The Psychology Behind Dressing for Work
Do you sometimes wonder how many times you can wear the same outfit to work without people noticing? When I worked at Saks Fifth Avenue, it was difficult to find something fashionable to wear to work every day without repeating the same outfit all of the time, due to factors such as time and finances. Little did I know that the psychology behind fashion shows that people rarely notice if you wear the same outfit or variation of the same outfit every day. The reason behind this is that our visual system functions by recognizing differences more than similarities. Therefore, people would probably not notice if you wore something similar every day to work.
People who hold a position of power in the workplace often dress similarly each day and care less about their outfits. The reason behind this is that people who are higher up in the workplace focus more on their jobs and less on their appearance. For example, editor and chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour is known for wearing the same look (midis, boots, and kitten heels) most of the time. Similarly, Steve Jobs was known for wearing jeans and a black turtle neck every day. Executives look to spend their energy on important job tasks, and It requires less time to put together the same outfit that you already feel comfortable wearing.
While it is certainly fine to wear the same thing to work every day, the formality of the attire can actually affect your cognitive ability. If you have a job that requires a more formal way of dressing, it is best to dress to that standard. There was a study conducted that focused on the negotiation success of men who wore suits versus men who wore casual clothes, and the men in the suits negotiated far better. While dressing a certain way can influence what people think about you, it can also affect the way in which you think about yourself. Another study showed what influenced successful job interviews, and employers rated the way the applicant dressed higher than both physical attractiveness and sex. Something to keep in mind is that research shows that even dressing slightly provocatively in certain work environments can cost you a promotion.
As the technological shift in the workplace makes it increasingly easier to work from home, psychologists say that it is important to get dressed when working from home. Humans love routines, and getting dressed in the morning creates both routine and structure. As we saw, in the blog about mood, and the study about negotiation, what we wear influences how we feel and think, so being dressed even to work from home can help with productivity and self-esteem.
What should I wear when working at home? Well, you can really wear anything that you prefer! Sweatpants, joggers, and leggings are all super comfortable and easy to put together in the morning. It is not so much about what exactly you wear to work from home, it is more about changing from out of your sleep wear and into something that will get you into a routine of getting ready for work. This also includes self-care, as in washing your face or taking a shower, and getting ready for the day as if you would be going somewhere. The key is to keep routine and structure to your day.
References:
This is why it’s important to get dressed every morning while WFH, according to the experts https://www.standard.co.uk/fashion/experts-why-is-it-important-to-get-dressed-when-working-from-home-a4396326.html
How to dress while working from home, according to the experts https://www.today.com/style/how-dress-while-working-home-according-experts-t176434
Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion https://www.amazon.com/Mind-What-You-Wear-Psychology-ebook/dp/B00KBTB3NS
The Psychology of Fashion https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Fashion-Everything/dp/1138658677