Did you know that you really are what you wear?
You don’t have to be a vogue model to know that our fashion choices personify our social status and reputation. There is a lot more psychology behind picking out an item of clothing than you think; and here is why.
Clothes affect the way we see ourselves, the way we feel and the way we act out in public and behind closed doors. Often, we choose outfits that reflect the self-image we want to display to the world.
In a University exploratory study, research was produced from the idea of trying to depict differences between one’s moods and attitudes concerning one’s fashion sense; they found that:
“The results indicated strong relationships between mood and significant relationships between three out of five personality factors and clothing style preference; the mood was a significant predictor of preference, whilst personality was moderate.”
There is an under look on the significance of clothing choices regarding everyone; both male and female. It is no secret that we judge others at first sight. Analysing their clothes and the way others look, we create a small summary of who we believe them to be, and this is the cause of most self-esteem issues in the population.
In fact, your outfit choice is so important that as @psychologistworld claimed,
“They can influence everything from the outcome of a sports match (Hill and Barton, 2005) to an interviewer’s impression of your ability to perform effectively in a job position (Forsythe, 2006).
In line with the people of Plymouth, a question was set out among them to depict what they believed their personality was and compare it to the clothes they were wearing.
Skye Lee, 19 years old
“I would consider my personality to be bubbly, friendly and approachable. I don’t necessarily dress up to please others, but I do love making an effort.
Although for some time the idea was held that more women were the ones who felt self-conscious due to society, studies show that men are often more self-conscious in the way that they are viewed in public.
Due to this idea, many men wear darker clothes to reflect that unidentified feeling.
James. W, Age 18
“I honestly couldn’t describe why I dress the way I do, it’s just what fits my personality and what feels right to wear. Although there are many accessories it feels like a simple style.
Clothes have not always been the object of representing someone’s moods. Pre-technology, outfits were used for the simple idea of keeping warm and being efficient. Today, clothes have been produced to allow people to present themselves in the light they want to be perceived in.
Velicia, age 17
“I would say that I am pretty confident in terms of body image and I definitely dress to impress, I don’t think I would go out without doing my hair and makeup with a cute outfit.”
Clothes and your choice to wear certain items reflect who you are and how you are feeling at that moment in time. Your fashion sense reflects your personality and character and 99% of the time it is what allows strangers to create the first impression of you.
When asking Sienna Ruddley, a current brand model, what her one piece of advice was when it came to choosing what to wear- she said “Always remember whatever you wear should reflect the real you and be for just you, no one else”.