What Is Psychology Of Clothes? How Can It Affect The Way We Think?

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How much do you really think about your clothing choices and preferences while stepping out of the house? Be it wearing formal clothes, party outfits, casual attire or ethnic wear, who knew that simply donning a pair of heels or sneakers, a kurta or a t-shirt will initiate a series of psychological processes?

Clothing has often been called 'second skin' and one of the important ways of self-expression. Even though a lot of people say that they are not interested in fashion or style, we all wear clothes whether we are fond of them or not. It is not only the outward display of our identity, but it does send a message to those we communicate with.

According to new research, how we attire might be the choice between giving ourselves an advantage in our professional & personal life. Forming an impression of people who we have just met based on their clothes and occasion is something we all have done. Therefore, certain attires can symbolize intelligence and make one feel more confident and smarter. So, if we choose to power dress we feel powerful ourselves.

Studies have pointed out that what we wear has a direct impact on the feelings, behaviours or moods of an individual and can even impact their cognitive abilities. Well, the psychology of clothing does exist and it is way more complex than you can ever imagine. And the interesting part is it not only changes the perception of ourselves but also affects our self-esteem and confidence and how others perceive or react to us and also taps into numerous aspects of human experience.

How Can Clothing Affect The Idea Of Self And Identity?
The sensation of donning an outfit can have an impact on self and identity. While some ideas appear strong, others can come as soft and lighthearted. From conformity and cultural identity to self-expression and gender roles, everything can get affected due to clothing.

What Is Enclothed Cognition?
There is a term that explains the psychology of clothing and the phenomenon is called 'enclothed cognition', which was coined decades back and describes the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer's psychological processes. The way we don clothes can trigger numerous psychological processes and impacts our emotions, self-evaluations, attitudes, and interpersonal relationships.
An original study was conducted by scientists where they asked the participants to wear a lab coat and put them to the test.
'This study builds on social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and the theory of enclothed cognition to assess the impact of wearing lab coats on 5th-grade students. Students were assigned to a treatment group (that wore lab coats, n = 106) or a control group (that did not wear lab coats, n = 110) for 10 science classes taught by their classroom science teacher. Students were assessed pre and post to intervention with a survey designed to measure science interest, recognition from others as a science person, science self-efficacy, and STEM career goals.'
The results showed that student's interest in science didn't change drastically due to wearing lab coats but it did impact the student's perceived recognition by others and the ones wearing the lab coats were thought of as science learners. Furthermore, 'those treatment students with low self-efficacy (compared to those with high self-efficacy) and those with who did not report having access to a parent with a STEM career had significant increases in perceptions of self-efficacy in science.'
This indicates that the sensation of donning something has a subtle effect on our attitudes & conduct. Here is what psychologists and researchers have pointed out about certain types of clothing. Read on to know about them.

1. Flexible Clothing
According to a study, wearing formal attire can improve effectiveness at the office. Also, it has been found that individuals who opted for formal clothing at their workplace were less open and found it harder to relax. But, a more relaxed and flexible clothing code can make someone more innovative and pleasant. No one loves to hang around coats, so why not let your hair down and socialize more with your coworkers?

2. Suiting Up
Wearing tailored jackets can be associated with being 'dressed for success' or something similar. Wearing the correct outfit can create the correct state of mind to tackle the task. This can also boost self-esteem and can also raise the hormones that will demonstrate dominance. One can engage in effective communication and become creative thinker because of this.

3. Uniform Thinking
Clothing has been directly linked to how a person in a profession will act. Wearing a jacket or carrying weapons can make employees take their employment more seriously. Also, wearing a lab coat can make a person more serious, concentrate more and make lesser mistakes, because lab coats symbolize serious occupations and demand too much attention to work.

4. Gym Outfit Or Activewear
If you feel demotivated while working out on a daily basis then wearing workout clothing may help you to gear up for your gym. Wearing sportswear or activewear will increase the likelihood that we will exercise. Also, this will help you to make healthier life choices.

5. Politics And Luxury
Clothes can also influence the social position and affect political ideas and attitudes. Political beliefs are unshakable is what most of us believe, but it is not so. According to research a group of women who were given 'Prada' handbags were associated with conservative and capitalist ideals more than women who were given non-luxury handbags. Also, females were more willing to help others when their social position was improved. Scientists believe that people instinctively attempt to act in ways that are compatible with their appearance.

6. Bright And Dark Shades
How we dress is also dependent on our emotional condition. You may feel grumpy, sad, nervous, pressured or agitated or happy, confident and full of love and your emotions will reflect on your dressing style. Also, it can give someone an idea of how you deal with certain feelings. So, wearing a brightly coloured dress can act like tiny pick-me-ups, improve energy and add little positivity to your life if it is not going so well for you.

7. Underwear Or Hidden Clothes
Hidden clothes or underwear or even socks can also affect how we feel about ourselves. Wearing something quirky or sexy can have a powerful influence on confidence and self-perception, says research. This factor is so strong that it can also shift one's identity. A qualitative study published in 2006 by Jantzen and colleagues concluded that women spend considerable effort choosing, buying and putting on specific underwear for specific occasions and that underwear can be a representation of 'who I really am'.

Interestingly, research has pointed out that copying or imitating someone's style can be a good idea to improve self image. Following the dress code of other people who we look up to and consider powerful, confident and smart also influence you to feel these similar attributes and bring out the best in you.