National Ugly Sweater Day: When Festive Fun Meets Sensory Challenges — And How OT Can Help

National Ugly Sweater Day is meant to be lighthearted, cozy, and fun. But for many children and adults with sensory sensitivities, this day can feel anything but festive.

From itchy fabrics to tight collars to sequins that scratch, holiday sweaters are a perfect reminder of just how overwhelming clothing textures can be for people with sensory processing differences. What looks silly and cheerful to one person may feel unbearable to another.

At Innovative Therapy Center, our Occupational Therapists understand how deeply clothing comfort can impact daily life — confidence, participation, emotional regulation, and even social connection. So today, we’re celebrating National Ugly Sweater Day with a twist: by shining a light on sensory-friendly strategies and how OT can support individuals of all ages.

Why Clothing Sensitivity Happens

Sensory processing challenges occur when the brain has difficulty organizing and responding to input from the environment. Clothing is a constant source of sensory input — and if a person is hypersensitive, even a small irritation can feel amplified.

Common signs of clothing-related sensory concerns include:

• Refusing certain textures (wool, knits, scratchy fabrics)

• Avoiding tags, seams, or anything “tight”

• Meltdowns or irritability when getting dressed

• Wearing the same clothing repeatedly

• Difficulty tolerating seasonal clothing changes

• Adults feeling overwhelmed by specific fabrics or clothing requirements at work

For many, these challenges are real barriers to comfort and participation — including holiday celebrations.

How Occupational Therapy Helps

OT isn’t just about motor skills — it’s about supporting a person’s ability to engage meaningfully in everyday life. Clothing tolerance is a big part of that, especially for individuals with sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD, anxiety, or other neurodivergent profiles.

Our therapists can help by:

1. Identifying sensory triggers

We evaluate individual sensitivities and determine which fabrics, fits, or textures cause distress.

2. Using sensory regulation strategies

Deep pressure activities, movement breaks, proprioceptive input, and calming tools can make dressing feel more manageable.

3. Gradual exposure and desensitization

We build tolerance step-by-step in a safe, controlled, supportive way.

4. Building self-advocacy and choice-making

Kids and adults learn how to communicate their needs, choose clothing that supports comfort, and plan ahead for challenging situations (like holiday parties).

5. Helping families and caregivers adapt routines

Morning routines, laundry habits, fabric choices, and clothing styles can be modified to reduce stress for everyone involved.

Practical Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Ugly Sweater Day

Not every sweater has to be ugly to be fun — and it definitely doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Here are some ways to embrace the day without the sensory overwhelm:

• Choose soft, tagless sweaters or sweatshirts with printed designs instead of embellishments

• Layer a soft cotton shirt underneath to block scratchy fabrics

• Let your child help pick the sweater to increase comfort and control

• Bring a safe “backup shirt” to events in case it becomes too overwhelming

• Consider DIY options so you can control textures and seams

• Adults: check for seams, collars, or textures that may irritate during the workday

The goal is participation — not discomfort.

OT Support for Children and Adults

Whether you’re a parent struggling with morning clothing battles or an adult feeling overwhelmed by work attire, sensory processing challenges are real — and you don’t have to navigate them alone.

An occupational therapy evaluation can help you:

• Understand what your sensory system needs

• Learn strategies that reduce distress

• Improve tolerance to clothing and daily routines

• Increase confidence and independence

• Enjoy events — holiday sweaters included — with less stress

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Celebrating Comfort, Confidence, and Choice

National Ugly Sweater Day is fun, but so is wearing something that makes you feel calm, confident, and regulated. At Innovative Therapy Center, we celebrate both — and we’re here to support anyone who experiences sensory challenges that affect everyday life.

If you or your child struggles with clothing textures or other sensory concerns, our OT team is ready to help you move toward comfort and independence, one small step at a time.

💙 OT for kids. OT for adults. OT for real life. To schedule an evaluation or learn more, contact Innovative Therapy Center today, 330-595-9059