I changed my style — and it changed my life

I can’t believe I used to dress like this. ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell I used to wear tight shirts, skinny jeans, heeled booties, and a full face of makeup all the time. I straightened my hair every single day. I refused to wear sneakers like it was a personal branding decision. But the pandemic — more specifically, quarantine — was a turning point for my style. When I wasn’t seeing people every day, I realized that I was dressing for others more than for myself. Especially after learning I’m autistic, my sense of “fashion” has adapted over the last few years to align with my needs, and now I’m comfier and more confident than ever before. I’ll dive more into this below. For now, I present to you: • [What’s the best time to take vitamin D?]( • [The 8 worst foods for your teeth]( • [How to get rid of puffy eyes]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota March 8, 2024 • 4 min read [My journey to a more sensory-friendly style]( what’s got us buzzing [My journey to a more sensory-friendly style]( As a woman, I thought it was expected of me to [look a certain way](. My mom and grandma never left the house without makeup on. I wasn’t allowed to go to school in a hoodie or sweatpants because that seemed “lazy.” I dressed in the ways I assumed — and was conditioned to believe — were attractive: tight clothes that highlighted my figure, always trying my best to look “pretty.” These were the rules and precedents set for me, which I followed up until about 2020. Quarantined for months on end, I found myself in sweats 24/7. I never put on makeup or did my hair. I had no one to impress! I wasn’t worried about anyone else’s opinions or validation. And I loved every moment of it. Removing that external factor helped me realize that I’ve crafted my sense of style solely for others. This realization was liberating and ultimately led me on the journey of rediscovering a sense of fashion that actually felt good to me. [My journey to a more sensory-friendly style]( Honestly, it never occurred to me that the way I dressed wasn’t quite “right.” I mean, I’d often feel restricted and uncomfortable in tight clothes, but I’d attribute it to insecurity, a [negative self-image](, or body dysmorphia. Once I learned about my [autistic]( sensory issues in 2022, that lens shifted toward the real root of the problem: I’m truly uncomfortable wearing certain types of clothing due to the way they feel on my skin. So, what does my closet look like nowadays? Big T-shirts, baggy jeans, oversized hoodies, beanies, and — wait for it — lots of sneakers. I traded in lacy lingerie for sports bras and super soft underwear. I have doubles or triples of my favorite shirts because nothing is more annoying than trying on eight different tops in hopes of finding one that feels right on my body that day. Since this change, [my confidence has drastically improved](, and I actually like what I look like now — something I never would’ve said 5 or even 15 years ago. I may not look traditionally “feminine” — some may even argue and say I wear more “masculine” clothes. But that’s fine. I don’t worry about what anyone else thinks anymore. I dress for myself now. Great finds The sports bras I live in [Woxer Boss Bralette]( [Woxer Boss Bralette]( Woxer gifted me these bralettes almost 1 year ago with no strings attached. Since that day, I’ve been wearing them every single day of my life. I literally cried when I put them on for the first time because of how good they felt. When I tell you these are the comfiest, most silky soft sports bras I own, I mean it. The elastic band is seamless so it doesn’t give me chest pain, and they look cute, too. I also lounge around in their equally cozy boxer shorts. This brand is just my absolute favorite! [SHOP NOW]( Every product we recommend has gone through either [Healthline's]( or Optum Store’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. [Get the Wellness Wire Wishlist!]( Want health and wellness products that actually work? We vet and review hundreds of brands, services, and products to help you live better. Sign up for the Wishlist to get our recommendations and exclusive deals. [JOIN HERE]( Who rules the world? [Take care of yourself on International Women’s Day]( Happy International Women’s Day! “Self-care” is something you hear a lot of these days and means something different to every person. But during Women’s History Month, we want to encourage you to go beyond the feel-good moments and products in your [beauty routine]( (as much as we love them) to put [preventive healthcare]( at the top of your to-do list. Staying up to date on your preventive health tests and screenings is one of the best things you can do for your health long-term well-being. Encompassing a set of health services that screen and identify health issues before symptoms develop, preventive healthcare can help you catch chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease before they get serious. Better yet? Most health insurance plans will cover the full cost of your preventive health services, with no co-payments! Are you unsure of tests to prioritize? Our checklist below can help you get started and make the commitment to booking an appointment with your provider. [Take care of yourself on International Women’s Day]( Note: The recommended frequency for many tests and screenings is based on your personal medical history and risk. Talk with your health provider to create an individualized plan and check out the [Women's Preventive Services Guidelines]( and the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s site]( for more details. health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 🏡 [12 products to make your home calmer.]( Your home should be your sanctuary! 🚩 [Common symptoms of melanoma.]( Look out for these signs by following the ABCDE rule. 😴 [Are you extremely sleepy during the day?]( Here’s how to know when it’s time to see a doctor. ☀️ [Can spending time in the sun increase your chances of getting pregnant?]( There may be a connection between sunlight and fertility. Thank you for reading! Tell me: Do you relate to my experience at all? I’d love to know if your style has changed over the years, especially after quarantining. Email wellnesswire@healthline.com — let’s talk. Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by change. [fb]( [tiktok]( [X]( [youtube]( [insta]( [View in browser]( Did a friend send you this email? [Subscribe here.]( To see all newsletters, [click here.]( [Privacy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2024 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001