Fashion seems superficial, but the right outfit has a magical way of communicating who we are, what we believe in, who we want to be and what we want to do.

And sometimes, wearing an outfit that we feel comfortable and confident in – could actually make us feel comfortable and confident! After all, confidence is the best look for anyone.

Your wardrobe is both a reflection of your personality and a tool that can be used to change how you are seen by others. All this comes from what you choose to wear each morning. The psychology behind clothing has been in play for as long as fashion has existed.

Dressing to Impress?

Males were found to try to impress their dates by emphasizing the security that they could offer the partner - for example, by exaggerating their financial position or by trying to demonstrate a preparedness to commit. Women, however, were deceptive with regards to their body image, exaggerating physical features in an effort to appear more attractive to their date.

Defying stereotypes

Against the gender stereotype of females being more fashion-aware and conscious of others' clothes and makeup efforts than males, studies have also lifted the lid on men's insecurities with regards to clothes.

We need to understand the significance of clothing choices regardless of our gender. Whether you are male or female, your fashion choices can affect both your self image, the impression that you convey to others and in turn, the way in which people behave towards you.

Fashion choices are part of growth and self expression for adolescents

Fashion choices reflect growth, changing values, and self expression. Young people want to dress in a way that reflects their values and traits. They want to have the agency to express themselves through their fashion choices. Fashion is important as youth go through the stages of psychosocial development and is an integral part of the development of a sense of self and a way of finding social confirmation.

Your clothing can make you a better thinker

In addition to feeling more powerful, the study also found that the subjects who dressed in business formal clothing could think faster on their feet and had more creative ideas. The scientists speculated that how you dress can change your perception of the objects, people, and events around you—sparking fresh ideas and a new point of view.

Your clothing can cheer you up

Do you wear clothing that reflects your mood or do you wear clothing to change your mood? We dress how we’d like to feel or how we’d like others to think we’re feeling. In other words, we put on a happy sweater along with a happy smile, even if we’re feeling down. And it works, especially if we wear clothing that has gotten us compliments in the past or is something that brings back good memories.

What you wear doesn’t define your value as a human being. But there is an important psychology of clothing that we need to be aware of. It’s important to understand how your clothes impact your thoughts and actions—and how others perceive those thoughts and actions based on what you’re wearing as well.

How do your clothes make you feel? Let us know in the comments below!