One of the items that pops up in my online mailbox every day is an article from Nice News. Nice news is so much better than some of the other news we see, and the articles they share are always interesting. As is this one about dressing. No, not for the turkey, but how and why people choose the clothes they wear.
This is a quote from the article: “There’s science behind dressing your best, but we’re not talking about engineering the perfect on-trend outfit. Fashion psychology has shown that what we wear can influence our attitude, confidence levels, and mood — which means it’s far from a superficial endeavor to concern yourself with clothing.”
What caught my attention in the article was mention of “Dopamine Dressing.” What we wear can reflect how we feel and if we want to improve a dour mood, simply dressing up might be the ticket.
According to the article, “the term “dopamine dressing” was coined by fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen in her book Dress Your Best Life as a way to describe the act of donning certain articles of clothing to intentionally enhance your mood. It often involves choosing bright colors, pieces that evoke joy, and outfits that allow you to truly express yourself.”
This is true for me. When I’m feeling a bit down, I’ll change into one of my favorite outfits and instantly feel better.
And I always dress a certain way when doing a book event, sort of like a costume. In my special jeans, top, and jacket, I’m Maryann Miller the author. No longer the Maryann Miller who sits at her computer in shorts in the summer and sweats in the winter, sans makeup or jewelry.
BTW, I’m superstitious about those jeans and have no idea what I will do when they age out.
The article at Nice News seems geared toward women, as we have always been more clothes conscious, but there are tips for men on coordinating articles of clothing for what the authors refer to as “Capsule Wardrobes.” The suggestion is to have a few mix-and-match pieces that one could quickly and easily put together for an outfit for work or for a casual gathering.
I saw the beauty of that concept in action once when my daughter came to visit, wearing a dress that stopped just above her knee. Honestly, I can’t recall what the pattern was on the dress, I just remember that I didn’t find it complimented her at all. She had a casual business meeting later that afternoon, and in preparation, she added a jean jacket and some jewelry, and the outfit was magically transformed.
That daughter does have a flair for “dressing” and used to try to fix me when she was a teen. This was before I was published or started working in public relations, so my idea of a perfect outfit was, well, those same shorts and sweats I wear now.
Okay. Not the exact same ones, but you get the drift.
This is what I wrote about said daughter in my humorous memoir, A Dead Tomato Plant and a Paycheck:
“It was about that time that our older daughter took an interest in helping me with fashion issues. I think she was motivated by the same kind of embarrassment my brother used to experience when his mother picked him up from school in her canary yellow and blue shirt. Anyway, Anjanette went through my closet one day to determine what was currently stylish and what wasn’t. When she finished, there was one lonely blouse hanging on the rack. Everything else had been deemed, “So horribly out of style it shouldn’t even be donated to Goodwill.”
Since our budget was stretched so thin we hardly had extra to buy new jeans for the kid who decided to grow through four sizes in one year, there was nothing earmarked for a new wardrobe for Mom. So, the clothes went back into the closet, with the promise that the only blouse I would wear around Anjanette’s school friends was the one she had labeled “Okay to wear if you absolutely must.”
That daughter also cringed when her dad would show up at a family gathering in shorts, black socks, and dress shoes. It didn’t get any better when he switched to white socks and sandals.
It’s true my husband was never a fashionista. Once he retired and didn’t have to wear a suit and tie and white shirts any more, he was done with caring about how he dressed. However, he did allow me to pick out outfits if we were going to a social event.
He believed that people shouldn’t be judged by the clothes they wear, and in many ways that’s true. However, it happens. We are judged and categorized by how we appear in public.
For instance, consider the advice about what to wear for a job interview. “Your choice of attire significantly influences the first impression you make on potential employers. It can also reflect the confidence you have in yourself and your skills.”
At Indeed.Com Amy Heine wrote an article How to Dress for a Job Interview and What Not to Wear. Her article has a number of quick tips on how to prepare for the type of interview well before the big day, stressing to be ready in advance. Something many of us struggle with. 🙂
A blog post on the site Let’s Get You, a fashion consulting firm founded by Nicole Russo, has more information on the dynamic behind wardrobe choices and perceptions.
“Your image is more than just a reflection of your personal style; it’s a powerful tool that can influence perceptions, open doors to new opportunities, and set the stage for your professional success.
“Think about the people you admire at work… there’s just something about them when they walk in the door.
“Confidence. Authority. Effortlessly Polished. Professional.”
It’s those four attributes that most of us want to showcase when at work, or for me, author signings, and what we wear does make a huge difference.
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That’s all from me for today, folks. Let me know what you think of this topic by leaving a comment. Writers, do you wear a “costume” for events? Who else wears socks and sandals?
I hope your week ahead is productive and pleasant. Be safe. Be happy.