Fashion and the Mighty Touch Starvation
Story By: Lydia Graves
Name changed for privacy reasons.
Once upon a time, everyone could go about their day shaking hands, giving high-fives, or even hugging new friends. But today, as the pandemic looms over our shoulders, even thinking about that gives so many people goosebumps. Now, my dog gets all of my hugs. Still, looking at this, I find myself slightly sad and at a loss. How could humans function properly without connection with others? The truth is, we can’t. As people, we are wired to have a desire for touch, and if not provided, a person may experience touch starvation. According to Healthline, being touch-starved occurs when a person experiences little to no touch from other living things, leading to symptoms such as feelings of depression, anxiety, stress and difficulty sleeping. Luckily, there are some solutions to help. My personal favorite? Clothing.
Grace is a college student who not only has overcome touch starvation with clothing, but also found support in it through childhood. This has driven her to shop based on texture as opposed to other variables. “My mom used to always be like, ‘I can’t buy you anything’ when I was little. I would just walk along with the clothes; I would just feel everything.” Her clothes couldn’t even be picked out for her without a “touch test” before purchasing. With clothing, it was crucial for her to have something soft and comforting in terms of touch. She found it was an effective way to handle anxiety and ongoing situations at the time. “If it wasn’t comfortable or the texture was off, it might make things more stressful.” However, the clothing she sought brought her comfort and allowed her mind to be centered.
Today, Grace still deals with anxiety. Especially with the ongoing pandemic, touch starvation has been a central component. Even though she expresses not being able to touch other living things is difficult, she explains, “Animals are known to be a very therapeutic, comforting thing—not just in how they act towards you, but also the touch… clothing can give you a similar sensation.” Cotton and satin fabrics are choice picks for her when she goes shopping for herself while avoiding bristly wool at all costs. Warm fleece and cotton were go-to’s the past winters, while the more satin-related fabrics appear as the weather begins to warm Year-round, though, she prefers clothes to be loose-fitting garments. “I like it to be very flowy and non-constricting.” Some fashion items that reoccur in her outfits include her college’s oversized sweatshirt, fleece wide-leg pants, and ear-warmer headbands. She describes how all of them are soft, non-constricting, but enclosing or comforting. “Especially with sweatshirts… they’re just kind of a comforting thing.
Grace brought up the point that clothing not only has a texture that helps with touch starvation, but there are also memories behind the clothing that create a connection. She finds warmth in all her partner’s clothing—and I’m told she has quite the stash. It reminds her of the people in her life and brings connections into her vision. “My grandma sent me this shirt that’s super soft and kinda out of my comfort zone. It has an animal and flowers all over it. It’s so cute, and [wearing it is] like getting a big, warm hug from her.” This is especially sentimental when it has become difficult for the two to see each other due to the pandemic. When asking Grace if she has anything else to discuss on the topic, she tells me, “I want more sweatshirts.” Clothing is certainly treating her well.
Hug your family and friends, cuddle your dog, hold your partner’s hand, and wear clothing that gives you the sense of security we all need right now. Everyone has something different that provides comfort. Whether you quite enjoy wool or side with Grace against it, it is the feeling it gives you that matters. Either way, make sure you get your daily dose of touch and fashion today and live your happily ever after.