On a balmy October morning this year, I took my two boys to the farmers market. As I was getting the littlest one out of the car, a woman passing by asked me why I was so dressed up. I wasn’t sure how to answer; truth be told, I had thrown on a dress because it’s easiest to fit into loose clothes with a new baby and it’s a simple way to look good without putting a lot of effort into styling an outfit. So I smiled and told her “just because.” She told me that Princess Diana also dressed up to go out, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more flattered by a comparison.
Lately I’ve been wearing a lot of dresses—when I actually manage to change out of my pajamas on any given day—and I’ve noticed that when I do, I feel more energetic, motivated, and even professional. When I pick a nicer outfit in the morning, I’m telling my brain that life is worth showing up for, and sometimes I need that reminder.
Dressing well is in the news now after the secretary of transportation launched a campaign to return air travel to the “golden age.” Among other recommendations, Secretary Sean Duffy suggested that passengers dress “with respect” and leave their pajamas at home. Unfortunately, almost no one seemed to agree with him.
“Sorry, Sean Duffy. We’re Wearing Our PJs on Planes This Thanksgiving,” proclaimed People. “Travelers wear pajamas to airports in protest of government request,” reported the Washington Post, which quoted comedian Michelle Wolf: “We’re not dressing for the air travel we want, we’re dressing for the air travel we have.” Commenters online echoed this sentiment over and over again: In the age of cramped seats and manifold flight delays, why should we bother dressing up?
Whether we’re talking about air travel, taking care of kids, going to work, or just getting groceries, I can say from my own experience that getting more dressed up has never made my life worse; in fact, it usually makes my mental state so much better. When I flew with my two little ones over this past Thanksgiving holiday, I wore a long dress and boots, and I felt more prepared for the daunting task than I would have wearing leggings. But don’t take my word for it.
The idea that dress affects self-perception is almost axiomatic. Numerous studies have found that higher performance or better self-image are correlated with certain forms of dress. In one study, women did a better job on a math test when they were wearing a sweater (something one might normally wear for a math test) than when they wore a swimsuit (no one’s first choice for such an occasion). Another study found that “when a participant wore casual clothing,” he or she rated “casual traits as more valid self-descriptions…than formal traits.” When participants wore more formal clothing, their self-descriptions changed accordingly.
“When we put on an outfit that aligns with how we want to feel—whether it’s powerful, creative, or relaxed—it can genuinely influence our mood and behavior,” says Shakaila Forbes-Bell, the founder and editor-in-chief of Fashion Is Psychology.
People everywhere are recognizing the power of style. “Dopamine dressing” has been a popular trend for years—the concept being that the clothes you wear should make you happy. Another idea floating around TikTok is wearing running shoes around the house to boost productivity. (I have also tried this and can attest that picking up clutter and vacuuming hits different with Hokas on!)
None of this has to mean sacrificing comfort. Women have an advantage here. Remember the “nap dress” craze of 2020? Well, you can still get one, and it doesn’t have to be from Hill House if that isn’t in your budget. (I like the options here and here and, yes, they double as maternity dresses!)
Of course, “dressing up” can mean different things for different people, and if dresses aren’t your thing, try swapping polyester sweatpants for satin trousers or a loose T-shirt for a sweater or a blouse with a little more structure. You certainly don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style, and I’d argue that maintaining comfort is a critical component of enjoying the psychological benefits of dressing well.
Whether we’re going out or staying in, changing out of pajamas or gym clothes could give us the psychological boost we need to get through the day, especially during these cold winter months. Dressing well, whether that means swapping slippers for flats or a sweatshirt for a sweater, signals to others that we value them enough to put some thought into our style. And it signals to ourselves that we are ready to face the day—whether it takes us to the airport or the farmers market.