How Fashion Impacts Mental Health
When the average person thinks of Fashion they immediately have a mental image of something along these lines: an unrealistic skinny tall blonde model walking down a runway in heels that no sane person would ever think of putting on their feet. Maybe they picture shopping in a crowded mall with tiny dressing rooms, trying on item after item while their mother or significant other is standing outside screaming “Let me see it on!!!”. Generally from my experience, when people first hear the word fashion, they are suddenly in a place where they are judging themselves or comparing themselves to unrealistic standards. I want to change that.
Don’t get me wrong, I have definitely had my dressing room freak-outs from trying on too many pairs of jeans that I hate or I not being able to find a top that fits me in the right places. Just like any relationship, our relationship with fashion will not ever be perfect, but that is what makes it beautiful. With the right approach, fashion can positively impact your mental health and change your life for the better.
Fashion can actually impact how we think. Ever wonder why you have to wear a suit for your corporate job? Professional dressing has been proven to increase abstract thinking. Wearing a lab coat has been proven to actively improve the performance of tasks. The saying “look good feel good do good” actually has a lot of scientific truth behind it. Certain colors can aid in mental health issues as well. Blue is an antidepressant color, while green is proven to reduce anxiety. So should you wear a lab coat every day? Or always wear the color green? No, but this is what you can do:
Wear What You Want to Be
Someone I admire in the fashion industry once said that there is nothing that can make you feel the way clothing does. If you want to feel sexy, you put on your finest suit or a little black dress. If you want to feel powerful, you put on a blazer and a statement pair of shoes. If you want to feel comfortable, you put on a cozy pair of sweatpants and the biggest t-shirt you can find. Fashion is not always perfect because it is a mirror of who we are as people. I can convey whatever I want to with my clothing choices— how incredible is that.
Fashion is a unique and deeply rooted personal concept, and it will affect everyone’s mood differently. This is why it is so important to explore different colors, patterns, and styles. Once you discover how different clothing items make you feel, you can display your true thoughts and emotions through your wardrobe. Wear what you want to be! Expressing myself through my clothing has helped my confidence in a way that nothing else in my life has. If I am nervous for a date or an interview, I curate an outfit that gives myself the confidence boost that I need to be able to express who I truly am. Clothing is so powerful and I hope to inspire you to think about what pieces make you feel the best!
Don’t know where to start? Join me for another Hot Girl Talk.
