In 2012 pyschologists Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky published a research paper on the topic of Enclothed Cognition; a study of the mind clothes connection.

Their research found that the clothes we wear have the power to change our psychological processes and subsequent behaviours. It involves two components: physically wearing the clothes and the symbolic meaning of those clothes.

Throughout life we develop psychological schemas, which are frameworks we create to help us act appropriately in different situations. They are based on experiences and prior knowledge. Sometimes clothes can evoke these psychological schemas, which we internalise or embody and they come out in our thoughts and behaviours.

Let’s use the study conducted by Adam & Galinsky as an example. They used lab coats which are the quintessential attire of doctors and scientists. A typical psychological schema attached to doctors and scientists is an emphasis on being careful, attentive, paying attention to the task at hand and not making errors.
When the participants of the study wore the “doctor’s coat” the results demonstrated increased selective attention and better results on a Stroop Task as opposed to wearing their regular clothes only.
Interestingly, the greater sustained attention was only displayed when the lab coat was referred to as a “doctor’s coat”, but not when the lab coat was described as a “painter’s coat”. As painters have a different psychological schema attached to them; one of creativity, impulsiveness, intuition, imagination etc. The symbolic meaning of the lab coat had changed, even though the lab coat itself had not.

So now that we understand what enclothed cognition is, how can we harness it to our own benefit? We first need to consider how our clothes influence the way we see ourselves and also address the judgements we make about people we commonly associate with certain styles.

If you want to embody a certain trait, determine what the trait looks like to you and the people you associate with that trait, create a visual board of these two things. Now, using your visual board as inspiration, you can recreate these looks with things you already own, cementing that trait in your mind.

For example, if you want to be more successful: dress more formal or “suit up!”, appear smarter: wear glasses, conscientious: wear a watch, luxe: carry a designer handbag. The list goes on and can appear slightly different to people with different psychological schemas.

I encourage you to experiment and experience the power clothes can have on your thoughts, your actions and ultimately, your life!