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thejamieturner
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Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Age: 35
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14 Apr 2013, 1:03 pm

So I'm a 22-year-old business student, and I've avoided this problem for about as long as I can:

I have to start dressing like a "grown up."

I've always struggled with clothing because of some fairly strong sensory issues that make me incredibly picky. I like to look nice (I actually prefer business casual looks to jeans and a t-shirt), but my options are limited. Shirts with sequins, beads, or heavy embroidery are definitely out because they scratch me. Same goes for pretty much any fabrics besides cotton or silk. I'm extremely heat intolerant, so even in the winter I have to dress in such a way that I can strip off layers once I'm indoors, and I only like materials that breathe reasonably well. More structured items like blazers have to fit absolutely perfectly because I'll feel claustrophobic if they restrict movement at all. Shoes are an especially big struggle for me, since I'm opposed to pretty much anything that isn't a sandal.

Due to being a business student, I have a few safe outfits to throw on for any professional dress events that come up, but honestly they're pretty boring. A pair of slacks, a skirt, a blazer, and a few solid color button-downs that I can at least tolerate for a few hours. They work, but I'll get sick of them if that's all I wear every day (and I imagine my coworkers will as well).

Any tips from others who have similar sensory issues? I'd love to know what fabrics you've found work for you, tips for dressing up an otherwise bland outfit, any specific stores/brands that tend to make professional and yet fashionable clothes without sewing a bewildering assortment of objects to them, etc. I live in Texas, so I'm particularly interested in ways to look professional without having a heat stroke.

Thanks!



nebrets
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Joined: 26 Feb 2012
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14 Apr 2013, 2:15 pm

I have two pairs of black slacks and one pair of kakki slacks. As a girl it is fairly easy to find nice sandals, nothing super eye catching (no glitter or sequins) but with a bit of heel. If it has a bit of a heel it counts as nice.
For shirts I do cotton sweaters in the winter or button downs, and long sleeved tee shirts underneath. For the springs/summer/fall (I live in Texas so that is all one season known as hot) I wear cotton blends that just cover my shoulders. I find Ann Taylor to have good selections. I am petite so it is hard to find shirts my size that are also modest but nice and they have them. I look for their sales or if I am in the area go to the San Marcos outlet. They are a bit pricy but worth it as most of their fabrics give, breath, look nice and professional, and their petite section comes in my size, and they look modest and feminine at the same time.


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whatamess
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16 Apr 2013, 9:00 pm

I love The Loft and Banana Republic. Although not super expensive, I can always find a nice pair of pants in either store. The Loft usually has some nice cotton white or solid color shirts with a bit more flare than Banana Republic. Although I don't like frilly, a different looking cotton shirt, with just a nice long necklace, slacks and nice business shoes is good enough for me. I am like you that I get hot alot, so normally I would just wear a nice shirt, slacks and a sweater over it, which is much better than a tailored jacket, etc. The look is business casual, but if you wear the regular greys, white, black, navy, etc...you always look polished and professional. And of course, a nice cashmere sweater won't drive you nuts as the temperature changes a bit from one room to another.