How Fashion Affects Our Mood 

By Shayla Rahman 

Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression and has a big impact on our emotions and behaviors. The clothes we wear can show our personalities and share how we interact with the world. Take a look at all the people in Lab, many of them have a unique sense of style. Our school is very diverse in fashion among both students and teachers. On one side of the school there's Gator pride, on another there’s business casual. 

By going deeper into the psychology of fashion, we can better understand how dressing up can improve our confidence and allow us to be more positive about the world.  

Our clothes reflect who we are, our moods, and our values. The colors we choose to wear can say a lot about us without having to say anything. Our minds automatically associate certain colors with specific emotions. Wearing bright and vibrant colors can signal that someone is a joyful and confident person while wearing more muted colors can signify calmness. 

According to a 2012 study from Northwestern University, wearing certain clothes has a real effect on the psychology and performance of the person wearing those clothes. This concept is called “enclothed cognition” which is the connection between the clothes we wear and our self-perception. Wearing certain items like a blazer or combat boots can make us feel more powerful, while other clothes like oversized hoodies and t-shirts can make us feel more comfortable and relaxed on hard days.

The impact of fashion on our mood also has to strongly do with color psychology. Studies have shown that certain colors evoke certain emotions. For example, yellow is known to be a very happy and cheerful color with an energizing effect, while blue brings a sense of calmness and relaxation. The colors we wear everyday can set the tone for the rest of our days and even help us manage stress. 

For those of us who are a bit more introverted or reserved, fashion can also provide a means of self expression that feels easier to express than through verbal communication. Outfits can show a bold personality that would otherwise go unnoticed. Fashion, in this way, allows us to create a visual story of who we are challenging the “quiet” or “shy” labels that don't quite capture our entire personalities. 

Aside from expression, clothing enhances our productivity and confidence in a professional setting. The saying “dress for the job you want,” is quite true as studies have shown that wearing professional attire helps improve your performance and embody qualities of confidence and competence. For me personally wearing blazers makes me feel more confident about myself especially on days I have to present to an audience. Labbie Zi Qi Li (11th) says, “Fashion helps me feel more confident. For example in the morning I would be so groggy and tired but when I wear something that I like it boosts my mood and helps me be ready for the day.” I think we can all agree that we need something to keep us going in the morning whether that be a coffee or a celsius. For students like Zi Qi it's the ability to Dress to Impress in real life.

Ultimately the psychological effects of fashion highlight the value of dressing in a way that expresses our authentic selves. It allows us to have more fun in our everyday lives and gives us something to look forward to. Fashion allows us to say what cannot be said and allows us to express ourselves without needing to use words and it allows us to get a better understanding of our own identities. 

2024-2025 Edition 1