Psychology of Fashion

Fashion is more than a statement. It’s a form of communication. A person’s style is a form of self-confidence and what they stand for, whether or not they realize it. Fashion psychology encompasses how individuals perceive or judge one another, one’s identity or personality.

Fashion psychology is an upcoming and revolutionary concept in India which talks about “dealing with how the fashion industry works, understanding consumer behavior, and figuring out ways to make fashion more sustainable, predicting trends.

The clothing we wear and the experiences we have wearing our clothing implicitly interact with our needs, emotions, thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and self-concept.

Individuals who have an understanding of self-concept, know who they are and the person they strive to be, have relatively high self-esteem, and are self-aware and reflective bout themselves.

Fashion and clothing enthusiasts are too often regarded as superficial, paying too much attention to the opinions of others and obsessing about how fashionable they look.

The clothes you wear and the way you groom yourself will change the way other people hear what you say. It will subconsciously tell them if you’re like them or if you’re different. It will determine whether they listen or ignore.

We consider some clothes to be powerful, some to be fun, and so on. We even evaluate people whom we have just met based on their clothes and the occasion. It would seem that we also evaluate ourselves and our roles based on what we are wearing at a particular time; because of the way they make you feel. This means that the experience of wearing something subtly affects our attitudes and our choice of behavior.

There’s a reason tailored jackets are associated with being ‘dressed for success. It seems that wearing formal office wear and structured clothes puts us in the right frame of mind to conduct business. Wearing powerful clothing makes us more feel more confident and even increases the hormones needed for displaying dominance.

Wearing formal wear isn’t a great idea when we want to socialize. Studies have found that people tend to be less open and find it more difficult to relax when they wear formal clothes.

On the other hand, a casual and relaxed dress code at work helps us become more friendly and creative.

Most of us think of our political affiliations as rock-solid. But not only can clothes affect our perceived social status, but they can also even change our political views and attitudes. In one study women who were asked to carry a Prada handbag identified more with conservative, capitalist values than a control group who were given a non-luxury handbag.

These ladies were also less likely to help others in general but were more likely to help if it improved their status. The researchers believe that this could be because people unconsciously attempt to behave in ways that are congruent with their looks. So essentially, if we dress for the role, we will start to live it.

Feeling low / cranky / upset / sad? While our mental state most definitely affects the way we dress; the reverse may also hold true. What we wear could affect how we cope on days when we are depressed, anxious, and stressed. Research says the quickest little fix for a bad day is to wear brightly colored clothes. Cheerful colors work as a mini pick-me-up and thus boosting our mood and energy. Also, we associate bright colors with happiness, sunny days, and carefree times.

On the other hand, we associate deep and dull colors with low energy, being tired, and a more somber mood. So the next time you feel like donning a dark hoodie to hide a bad day; reach out for the bright pullover instead! It may just make you feel a little happier.