Have you ever wondered why some clothes make you feel special while some can leave you feeling gloomy? How certain colors uplift your mood on the other hand certain colors could make you feel invisible? How in your happy times you dress up differently than when you are feeling blue? Do you also wonder if your moods define your choices or your choices define your moods? And if they are interrelated, can you use your sense of style to improve your mental health and well-being? the answer to all these questions lies in the newly emerging discipline of Fashion psychology that we will explore through this blog.
Fashion psychology is the amalgamation of two of the most fascinating subjects in the world – the art of styling and the science of the mind. The idea that our wardrobe is not just a collection of fabrics but a window into our mindset in itself is mind boggling. Every little choice that we make reflects our emotions, cognition and mental health. A 2025 review titled The Psychological Influence of Fashion emphasized that clothing acts as a “second skin” influencing confidence, identity, and cognitive processes. According to it, dressing according to one’s self-concept led to higher self-esteem and emotional resilience, while overreliance on fashion for external validation increased anxiety and vulnerability.
It’s shocking to know how the most trivial task of a person’s day can have so much impact on our cognition and emotion. A study conducted in 2024 study on the psychological impact of clothing on mental status by Patel et.al. found that wearing preferred or personally meaningful clothes improved self-esteem and body image for individuals with depression and anxiety. Outfits consistent with self-identity reduced body shame and improved mood. Similar studies suggests that the practice of intentional clothing reduced perceived distress and improved self-assurance. This emphasizes the need for mindful clothing for betterment of mental health.
This power of mindful dressing leads us to the therapeutic side of fashion. The 2024 published paper called Fashion as Therapy by Power-sutra described “fashion therapy” which suggests selecting clothes for intentional emotional alignment can work as a tool for boosting confidence and reducing stress. It showed that congruence between attire and personality supports emotional regulation and authenticity. This signals towards an important need to find an authentic style of dressing that can help us understand and express ourselves better. Your attire not only impacts your own confidence and self-esteem but also leaves a mark on the people around you. The way you dress can change the mood of your social surroundings and people’s perception about you.
For this we need to dwell into Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky’s theory of enclothed cognition. Enclothed cognition refers to the systematic influence that clothes can have on the wearer’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors through their symbolic meaning. For example, a study titled Aesthetics of Joy (2023) suggests red clothing elevated perceived power and alertness, while soft tones like blue and green were tied to calmness and empathy.
Now that we know how important our choice of clothing is, lets understand how we can use it to improve our emotional wellbeing and express ourselves in healthy ways. A good understanding of what kind, fabric and color of clothes can enlighten us. The IJFMR (2024) study highlighted Specific findings with respect to different types of fabrics and fittings. Structured or well-fitted clothes increased self-assurance and cognitive focus. If you want to feel more confident and focused formal jackets and clean cuts can be a good option. While cottons and linens are associated with increased emotional stability and body satisfaction, sustainably produced clothes can instill moral satisfaction.
Studies show that formal attire (business suits, blazers) enhances abstract thinking, higher-order cognitive processes like planning and organizing, and decision-making quality compared to casual clothing, as it induces a psychological sense of social distance and professionalism.
Colors like red and yellow are linked to vitality, optimism and motivation and help you feel more social. Green and pink tints are associated with cheerfulness and emotional balance. Blue color can invoke feelings of trust and dependability while black instills a sense of control and stability. White offers clarity and peacefulness and orange can trigger enthusiasm and creativity. Using these colors combinations consciously can help us manage and regulate our moods and emotions effectively.
This is not just related to clothes but also extends to footwear and jewelry. For instance, the famous “heel confidence loop” hypothesis suggests that wearing heels improves posture which activates patterns of physiological confidence similar to “power posing”. Many studies have supported this hypothesis.
Beyond attire and accessories’, make up and skincare also significantly contributes to improved psychological resilience and lower stress levels based on cortisol measurements. Empirical trials indicate that regular makeup use can reduce depressive symptoms, mood swings, and low self-esteem, especially among individuals suffering from illness, distress, or negative body image.
As we understand the significance and impact of fashion and styling, we also need to be cautious about the dark side of it. The excessive craze for always looking perfect often leads to Body image dissatisfaction and social pressure vulnerability. Social media trends may foster unrealistic beauty standards that can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Shopping addictions and over consumerism are becoming common at an alarming rate. The great news is the rising field of fashion psychology is here to our rescue with its empirical findings and tips on how to be more mindful and authentic with our styles.
The world-renowned Gianni Versace said “Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you express by the way you dress and the way you live.”
So, let’s dress, not to impress but to express ourselves in our most authentic and unique form because we are beautiful just the way we are.
Credit :-
Khushi Rai
BBRFI Intern