Back-to-School with Sensory Needs: Our Struggle with Clothing Choices (and What Helped)
Back-to-school season always sneaks up on us — new supplies, new routines, and of course, new clothes. For most families, shopping for clothes is a fun tradition. But for us, clothing has always been one of the hardest parts of preparing for school.
Greyson, has strong sensory preferences when it comes to what she wears. She loves leggings and fitted pants — the tighter, the better. Loose or wide-leg styles feel uncomfortable for her, and if something doesn’t fit just right, it can set the tone for the entire day.
The Struggle with Pants
This year, finding pants became a real challenge. Many jeans and pants for her age either:
- Didn’t offer straight or fitted legs
- Stopped too high on the ankle (she prefers them long)
- Had seams or fabrics that felt “scratchy”
After a few attempts at trying things in stores, I realized the traditional shopping experience wasn’t going to work. The fluorescent lights, crowded aisles, and endless racks were already overwhelming — and on top of that, every rejection felt frustrating for both of us. It often ended in tears or near-meltdowns, which wasn’t fair to Greyson or to me.
What Finally Helped
Instead of dragging her through stores, I decided to try something different this year: shopping online, together.
- Visual options: I showed her photos of kids wearing different styles, so she could see how they looked on actual people.
- Vendor websites: We scrolled through brand sites, comparing lengths, fabrics, and fits without the pressure of being in a store.
- Control & choice: Greyson felt empowered to pick what she liked, which made the process smoother and more positive.
This small shift completely changed our back-to-school shopping. Instead of tears and frustration, we had calm conversations about what she preferred. It gave her the control she needed, while also saving me the stress of wasted trips.
Why This Matters
For many kids with sensory needs, clothing isn’t “just clothes.” It’s about comfort, predictability, and feeling safe in their own skin. What seems like a simple clothing preference to others can be a huge part of helping our children feel calm and confident throughout the day.
Our Takeaway
If you’re struggling with clothing choices:
- Try online shopping together, where your child can browse in a calmer environment.
- Narrow choices down first, so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
- Look for sensory-friendly or adaptive clothing lines (many brands now offer them!).
Back-to-school is always an adjustment, but finding a way to meet Greyson’s sensory needs made this year so much smoother. And honestly? Seeing her excited about her outfits made all the extra effort worth it. (We ordered clothes online from Kohl’s and Old Navy. She enjoyed ordering online, picking up from the store, and trying the clothes on at home.)
💜 Do you have a child with sensory needs? I’d love to hear your back-to-school clothing hacks — share them in the comments below! Please check back every Friday for our new series we are starting – called “Fashion Friday”!
Thanks for Reading!
