When most people think about fashion, they often do not consider psychology. However, Believe it or not, fashion and psychology are closely related.
For the average person, waking up in the morning and picking out an outfit does not require much thought. It is an everyday occurrence, so why should they second-guess how they are going to feel depending on what they decide to put on or how others will perceive them?
Though one might not notice immediately, we often feel better about ourselves depending on what we wear. The person who decides to wear a sweatshirt and pajama pants to class might be less productive than the person who decides to wear a skirt and dress top.
Much like when people say “you are what you eat,” you are what you wear. What we wear affects our mood and the way we act. This is why when someone goes to a job interview, they may wear a dress or a pantsuit as opposed to wearing jeans and a tee shirt. Not only does wearing more professional clothing make the interviewee appear more professional, it makes them feel more confident.
Everything from the fit of someone’s shirt to the color of it can tell others about their personality and mood. For example, when someone wears black, others may view them as mysterious, sophisticated or elegant. Oftentimes when someone wears black they do so as a subconscious way to hide themselves from the world and those around them.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, when someone wears the color red they are often perceived as confident, angry or resilient. The color red is often associated with love and it has been proven that wearing it can make a person appear more attractive. Many strong and resilient women such as Princess Dina and Nancy Reagan wore red and appeared more powerful.
Clothes not only affect how people perceive others but also how they perceive themselves. It has been proven that when someone looks good, they feel good. This is why people often dress up for exams or important events in their lives.
Dressing better has a direct correlation to performing better. In a study conducted on this correlation, 63 percent of people agree that when they dress better they feel more confident in themselves and their work.
While fashion can tell us a lot about others and ourselves, it does not truly define a person. Some people use fashion to disguise themselves from the rest of the world. Whether it be to fit in or simply escape from themselves.
Cosplay is a realm of fashion that can serve as both a disguise and a form of expression. When people dress up as something or someone who is nothing like themselves, it can be a freeing experience.
While some people turn to fashion as an escape, they still express themselves in one way or another. Fashion is a non-verbal form of expression that signals to the world around us who we are whether we want to or not.
Next time you are looking through your closet, debating what to wear, consider how you are feeling and want to feel. Chances are, if you put together an outfit that you think looks good, you will feel good in return.
Fashion is a beautiful language, and should be embraced by embracing ourselves.
