Do Autistic People Like to Dress Up? Here's What Really Happens

The Short Answer? It’s Complicated

Let’s get this straight first: autistic people aren’t a monolith. Some absolutely love dressing up—glitter, layers, bold styles, the whole thing—while others can’t stand even the feel of socks. (Yes, really. Socks.)

It’s not about being fashionable or not. It’s about sensory input, social expectations, and sometimes just how much energy is in the tank that day.

Sensory Sensitivity: The Game Changer

Clothes That Feel “Wrong”

Imagine putting on a shirt and immediately feeling like your skin is crawling. It’s not itchy. It’s just... wrong. That’s what sensory processing issues can do. Many autistic individuals are hypersensitive to textures, tags, seams, tight waistbands—basically, all the stuff fashion loves to throw at you.

Some examples people report:

• “I’ll wear the same hoodie all year 'cause it's soft and predictable.”

• “I cut the tags off every new shirt. Or just don’t wear it.”

And it’s not just about comfort. It's about overwhelm. The wrong outfit can be a distraction all day. Dressing up might mean enduring that discomfort just to meet a social norm.

The Other Side: Sensory Seekers

But hey—there’s another group too. Some autistic people are sensory seekers. They might actually love the feel of certain fabrics. Silk, velvet, heavy jewelry. Dressing up can become a kind of stim—a way to feel grounded and good.

So no, it's not all “I hate clothes.” Some folks are into it because of the sensory aspect, not despite it.

Expression and Identity: Fashion as Communication

Clothes as Self-Definition

You know how people say “dress for the job you want”? Well, for autistic people, dressing up can sometimes be about non-verbal communication. Like:

• “This outfit says I’m in control.”

• “This makeup shows who I really am.”

For some, clothes are armor. For others, they’re a form of stimming through aesthetics—bright colors, quirky patterns, stuff that expresses what words maybe don’t.

The Pressure to Conform

That said, there's often pressure to "look normal." And this hits hard.
Wearing the “right” thing at a party. Figuring out if something is “too much.” Wondering whether a funky outfit might lead to judgment. It can be exhausting. Sometimes people mask their true style to avoid standing out—even if they’d love to go full goth or neon or cottagecore or whatever their jam is.

Special Interests: When Dressing Up Becomes Joy

Oh, and here's where it gets cool. Some autistic individuals incorporate special interests into what they wear. That’s not just “liking fashion.” That’s:

• Historical reenactment outfits built from scratch

• Cosplay with insane attention to detail

• A wardrobe themed entirely around a favorite animal, like frogs or jellyfish

This isn’t performative. It’s genuine joy, a deep dive into something that feels right and exciting. And yeah, that can look fabulous.

(I once met someone who wore vintage pilot goggles every day—not as a joke. It was part of their look, their vibe, and also their way of connecting with a historical era they loved.)

Social Energy: Dressing Up Costs More Than You Think

Executive Dysfunction and Decision Fatigue

Sometimes, it’s not about like or dislike—it’s about how much effort it takes. Deciding what to wear, changing clothes, tolerating the textures, adjusting if the weather shifts? That can be a lot for someone dealing with executive dysfunction.

And don’t even get me started on clothes shopping. Bright lights, music, strangers, awkward fitting rooms—it’s sensory hell for some people.

So yeah, an autistic person might love the idea of dressing up, but in practice? Might just go with sweatpants because it’s easier and safer.

So... Do Autistic People Like to Dress Up or Not?

Well, yes. And no. And maybe.

It depends on the day, the mood, the outfit, the situation—and the person. Some folks will rock a full tuxedo just for a grocery run (true story), and others will decline a wedding invite because formalwear feels like wearing sandpaper.

Bottom line: let autistic people dress how they want. Whether it’s pajamas at brunch or glitter boots at a job interview—there’s usually a good reason behind the choice. And honestly? That kind of authenticity is style goals.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.