We’ve all been there, bought a shirt that looks nice on the rack, only to find it wrinkles easily no matter how much you starch it. For some autistics with OCD, flaws like these can be a distracting annoyance. Here’s a tip: shirts made of ribbed fabric tend to wrinkle less than plain weaves. Ribbed cloth has narrow cords or ridges that you can feel, running vertically or diagonally. Examples of ribbed fabrics include Twill and Poplin. Make sure you can feel the ridges easily. Prominent ribs on the cloth add structural integrity, which equals wrinkle-resistance.

Something many autistics hear is that we dress ‘different’, because vague unspoken rules are not our forte, and fashion is filled with vague unspoken rules. If only there was a book that showed you how to dress on a normal daily basis. It turns out there is, at least for men (I’m sure there are plenty for ladies, but being male, I’m not really competent to recommend one. Any suggestions welcome!). It’s the Nordstrom Guide to Men’s Everyday Dressing, a richly illustrated manual on how not to stick out like a sore thumb, clothes-wise. Here’s a video review by Real Men Real Style, another great source for practical advice on everyday wear:

If you’d like other options, here’s a list of  14 Most Popular Books on Men’s Style, Grooming, & Etiquette by Jacob J. Morris, another useful source of advice.

Sensitivity to seams, tags, tight elastic bands and rough fabrics is a problem for many autistics, and some enterprises have stepped forward to make clothes that minimize such irritations. Unfortunately, most of these brands cater only to children, but hopefully more will see the commercial value of creating comfortable clothes for everyone. Who really wants to rub against seams and tags anyway? For now, here’s a list of 8 online stores that supply sensory-friendly clothing (including some for adults). BTW, a little tip on footwear from Eileen Parker, designer of the Cozy Calm Weighted Blanket:

Do get skater (skateboarding) shoes.  I have a pair of black VANS and a pair of brown and pink Etnies, and both are über comfortable. Also, since with my sensory processing disorder, I wear the skater shoes because they are flat and stable on the bottom with good support on the inside so I don’t lose my balance as often.

Because autistics often find ‘unspoken rules’ mystifying, cryptic dress codes like ‘smart casual’ are fraught with pitfalls. One item of clothing that’s guaranteed to smarten up any casual ensemble is the mock turtleneck, a favorite of Apple founder Steve Jobs. The mock turtleneck is basically a sweatshirt with a slightly raised neck (unlike the full turtleneck where the neck is raised high enough that it needs to be folded down). It generally needs no ironing, an added bonus if you’re an ironophobe!