All dressed up with nowhere to go

When the pandemic hit hard this past March, people stopped being able to go out. Staying home became the safest option, and this meant that social gatherings, working out at the gym, or going out to lunch with a friend were all things of the past. And although we may have found many new creative outlets with all our new free time, if you’re anything like me, you spent most of your time in pajamas.

At home, there was no need to get all gussied up. Even now with colleges back in session, the majority of students are studying online this semester which seemingly continues to defeat the purpose of dressing well. There is good news though— we have accomplished our elementary school dreams by being able to wear pajamas every day to school. But the bad news is that we are still missing going out into the real world as often as we used to. Being stuck inside and stuck in lazy-day clothes makes people feel…well…stuck.

Photo: Wix.com

This is where “fashion psychology” comes into play. Karen Pine, a psychologist and professor at the University of Hertfordshire, is a commonly referenced researcher in the discussion of clothes and their effect on mood. Her research led to her book Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion where she notes that what you choose to wear during the day has a direct effect on your mood and attitude towards your environment and responsibilities.

Essentially, while spending an entire day in pajamas sounds like a great idea, spending every day in pajamas is not. By getting dressed up and putting on clothes that make you feel confident you will find you have a better outlook on your day and on yourself. It is also an outlet for creative expression. Through our choice in clothing, we have another way to show our identity and continue to grow as artists. So, if you feel stuck, try putting on your favorite dress, or suit, or any other outfit that you know you feel good in. It may seem like a little thing, but it has a big impact. We may not have anywhere to go, but we should still get dressed up to boost our moods in order to succeed in our day to day lives.