About lack of interest in clothes and fashion.

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Hello WP folks,

As I tried to find out what Asperger's Syndrome was, I found out that one of the traits was "lack of interest in clothes and fashion". I thought: Oh, that's exactly me!
Clothes have never been an interest to me. Going for clothes shopping was merely a necessity, and I couldn't really relate to the "clothes excitement" of most other people (the NTs), who on their side didn't understand why I wasn't more interested when they spent time to go shopping with me...
And we had a lot of controversies because they always exactly knew what was "smart" and "looked good on me", - and that wasn't always corresponding to what I liked myself (as if I couldn't have an "acceptable" meaning about that)... and then there was all this: "oh, try this and that"... clothes on and off, and relating to a lot of stuff at the same time instead of one thing at the time, and it was very troublesome I thought... - and then it (often) ended in a fight, and I got angry because they wanted to decide it all, and maybe for other reasons too.
But now I suddenly knew why!

I have reflected on this a bit, how I'm going to consider and handle it.
I think it can be seen as an advantage, not to be very bound of fashion and all that stuff.
But it can also be a good idea to receive good advice, and maybe I was / am(?) not so good at that, hence the controversies.
I just think it's a bit difficult to hit the balance between having the right to decide for oneself, and receiving advice (especially because when I didn't accept the advice, it was considered a big problem, it was too bad I couldn't see what was "smart", I was to stubborn, and so). But now the others know about my condition too, and then it's easier I think, if I explain to them what happens.
Maybe I'm too stubborn?
But this summer I experienced a situation like that: this clothes excitement that I couldn't relate to... and lots of pieces of clothes they showed me before I was finished with the first one, and then it became too much... and then, to another clothes shop, when I just thought, oh no, another one, when are we going home?, but didn't think it would be polite to protest, and still this feeling inside of flowing over with frustration (maybe it was this "tantrum" thing?). But I told the one I went shopping with afterwards, and she understood me (she was one of those who suspected I might have AS).

So I feel I have to prepare mentally next time I have to go clothes-shopping with another... (Normally I buy clothes by myself though...)

But does anyone recognize a situation like this or something a bit similar?
What do you do when it happens to you - does anyone have a good advice?

Regards,
EdnaPenna (still newly diagnosed aspie who is trying to practise being it in an NT society! )

PS. Sorry if this post is too long.

I don't know if I really agree with this. But hear me out.

I guess as far as being trendy, on the cutting edge of fashion, caring what is featured in Vogue this week....in light of that, no I don't care. However, when I remember that part of the reason that I started designing my own clothes was because of my sensory issues, then maybe I still fit.

I like comfortable. But I also like coming up with new twists for the same old boring stuff. I like fashion, but more from the technical and designing aspects. I guess I do still fit here. I would be like Edith Head and always wearing the same black sheath, simple pearls and big old cat eye glasses with rhinestone enhancements.

And as far as clothes shopping, I hate it. I always try stuff on, look in the mirror and groan....oh my god, they SO should not make this in my size!

I like to buy clothes in the style that I like to wear. I hate the type of clothes that society says that teenage girls and women should wear. I will not be dainty or girly for anybody. I'm a tomboy and a Punk, damn it!

Them:



Me:

I kinda go both ways on this--- I don't care for clothes shopping in the malls, etc. I do like thrift store shopping, though, and altering clothes I buy from there. I enjoy certain types of fashion, but not the type that most people find cool or nice. I also get most of my sister's old clothes, too--- so I don't need to shop. So I win either way. I do appreciate comfy clothes--- no itchy stuff, please.

i feel same way, whats the craze over buying something like a thong or any type of "in" clothes??!??!? to me if it fits and its warm and covers me, ill wear it

annepande, sounds to me that an nt might have tried to do a makeover on you. makeovers to me just soo foriegn (some lady did want to do me at one time lol, nice try janice!!) i mean if anything the clothes that some wear look like they are just sending out the wrong signals to nt's to cause the aspie to get harrassed or embarrassed or people asking fashion or celeb questions.

whats with the stockings keeping legs warm, they dont on me last time i wore stockings was to some funeral and i stood near storm door i could actually feel the air from the pneumatic storm door closer escaping as door was closing (that thing that makes the hissss sound and looks like some piston or shock)

never had a thing for going to a mall to buy overpriced clothing

Same here. I dress completely for comfort and ease. My head is shaved (easy to maintain), & my clothes are loose fitting & don't need much care other than machine washing & drying. I see no real need for the extra effort for things I find so pointless.

Now, I will wear t-shirts with funny sayings on them, so people comment, and some people like a shaved head, but generally, it's all random & defiantely not because I'm trying to create an impression.

I'm not trendy in any sense, I have never been able to figure out why people are convinced that no matter your body type you should wear "this cut" because its the "in style" right now.

I am picky about what I wear. Fit, fabric, and comfort are all important to me when it comes to buying clothes. I just don't care if I am wearing the latest of anything. I like to look good, not look like everyone else.

I guess you could say I have my own style and I'm very happy with it. Part punk, part girly, and all me.

I don't mind shoppin 4 clothes but i don't really follow da latest fashion cos at da end of da day its only a faze so i just stick 2 my causal clothes mainly jeans, polo shirts n i do like my ben sherman shirts.

The last time I went shopping for clothes, I was a senior in high school. I didn't even want to go then; my grandma wanted to buy them for me. I'm out of college now.

I'll wear the same clothes until they are tattered rags. I see no reason to do otherwise, especially considering the substandard wages and poor working conditions those manufacturing the clothes must face while not sharing in the gross profit margins from the high prices we rich first worlders pay. When I need to finally get replacements, I'm stopping at the thrift stores, Good Will, and Salvation Army type places. Buying used for cheap is suitable enough: clothes are clothes.

I don't really have much of a fashion sense. I don't know what makes something looks cool on me versus something else. When I shop I go for just plain looking stuff, but focus more on how the fabric feels to me and whether it is the right size.
In that sense, I have to rely on others for what looks good on me.

Dressing well does have its advantage in making one appear more approachable.

It's what I asked about once in another section of the forum:
"Does it happen (or used to happen in the past) in your case that you don't have a sense of fashion (or however to call it) at all? I mean, until 18 I was completely unable to make distinction between clothes considered to be cool and those thought to be shoddy. Literally, all clothes looked the same for me. I was unable to judge whether something was fashionable or not, pretty or ugly. "
My mother still buys clothes for me. I like being pretty dressed.

For me, I know what looks good. There are some things I like and some things I don't like, but I am completely independent of fashion. That drives my best friend SO nuts; I look at a fashionable outfit that doesn't quite look right to me (Yellow plaid? No, thank you) and say, "It's okay, I guess, but I wouldn't really want to wear it," and she gives me a "What are you, crazy?" look. I'm the insane best friend, I guess...

I love fashion... as it applies to people who look good in it (not me). I read Vogue, I watch the Style channel. Then I go to the store and don't find a damn thing I like because I can't imagine myself in what everyone else seems to be wearing. So, back to the old jeans and size small t-shirts from the mens' department (all the girls' t-shirts seem to have cap sleeves now, and I HATE cap sleeves. I can feel them under my arm.) Anyway... I dunno if I could be considered fasionable or not. I'm never dressed in the latest "in" thing, but I can usually tell a fake Dooney & Burke bag from a real one. Hmmm.

Fasion is stupid.

i donno.. i think i'm fashionable.. but i create MY OWN fashion.. i honestly couldn't care less about what fashion's popular with NTs.

my typical outfit:

undershirt, often long-sleeved
overshirt, often a short-sleeved "belly shirt" or vest-type shirt
pants (i never wear jeans)
mock top-hat (my mommy makes them for me )
a tie (to which i color-coordinate the rest of my outfit)
socks that also match my tie (i love toe socks)
and my z-coil shoes <3

plus, i have my hair long in front and cut short in back, which is a rather unique fashion as well. (i really want to dye the tips of my front peices blue or something, but it's not allowed at my school.. )

but, i don't like going clothes shopping cause i feel guilty about making my parents spend a lot of money on me when i'm not really contributing all tha much. that's why i LOVE thrift stores!! plus, i can always find some kinda interesting trinket while i'm there.. lol. there's this thrift store here where i can buy a tie for a quarter!! (usually $2-$5 at other thrift stores) and on Sundays, you get an entire plastic bag FULL of whatever clothes you want for only $1!! so you really get a lot for your money..