In the world of psychology, so much of what goes on inside each individual’s psyche is carefully hidden behind ego defences, habitual behaviours, socially dictated norms, how we dress; from the clothes we wear, to the way we style our hair and decorate our bodies. This is one of only a very few indicators of an individual’s personality and self-image.
The phrase ‘dress to impress’ is to make a statement to the world about who we are and how we want the world to see us. But, what are we saying with what we wear? How does our dress style affect others and how does the appearances of others impact our opinions about them. These are some of the questions that want answers.
Personality development helps us to recognise how our clothes and personality are reflected to others. Here are few examples of styles that are popular today and the kind of information they convey about those who wear them.
The conventional dresser: A conventional dresser dresses for his or her environment rather than from a sense of personal style. Their outfits lack originality or individuality. They dress according to what their environment dictates. Their outfits are based on existing styles. In the business world, he/she can be seen wearing a simple, traditionally styled suit in blue, grey or black with a white shirt, conservative tie and sensible shoes. They tend to be introverts who like to blend in with the crowd.
The sloppy dresser (grunge look): Sloppy dresser loves to be seen in baggy, torn outfits. They generally look as if they slept in their clothes. In fashion, it is characterised as unkempt clothing. People who dress this way will have to give up any value they might put into matching outfits or looking too clean. A grunge dresser loves torn frayed blue jeans , deliberately ripped t-shirts, flannel , unironed natives, uncombed hair, unshaven faces, and on women ‘heavily sloppily applied makeup’. Those who wear this style often see themselves as ‘free thinkers’, but their looks scream of poor self-image, immaturity, lack of motivation and “I don’t give a damn’. They carry this attitude into every aspect of their lives from job performance to work ethnic and personal relationships.
The casual chic dresser: The causal chic dresser is someone who tends to dress appropriately for every occasion and always looks stylish and put together. They are drawn to chic and sophisticated pieces that can be worn in a casual style. The difference between this person and a conventional dresser however is that a ‘chic’ dresser adds small but important personal touches to his or her wardrobe. It can be an elegant piece of jewellery, a silk scarf on a designer tie. Their outfit speaks about their desire to fit in without disappearing into the crowd. The impression you give is of a person who is comfortable and happy. The casual chic personality is confident, friendly, successful, and perceived as attractive by others.
The designer dresser: We all know that one person who will wear nothing but ‘designer’ clothing. Everything from their undergarment to what is worn outside must speak of an easily recognised label from a well-known clothing designer. While this style gives one an air of affluence and success, it is often also a sign of a person who is insecure, uncertain about his personality identity and overly materialistic. Always remember you are what you wear.
The Goth dresser: The ‘Goth’ look is generally worn by those who reject conventional society. Their look is characterised by black clothing, black (usually dye hair) heavy dark makeup and accessories that look more threatening than fun or inviting. Those who dress in ‘Goth’ clothing often see themselves as artistic and sensitive. Their underlying personalities tend to be angry, thrill-seeking, and hostile towards authority.
The althetic dresser: This may seem strange. Most people that dress in ‘athletic’ attire like running suits, sweat and so called ‘work-out wears’ in public are not athletes, but simply people that want to be perceived as such. Those who wear this kind of outfits in public are generally wearing them in order to identify themselves with a sub-culture that they find appealing but which they cannot join due to physical constraints or a simple lack of time and motivation. These people tend to be insecure and envious of those with the ambition.
Of course, these descriptions of clothes and personalities are stereotypical representation of many different types of dressers. Most of us wear a mixture of one or more of these style types on a regular basis and our personalities are a mix of those described as well.
Every conventional dresser is not boring, nor anyone who wears yoga pants to the store is a frustrated athlete, but, it is always good idea to occasionally step back and look at our clothes and personality and how others see us through it. Hopefully we can learn something during this process.
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