Do you need wardrobe therapy?
How what you wear can boost energy levels and improve mood at the gloomiest time of year
TODAY is said to be the gloomiest day of the year but if “Blue Monday” is getting you down, don’t despair. Help could be closer to hand than you think.
Psychologists believe what you wear can have an immediate impact on how you feel – so could your wardrobe hold the key to happiness?
TV presenter Amanda Holden raised smiles when she posted a photo of herself on Instagram taking the bins out at her London home while dressed in a glittery pink ballgown.
She was inspired by the Facebook group “Put Your Bins Out in Your Ballgown”, which currently has more than 12,000 members.
The group is full of people sharing snaps of how they’re lifting their spirits by wearing something glam to add a bit of sparkle, shimmer and shine to their day.
Here, fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell ( fashionis psychology.com) explains why it works.
“Your clothes can help you escape current reality,” she said.
“We’re living through one of the most trying times of our lives, so it’s important to develop strategies, no matter how small, to help take your mind away from the doom, gloom and uncertainty.
“One way to do that is by playing dress-up – it is a form of escapism.
“Studies have shown people have fun by simply wearing outlandish, sexy or even eccentric outfits that contribute to a feeling of escapism.”
Here’s how you can embrace the mood-boosting power of your wardrobe. For energy wear...
BRIGHT YELLOW
The Pantone Colour Institute chose a bright and cheerful yellow as one of its colours of 2021. This sunny shade, described as “sparkling with vivacity and imbued with solar power”, is perfect for a mood boost.
“Yellow is the colour of optimism and hope – a joyous and radiant colour commonly associated with sunshine and feelings of warmth, cheerfulness and optimism,” said image consultant Lindsay Edwards (reimagise.net). For comfort wear...
SOMETHING SOFT
“Wearing something soft can make us feel comforted and relaxed,” said behavioural psychologist Professor Carolyn Mair, author of The Psychology of Fashion (psychology.fashion).
“Soft clothes envelop us like a second skin, making us feel safe, warm and comforted. They don’t demand attention or restrict movement, they don’t pinch or itch, so they enable us to focus on other activities and deal with more pressing demands such as communicating and solving problems.” For concentration wear...
A CRISP SHIRT
A smart suit or a crisp well-ironed shirt could help you perform better at work, say psychologists. Researchers at Northwestern University in the US found that how we perceive certain clothes influence how we feel and act when wearing them.
“Because we associate wearing a business suit with competence and professionalism, when we wear one, we can behave accordingly,” said Professor Mair.
We have fewer opportunities to touch so we turn to our clothes to get reassurance
For happiness try... MEMORY DRESSING
“Remembering good times can be a great way to boost your mood and if you have an outfit that was worn during a positive time, wearing it again can trigger positive associations,” said Professor Mair. For positive thinking wear...
A MESSAGE
“Clothing is a form of communication, so wearing a logo, slogan or image on a garment helps communicate the message you intended,” said Professor Mair.
“A smiley face or a cute animal sends a positive message to those who see us. If it makes someone smile, we smile back – creating an upward spiral of positivity.”
For calm wear… BLUE
“In nature, blue represents our ever-present sky and the steady flow of water, which is why so many people associate it with stability, tranquillity and calm,” said Lindsay.
“A worldwide YouGov survey revealed blue is the most popular colour in 10 countries, which is why it often feels a safe colour to wear. It’s associated with trust and security.”