The Impact of Clothing on Mental Health and Performance
In 2021, we have rightly evolved into a society where we are as conscious of our mental health as we are our physical health. From yoga to meditating to exercising to limiting alcohol intake, today more people than ever are changing their lifestyles in favour of better mental health.
However, there is one aspect of lifestyle that influences our mental health and self-esteem as much as any and its importance is often neglected. This is the notion of how we dress ourselves. A common misconception is that clothing is merely a frivolous and materialistic parade of no real importance. However, there is numerous scientific evidence to suggest the contrary.
The Importance of Self-Expression and Individualism
Self-expression is a big part of everyday life, whether people do it through artistic means or not. Developing self-expression can lead to a healthy mindset and helps consumers understand their passions and reach personal goals. Self-expression is also one of the key factors of individualism, which contributes in large part to mental health.
All fashion consumers express themselves through their clothing, style and apparel. In tailoring, that shows in the choices most people never see: the lining, the buttons, the lapel. Our piece on choosing buttons and linings shows how much difference those decisions make.
Dressing for Performance
Beyond influencing how others perceive you, research suggests clothing affects how you think. A Social Psychological and Personality Science study reported that formal dress aided broader, big-picture thinking in cognitive tests, while less formally dressed participants focused on smaller details.
As well as influencing others’ perceptions of you, clothing is also scientifically proven to boost your cognitive abilities. According to a Social Psychological and Personality Science study report, wearing formal and appropriate clothing aided creative, big-picture thinking in different cerebral tests, while those less well-dressed got caught up with inconsequential details.
Moreover, In 2012, researchers from Northwestern University in the US found that wearing specific items of clothing had an effect on the wearer’s psychology and performance. The researchers concluded that clothes have a symbolic meaning. When we wear an item of clothing with a specific meaning, these clothes can influence our psychological state. It’s called “enclothed cognition.”
Investing in Yourself
While many may claim that clothing is merely an apparatus of day-to-day convenience, there is no shortage of rebuttals to this school of thought. We wear clothes every day. What this means is that what we wear becomes an extension of who we are; thus, this provides an opportunity to express our individualism through our wardrobes. Alongside this, numerous scientific studies have concluded that dressing well can boost your performance by enhancing your confidence and even cognitive ability. When you buy clothing, you are not just investing in an item for your wardrobe. You are investing in yourself. If you would like something made to your own measurements, you can book a tailor at our Lime Street store.
