Remember that annoying tag on your t-shirt that was poking the back of your neck so much that you decided to cut it off? That is a perfect example of overstimulation in clothing!
Some people experience sensory overload through one or more of the five senses:
- sight
- smell
- taste
- hearing
- touch
In clothing, the sense that is usually the most affected is our sense of touch.
This is a common experience, especially for ADHD individuals and autistic people. Even though most of us have experienced some type of overstimulation from our clothes before, overstimulation in clothing is not talked about often.
Common causes of overstimulation in clothing include:
- tags in clothing
- rough seams
- certain fabric textures
- fit of clothing
Inclusive clothing comes in many shapes and forms. Creating clothing that does not cause overstimulation is a form of inclusivity! It allows for people who normally cannot find clothing that they feel comfortable in to wear clothing comfortably. Making inclusive clothing shows people that they matter.
Clothing brands need to be more aware of the consumer experience that they are providing. Not just in clothes, but also in the experiences that their shopping environments provide. While this post focuses on how clothing can cause overstimulation, in-store and online shopping experiences can also cause overstimulation.