Fashion and Depression
It really hit me last week that the pandemic gets more depressing by the day. The overwhelming amount of negative news, which feels like constant stream of bad energy is all over both mine and my husband’s phones, creating depressing topics of conversations. It’s hot as ever, and we don’t want to go out to any public places… (rising covid cases.) I’m sure many of you guys are experiencing similar feelings, and so I wanted to write about how you can use fashion to help increase positive emotions and decrease the depressive ones you may be feeling right now.
Getting dressed while depressed
In the past when I’ve been depressed I generally wore all black and the same outfit on repeat. I also didn’t spend much time on self-care or wear any accessories. After researching, I found that this makes a lot of sense as to why I did this because there’s an association between unkempt dressing and depression.
Research shows that people who are depressed generally want to camouflage themselves and don’t like to wear accessories or anything that might attract attention from others. My poll this week on Instagram showed that the majority (by a lot, 89%) dresses differently when depressed as opposed to how they dress when in a better mood. Fashion can be used as a way to cope with a difficult situation, and the psychology of fashion proves this. I remember wearing leggings and a big t-shirt, but it’s been shown that most women often wear jeans and a baggy top or sweatshirt when depressed.
The cycle of fashion and depression generally goes like this: depression —> unkempt dressing —> negative or no feedback —> depression. Have you experienced this before? If so, you’re not alone, and I have some ways in which you can stop that cycle from continuing. Did you know that putting on clothes and accessories that make you feel good about yourself and/or create positive feedback from others can create a positive feeling mentally?
How to help your mood
Some ways you can lift your mood using fashion when you’re depressed:
Wear something that makes you feel attractive (wear the outfit that you know flatters you; for me it’s a black dress that fits my shape well)
Wear something that has a good memory associated with it (I love this top with big ruffles that reminds me of our anniversary dinner a few years ago and makes me happy)
Wear a color that makes you feel cheerful and positive (check out my color psychology blog; pink makes me feel radiant)
Wear things that other people have told you look good on you (recently someone told me that teal was my color, and that made me feel good)
Wear something with a symbolic meaning (a lucky outfit)
Wear a fun accessory (I like wearing my velvet headband that people always compliment!)
Wear something that expresses your most authentic self (for me it would be a very girly dress- that feels most like me)