Fashion Affects Mood
Pictured above, is my friend Kennedy, who has impeccable style, and I love looking at her fashion forward photos. I asked about her mood state when wearing this outfit: “This day was chilly, and we were running errands in London, plus the Glossier pop up had just opened. I knew I wanted to be comfy but also stylish. I threw on some vintage Levi’s, sneakers, a turtle neck, and the jacket really set the look. I wore the hat because my hair looked horrible, plus it was just another accessory to bring the look together. I felt very comfortable in this look because I gained weight while overseas, but the jacket was able to hide that and was still stylish.”
Research shows that women are sensitive to mood changes and often relate clothing to emotions and feelings. As women, we notice our moods fluctuating throughout the month depending on many different factors, including life events, stress, hormones, and nutrition (both of which I will discuss in future blogs). However, did you know that fashion and the clothes we wear can affect our moods by influencing us to feel a wide variety of emotions? You may not notice how subconsciously influential the clothes you select every morning can actually be.
Color:
While I will discuss in depth about color psychology in a future blog, know that colors play a major role in the mood changes you may experience. For example, some women might wear red and be perceived as more attractive, making them feel more confident, creating a cycle of wanting to wear red again. Without realizing it, we select clothes that contain certain colors that express moods and also, unconsciously affect moods. A top that you choose might make you feel a positive or negative mood depending on the color, the way it feels, and the way it fits.
Symbolism:
We relate clothing articles to past feelings and emotions, such as memories that may unconsciously remind us of the garment we select. Clothes sometimes have symbolic meaning, which generates certain feelings, causing us to change our mood when wearing the items. The cognitive appraisal theory says that emotions can trigger psychological changes, so wearing a garment that reminds you of an exciting time in your life will release positive emotions, therefore making you happier.
Reflection:
People also wear clothes that reflect their moods, for example if you are feeling depressed, you might wear an outfit that camouflages your body, so that you are less noticeable by others, resulting in less interactions. However, research shows that if you are feeling pretty low one day, putting on your favorite outfit can create a positive feeling, resulting in an enhanced mood. Kennedy did both. She reflected her own negative mood by using her jacket and hat as a way to hide something she didn’t want to show, but she put on something comfortable and stylish to enhance her mood, took a great photo as a result, and elicited positive responses from myself and others.
Positive vs. Negative:
Positive moods are shown to be associated with all kinds of good things that increase our overall wellbeing, including creativity, better cognitive ability, confidence, and higher immune functioning. Did you know that if you are fighting a cold or sickness, having more positive moods will enable a quicker recovery time. In turn, low moods can fog the brain, exacerbate stress, increase mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and hinder immune functioning. Those who are depressed not only get sick more often, but also have a more difficult time fighting off a sickness. By becoming aware of how fashion can affect your mood, you can elevate your emotions and increase your wellbeing.
References:
Stress and the Immune System https://arizona.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/stress-and-the-immune-system
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
Fashion Psychology: What Clothes Say About You https://www.psychologistworld.com/body-language/psychology-of-clothing-dating-dress
Enclothed Cognition: Put on Your Power https://positivepsychologynews.com/news/emily-vansonnenberg/2012052122126