The Best Sensory-Friendly Clothing Brands on the Market
It's been a minute since we've chatted about fashion on the blog, so we figured it was time to switch gears a bit! Today we're talking about our top picks when it comes to sensory-friendly adaptive clothing brands. Do you have any brands that you love that aren't on the list? Share them with us in the comments below!
What is Sensory-Friendly Clothing?
Some individuals are more sensitive towards the material that touches their skin and will interact differently with particular garment textures, weights, and seams. That’s why sensory-friendly clothing exists to specifically cater to those with sensory issues and make the fashion industry a more inclusive place.
Now that we've got that covered, let's talk about where you can find this adaptive clothing that features sensory-friendly features. There are many different places to shop sensory-friendly, and they range from big brands to small boutiques. Regardless of where you shop, there is a place that will meet your needs.
Notable Sensory Friendly Companies
Here are a few companies that specialize in creating a special product that is either deliberately sensory-friendly or that aligns perfectly with many of the criteria of uniquely sensitive individuals.
Yoga Jeans
A Canadian jeans company that refuses to sacrifice fashion for comfort?! Yes, please! Jeans are notorious for not being the most comfortable pants; however, this company proves that you’ll never have to feel a stiff seam, suffocating denim, or a restrictive waistband in your jeans-wearing experiences ever again— no matter which style you choose!
Primary
Primary is an exceptionally innovative sensory-friendly company that mostly serves kids, but has recently launched options for “grown-ups”. The company uniquely uses an “OEKO-TEX” Standard 100 certified fabric, has been extensively tested to ensure that it retains a particularly suitable pH level for the skin. Although the selection for adults is currently limited, they offer wonderfully versatile basics and extremely comfortable pajamas.
Soft Surroundings
This company’s mission is to introduce, quite literally “soft surroundings” into your life, whether that be via clothing, accessories, swimwear, bedding, or other home necessities. They differentiate on softness and comfort by choosing the top materials and fabrics in these categories, and special attention is paid to every “thread, stitch, and seam”. At the same time, though, they also pay considerable attention to design, style, and the feeling of luxury you will experience when interacting with their products. This is definitely a unique company that can help fulfill sensory-friendly needs in all aspects of your life.
Places/brands you didn't know had sensory-friendly lines
There are some popular companies that are catching on to the importance of inclusivity and are putting out clothes and styles that make a conscious effort to suit a greater variety of needs.
American Eagle
This popular clothing retailer also has a line of very sensory-friendly jeans. For example, their Ne(X)t Level Stretch denim prioritizes comfort and durable stretch; not to mention, they’re super stylish. American Eagle boasts the branding of a well-respected clothing company and has an incredibly diverse jean selection to suit any variety of needs. Aerie, American Eagle’s sister brand, also has a lot of seamless options for bras and panties!
Under Armour
This popular activewear brand also has something to offer for those with uniquely sensitive needs. They have a huge selection of seamless options that range from sports bras to tanks and long sleeves, which is incredibly important for ensuring that an active lifestyle is accessible and comfortable!
Uniqlo
While Uniqlo does not have specific “sensory-friendly” lines, it has many comfortable and function-oriented options to choose from. The fabrics used in many of their collections are often very soft, stretchy, and perfect to layer (can be worn under less comfortable clothing!). For example, their AIRISM and HEATTECH collections are particularly tailored to be layered, functional, and assist in comfort and thermoregulation, which may be priorities for those with particular sensitivities. Many pieces in the collections are also tagless and seamless.
Sensory Friendly Startups/Small Companies
4Ward Clothing
4Ward designs the ultimate selection of sensory-friendly basics such as short sleeves, long sleeves, skirts, and pants that are not only amazingly soft but also completely reversible. Seams, tags, and textures won’t be a point of concern with their apparel, and they are a small company that sells through third-party sellers such as Zappos or Amazon.
Bayou Blend Apparel
Not only does this online shop create bold and modern apparel and graphic tees (that are very trendy right now), but they’ve also created a brand driven by visibility, inclusivity, and awareness for the disabled community (and autism, in particular). With a focus like this, they’ve been careful to design their clothing with gentle fabrics, special inks, no tags, and conscious seams.
Liberare
At Liberare we are dedicated to providing intimates that reflect both style and high functionality. Our bras and panties all have fully removable tags and the most comfortable, and reputable fabrics. For example, the Liberare Wireless Bra is free of poking underwires and provides all day support with flexible foam cups. In underwear, the Tanga Panty has no harsh seams or edges that can dig into your skin, and antimicrobial, moisture-wicking fabric that’s also incredibly comfortable.
As you can see, there are so many resources available for any range of sensory needs, and the number is only growing! There are dozens more than just the ones on this list, and there are an increasing number of companies and brands that are seeing the importance of inclusion of diverse needs and accessibility of fashion for all people.