Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression; it’s not just about following the latest trends or dressing to impress, but it can reveal much about our personality traits, emotions, and values. An American fashion designer Marc Jacobs once said, “To me clothing is a form of self-expression. There are hints about who you are in what you wear.”
I’m Liz Mudri, from Perth, Western Australia. I’m what you call a Behaviour-based Fashion Therapist. With over 12 years of experience as a social worker and therapist, and an experienced Personal Stylist, I have combined my passions to help individuals use clothing as a tool for self-expression and empowerment. My focus on behaviour science and psychology allows me to assist others in building confidence, motivation, and self-expression based on their authentic values and beliefs.
In this blog post, I’ll examine fashion self-expression through psychology and behavioural science. I’ll also talk about how self-awareness can strengthen our relationship with self-expression, help us understand how our emotions and values are affected when we exchange and wear clothing, and make us more conscious of how we express ourselves through clothing.
Fashion as a form of self-expression
The Importance of Self is a positive psychology concept that highlights how we embrace who we are, as a vital component in fulfilling our life purpose, as it motivates us to be our best selves and realise our greatest potential. Self-expression is essential in behavioural science as it enables individuals to convey their needs and wants, express their emotions and feelings, develop and maintain social relationships, communicate their values and beliefs, and showcase their creativity and individuality.
Self-expression is formed consciously and unconsciously through socialization, as explained by Professor Carolyn Mair in her book, The Psychology of Fashion. Our values and beliefs change over time as we experience how they fit with our ideas about ourselves, leading to self-expression.
Fashion enables self-expression through clothing choices, reflecting personality traits, such as; introversion/extroversion, creativity/conformity, sensory preferences, and emotional wellbeing. Introverts can prefer simple, understated clothing, while extroverts go for bold outfits. Creative individuals choose abstract styles, or bright colours, while conformists might choose traditional, conservative styles. Those who prefer sensory stimulation choose bold patterns, while others prefer simpler designs. Clothing can also reflect emotional states, like joy or sadness, or to reduce stress, or provide relaxation, by choosing less complex outfits.
Self-awareness in fashion
Self-awareness can greatly influence whether a piece of clothing is a form of self-expression, or if it is a reflection of our current mood, a desire to impress someone, the anticipation of an upcoming event, or simply a way to showcase our economic status, or professional profile. Self-awareness is your ability to perceive and understand the things that make you who you are as an individual. Being self-aware is important in the realm of fashion, as it empowers us to express ourselves authentically, instead of simply conforming to trends or succumbing to the pressure of buying clothes and fashion accessories.
Self-awareness is key in fashion self-expression when we want to show up more authentically. Establishing a unique style is a process of self-discovery that can help showcase your distinct identity and preferences.
Below are practical steps to help develop self-awareness and identify self-expression in clothing more authentically:
1. Review your past decisions: Analyse the choices that led to purchasing wardrobe items you have to understand the reasons behind your decision. Ask yourself these important questions while going through your current wardrobe:
- Were there conflicting emotions when purchasing this? What are the conflicting emotions when I attempt to wear/style an unworn piece of clothing? What are the elevated emotions associated with items I wear often?
- How do I perceive myself in outfits? Do I feel secure/ insecure about my body image, and physical appearance, or do I hold my focus on parts of my body that accentuate or create discomfort in how I feel in my clothes and accessories?
- What internal (thoughts of self) and external factors (thoughts from others, social media, etc.) influenced my decision to purchase items, such as expectations, perceptions, and opinions from others about what looks good on me?
2. Challenge your current fashion perspective: Break down past decisions and underlying thoughts by discovering your key values that reflect your self-expression. Make informed choices based on your values rather than impulsive desires when expressing yourself through clothing.
3. Avoid hasty decisions influenced by pressure or negative emotions: Take time to assess your clothing options thoroughly and refrain from making choices when emotionally compromised. Your clothes reflect your mood, so to avoid cognitive biases clouding your judgment, check in with yourself before choosing what to wear.
4. Get guidance: Consult with a fashion stylist or an image consultant, as they offer invaluable insight and advice, and look beyond traditional clothing and styling boundaries. They can help you become more self-aware and make value-driven fashion choices.
Fashion is more than just clothing; it serves as a powerful means of self-expression, showcasing our personalities, values, and emotions. Being self-aware enables us to make informed decisions when purchasing and styling our outfits based on our values. When our fashion choices are guided by being self-aware, our clothing choices become more purposeful. Recognising that our clothing reflects how we want to present ourselves and allows our self-expression to highlight our unique identity, creativity, perspective, character, and values.
Author: Lizzie Mudri
