Have you ever worn a certain outfit and felt happier or more confident? Have you carefully chosen the outfit for a date or business meeting? Well, the idea of clothing improving our mood is not new.
Recently, scientists have coined the term “enclothed cognition” to explain this phenomenon.
Here’s an example: research published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science Journal found that formal dress influences the way others perceive a person and even their decision-making.
That is, the type of clothing can act on the psychological processes of those who wear it.
If you require a mood booster lately, maybe the answer lies inside your closet. Let’s look at some ways that certain types of clothing can improve your mood (or at least the way others perceive you).
Dopamine Dressing
Dopamine dressing is the habit of dressing to improve your mood. Even if we are not aware of it, when we wear a certain color, style, or texture we send a message to our brain to release dopamine – the chemical responsible for well-being.
It explains that funny cliché we see in movies when characters facing a breakup or deep sadness decide to go out shopping for new clothes and come back feeling better.
The benefit of this practice could be confirmed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A lot of people started wearing bright clothes, vibrant colors, or completely different styles in their own homes during the lockdown to try to improve their mood.
There are also several TikTok and Instagram accounts dedicated to dopamine dressing tips and their effects.
Comfy Clothes
Coming home after a long, stressful day and changing out of those formal clothes for your fav pajamas is one of the best ways to reward yourself.
Comfy clothes are not only comfortable, but they also make you feel good, wearing something familiar, without pressure, and therefore more relaxed.
But the concept of “comfy clothes” doesn’t just mean that old, ripped T-shirt you’ve loved since you were a teenager.
There are some pieces with the power to leave you relaxed and, at the same time, looking casual and chic. When you manage to combine the two, the mood booster is guaranteed.
Here are some essential items you need to have in your wardrobe:
- Soft and stretchy leggings.
- Cotton T-shirts or tank tops.
- Robes, kimonos, and yoga pants.
- A warm cashmere sweater.
- Maxi skirts in vibrant colors.
- Oversized sweaters (to match with pajama pants or even leggings).
Feeling Confident
In addition to making you feel more cheerful or happy, clothes can also work miracles with your self-esteem. Finding clothes that make you feel good will increase your confidence too.
It can be something nice for business occasions or a casual dinner with friends. Just the act of taking the time to choose and prepare an impeccable outfit for a social gathering will make you feel better about yourself and thus more confident.
A good tip is to throw in some accessories to amplify the feeling that you can conquer the world. It could be that fragrance you rarely use, the bag you bought for a special occasion, or new glasses frames with a touch of sophistication.
Colors
Psychology discovered a long time ago that some colors can affect our mood, the way we feel, and especially the idea that other people have about us.
For example, cooler colors (such as shades of green and blue) convey a sense of calm and relaxation, while warmer shades of red, gold and yellow can shift your mood.
But matching colors also depends on your style. It’s no use wearing hot pink from head to toe to try to make yourself happier if you hate this color.
When shopping, always look for those shades that you already know make you happier or more satisfied, or small variations of the same color.
The best strategy for an automatic mood booster is to throw little touches of brighter colors on a single outfit piece (say, your blouse) or an accessory (your glasses frames, perhaps).
The effect will be immediately noticeable. When in doubt, try orange tones, a less flashy color with a strong feeling of energy/positivity.
Your Wardrobe Explains Who You Are
If you wear the same clothes or the same colors every single day, you will end up feeling stuck.
And it doesn’t matter if those are your favorite clothes. The day will come when you look in the mirror and only feel bored.
The contents of your closet help explain who you are. If you are dynamic, fun, and energetic, you will surely find some clothes inside that will give you an automatic mood booster.
It can be a piece of a certain color or that outfit you wore on a special day.
Getting dressed shouldn’t just be a social obligation/routine. When selecting a certain outfit for a work day or social gathering, you must feel good about it.
If that’s not happening, maybe it is the right time to do like in the movies and go shopping to feel better (or even change your style completely).
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