Can clothes make you happy? Recently I read this article and I found it very interesting.
“Your style and the clothes you choose reflect and affect your mood, health, and overall confidence. Scientists call this phenomenon “enclothed cognition”, and Adam Hajo and Adam D. Galinsky, both professors at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, write in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, write that enclothed cognition “involves the co-occurrence of two independent factors — the symbolic meaning of the clothes and the physical experience of wearing them.” The researchers had subjects perform tests while wearing a lab coat like medical doctors wear, a coat like painters wear, and while not wearing either coat. They found that subjects’ sustained attention increased while wearing the doctors’ coats in a way that their attention did not increase while wearing the painters’ coats or no coats.
Similarly, Professor Karen J. Pine, of the University of Hertfordshire (U.K.) writes in her book Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion “When we put on a piece of clothing we cannot help but adopt some of the characteristics associated with it, even if we are unaware of it.” In the studies Pine conducted, as related in her book, one participant admitted, “If I’m in casual clothes I relax and am tomboyish, but if I dress up for a meeting or a special occasion, it can alter the way I walk and hold myself.”
Continues Lisa Stariha, The Body Empowerment Coach, “Get up, get dressed, and never give up each day.” Stariha, who often works from her home office, knows how comfortable it can be to work in yoga pants and a cozy shirt. But, she says, “to feel more beautiful, confident, and strong, you must change out of the yoga pants and put on clothes that give you power,” just as Wonder Woman went from her Diana Prince uniform to her kick-butt Wonder Woman costume.” Clothing significantly influences how others perceive you and how they respond to you.”(Excerpted from The Huffpost)
What can you do to ensure that you like your outfit? These are my top ten tips.
Make sure your clothing fits.
Don’t wear pants that puddle around your ankles or jackets with sleeves that hang over your hands or pants that are baggy on your butt. Tailoring your clothing can make you feel very chic and comfortable.
Proper underwear is a must.
Underwear can be neglected, but it is the “foundation” for your clothing. Bras should fit and support, panties should not be visible. Visit Nordstroms or Sol Boutique to get a fitting.
Wear your best colors.
Ignore fashion color trends and stick to the colors that flatter you. A great flattering color will always help to make you feel better.
Stand up straight.
Rehearse clothing combinations.
Put together some go-to looks and take a selfie so that you will know what to put on when you are running out of time.
Stay updated.
You don’t have to be trendy, but aim to stay contemporary and up to date. Even classic clothing needs to be updated and you will always feel sassier if your clothing looks modern.
Wear lipstick.
Lipstick brightens your face and finishes your look. It’s the one piece of makeup that you don’t want to forget. Without a lip color, you can look tired and pale.
Accessorize.
A flattering scarf or necklace can finish the most simple tee.
Keep your shoe wardrobe updated.
A cute boot, a sexy sandal or a fun pair of tennis shoes can elevate any outfit.
Smile.
Everyone looks better with a grin.
