My Criteria For Comfortable Clothes & What I’m Loving Right Now - Starlight Through The Storm

Finding comfortable clothes can be a major challenge, especially when you have a chronic illness (or two, or three…).

I have fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s and asthma, among other things, which all contribute to my needing clothes that don’t cause any of my health conditions to flare up.

And, as I talked about in this post, it helps me to when I wear clothes that look fashionable because looking presentable makes me feel better. As Gretchen Rubin has talked about in her podcast, wearing clothes that look like clothes (vs. pjs) improves your mood.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a small portion of sales, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase.

Here are some of the things I look for in clothes:

Soft/breathable fabric—a must for comfort, as well as to help with my issues with temperature regulation. I’m usually freezing. I aim to buy mostly cotton clothing, but it’s surprising how hard that is to find anymore.

Not too tight or restrictive—I already have pressure points and difficulty breathing—the last thing I need is for my clothes to make this worse! A good, flattering fit helps me to look and feel my best.

Makes me feel my best—for me, this means non-pj shirts. To be honest, I usually wear pajama pants around the house because they don’t hurt my hips, so if I’m wearing a “normal” top, I still feel like I’m “dressed” and ready for the day. (If you’re most comfortable in pjs due to pain/illness/etc., the last thing I want to do is make you feel badly about it! Taking care of yourself with your wardrobe is the most important thing.)

TIP #1: My mom has always recommended that if you find something super-comfortable, buy more than one—especially if it’s on sale. This has been a huge help for me. I tend to not want to “spend out,” but I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve LOVED an article of clothing—and then the company has immediately discontinued it. Almost like they knew I loved it. It’s wonderful when I have a “spare” as soon as a favorite garment wears out. It ends up being a savings because I’ve already invested time and money in shopping.

TIP #2: I keep a list of what kinds of clothes I’m looking for on my phone. I also keep a list of the main colors in my wardrobe (aka, the colors that look best on me.) The options at stores can be overwhelming, especially if you have brain fog or easily get sensory overload. My list helps me keep tabs on what essentials I need, so I can zero in on them more quickly, saving time (and money!). Right now my list includes maxi dresses, since I only have one and its proven so versatile. Sometimes I’m also make a note of things I don’t need because it can be easy to forget. Under no circumstances do I need to buy another black tank top!

I hope these suggestions help you find some new favorites that help you feel and look your best.

Here are some of my favorites I’ve found recently.

Relaxed Plush-Knit Raglan Tee

This shirt is comfortable with just the right amount of stretch. It’s so soft I was really surprised it’s not cotton (6% rayon , 20% polyester, 4% spandex)

This top is almost long enough for me to wear with leggings. It would probably work well for anyone who doesn’t have a long torso like I do.
It comes in one additional color combo.

Slim-Fit Soft-Brushed Bracelet-Sleeve Tee

Super comfy and polished. I’m getting an Audry Hepburn vibe from the stripes. I love that this shirt is thicker than your traditional shirt—it makes it cozy and warm as well as ensuring it’s not see-thorugh. (One of my pet peeves with white shirts!) It’s 95% cotton, 5% spandex.

As the weather is going to turn rainy again this weekend, I’m anticipating needing this long sleeves well into spring.

I had to go up a size from what I normally wear at Old Navy, so head’s up.

Comes in two more colors.

Columbia brand t-shirts

These are high-quality shirts. Thus, they tend to be spendier—some cost $30. I usually wouldn’t spend that much on a shirt, but I was able to nab some on clearance. I recommend watching for sales as the seasons change like I did. They’re very soft due to the amount of cotton. And the seams at the neck are covered with fabric, so no itching. I’m sensitive due to fibro, and I bet these shirts could be a good option for people with allydonia.
I like how the sleeves are long enough not to get stuck up under my arms. And they’re not too tight through the shoulders and hips. Shocking, someone in clothing design figured out women have curves!

Columbia Women’s Coastal Escape Short Sleeve T-Shirt