detest squeaky shoes, just binned a pair for that reasonJoy

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  • I'd say comfort was my main priority over fashion these days, not going to pay extra to display someone else's brand label.

    I've bought the same walking type shoes/trainers for the last ten years plus & buy 5 sets at a time, not as though my feet are going to grow anymore now at my age & I find them very comfy.

    I usually stick with the same type jeans, again & buy 3-5 pairs at a time, saves me going back again. 

    I tend to wear fleeces, very warm, easy to wash & no need to iron them.

    I also tend to wear cotton t-shirts, brushed cotton p.j's, down to the feel of them. I don't mind paying a bit more for clothes that last, wash well & don't shrink within the wash. Dislike disposing of cheap clothing that only lasts for 5 minutes, due to being extremely cheap & poorly made.

    When I go into a shop to buy clothes I like to be in & out as quickly as possible, as I don't particularly enjoy shopping, anyway.

    I am also fussy when buying clothes, I may try on 5 t-shirts on & only buy one, down to the fit, really. Another reason I tend to buy a few items if I like them & they fit well. 

    I tend to go for safe colours, as I don't want to stand out too much. 

    My underwear has got to be cotton, I like fitted socks, medium weight, don't do baggy cheap socks that slide down your feet & twist upside down on your foot, dislike white socks or black socks, as black socks leave too many bobbles on the carpetJoy

    Absolutely detest squeaky shoes, just binned a pair for that reasonJoy

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