The Struggle is Real: Shopping for Clothes as a Tall, Autistic Trans Woman

Snark intended ...

Begin rant.

Picture this: you’re a 6’7” autistic trans woman with a penchant for the cottage core aesthetic and sensory sensitivities that make shopping for clothes a nightmare. You dream of frolicking through fields in flowy, floral patterns and cozy cardigans, but the reality is far less idyllic.

Thanks to the powers that be in the fashion industry, finding clothes that fit my tall, long-torsoed frame is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Apparently, clothing manufacturers think that women come in one standard size, and anyone who dares to deviate from that mold is out of luck. Well, I’ve got news for them: we tall girls need clothes that fit our bodies too!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen in love with a cute top only to try it on and find that it barely comes to my navel. And don’t even get me started on the sleeves – what is this, a shirt for ants? I’m not asking for much, just clothes that fit my body and allow me to express my personal style without sacrificing comfort.

And speaking of comfort, let’s talk about the sensory minefield that is most women’s clothing. Itchy fabrics, scratchy tags, and seams that rub in all the wrong places – it’s like they’re designed to make my skin crawl. As an autistic person, I need clothes that feel good against my skin and don’t make me want to rip them off by the end of the day.

Is it too much to ask for clothing manufacturers to consider the needs of neurodivergent people when designing their garments? Apparently so, because I've yet to find a brand that consistently offers sensory-friendly options in my size.

End rant.

Faced with the challenges of finding clothes that fit, flatter, and align with my aesthetic as a tall, autistic trans woman, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I refuse to let the fashion industry’s lack of inclusive sizing and sensory-friendly options hold me back from expressing my true self. Instead, I've embarked on a journey to learn how to sew and tailor my own clothes (yes, it’s autistic deep dive time folks), empowering myself to create the wardrobe of my dreams.

I’ve invested in books on tailoring and spent countless hours watching YouTube tutorials on how to maximize the potential of my sewing machine. From mastering basic stitches to learning advanced techniques for working with different fabrics, I've become a sponge for knowledge in the world of garment construction. It’s been a steep learning curve, but with each new skill acquired and every completed project, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that goes beyond just having a new piece of clothing to wear. I’m nowhere near ready to craft my work wardrobe yet, but I’m getting there. I hope to have it completed by the fall term.

As I’ve delved deeper into the realm of sewing and tailoring, I’ve come to suspect that I’m not alone in my struggles to find well-fitting, sensory-friendly clothes as a tall trans woman. Standing at 6’7”, I know firsthand the frustration of searching for clothes that accommodate my height and long torso and broad shoulders without sacrificing style or comfort. It’s a challenge that I imagine many trans women over 5’10” face, and one that the mainstream fashion industry has yet to adequately address.

This realisation has sparked an idea: what if I could use my newly acquired skills to help other tall trans women find the clothes they’ve been dreaming of? With a keen understanding of the unique challenges we face and a commitment to creating garments that prioritise both style and sensory comfort, I could offer a bespoke clothing service tailored specifically to the needs of tall autistic trans women.

By launching a small side business (I am, after all, an underpaid public school teacher. All teachers have some sort of side hustle.), I could connect with other trans women who share my struggles and offer them the opportunity to have clothes custom-made to their measurements, preferences, and sensory needs. This venture would be more than just a financial opportunity; it would be a chance to build a community of trans women supporting and empowering each other through fashion. And why stop at just trans women? Any tall woman who has ever felt frustrated with the limited options available in mainstream stores could benefit from this service.

As I continue to hone my skills and build my confidence as a seamstress and tailor, I’m excited by the prospect of turning my personal fashion journey into something that could make a difference in the lives of others. By (perhaps) creating a business that is by trans women, for trans women (and all tall women), I have the opportunity to not only solve my own fashion woes but also to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse fashion landscape. It’s a challenge I’m thinking of taking on, one stitch at a time.

What do you think? Is there a market out there?