Think about the times you’ve gone to put on a specific outfit for an occasion, but then decided to change it at the last minute because it didn’t feel right for you at the time. This has happened to many of us at some point: it may have been because you preferred to wear a particular top that day instead (rather than the one you’d picked out days ago), it might not have felt like a good match right then, or ‘just because’.
We might find we wear specific colors on particular days, or a fancy outfit can make that special event that bit more exceptional – but sometimes, a big comfy jumper is just the solution. Here are some ways how what you wear affects how you feel.
It can improve your attention
Research from Journal of Experimental Social Psychology showed a higher level of concentration with people who were told they were wearing a doctor’s white coat. Some participants wore a painter’s smock, others wore doctor coats – and those who had the latter showed higher results in attention-demanding tasks.
It affects your self-confidence
Several subjects for a paper from Social Psychological and Personality Science were required to wear casual and formal clothing ahead of taking intellectual tests. Those who wore formal clothing performed better in the tasks, especially creative and organizational ones. So, you may want to think about dressing up when you next have a demanding task at work, to feel more confident and focused.
You can even feel confident in your choice of underwear. It can help you to define who you are, while not sacrificing your style – yet is still comfortable to wear. It can be an item of underwear that’s either for everyday wear or for special occasions.
It can cheer you up
Researchers from the University of Queensland interviewed people about their clothing choices to find out whether they wore clothing to reflect their mood, or to change it. They discovered that, often, we dress how we want to feel or how we want others to think about how we are feeling. It can work especially with clothing that’s drawn compliments previously, or it brings back good memories for you.
It can help you get your way
Clothing can give you an advantage in a dispute, according to research that was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. Subjects were dressed in either a suit, a pair of sweats, or their own clothing, then placed in a scenario where they had to negotiate. Those who were dressed better routinely beat those who weren’t.
It can make you a better thinker
A study from Social Psychological and Personality Science found that subjects had more creative ideas and thought faster on their feet when dressed in business formal clothing. The scientists speculated that one’s perception of people, objects, and events around you changed with how you dress – creating a new point of view and fresh ideas.
