Style Psychology: How Clothes Impact The Way We Feel
Fashion tends to be written off as superficial or not that important to our everyday lives, when it can actually be harnessed as an incredibly powerful psychological tool that changes the way we carry ourselves. While we all get dressed every day out of necessity, I don’t think we always think about the impact our clothes have on how we perceive ourselves. In this post, I'm going to talk about how what we wear affects our psychology – and the scientific studies that have proven it.
Enclothed cognition and the psychology of fashion
It's proven that you hold yourself differently based on what you're wearing: this phenomenon is called Enclothed Cognition.
A study at Northwestern University showed researchers that wearing specific pieces of clothing had an effect on the wearer's psychology and performance. They discovered that because we ascribe meaning to clothing, our thought processes and how we behave are then reflected by those abstract concepts. So that is why clothes can change our psychological states, and even affect the way we perform in our daily lives.
In an experiment, one group of participants were given white lab coats, while another group wore everyday clothes. When they were given tests about selective attention and how attentive they were, it was noticed that the participants who wore the white lab coats made 50% less errors than those who wore their normal everyday clothing.
In a second experiment, two groups were given identical lab coats, however one group was told it was a doctor’s coat, and the other group was told it was a painter’s coat. After a few tests, the researchers saw again that participants wearing lab coats increased their sustained attention, compared to those wearing the lab coat described as a painter's coat.
The study results highlighted that what we wear, and the symbolic meaning we associate with certain clothing items, has effects on how we feel about ourselves and our competencies. In an article about dressing for success, journalist and fashion psychologist Camay Abrams said, “how you see clothing and its relation to you and your body plays into your outlook. Everyone uses clothing for a different purpose, whether it's for functionality or projecting some kind of idea—to be more or less masculine or feminine, or to represent some type of story that you want to present to the world.”
Personal style as a form of embodiment
Studies on enclothed cognition really do prove that style is a form of embodiment. If we assign meaning to clothing, it means we have the power take control of our physical reality and embody our higher selves based on what we wear. That’s why our personal style can be a powerful manifester, and why phrases like, “dress for the job you want” are popular for a reason.
It is important to create a mindful, intentional style, because manifestation always comes down to your self-belief. When you put something on that you’ve ascribed positive meaning to, and perceive yourself in a positive way, you start to carry yourself differently in all aspects of your life.
Dopamine dressing as a new trend
As well as affecting how we perceive ourselves, clothes can have a positive impact on our mental health, too. Shakaila Forbes-Bell, fashion psychologist and founder of Fashion is Psychology, said, “when you wear clothes that make you feel confident, happy and empowered, they can act as armour, shielding you from negative feelings and experiences. Some studies have even found that clothes carry a tension release dimension, providing wearers with a dose of escapism that positively impacts their mental wellbeing during particularly trying times.”
This phenomenon is now known as dopamine dressing, which has not only taken over fashion studies, but our Instagram feeds and everyday lives. Wearing things that make us feel good, whether it’s because of color, fabric, or fit, is a powerful tool for transforming mood, confidence and outlook.
And because our personal style is so unique to us, dopamine dressing looks different for everyone. Like me for instance: I feel so badass in a great blazer. But for someone else, a blazer might represent corporate life that they really want to get away from. For some, sexiness is black lace, but for others, it might be a sleeveless high neck top.
That's why it's important to get to know your own personal preferences. Because if we try to dress in ways we think others perceive as confident and sexy, we end up wearing what feels like a costume.
How to be more mindful with your personal style
It's about getting clear about your personal preferences, and not be influenced by other or fast-fading trends. Next time you get dressed, ask yourself these questions:
How do I want to feel, and what makes me feel that way?
What kind of style actually makes me feel the way I aspire to feel?
What can I wear today to help me feel closer to my higher self?
Start from there. I love helping my clients work through these questions, and hear their stories about how they want to feel, dig into their actual physical style preferences, and curate a style that still feels true to them, but it still challenges them to expand into confidently owning their higher self.
I hope that you loved what you learned here today, and that it makes you reflect upon your personal style and how you want to use it to enhance your everyday life. Style is so much deeper than clothes we put on our body as a necessity. Clothing has a big psychological impact on us and help us own our growth and the next step in our journey. And the more that you embody your growth and own your success, the more you attract.
If you want help on your own style journey, find out how you can work with me, or connect with me on Instagram. You can also listen to my podcast, Dress to Manifest, where we delve into all kinds of topics to do with style and personal development!
