The Power of Clothes
The clothes you wear have more power than you think, and there is actual science to back this up. In this article we will explore the concept of enclothed cognition, a theory that demonstrates how our mental performance and our behaviour is closely linked, among other things, to how we dress.
enclothed cognition
The concept of enclothed cognition entered the scientific vocabulary after a 2012 study conducted by psychologists Adam and Galinsky.
In the research, participants were asked to complete a Stroop Test - a task that assesses cognitive abilities based on the time participant take to say the colour of the ink a word is written with, instead of the word itself.
The participants were divided into two groups: one group was wearing wearing lab coats and the other, their usual attire. The results indicated that participants in lab coats performed better on the test compared to the other group.
The participants were divided into two groups: one group was wearing wearing lab coats and the other, their usual attire. The results indicated that participants in lab coats performed better on the test compared to the other group.
But these results were not limited to lab coats. Other studies observed similar outcomes with other types of uniforms, such as the Red Cross uniform, associated with more prosocial behaviors and empathetic responses and school uniforms, associated to higher academic performance. Formal clothes also appear to be associated to higher perceptual activity, mental abstraction, and self-control, whilst wearing watches appeared to increase conscientiousness and punctuality. Colours also seem to have a similar impact: pink is associated with more egalitarian sexual roles compared to blue, and red with dominance and a competitive edge.
the implications of enclothed cognition
Reflecting on our personal experience, we might intuitively understand that what we wear can make us feel better about ourselves. However, these studies provide us with actual scientific evidence that confirm this. Our appearance not only impacts the perception of those who observe us but it also has an impact on the perception that we have of ourselves, as we constantly strive to understand ourselves. Depending on what we wear we might perform better and carry ourselves with more confidence, all off which could impact our overall quality of life. Those who work remotely surely know the difference between sitting at a desk in pajamas and wearing more formal clothes.
getting the most out of enclothed cognition
To summarise, if we want to become the best version of ourselves, we need to start dressing like the best version of ourselves. In order to do this, we can think about how we can apply the concept of enclother cognition to our everyday life. I will now discuss the three main areas of life that people usually want to improve.
Health
Let’s say that the healthier version of ourselves is one that workout often and makes healthy food choices. In this case, wearing a nice workout outfit that we know has been designed to improve our performance, not only could make us feel more confident in going to the gym, but could also make us more motivated to exercise in the morning and make healthier food choices.
Work
A famous saying goes, "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have". Wearing formal clothes that make us feel more confident could increase our your productivity, and improve our job performance. If you work from home, you could try avoiding wearing your pyjama or tracksuit, and wear formal clothing instead. Besides, wearing clothes that makes us feel more confident during a job interview could contribute in improving our performance, and makes us succeed in obtaining the role.
Personal
Regarding our personal life more generally, I believe the most important thing is to wear clothes in which we feel comfortable. Following current trend could go to your disadvantage if you don’t feel good in what you are wearing. It is much more valuable to fid your own personal style, and wear the attire the suit you the most. I suggest sites like Pinterest for inspiration to find your own personal style. You could also find out what your body type and colour palette is to make sure you wear what suits you the most.
Conclusion
In conclusion, enclothed cognition demonstrates that what we wear can significantly impact our cognitive abilities and behaviors. Dressing like the best version of ourselves could help us become the best version of ourselves.
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