Allison Stroman - According to Carolyn Mair, PhD, founder of the psychology of fashion department at the London College of Fashion at the University of the Arts London, feeling comfortable in what you are wearing decreases stress. This decrease in stress frees up more space for us to focus on the tasks important to us. Dr. Mair cites the popular phenomenon among high-level professionals where they use a work uniform and wear the same thing every day:
“This is why lots of very successful people tend to wear a work uniform in inverted commas, not necessarily as suits but it may be t-shirt and jeans as we've seen with Mark Zuckerberg who wears the same items every day to allow this freeing up of cognitive capacity for more important issues. And then you know for you or me this might mean going to a meeting wearing something that we've worn before and knowing that it's suitable or it's appropriate and we don't have to worry about that at that time.”
This is one version of personal style. It is an easy formula in which these people feel comfortable and confident, which in turn allows their brain to focus on the many things they need to do in a day. Dr. Mair emphasizes the importance and positive impacts of finding your own personal style rather than trying to absolutely conform to what others say you should wear, especially if it makes you uncomfortable and more focused on your clothes:
“I think it's great that people can wear whatever they want, whether that's active wear, casual wear to work. I think it's a really positive move. For lots of people working in a formal suit it doesn't represent their true selves or their self-identity and so they might struggle to do the kind of job that they want to do if they were free to choose what clothes they can wear. But me for example, I really don't like wearing suits and I would typically wear jeans, I'm wearing jeans now. Or jeans and a jumper, or jeans and a shirt, so yeah I think people should be allowed to dress in the way they want because the way we dress is part of our identity, part of who we are.”
Dr. Mair recommends finding your own formula or daily uniform to ease stress and help you focus your cognitive resources on the task at hand rather than on what to wear and how proper your outfit is. This is also important for forming your personal identity. In another article with Dr. Mair, she speaks at length about how important using fashion to “announce who we are” is to our identity and how we are able to express ourselves. She speaks about how psychologists seeing fashion as “frivolous” is counterproductive to their study of human behavior and the human psyche. This statement of importance towards psychologists in the fashion industry is key when we think about how frequently people shop to try and find pieces that will feel like them rather than like they are stepping into a trendy disguise.
A frequent term on social media, dopamine dressing is the epitome of Dr. Mair’s suggestion to dress in clothes where you feel the best. Dopamine dressing is where the clothes you wear bring you joy and therefore a release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. This is linked to mental and physical wellbeing. Furthermore, wearing clothes that lead to the release of dopamine can cause a lasting and powerful association between that item and happiness, which can aid in alleviating sadness or stress:
“The theory of ‘enclothed cognition’ teaches us that the attributes we associate with specific items of clothing are extremely powerful. When we wear these clothes, the associations have the power to alter the way we feel and even impact the way we act. So, for example, if you associate a yellow dress with joy, then you will embody that feeling of joy when you put it on.”
Finding what you love and wearing it truly has a positive impact on your brain and thus your overall well being, so your associations with your clothes, positive or negative, and intensively powerful.
This is all amazing! But, how do you find your personal style? Many people know the struggle of going through countless phases in your fashion sense that never quite feel like you. So, how do we fix this?
According to the New York Times, personal style is “an ethos; a way of moving through the world” and therefore should focus on descriptors you want to embody whether that be “elegant” or “fun”. They also emphasize that your personal style can change and evolve as you do: “Reassessing who you are and how you look does not reflect a failure of imagination. It’s what makes life interesting.”
In an article from Psychology Today, Shainna Ali Ph.D., LMHC, NCC emphasizes the positive impact of finding and honoring your personal style is repeatedly emphasized, especially in terms of using it to grow your self-love. They recommend intention-setting as the foundation of creating outfits and echo the use of descriptors or a mood board to find your style:
But what’s some concrete steps you can take to find your personal style? Let’s turn to expert stylists Sam Giordano, a former mentee of Jessie’s, and Jessie Freschl for advice and learn from their experiences.
How do you help clients determine their personal style?
S: “When determining a client’s personal style, I encourage them to start in their own closet before buying anything new. We review their closet together to pinpoint which pieces make them feel great and which don’t. After determining those patterns and assessing wardrobe gaps, we can keep them in mind when we are ready to add new pieces. I always encourage clients to try new things, and often they find that pieces they love on other people may not be something they actually love on themselves. We can often recreate the “feel” of a look with pieces a client already has.”
How do you see the positive impacts of personal style impacting your clients?
S: “Knowing your personal style helps with daily confidence and can free you from a lot of the stress that comes with choosing outfits. When you love every piece in your closet, getting dressed is easy and you won’t find yourself dealing with as much comparison and impulse shopping. You also feel a mental weight lifted when your wardrobe is organized and not cluttered with pieces you aren’t wearing.”
What is your favorite moment you have from your experience as a stylist?
S: “My favorite moment as a stylist was working with a client who had an event that she needed a dress for. She came in very discouraged and said she hated getting dressed because she had recently gained weight and didn’t feel confident in anything she was wearing. We found a dress that perfectly complimented her, and by the end of the session she was glowing. The shift in her mindset from the start to finish was incredible.”
How do you help clients determine their personal style?
J: “Every individual has a unique style that resonates with them. My role is to help clients articulate and express that style in a way that truly reflects their personality while curating pieces that fit seamlessly into their wardrobe. I believe that versatility is key; a client doesn’t have to commit to a single style. I encourage them to explore and experiment creatively while staying anchored to the cuts and silhouettes that make them feel their best. This approach invites a sense of freedom in their fashion choices, allowing them to feel confident and authentic every day.”
How do you see the positive impacts of personal style impacting your clients?
J: “Many of my clients are female executives who juggle demanding careers, family responsibilities, and many social engagements. By helping them thoughtfully plan their outfits according to their personal style and busy schedules, I provide them with a sense of ease amid their hectic lives. This preparation not only contributes to their confidence but also gives them the mental and emotional space to focus on other things they value. Ultimately, it empowers them to present themselves authentically while maximizing their time for themselves, their loved ones, and the pursuits they value.”
What is your favorite moment you have from your experience as a stylist?
J: “One of my most memorable experiences was creating a mood board and styling E. Jean Carroll during her legal proceedings against Donald Trump. It was an honor to contribute to such a significant moment in her life. Another memory was when I found myself in an email exchange between a mother and daughter. The mother forwarded my email to her daughter, expressing how genuine and authentic she found my approach. It was heartwarming to know that my work resonated on a personal level, reminding me that styling goes beyond just aesthetics; it’s about connection and understanding, which I deeply value.
Styling is similar to being a therapist.
In many ways, being a stylist parallels the role of a therapist. I often meet clients in their most vulnerable moments, especially when they are surrounded by the people they feel most comfortable with and often in the confines of their bedroom closets. This intimacy fosters a unique bond, allowing me to support them in not only refining their wardrobe but also building their self-esteem and confidence as they navigate their personal and professional lives.”
At Repurpose, helping you find your personal style in a sustainable and supportive way is imperative. In harnessing the luxury market for good, we aim to support and uplift everyone who comes through our doors, whether you are a trainee, a shopper, a mentor, or a volunteer. To learn more about the services we offer through the Repurpose, including a styling session with Sam, contact us and visit our website.