essay about formal clothing

January 1, 2016

Dress for Success: How Clothes Influence Our Performance

What you wear can influence your thinking and negotiating skills, and even hormone levels and heart rate

By Matthew Hutson & Tori Rodriguez

Joanne Yong Getty Images

The old advice to dress for the job you want, not the job you have, may have roots in more than simply how others perceive you—many studies show that the clothes you wear can affect your mental and physical performance. Although such findings about so-called enclothed cognition are mostly from small studies in the laboratory that have not yet been replicated or investigated in the real world, a growing body of research suggests that there is something biological happening when we put on a snazzy outfit and feel like a new person.

If you want to be a big-ideas person at work, suit up. A paper in August 2015 in Social Psychological and Personality Science asked subjects to change into formal or casual clothing before cognitive tests. Wearing formal business attire increased abstract thinking—an important aspect of creativity and long-term strategizing. The experiments suggest the effect is related to feelings of power.

Informal clothing may hurt in negotiations. In a study reported in December 2014 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , male subjects wore their usual duds or were placed in a suit or in sweats. Then they engaged in a game that involved negotiating with a partner. Those who dressed up obtained more profitable deals than the other two groups, and those who dressed down had lower testosterone levels. 

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

For better focus, get decked out like a doctor. In research published in July 2012 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology , subjects made half as many mistakes on an attention-demanding task when wearing a white lab coat. On another attention task, those told their lab coat was a doctor's coat performed better than either those who were told it was a painter's smock or those who merely saw a doctor's coat on display. — Matthew Hutson

Inspired by findings that winning combat fighters in the 2004 Olympics had worn red more often than blue, researchers investigated the physiological effects of wearing these colors. As reported in February 2013 in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology , they paired 28 male athletes of similar age and size, who competed against one another once while wearing a red jersey and again while wearing blue. Compared with fighters in blue, those wearing red were able to lift a heavier weight before the match and had higher heart rates during the match—but they were not more likely to be victorious. — Tori Rodriguez

Trying too hard to look sharp can backfire. When women donned expensive sunglasses and were told the specs were counterfeit, as opposed to when they thought they were real, they cheated more often on lab experiments with cash payouts. Fake sunglasses also seemed to make women see others' behavior as suspect. Authors of the study, published in May 2010 in Psychological Science , theorize that counterfeit glasses increase unethical behavior by making their wearers feel less authentic. — M.H.

The Red Sneakers Effect

It's not news to anyone that we judge others based on their clothes. In general, studies that investigate these judgments find that people prefer clothing that matches expectations—surgeons in scrubs, little boys in blue—with one notable exception. A series of studies published in an article in June 2014 in the Journal of Consumer Research explored observers' reactions to people who broke established norms only slightly. In one scenario, a man at a black-tie affair was viewed as having higher status and competence when wearing a red bow tie. The researchers also found that valuing uniqueness increased audience members' ratings of the status and competence of a professor who wore red Converse sneakers while giving a lecture.

The results suggest that people judge these slight deviations from the norm as positive because they suggest that the individual is powerful enough to risk the social costs of such behaviors. — T.R.

When Clothing Style Influences Cognitive Style

• Cognitive Processes
• Cognitive Psychology
• Decision Making
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Psychological Distance

But clothes don’t just shape the way other people see us. New research from a team of psychological scientists from California State University, Northridge and Columbia University finds that the clothes we wear can also influence the way we think.

Across five experiments, study authors Michael Slepian, Simon Ferber, Joshua Gold, and Abraham Rutchick found that dressing to impress enhanced people’s ability to engage in abstract thinking.

“The formality of clothing might not only influence the way others perceive a person, and how people perceive themselves, but could influence decision making in important ways through its influence on processing style,” the researchers write.

Slepian and colleagues were interested in studying how formal clothing, much like formal language, can enhance social or psychological distance between people. For example, people often address an unfamiliar person by title, rather than by first name, even when they have the same social status.

Recent research has shown that social distance in the form of politeness can increase abstract thinking; for example, one study found that people used more abstract language when asked to address someone politely. Essentially, events that are psychologically “distant” are conceived of in a more abstract way, while events that are psychologically “near” are thought of more concretely.

Formal clothing is typically introduced in settings that are explicitly not intimate—essentially making formal clothing “socially distant” clothing.

“Specifically, as formal clothing is associated with enhanced social distance, we propose that wearing formal clothing will enhance abstract cognitive processing,” the researchers write in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science .

In one series of experiments, students wearing their normal clothes were asked to rate the formality of their attire relative to that of their peers. They then performed a series of standardized tests to measure their cognitive processing style.

The students were given a list of actions and asked to choose between abstract and concrete explanations for the action. For example, the description for ‘‘voting’’ could be either a broad term for ‘‘influencing the election’’ or a more concrete interpretation as ‘‘marking a ballot.’’

Even after controlling for socioeconomic status, students wearing more formal clothing showed stronger inclinations towards abstract processing.

In another experiment, 54 college students were asked to bring two sets of clothing to the laboratory for a study ostensibly about how people form impressions based on clothing.

The formal attire was described as being something they would wear to a job interview, while the more casual set of clothing was described as something the students would wear to class. Participants were randomly assigned to change into either their formal or their casual clothes.

The students then completed a test of their cognitive processing to determine whether they were more focused on the big picture or on more fine-grained details. After being shown a series of large letters made up of smaller letters (a large letter L or H composed of eight smaller Ls and Hs) participants had to identify each stimulus as either the big letter or the series of small letters using a computer keyboard.

As predicted, participants wearing formal clothing favored global processing (the big letters) over local processing (the smaller letters) more often than the students wearing their street clothes.

Processing style can influence many important factors in the workplace, from the way people approach decisions to the way people focus on a task. But don’t cancel casual Fridays just yet – the researchers note that further research with larger, more diverse samples is needed to better understand the extent to which formal attire can influence cognition.

Slepian, M. L., Ferber, S. N., Gold, J. M., & Rutchick, A. M. (2015). The Cognitive Consequences of Formal Clothing. Social Psychological and Personality Science. doi: 10.1177/1948550615579462

Deeply True

Wearing a sharp tailored suit makes you feel confident and authoritative. Any clothes that make you look good are going to make you feel better, but a great suit will also lend you an air of authority.

But thats litrally the study

I think a lot more research in this area is needed, but the initial findings are very interesting. I can only share insight based on how clothing affects my mood and performance. I work best when I am suitably dressed and feel I look good, and wearing the appropriate attire for the job. Dressing smart, or smart-casual makes me feel more self-confident. This helps me focus on what I am doing rather than being subconsciously worried about people’s perception of me. I wear clothes that make me feel confident – I appreciate the power of self-image.

This article is egregious. You take a bunch of young college students and dress them up in nice clothes, of course you will get them feeling “confident”. How about you go to the professional setting and do a study, you will find that people do not want to dress up and that I can be more creative in my “sweatpants” than in my stupid suit and tie. Finally, how does one analytically “correct” for socioeconomic status error?

look through some of the citations and the sources

I think you misunderstood. The article is saying abstract thinking, not creative thinking. Abstract thinking is thinking about things in a broader, more vague way. It did not talk about people feeling more confident either; the article was talking strictly in terms of global and local processing. It stated that (according to this study, which they agreed more research needed to be done on) people dressed in what they considered formal clothing thought more globally, or abstractly, while people dressed in what they considered informal, or casual, clothes thought more locally.

I am curious as to how one would deceive the participants about the study as to not bias their performance, if at all? I feel as though they could figure out what the study is about if not previously deceived and then perform based on how they think they are expected to perform. Please let me know, because I am trying to do a similar study and am having trouble with this certain concept.

Hi McKenna- Drop me a line, and I’ll give you some suggestions. Sorry for the delay. -Abe Rutchick

APS regularly opens certain online articles for discussion on our website. Effective February 2021, you must be a logged-in APS member to post comments. By posting a comment, you agree to our Community Guidelines and the display of your profile information, including your name and affiliation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations present in article comments are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of APS or the article’s author. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines .

Please login with your APS account to comment.

Encouraging Innovation in Entrepreneurship

Drawing from his newest book, Stephen Reed explores the cognitive and social skills required for innovation, the transition from theory to practice, and more.

Back Page: The Executive Whisperer

Constance Dierickx discusses her work as an advisor to boards and senior executives in high-stakes leadership situations and her experiences helping psychologists learn how to be consultants.

Careers Up Close: Elizabeth Tenney on Power of Voice, Tenuous Funding, and Applying Psychology in Business School

Elizabeth Tenney, an associate professor of management at The University of Utah, discusses her research into overconfidence and biases that influence our social interactions and decisions.

Privacy Overview

where fashion meets elegance

How Formal Wear Was Born: A Look into the Past

• Recent Posts

• A First-Timer’s Guide to the Perfect Gala Dress - February 20, 2024
• How to Style Yellow Dresses for Every Occasion - February 12, 2024
• Exploring the Versatility of Brown Dresses: Casual to Formal Styles - February 11, 2024

Last updated 7 months ago.

Table of Contents

Have you ever wondered how formal wear came to be what it is today? The history of formal wear is an enthralling journey through time, reflecting societal changes, fashion trends, and the influence of iconic figures. As you explore this captivating story, you’ll discover “how formal wear was born: a look into the past”, the aristocratic beginnings of formal wear, its evolution through various styles, and the impact of fashion icons and modern influencers on its development.

From exquisite frock coats and morning coats of the 19th century to the daring flapper style of the Roaring Twenties, and the rise of ready-to-wear clothing, the world of formal wear is as rich and diverse as the history that shaped it. Let’s delve into the fascinating tale of how formal wear was born and how it continues to evolve in modern times.

Key Takeaways

Formal wear has its roots in aristocratic and military dress, which evolved over time due to societal changes.

Fashion icons such as Christian Dior have had a profound impact on the evolution of formal wear, introducing new styles and redefining traditional ones.

Business casual is becoming increasingly popular for workplace attire, reflecting the dynamic nature of fashion today.

The Genesis of Formal Wear

The origins of formal wear can be traced back to aristocratic beginnings and military dress influences, which play a significant role in fashion history. The transition from traditional court dress to modern formal wear, including evening dress, occurred rapidly, yet many changes transpired during times of social upheaval and conflicts between the upper and lower classes. Wars, revolutions, and societal transformations all contributed to the evolution of men’s attire, such as the dress coat.

Fashion-forward men of the Regency Era even wore corsets to create the coveted waistline. Meanwhile, the 1820s Romantic movement inspired more extroverted and theatrical men’s clothing styles, including fine dress. Originating in Paris, haute couture quickly permeated other countries. Dresses from this fashion movement were often adorned with decorative elements like:

Aristocratic Beginnings

Before the Regency era, men’s formal attire in England and continental Europe consisted of:

Elaborate, ornate, and largely unfitted coats

Extravagant wigs, often powdered or dyed white

As young aristocrats began to favor more comfortable clothing, older generations resisted the changes, much like today’s generational clashes over fashion.

During the 1820s, young boys and girls wore short dresses over long, narrow drawers or trousers, with white cotton being the most popular material for baby clothes. This period marked the beginning of a shift towards simpler and more comfortable styles in men’s and women’s formal wear, setting the stage for further evolution in the centuries to come.

Military Dress Influence

Military dress significantly influenced men’s formal wear with its structured and tailored aesthetic. The popularity of simpler dress served as a political statement, reflecting the changing sense of power post-American Revolution and support for equality leading up to the French Revolution. Elements such as:

Double-breasted jackets

Trousers with a stripe

Medals and badges

All played a role in shaping formal wear.

This military influence not only impacted the design of men’s formal attire, but also echoed the societal changes and power shifts that were taking place. Consequently, military dress laid the groundwork for the evolution of evening wear.

The Evolution of Evening Wear

Over the years, evening wear has evolved with many styles like frock coats and morning coats rising and falling in popularity. In the 1920s, women’s fashion took a turn towards simplicity, as convenient and modern styles that rejected formality and multiple layers emerged, favoring comfort and a more natural appearance. Evening wear during this period could be more elaborate, adorned with beads, embroidery, and sequins. Renowned designer Coco Chanel played a significant role in promoting this style.

In contrast to the androgynous look popularized by Chanel, designer Jeanne Lanvin created feminine and romantic dresses with long, full skirts, offering an alternative perspective on formal wear during the Roaring Twenties. The 1920s marked a significant turning point in the history of evening wear, with styles such as the flapper dress revolutionizing women’s formal attire.

Frock Coats and Morning Coats

Frock coats and morning coats were prevalent men’s formal wear styles in the 19th century. The frock coat, characterized by its knee-length cut, fitted waist, and full skirt, was typically made from heavy fabric, such as wool, and worn for formal occasions and business attire during the Victorian era.

Contrastingly, the morning coat was crafted from lightweight fabrics like linen featuring a single-breasted front with buttons, making it another suitable choice for formal occasions and business attire. These styles reflected evolving societal norms and fashion trends of the 19th century.

The frock coat was a more formal style, while the morning coat allowed for a more relaxed appearance. Over time, the fabrics used for these coats changed, with wool being used for the frock coat and linen for the morning coat, showcasing the constant evolution of men’s formal wear.

Flapper Style and the Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties brought about the flapper style, which revolutionized women’s formal wear with shorter hemlines and more daring designs. The flapper style was characterized by short skirts, bobbed hair, and bold makeup, with flappers known for their rebellious and carefree demeanor.

World War I played a significant role in shaping women’s fashion, leading to more relaxed clothing and increased hemlines to the knee. Women’s suffrage also greatly influenced fashion, as women sought to express their strength and autonomy through their clothing choices.

The Roaring Twenties and the flapper style marked a significant transformation in women’s formal wear, challenging traditional styles and embracing more audacious designs.

The Rise of Ready-to-Wear Clothing

The rise of ready-to-wear clothing was driven by department stores, mass production, and the impact of World War II on fashion. Ready-to-wear clothing, or off-the-rack clothing, refers to garments that are mass-produced and available in standard sizes, offering convenience and affordability compared to made-to-measure or bespoke clothing.

The popularity of ready-to-wear clothing has surged due to its accessibility and affordability. The advent of department stores and mass production has ensured fashionable clothing’s widespread availability, thereby fostering the rise of ready-to-wear fashion.

Department Stores and Mass Production

Department stores have a long and prosperous history, dating back to the 19th century with the opening of Le Bon Marché in Paris in 1852. The success of Le Bon Marché led to the establishment of department stores in other countries, including the United States. Department stores gained popularity by offering a wide variety of merchandise under one roof and providing a convenient and luxurious shopping experience.

By advancing mass production and fostering consumer culture growth, department stores have been instrumental in popularising ready-to-wear clothing on a grand scale. This made fashionable clothing more accessible and affordable for the general public, promoting the popularization of ready-to-wear clothing.

World War II and Post-War Fashion

World War II and its aftermath had a significant influence on fashion trends, leading to a shift towards more utilitarian and practical clothing styles. Due to rationing and limited resources during the war, restrictions were placed on the production and availability of fabrics and materials used in formal wear. This caused a simplification of designs and a focus on practicality.

Men’s formal wear became more streamlined and less ornate, with shorter jackets and narrower lapels, while women’s formal wear experienced alterations with shorter hemlines and fewer embellishments. The war prompted a more subdued and functional approach to formal wear, setting the stage for the rise of ready-to-wear clothing and the ongoing evolution of fashion trends.

Fashion Icons and Their Impact on Formal Wear

Renowned fashion icons like Christian Dior, along with modern influencers, have greatly influenced formal wear’s evolution. For instance, Coco Chanel revolutionized formal wear with the introduction of the little black dress and popularized the use of trousers for women. Audrey Hepburn promoted the use of pearls and other accessories to add a touch of sophistication to formal wear.

Contemporary fashion icons like Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss, and Rihanna have also made their mark on formal wear, advocating for bold colors, casual and relaxed styles, and daring and edgy designs, respectively. These influential figures have shaped the direction of formal wear, constantly pushing boundaries and redefining traditional styles, earning them the title of fashion icon.

Christian Dior and the New Look

Christian Dior, a renowned French fashion designer, revolutionized post-war fashion with his iconic designs and the popularization of the ‘New Look’ in women’s fashion in the 1940s and 1950s. The New Look, characterized by its emphasis on femininity and elegance, departed from the practical styles that dominated during the war years, establishing new criteria for formal attire.

Dior’s New Look set the stage for a shift in fashion, as women embraced more refined and sophisticated formal wear styles. This groundbreaking change in post-war fashion marked a new era in the history of formal wear, as Christian Dior’s designs continue to influence and inspire the world of fashion today.

Modern Fashion Influencers

Modern fashion influencers, such as:

Chiara Ferragni

Olivia Palermo

Camila Coelho

Danielle Bernstein

Hold considerable sway over the fashion industry due to their style, social media presence, and partnerships with brands.

These influencers have been instrumental in guiding formal wear’s direction, challenging norms, and reimagining traditional styles. Graduates from a renowned fashion institute, these fashion influencers continually challenge conventional styles and embrace diverse and inclusive fashion trends, inspiring others to redefine their own formal wear choices.

The impact of these modern influencers on the world of formal wear is both significant and lasting, as they continue to shape the future of fashion.

Dress Codes and Social Norms

Over time, the evolution of dress codes and social norms have given rise to different styles of formal wear, including:

Evening wear

Business formal

Business casual

Contemporary trends

From its aristocratic origins in the 18th century, formal wear has developed and adapted to fit the needs and preferences of different eras and occasions.

With the constant transformation of society and fashion trends, dress codes and social norms also evolve. The rise of business casual attire and the continuous redefinition of formal wear attest to fashion’s dynamic nature and its interplay with societal changes.

Business Casual and the Changing Workplace

Business casual attire emerged as a response to changing workplace norms, offering a more relaxed yet professional alternative to traditional formal wear. This dress code allows for more flexibility and comfort while still maintaining a refined and organized look, generally consisting of dress pants or khakis, a collared shirt or blouse, and closed-toe shoes.

The emergence of business casual attire has enabled more diversity in the workplace, as it is less restrictive than traditional formal attire, providing employees with a more comfortable yet professional environment.

The future of business casual attire remains uncertain, as workplace standards continue to evolve, but it is likely to remain a favored choice for many workplaces.

Redefining Formal Wear for Modern Times

In modern times, formal wear is continually reimagined as individuals and designers defy traditional styles, embracing a more diverse and inclusive fashion ethos. Current trends in formal wear include:

Statement sleeves

Vibrant colors

Mix and match styles

Sustainable fabrics

Gender-neutral styles

These trends reflect the ever-changing landscape of women’s fashion.

As society progresses and values become more inclusive, formal wear will continue to evolve, reflecting the diverse tastes and preferences of individuals around the world. This ongoing redefinition of formal wear demonstrates the dynamic nature of fashion and its ability to adapt to the changing needs and desires of the people who wear it.

From its aristocratic beginnings and military dress influences to the rise of ready-to-wear clothing and the impact of fashion icons and modern influencers, the history of formal wear is a captivating journey through time. As dress codes and social norms continue to evolve, so too does formal wear, adapting to the changing tastes and preferences of individuals across the globe.

The fascinating tale of how formal wear was born and continues to evolve serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of fashion and its ability to reflect and shape societal values. As we embrace new styles and trends, we become part of this rich and diverse history, contributing to the ongoing evolution of formal wear for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did people dress so formal in the past.

In the past, people paid more for their clothing and chose pieces that could be worn for church and other formal occasions. Women rarely wore pants, and it was seen as unfashionable to dress down.

As a result, people usually dress more formally in order to appear wealthy or of higher social status.

When was formal wear invented?

Formal wear was first established in the early 19th century, as the upper class in Europe and America began wearing formal attire for evening events, typically comprising of a tailcoat, waistcoat, and trousers made from dark colors.

These garments were designed to be worn for special occasions, and were often made from expensive fabrics such as silk and velvet. The style of formal wear has evolved over the years, but the basic elements remain the same. Today, formal wear is still seen as a sign of sophistication and elegance, and is often worn for weddings.

Who invented formal wear?

Beau Brummell was the first to popularize formal wear in 19th century England, and is credited with inventing the suit as we know it today.

What is considered formal wear?

For formal wear, men should wear a matching business suit with a jacket and dress pants or skirt.

Women can wear an evening dress or full-length ball gown with optional evening gloves for the most formal events.

What were the main influences on the genesis of formal wear?

Formal wear has its roots in aristocratic attire and military dress, making these two sources the main influences for its genesis.

These two sources have shaped the way formal wear is designed and worn today, from the fabrics used to the silhouettes and colors. Traditional elements of formal wear have been adapted to fit modern trends, creating a timeless look.

Nazy Rafaeil

Nazy Rafaeil is a skilled content writer specializing in fashion, currently crafting engaging articles for Jovani Fashion.

You may also like

Decoding black tie: a simplified guide to stylish dress codes.

The Best Fall & Winter 2024 Evening Dresses

How to choose the right length for your evening dress – a comprehensive guide.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

The Vogue Guide to Formal Attire

By Shelby Ying Hyde

There’s nothing quite like the mini stomach flip that comes from seeing the words “formal attire” printed on an invitation . First comes the excitement of having an opportunity to get all dolled up. Then, the panic of not knowing what that really means.

By today’s standards, the lines can get a bit blurry, especially with all the subsect requirements; see also, ‘beach formal’ . To help clear up any confusion, formal attire is usually reserved for evening events–though like anything else there are exceptions. Aside from weddings or the occasional gala, there are many reasons why one would need formal attire in their arsenal. We’re in the age of opulent birthday, holiday, and niche-themed parties being the norm on social media, some of which require a more polished dress code.

One of the first things to note is that there are levels to formal attire and understanding the differences will go a long way. There’s semi-formal, which is often conflated with cocktail dress codes . Whereas, formal as a blanket term is considered slightly less elevated than black tie and the more rare, ‘ white tie ’ requirements–unless noted otherwise by the host of the event, of course. (In instances like this, the exact requirements are usually explicitly stated on the invitation or save the date.)

Portrait of George 'Beau' Brummell (1778-1849) 1805 (colour litho) (later colouration) (Photo by Art Images via Getty Images)

When it comes to the history of formal attire, much like any other dress code, its roots are rich. According to Jovani , the way of dress is riddled with aristocratic and military-inspired details. “These two sources have shaped the way formal wear is designed and worn today, from the fabrics used to the silhouettes and colors. Traditional elements of formal wear have been adapted to fit modern trends, creating a timeless look.” Its earliest beginnings can be traced back to 19th Century Europe and America with origins linked to one George Bryan “Beau” Brummell –who Gentleman's Gazette calls the first ever menswear influencer. A dandy by trade, he’s revered for his friendship with George Prince of Wales and innovative style that we now acknowledge as formal wear.

The upper class began sporting this more elevated attire for evening events–this included dark colors like the more traditional shades of black and blue. Men were wearing corsets and short dresses with skinny trousers underneath–most women wore the latter, too. Over time, as the concept of formal wear evolved so did the pieces themselves. The almost theatrical approach, complete with powder white wigs, opulent outerwear and hosiery, eventually turned into double-breasted coats, and trousers with stripes. Style in the 1920s further solidified this subtle shift towards simplicity. Hemlines continued to rise, with the start of World War I and the women’s suffrage movement.

By Marley Marius

By Deanna Pai

By Hannah Jackson

By World War II formal attire looked completely different than it had during the Regency Era nearly a century before. Famed designers like Coco Chanel and revolutionized formal clothing with inventions like the ‘little black dress ’ and Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’ era. Then, thanks to the boom in the ready-to-wear market and department stores, evening wear was becoming more affordable which meant it was no longer reserved for the rich. This accessibility aided in the development of dress codes as a social norm, particularly as it pertains to the special occasions on our calendars. Most interestingly, though, is the ways in which formal attire has adapted to fit the needs of society at the time.

Tbilisi-born designer David Koma further confirmed these sentiments, adding that these changes in the formal wear market were in direct response to the shift in cultural dynamics and forever changing consumer preferences. “While traditional notions of elegance and sophistication remain timeless, there has been a noticeable shift towards more diverse and inclusive representations of beauty and femininity,” he explains. “Designers are increasingly embracing innovative techniques and diverse perspectives to meet the evolving needs.”

In the present day, the requirements for evening wear are relatively straightforward once you understand what type of formality you’re working with. At a base level, women should opt for dresses that fall well below the knee; in some cases a floor or ankle-length option might be more appropriate. However, if a free-flowing frock isn’t your thing, a sharply-tailored suit has proved to be a great options for both men and women–think of the posh Dior tuxedo that Sarah Jessica Parker ’s character Carrie Bradshaw wore in the opening scenes of the second Sex and the City movie, with platform stilettos nonetheless. A jumpsuit with capped sleeves or thick shoulder straps, as well as full ball skirts a lá Kendall Jenner at the Met Gala , are also suitable alternatives.

Unless you’re attending a beach ceremony, we suggest steering clear of fabrics like cotton-poplin or gauzy linen, as it has a casualness about it that will appear out of place in more traditional settings. In its place, consider more stately materials like tulle or duchess satin and crepe de chine. Embellishments aren’t necessarily a stipulation but are encouraged if you want to stand out. Sequin beads and delicate embroidery are some of the most common adornments–though feathers and fil-coupe are thrown in the mix from time to time, as well. For Koma, this attention to details is paramount when crafting modern-day formal pieces. “Every stitch, every seam, and every embellishment is meticulously considered to ensure that each garment exudes a sense of sophistication and refinement while instilling confidence and empowerment in the wearer,” he explains.

When it comes to outfit accompaniments, clutch bags are meant to fit comfortably under your arm as your schmooze, while still offering just enough space for your evening essentials. Judith Lieber is great for kitschy, Swarovski statement clutches in novelty designs; Nina has been making collections of formal-friendly bags and shoes from luxe looking materials like satin since 1953. In terms of footwear, stilettos are an obvious choice, though you shouldn’t immediately write off a short kitten heel and the wearability it offers–especially when dancing is imminent.

To Koma, formal attire is transformative and empowers the wearer, "imbuing them with a sense of confidence and grace. Whether it's the fluidity of movement, the precision of tailoring, or the unexpected embellishments that catch the eye, a truly great [piece] leaves a lasting impression.”

More Great Fashion Stories from Vogue

Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper Put Their Mismatched Couples Style on Display

Sydney Sweeney Just Found A Genuinely Novel Way Not To Wear Clothes On The Red Carpet

Jennifer Lawrence Gives Transparent Dressing The Ladylike Treatment

Here's the Only Denim Trend You Need to Know About in 2024

Zendaya And Florence Pugh Do Polar Opposite Dressing

This Highly Controversial Shoe Just Got the Kim Kardashian Stamp of Approval

Sign up for Vogue’s shopping newsletter The Get to receive the insider’s guide to what to shop and how to wear it

Listen to The Run-Through with Vogue , a weekly podcast featuring the most exciting stories and hot takes from the worlds of culture, politics, sports and–of course–fashion

Never miss a Vogue moment and get unlimited digital access for just $2 $1 per month.

Vogue Shopping

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Architectural Digest.. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Clothes Essay

Clothing has been an integral part of human society for centuries. It is not only a practical necessity, but also a form of expression. The type of clothing we wear can tell a lot about our cultural background and our personal beliefs.

For example, traditional Japanese clothing is very different from the Western style of dress. This is because the two cultures have different values and ideas about what is appropriate to wear in public. In Japan, women are expected to be modest and reserved, so they typically wear clothes that cover their bodies completely. In contrast, Westerners tend to be more outgoing and expressive, so they often wear revealing clothes that show off their individuality.

Clothing also plays an important role in religious ceremonies and customs. In many cultures, specific items of clothing are worn to indicate a person’s status or position in society. For example, Catholic priests wear robes to show their authority, while brides wear white dresses to symbolize purity.

The way you dress will be judged, as there is a popular saying that goes, “the clothes you wear will influence how others perceive you.” Some people think this is not true; they say it’s more critical to consider your character than your current situation, your thoughts rather than the vehicle you drive, and so on.

However, we are living in an era of moral corruption and materialism where these second items—such as money and appearance—take precedence over people’s first concerns. This is due to fashion’s ability to construct identity. As a result, we must recognize that clothing and style are important today as they were in the past and will continue into the future.

For centuries, clothing has been an important part of human society. It is an expression of our individuality and unique personality. The way we dress often reflects our mood, our style, and our attitudes. It can tell others a lot about who we are and what we believe in.

In many cultures, clothing is also used as a form of communication. It can be used to signal social status, convey political messages, or show religious faith. For example, In some Muslim cultures, women wear veils as a sign of modesty and respect for their religion. In other cultures, bright colors and elaborate designs may be worn to attract attention or show wealth.

Clothing is also a practical necessity. It helps to protect us from the elements and keeps our bodies warm. In some cases, it can even be used as a form of protection, like armor.

While clothing serves many purposes, it is also a major industry. Clothing companies design and manufacture new styles of clothing each season. They use advertising and marketing to convince people that they need to buy the latest fashions. The clothing industry is a multi-billion dollar global business.

Although clothing is not necessary for survival, it plays an important role in human society. It helps us to express ourselves, signal our social status, and protect our bodies. It is also a major part of the global economy.

People have long adorned their costumes with some message for hundreds of years. People began striving to stand out from the crowd and be distinct by altering their clothing long ago. Some of these “standing out” became quite common and were followed by many others, which is when fashion was born. Fashion is now defined as a “constantly changing trend that is preferred for frivolous rather than practical, logical, or intellectual reasons” by Malcolm Barnard, a fashion reporter.

Culture plays an important role in the way we dress. It helps us to identify our belonging to a group. We can easily see the differences of clothing between cultures, for example Westerners versus Easterners, or between business people and art students. Clothing is not only a mean of communication but also a mean of identification. A lot of times people are judged by their appearance especially by what they wear. The first thing we usually notice when we meet someone is the way this person is dressed even if it is not always consciously.

As human beings, we are attracted by beauty and we usually associate good-looking people with positive traits such as intelligence, kindness, and honesty. On the other hand, poor physical appearance may lead to prejudice and discrimination. It is even worse for women, since they are usually judged more harshly than men. Unfortunately, in many cases, clothing can be a factor in the way we judge others and in the way we are judged by them.

Nonetheless, while it is undeniable that fashion has a greater influence on people’s lives now than ever before, it must be stated that it has a considerably more significant role in people’s lives than merely as a form of entertainment. Clothing has evolved into an essential element of each person’s self-actualization process. It is no longer simply a “visual shield” that may be discarded without consequence.

The way we dress often reflects our cultural background, values, and beliefs. It can be used to express power, convey messages, and create first impressions.

For example, in many cultures, women are expected to dress modestly. This is because clothing is seen as a symbol of their morality and virtue. In some cases, women may be pressured to cover their bodies completely in order to avoid being seen as sexual objects. On the other hand, men are often expected to dress in a more formal way in order to be seen as professional and competent.

In Western culture specifically, clothing has become a significant marker of social status. The type of clothes someone wears can say a lot about their wealth, occupation, and even their social class. For instance, someone who wears designer clothes is usually seen as being more affluent than someone who wears more affordable, everyday brands.

While clothing is an important part of our lives, it is important to remember that it is just one aspect of our identity. We are more than the clothes we wear.

In conclusion, clothing is not only about style and trends, it is also about culture and communication. It can tell us a lot about a person’s background, beliefs, and values. So the next time you get dressed, think about what message you are trying to communicate!

To export a reference to this essay please select a referencing style below:

Related essays:

• Western History of Fashion
• The Classification of Cultures
• Renaissance Clothing Essay Examples
• Fashion Androgyny Essay
• Parents Manual: Section School Clothes
• Fashion In Colonial America Essay
• Sexism In Schools Essay
• History Geisha
• Child Labor In Sweatshops
• On Beauty…and the History of Business
• Kate Chopin’s: The Awakening
• Interracial Relationships Essay

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Clothes — Clothing as a Form of Self-Expression

Clothing as a Form of Self-expression

• Categories: Clothes Freedom of Expression

About this sample

Words: 682 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 682 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life Social Issues

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 421 words

2 pages / 1066 words

2 pages / 959 words

1 pages / 533 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Clothes

Collins English Dictionary. 'Fashion.' Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins Publishers, n.d. Web.'Fashion and Morality.' Social Problems and Control, 17 Feb. 2023, [...]

Abercrombie and Fitch is a renowned American fashion brand, known for its casual luxury clothing and accessories. However, the brand has been embroiled in a series of controversies and faced public scrutiny due to its marketing [...]

The topic of revealing clothes is a subject of ongoing debate and discussion in society. Fashion choices have evolved over time, reflecting changing cultural norms, personal preferences, and societal attitudes. Revealing [...]

As a college student, you might find yourself going through your closet, trying to decide what to wear to your next class or social event. But have you ever stopped to think about the deeper impact of your clothing choices? [...]

Fast Fashion has huge impacts on the earth. WHat do you think when you are eyeing-out a new top? You are most probably asking yourself if it really looks good on you, and then whether or not you can afford it, before deciding [...]

Muslim women are increasingly not given a free choice about wearing clothing, and those who resist are beaten, threatened with death, arrest, flagged, or murdered for the honor of their family. Being fully covered does not mean [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Jul 24, 2023

A Stroll Through Time: The History of Formal Clothes

Introduction: Formal clothing has played a significant role in human history, reflecting cultural norms, societal values, and the evolution of fashion. From elaborate garments worn by royalty to modern-day suits and gowns, the history of formal wear is a fascinating journey through time. In this blog post, we will embark on a sartorial adventure, exploring the origins and transformations of formal attire, as well as the social contexts that shaped its development.

Ancient Roots of Formal Attire: The concept of formal clothing dates back to ancient civilizations, where garments signified status and authority. In ancient Egypt, for instance, pharaohs adorned themselves with intricate headdresses and robes made from fine linen, symbolizing their divine connection. In ancient Greece and Rome, togas were draped in a particular manner to denote one's social standing and political role. These early examples laid the groundwork for formal attire as a marker of prestige and power.

Medieval Elegance and Courtly Fashion: During the medieval period, clothing became more ornate and tailored to specific social classes. Royalty and nobility wore luxurious fabrics, rich colors, and elaborate embroidery, while commoners dressed in simpler, more practical garments. The rise of courtly fashion also played a significant role, with knights and courtiers donning stylish attire to participate in tournaments and social events.

Renaissance Splendor: The Renaissance era witnessed a renewed interest in the arts, leading to a surge in fashion innovation. Men's clothing emphasized broad shoulders and narrow waists, while women's gowns featured elaborate corsets and voluminous skirts. The use of sumptuous fabrics like velvet, silk, and brocade further enhanced the elegance of formal wear during this period.

Evolution of Formal Wear in the 17th to 19th Centuries: As Europe underwent significant changes during the 17th to 19th centuries, so did its fashion. The Baroque and Rococo periods brought about extravagant styles, with men wearing wigs, breeches, and powdered faces, and women flaunting intricate hairstyles and lavish ball gowns. Later, the Victorian era emphasized modesty and refinement, influencing formal wear with high collars, bustles, and tailored suits.

The Birth of the Tuxedo and Evening Gowns: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, formal wear took on new forms. The tuxedo, a less formal alternative to tailcoats, emerged as a staple for evening events, popularized by Edward VII of England. Meanwhile, women's evening gowns underwent various transformations, embracing the Art Deco movement and reflecting the changing roles of women in society.

20th Century Modernization: The 20th century saw formal wear become more accessible and versatile. Suits, both for men and women, became the standard attire for formal occasions, with different styles emerging, such as the double-breasted and single-breasted designs. The Little Black Dress, introduced by Coco Chanel, became a timeless classic for women attending evening events.

Formal Fashion Today: Today, formal wear continues to evolve, reflecting contemporary tastes and cultural influences. While traditional formal attire remains relevant for certain events, modern interpretations have emerged to suit more casual and diverse occasions. Tailored suits, cocktail dresses, and themed formal wear are now common choices for different events, blurring the lines between traditional and contemporary styles.

Conclusion: The history of formal clothing is a tapestry woven with cultural, social, and artistic threads. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, formal attire has continuously adapted to reflect the times. As we continue to redefine fashion and embrace individual expression, formal wear will undoubtedly continue to transform and make its mark on the pages of history.

Recent Posts

"Cuppa's Eco-Chic Chronicles: Fashioning a Sustainable Future"

New Year, New You

"From Desk to Dinner: Styling Cuppa Blazers for Different Occasions"

Good Article

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

• Open access
• Published: 22 November 2014

Dress, body and self: research in the social psychology of dress

• Kim Johnson 1 ,
• Sharron J Lennon 2 &
• Nancy Rudd 3  

Fashion and Textiles volume  1 , Article number:  20 ( 2014 ) Cite this article

369k Accesses

57 Citations

55 Altmetric

Metrics details

The purpose of this research was to provide a critical review of key research areas within the social psychology of dress. The review addresses published research in two broad areas: (1) dress as a stimulus and its influence on (a) attributions by others, attributions about self, and on one's behavior and (2) relationships between dress, the body, and the self. We identify theoretical approaches used in conducting research in these areas, provide an abbreviated background of research in these areas highlighting key findings, and identify future research directions and possibilities. The subject matter presented features developing topics within the social psychology of dress and is useful for undergraduate students who want an overview of the content area. It is also useful for graduate students (1) who want to learn about the major scholars in these key areas of inquiry who have moved the field forward, or (2) who are looking for ideas for their own thesis or dissertation research. Finally, information in this paper is useful for professors who research or teach the social psychology of dress.

Introduction

A few social scientists in the 19 th Century studied dress as related to culture, individuals, and social groups, but it was not until the middle of the 20 th Century that home economists began to pursue a scholarly interest in social science aspects of dress (Roach-Higgins 1993 ). Dress is defined as “an assemblage of modifications of the body and/or supplements to the body” (Roach-Higgins & Eicher 1992 , p. 1). Body modifications include cosmetic use, suntanning, piercing, tattooing, dieting, exercising, and cosmetic surgery among others. Body supplements include, but are not limited to, accessories, clothing, hearing aids, and glasses. By the 1950s social science theories from economics, psychology, social psychology, and sociology were being used to study dress and human behavior (Rudd 1991 , p. 24).

A range of topics might be included under the phrase social psychology of dress but we use it to refer to research that attempts to answer questions concerned with how an individual’s dress-related beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by others and one’s self. The social psychology of dress is concerned with how an individual’s dress affects the behavior of self as well as the behavior of others toward the self (Johnson & Lennon 2014 ).

Among several topics that could be included in a critical review of research addressing the social psychology of dress, we focused our work on a review of published research in two broad areas: (1) dress as a stimulus and its influence on (a) attributions by others, attributions about self, and on one’s own behavior and (2) relationships between dress, the body, and the self. Our goal was to identify theoretical approaches used in conducting research in these areas, provide an abbreviated background of research in these areas highlighting key findings, and to identify future research directions and possibilities. The content presented features developing topics within the social psychology of dress and is useful for undergraduate students who want an overview of the content area. It is also useful for graduate students (1) who want to learn about the major scholars in these key areas of inquiry who have moved the field forward, or (2) who are looking for ideas for their own thesis or dissertation research. Finally, information in this paper is useful for professors who research or teach the social psychology of dress.

Body supplements as stimulus variables

In studying the social psychology of dress, researchers have often focused on dress as a stimulus variable; for example, the effects of dress on impression formation, attributions, and social perception (see Lennon & Davis 1989 ) or the effects of dress on behaviors (see Johnson et al. 2008 ). The context within which dress is perceived (Damhorst 1984-85 ) as well as characteristics of perceivers of clothed individuals (Burns & Lennon 1993 ) also has a profound effect on what is perceived about others. In the remainder of this section we focus on three research streams that center on dress (i.e., body supplements) as stimuli.

Provocative dress as stimuli

In the 1980s researchers were interested in women’s provocative (revealing, sexy) dress and the extent to which men and women attributed the same meaning to it. For example, both Edmonds and Cahoon ( 1986 ) and Cahoon and Edmonds ( 1987 ) found ratings of women who wore provocative dress were more negative than ratings of women who wore non-provocative dress. No specific theory was identified by these authors as guiding their research. Overall, when wearing provocative dress a model was rated more sexually appealing, more attractive, less faithful in marriage, more likely to engage in sexual teasing, more likely to use sex for personal gain, more likely to be sexually experienced, and more likely to be raped than when wearing conservative dress. Cahoon and Edmonds found that men and women made similar judgments, although men’s were more extreme than women’s. Abbey et al. ( 1987 ) studied whether women’s sexual intent and interest as conveyed by revealing dress was misinterpreted by men. The authors developed two dress conditions: revealing (slit skirt, low cut blouse, high heeled shoes) and non-revealing (skirt without a slit, blouse buttoned to neck, boots). Participants rated the stimulus person on a series of adjective traits. As compared to when wearing the non-revealing clothing, when wearing the revealing clothing the stimulus person was rated significantly more flirtatious, sexy, seductive, promiscuous, sophisticated, assertive, and less sincere and considerate. This research was not guided by theory.

Taking this research another step forward, in the 1990s dress researchers began to investigate how women’s provocative (revealing, sexy) dress was implicated in attributions of responsibility for their own sexual assaults (Lewis & Johnson 1989 ; Workman & Freeburg 1999 ; Workman & Orr 1996 ) and sexual harassment (Johnson & Workman 1992 , 1994 ; Workman & Johnson 1991 ). These researchers tended to use attribution theories (McLeod, 2010 ) to guide their research. Their results showed that provocative, skimpy, see-through, or short items of dress, as well as use of heavy makeup (body modification), were cues used to assign responsibility to women for their sexual assaults and experiences of sexual harassment. For example, Johnson and Workman ( 1992 ) studied likelihood of sexual harassment as a function of women’s provocative dress. A model was photographed wearing a dark suit jacket, above-the-knee skirt, a low-cut blouse, dark hose, and high heels (provocative condition) or wearing a dark suit jacket, below-the-knee skirt, high-cut blouse, neutral hose, and moderate heels (non-provocative condition). As compared to when wearing non-provocative dress, when wearing provocative dress the model was rated as significantly more likely to provoke sexual harassment and to be sexually harassed.

Recently, researchers have resurrected the topic of provocative (revealing, sexy) dress. However, their interest is in determining the extent to which women and girls are depicted in provocative dress in the media (in magazines, in online retail stores) and the potential consequences of those depictions, such as objectification. These researchers have often used objectification theory to guide their research. According to objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts 1997 ) women living in sexually saturated cultures are looked at, evaluated, and potentially objectified and treated as objects valued for their use by others. Objectification theory focuses on sexual objectification as a function of objectifying gaze, which is experienced in actual social encounters, media depictions of social encounters, and media depictions that focus on bodies and body parts. The theory explains that objectifying gaze evokes an objectified state of consciousness which influences self-perceptions. This objectified state of consciousness has consequences such as habitual body and appearance monitoring and requires cognitive effort that can result in difficulty with task performance (Szymanski et al. 2011 ). In such an environment, women may perceive their bodies from a third-person perspective, treating themselves as objects to be looked at and evaluated.

Self-objectification occurs when people perceive and describe their bodies as a function of appearance instead of accomplishments (Harrison & Fredrickson 2003 ). Experimental research shows that self-objectification in women can be induced by revealing clothing manipulations such as asking women to try on and evaluate the fit of a swimsuit as compared to a bulky sweater (Fredrickson et al. 1998 ).

To examine changes in sexualizing (provocative) characteristics with which girls are portrayed in the media, researchers have content analyzed girls’ clothing in two magazines (Graff et al. 2013 ). Clothing was coded as having sexualizing characteristics (e.g., tightness, bare midriffs, high-heeled shoes) and childlike characteristics (e.g., frills, childlike print, pigtail hair styles). The researchers found an increase in sexualized aspects of dress in depictions of girls from 1971 through 2011. To determine the extent of sexualization in girls’ clothing, researchers have content analyzed girls’ clothing available on 15 retailer websites (Goodin et al. 2011 ). Every girl’s clothing item on each of the retailer websites was coded for sexualizing aspects; 4% was coded as definitely sexualizing. Ambiguously sexualizing clothing (25%) had both sexualizing and childlike characteristics. Abercrombie Kids’ clothing had a higher percentage of sexualizing characteristics than all the other stores (44% versus 4%). These two studies document that girls are increasingly depicted in sexualizing clothing in U.S. media and that they are offered sexualized clothing by major retailers via their websites.

Since girls are increasingly sexualized, to determine if sexualized dress affects how girls are perceived by others Graff et al. ( 2012 ) designed an experiment wherein they manipulated the sexualizing aspects of the clothing of a 5 th grade girl. There were three clothing conditions: childlike (a grey t-shirt, jeans, and black Mary Jane shoes), ambiguously sexualized (leopard print dress of moderate length), highly sexualized (short dress, leopard print cardigan, purse). In the definitely sexualized condition, undergraduate students rated the girl as less moral, self-respecting, capable, determined, competent, and intelligent than when she was depicted in either the childlike or the ambiguously sexualized conditions. Thus, wearing sexualized clothing can affect how girls are perceived by others, so it is possible that sexualized clothing could lead to self-objectification in girls just as in the case of women (Tiggemann & Andrew 2012 ).

Objectification theory has been useful in identifying probable processes underlying the association between women’s provocative dress and negative inferences. In a study using adult stimuli, Gurung and Chrouser ( 2007 ) presented photos of female Olympic athletes in uniform and in provocative (defined as minimal) dress. College women rated the photos and when provocatively dressed, as compared to the uniform condition, the women were rated as more attractive, more feminine, more sexually experienced, more desirable, but also less capable, less strong, less determined, less intelligent, and as having less self-respect. These results are similar to what had previously been found by researchers in the 1980s (Abbey et al. 1987 ; Cahoon & Edmonds 1987 ; Edmonds & Cahoon 1986 ). This outcome is considered objectifying because the overall impression is negative and sexist. Thus, this line of research does more than demonstrate that provocative dress evokes inferences, it suggests the process by which that occurs: provocative dress leads to objectification of the woman so dressed and it is the objectification that leads to the inferences.

In a more direct assessment of the relationship between provocative dress and objectification of others, Holland and Haslam ( 2013 ) manipulated the dress (provocative or plain clothing) of two models (thin or overweight) who were rated equally attractive in facial attractiveness. Since objectification involves inspecting the body, the authors measured participants’ attention to the models’ bodies. Objectification also involves denying human qualities to the objectified person. Two such qualities are perceived agency (e.g., ability to think and form intentions) and moral agency (e.g., capacity to engage in moral or immoral actions). Several findings are relevant to the research on provocative dress. As compared to models wearing plain clothing, models wearing provocative clothing were attributed less perceived agency (e.g., ability to reason, ability to choose) and less moral agency [e.g., “how intentional do you believe the woman’s behavior is?” (p. 463)]. Results showed that more objectified gaze was directed toward the bodies of the models when they were dressed in provocative clothing as compared to when dressed in plain clothing. This outcome is considered objectifying because the models’ bodies were inspected more when wearing provocative dress, and because in that condition they were perceived as having less of the qualities normally attributed to humans.

In an experimental study guided by objectification theory, Tiggemann and Andrew ( 2012 ) studied the effects of clothing on self-perceptions of state self-objectification, state body shame, state body dissatisfaction, and negative mood. However, unlike studies (e.g., Fredrickson et al. 1998 ) in which participants were asked to try on and evaluate either a bathing suit or a sweater, Tiggemann and Andrew instructed their participants to “imagine what you would be seeing, feeling, and thinking” (p. 648) in scenarios. There were four scenarios: thinking about wearing a bathing suit in public, thinking about wearing a bathing suit in a dressing room, thinking about wearing a sweater in public, and thinking about wearing a sweater in a dressing room. The researchers found main effects for clothing such that as compared to thinking about wearing a sweater, thinking about wearing a bathing suit resulted in higher state self-objectification, higher state body shame, higher state body dissatisfaction, and greater negative mood. The fact that the manipulation only involved thinking about wearing clothing, rather than actually wearing such clothing, demonstrates the power of revealing (provocative, sexy) dress in that we only have to think about wearing it to have it affect our self-perceptions.

Taking extant research into account we encourage researchers to continue to investigate the topic of provocative (sexy, revealing) dress for both men and women to replicate the results for women and to determine if revealing dress for men might evoke the kinds of inferences evoked by women wearing revealing dress. Furthermore, research that delineates the role of objectification in the process by which this association between dress and inferences occurs would be useful. Although it would not be ethical to use the experimental strategy used by previous researchers (Fredrickson et al. 1998 ) with children, it is possible that researchers could devise correlational studies to investigate the extent to which wearing and/or viewing sexualized clothing might lead to self- and other-objectification in girls.

Research on red dress

Researchers who study the social psychology of dress have seldom focused on dress color. However, in the 1980s and 1990s a few researchers investigated color in the context of retail color analysis systems that focused on personal coloring (Abramov 1985 ; Francis & Evans 1987 ; Hilliker & Rogers 1988 ; Radeloff 1991 ). For example, Francis and Evans found that stimulus persons were actually perceived positively when not wearing their recommended personal colors. Hilliker and Rogers surveyed managers of apparel stores about the use of color analysis systems and found some impact on the marketplace, but disagreement among the managers on the value of the systems. Abramov critiqued color analysis for being unclear, ambiguous, and for the inability to substantiate claims. Most of these studies were not guided by a psychological theory of color.

Since the 1990s, researchers have developed a theory of color psychology (Elliot & Maier 2007 ) called color-in-context theory. Like other variables that affect social perception, the theory explains that color also conveys meaning which varies as a function of the context in which the color is perceived. Accordingly, the meanings of colors are learned over time through repeated pairings with a particular experience or message (e.g., red stop light and danger) or with biological tendencies to respond to color in certain contexts. For example, female non-human primates display red on parts of their bodies when nearing ovulation; hence red is associated with lust, fertility, and sexuality (Guéguen and Jacob 2013 ). As a function of these associations between colors and experiences, messages, or biological tendencies, people either display approach responses or avoidance responses but are largely unaware of how color affects them. In this section we review studies that examine the effects of red in relational contexts such as interpersonal attraction. However, there is evidence that red is detrimental in achievement (i.e., academic or hiring) contexts (e.g., Maier et al. 2013 ) and that red signals dominance and affects outcomes in competitive sporting contests (e.g., Feltman and Elliot 2011 ; Hagemann et al. 2008 ).

Recently researchers have used color-in-context theory to study the effects of red dress (shirts, dresses) on impressions related to sexual intent, attractiveness, dominance, and competence. Some of these studies were guided by color-in-context theory. Guéguen ( 2012 ) studied men’s perceptions of women’s sexual intent and attractiveness as a function of shirt color. Male participants viewed a photo of a woman wearing a t-shirt that varied in color. When wearing a red t-shirt as compared to the other colors, the woman was judged to be more attractive and to have greater sexual intent. Pazda et al. ( 2014a , [ b ]) conducted an experiment designed to determine why men perceive women who wear red to be more attractive than those who wear other colors. They argued that red is associated with sexual receptivity due to cultural pairings of red and female sexuality (e.g., red light district, sexy red lingerie). Men participated in an online experiment in which they were exposed to a woman wearing either a red, black, or white dress. When wearing the red dress the woman was rated as more sexually receptive than when wearing either the white or the black dresses. The woman was also rated on attractiveness and by performing a mediation analysis the researchers determined that when wearing the red dress, the ratings of her attractiveness as a function of red were no longer significant; in other words, the reason she was rated as more attractive when wearing the red dress was due to the fact that she was also perceived as more sexually receptive.

Pazda et al. ( 2014a , [ b ]), interested in women’s perceptions of other women as a function of their clothing color, conducted a series of experiments. They reasoned that like men, women would also make the connection between a woman’s red dress and her sexual receptivity and perceive her to be a sexual competitor. In their first experiment they found that women rated the stimulus woman as more sexually receptive when wearing a red dress as compared to when she was wearing a white dress. In a second experiment the woman wearing a red dress was not only rated more sexually receptive, she was also derogated more since ratings of her sexual fidelity were lower when wearing a red dress as compared to a white dress. Finally, in a third experiment the stimulus woman was again rated more sexually receptive; this time when she wore a red shirt as compared to when she wore a green shirt. The authors assessed the likelihood that their respondents would introduce the stimulus person to their boyfriends and the likelihood that they would let their boyfriends spend time with the stimulus person. Participants in the red shirt condition were more likely to keep their boyfriends from interacting with the stimulus person than participants in the green shirt condition. Thus, both men and women indicated women wearing red are sexually receptive.

Also interested in color, Roberts et al. ( 2010 ) were interested in determining whether clothing color affects the wearer of the clothing (e.g., do women act provocatively when wearing red clothing?) or does clothing color affect the perceiver of the person wearing the colored clothing. To answer this question, they devised a complicated series of experiments. In the first study, male and female models (ten of each) were photographed wearing each of six different colors of t-shirts. Undergraduates of the opposite sex rated the photographed models on attractiveness. Both male and female models were rated most attractive when wearing red and black t-shirts. In study two the same photos were used, but the t-shirts were masked by a gray rectangle. Compared to when they wore white t-shirts, male models were judged to be more attractive by both men and women when they wore the red t-shirts, even though the red color was not visible. In the third study the t-shirt colors in the photos were digitally altered, so that images could be compared in which red or white t-shirts were worn with those in which red had been altered to white and white had been altered to red. Male models wearing red were rated more attractive than male models wearing white that had been altered to appear red. Also male models wearing red shirts digitally altered to appear white were rated more attractive than male models actually photographed in white. These effects did not occur for female models. The authors reasoned that if clothing color only affected perceivers, then the results should be the same when a model is photographed in red as well as when the model is photographed in white which is subsequently altered to appear red. Since this did not happen, the authors concluded that clothing color affects both the wearer and the perceiver.

In addition, the effects of red dress on impressions also extend to behaviors. Kayser et al. ( 2010 ) conducted a series of experiments. For experiment one, a female stimulus person was photographed in either a red t-shirt or a green one. Male participants were shown a photo of the woman and given a list of questions from which to choose five to ask her. Because women wearing red are perceived to be more sexually receptive and to have greater sexual intent than when wearing other colors, the researchers expected the men who saw the woman in the red dress to select intimate questions to ask and this is what they found. In a second experiment, the female stimulus person wore either a red or a blue t-shirt. After seeing her picture the male participants were told that they would be interacting with her, where she would be sitting, and that they could place their chairs wherever they wished to sit. The men expecting to interact with the red-shirted woman placed their chairs significantly closer to her chair than when they expected to interact with a blue-shirted woman.

In a field experiment (Guéguen 2012 ), five female confederates wore t-shirts of red or other colors and stood by the side of a road to hitchhike. The t-shirt color did not affect women drivers, but significantly more men stopped to pick up the female confederates when they wore the red t-shirts as compared to all the other colors. In a similar study researchers (Guéguen & Jacob 2013 ) altered the color of a woman’s clothing on an online meeting site so that the woman was shown wearing red or several other colors. The women received significantly more contacts when her clothing had been altered to be red than any of the other t-shirt colors.

Researchers should continue conducting research about the color of dress items using color-in-context theory. One context important to consider in this research stream is the cultural context within which the research is conducted. To begin, other colors in addition to red should be studied for their meanings within and across cultural contexts. Since red is associated with sexual receptivity, red clothing should be investigated in the context of the research on provocative dress. For example, would women wearing red revealing dress be judged more provocative than women wearing the same clothing in different colors? Also researchers interested in girls’ and women’s depictions in the media, could investigate the effects of red dress on perceptions of sexual intent and objectification.

Effects of dress on the behavior of the wearer

Several researchers studying the social psychology of dress have reviewed the research literature (Davis 1984 ; Lennon and Davis 1989 ) and some have analyzed that research (see Damhorst 1990 ; Hutton 1984 ; Johnson et al. 2008 for reviews). In these reviews, Damhorst and Hutton focused on the effect of dress on person perception or impression formation. Johnson et al., however, focused their analysis on behaviors evoked by dress. An emerging line of research focuses on the effects of dress on the behavior of the wearer (Adam and Galinsky 2012 ; Frank and Galinsky 1988 ; Fredrickson et al. 1998 ; Gino et al. 2010 ; Hebl et al. 2004 ; Kouchaki et al. 2014 ; Martins et al. 2007 ).

Fredrickson et al. ( 1998 ), Hebl et al. ( 2004 ), and Martins et al. ( 2007 ) all used objectification theory to guide experiments about women’s and men’s body image experience. They were interested in the extent to which wearing revealing dress could trigger self-objectification. The theory predicts that self-objectification manifests in performance detriments on a task subsequent to a self-objectifying experience. Frederickson et al. had participants complete a shopping task. They entered a dressing room, tried on either a one piece swimsuit or a bulky sweater, and evaluated the fit in a mirror as they would if buying the garment. Then they completed a math performance test. The women who wore a swimsuit performed more poorly on the math test than women wearing a sweater; no such effects were found for men. A few years later Hebl et al. ( 2004 ) used the same procedure to study ethnic differences in self-objectification. Participants were Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American undergraduate men and women. Participants completed the same shopping task and math test. Participants who tried on the swimsuits performed worse on the math test than participants who tried on the sweater and these results held for both men and women of all ethnicities.

Martins et al. ( 2007 ) used the same shopping task as Frederickson et al. ( 1998 ) and Hebl et al. ( 2004 ), but employed a different behavioral measure. Their participants were gay and heterosexual men and the garment they tried on was either Speedo men’s briefs or a turtleneck sweater. After the shopping task the men were given the opportunity to sample and evaluate a snack and the amount eaten was measured. Wearing the Speedo affected eating for the gay men, but not the heterosexual men, such that gay men in the Speedo condition ate significantly less of the snack than gay men in the sweater condition. Taken together these studies demonstrate that a nominal clothing manipulation can have effects on the behavior of the wearer.

In one of the first studies to demonstrate the effects of clothing on the wearer, Frank and Gilovich ( 1988 ) noted that the color black is associated with evil and death in many cultures. They studied the extent to which players wearing black uniforms were judged more evil and aggressive than players wearing uniforms of other colors. They analyzed penalties awarded for aggressive behavior in football and ice hockey players. Players who wore black uniforms received more penalties for their aggressive behavior than those who wore other uniform colors. Since the penalty results could be due to biased refereeing, the authors videotaped a staged football game in which the defensive team wore either black or white uniforms. The same events were depicted in each version of the videotape. Participants watched short videos and rated the plays as more aggressive when the team members wore black as compared to white uniforms. In another part of the study, participants were assigned to wear either black or white uniform shirts. While wearing the shirts they were asked the type of games they would like to play; the black-shirted participants selected more aggressive games than the white-shirted participants. The authors interpreted the results of all the studies to mean that players wearing black are aggressive. Yet, when the level of aggressiveness was held constant in the staged football game, referees still perceived black-uniformed players to be more aggressive than white-uniformed players. The authors concluded that the color of the black uniform affects the wearer and the perceiver. This study’s results are similar to those of the researchers studying red dress who found that the color red is associated with a cultural meaning that affects both the wearer and the perceiver of the red dress (Roberts et al. 2010 ).

In a similar way, Adam and Galinsky ( 2012 ) determined that when clothing has symbolic meaning for the wearer, it also affects the wearer’s behavior. The researchers found that a white lab coat was associated with traits related to attentiveness. Then they conducted an experiment in which one group wore a white lab coat described as a painter’s coat and another group wore the same lab coat which was described as a medical doctor’s lab coat. A third group saw, but did not wear, a lab coat described as a medical doctor’s lab coat. Participants then performed an experimental task that required selective attention. The group that wore the coat described as a medical doctor’s lab coat outperformed both of the other two groups.

Gino et al. ( 2010 ) studied the effects of wearing designer sunglasses that were described either as counterfeit or authentic Chloe sunglasses on one’s own behaviors and perceptions of others. Although counterfeits convey status to others, they also mean that the wearers are pretending to be something they are not (i.e., wealthy enough to purchase authentic sunglasses). Participants who thought they were wearing fake sunglasses cheated significantly more on two experimental tasks than those who thought they were wearing authentic sunglasses. In a second experiment, the researchers showed that participants who believed they were wearing counterfeit sunglasses perceived others’ behaviors as more dishonest, less truthful, and more likely to be unethical than those wearing authentic sunglasses. In a third experiment the researchers showed that the effect for wearing counterfeit sunglasses on one’s own behavior was due to the meaning of inauthenticity attributed to the counterfeit sunglasses. Consistent with Adam and Galinsky ( 2012 ) and Frank and Gilovich (1988), in Gino et al. the effect of dress on one’s own behavior was due to the meaning of the dress cue in a context relevant to the meaning of that dress cue. While none of these three studies articulated a specific theory to guide their research, Adams and Galinsky outlined an enclothed cognition framework, which explained that dress affects wearers due to the symbolic meaning of the dress and the physical experience of wearing that dress item.

To summarize the research on the effects of dress on the behavior of the wearer, each of these studies reported research focused on a dress cue associated with cultural meaning. Some of the researchers had to first determine that meaning. The manipulations were designed so that the meaning of the dress cues was salient for the context of the manipulation. For example, in the objectification studies the revealingness of dress was varied in the context of a dressing room mirror where the revealing nature of the cue would be relevant. So to extend the enclothed cognition framework, we suggest that for dress to affect the wearer, the context of the experimental task needs to be such that the meaning of the dress item is salient.

Future researchers may continue to pursue the effects of dress on the wearer. The extended enclothed cognition framework could be applied to school uniforms. A possible research question could be that if school uniforms are associated with powerlessness among schoolchildren, would wearing school uniforms affect the level of effort children expend to solve homework problems or write papers?

It is interesting that previous researchers who examined the effect of school uniforms on various tasks did not ask children what associations uniforms had for them (e.g., Behling 1994 , 1995 ; Behling and Williams 1991 ). This question is clearly an avenue for renewed research in this area. Another situation to which the extended enclothed cognition framework might be investigated is in the context of professional sports. Since wearing a sweatshirt or cap with a professional team’s logo is associated with being a fan of that team, would people wearing those items evaluate that team’s performance higher than people wearing another team’s logos? Would they provide more excuses for their team than fans not wearing the team’s logos? We encourage researchers to continue to investigate the effects of dress on one’s own behaviors utilizing a range of dress cues (e.g., cosmetics, tattoos, and piercings).

Dress and the self

An ongoing area of research within the social psychology of dress is relationships between dress and the self. Although some researchers use the terms identity and self interchangeably, it is our position that they are not the same concepts but are related. We begin our discussion of the self with research on the body.

The physical body and the self

Whereas the first section of our review focused on body supplements (i.e., the clothed body), this section focuses on body modifications or how the body is altered. Within this discussion, the two research directions that we include are (1) body modifications that carry some risk, as opposed to routine modifications that typically do not, and (2) the influence of body talk and social comparison as variables influencing body image.

Body modifications that carry some risk

Societal standards of attractiveness in the Western world often focus on a thin appearance for women and a mesomorphic but muscular appearance for men (Karazia et al. 2013 ). Internalization of societal standards presented through various media outlets is widely recognized as a primary predictor of body dissatisfaction and risky appearance management behaviors including eating pathology among women (Cafri et al. 2005a , [ b ]), muscle enhancement and disordered eating behaviors in men (Tylka 2011 ), tattooing among young adults (Mun et al. 2012 ), and tanning among adolescents (Prior et al. 2014 ; Yoo & Kim, 2014 ). While there are several other risky appearance management behaviors in the early stages of investigation (e.g., extreme body makeovers, cosmetic procedures on male and female private parts, multiple cosmetic procedures), we isolate just a few behaviors to illustrate the impact of changing standards of attractiveness on widespread appearance management practices in the presentation of self.

Experimental research has demonstrated that exposure to social and cultural norms for appearance (via idealized images) leads to greater dissatisfaction with the body in general for both men and women (Blond 2008 ; Grabe et al. 2008 ); yet a meta-analysis of eight research studies conducted in real life settings suggested that these appearance norms were more rigid, narrowly defined, and prevalent for women than for men (Buote et al. 2011 ). These researchers also noted that women reported frequent exposure to social norms of appearance (i.e., considered bombardment by many women), the norms themselves were unrealistic, yet the nature of the messages was that these norms are perfectly attainable with enough time, money, and effort. Men, on the other hand, indicated that they were exposed to flexible social norms of appearance, and therefore report feeling less pressure to attain a particular standard in presenting their appearance to others (Buote et al. 2011 ).

Eating disorders

A recent stream of research related to individuals with eating disorders is concerned with the practice of body checking (i.e., weighing, measuring or otherwise assessing body parts through pinching, sucking in the abdomen, tapping it for flatness). Such checking behaviors may morph into body avoidance (i.e., avoiding looking in mirrors or windows at one’s reflection, avoiding gym locker rooms or situations involving showing the body to others) (White & Warren 2011 ), the manifestation of eating disorders (Haase et al. 2011 ), obsession with one’s weight or body shape, and a critical evaluation of either aspect (Smeets et al. 2011 ). The propensity to engage in body checking appears to be tied to ethnicity as White and Warren found, in their comparison of Caucasian women and women of color (Asian American, African American, and Latin American). They found significant differences in body checking and avoidance behaviors in Caucasian women and Asian American women over African American and Latin American women. Across all the women, White and Warren found positive and significant correlations between body checking and (1) avoidance behaviors and higher body mass index, (2) internalization of a thin ideal appearance, (3) eating disturbances, and (4) other clinical impairments such as debilitating negative thoughts.

Another characteristic of individuals with eating disorders is that they habitually weigh themselves. Self-weighing behaviors and their connection to body modification has been the focus of several researchers. Research teams have documented that self-weighing led to weight loss maintenance (Butryn et al. 2007 ) and prevention of weight gain (Levitsky et al. 2006 ). Other researchers found that self-weighing contributed to risky weight control behaviors such as fasting (Neumark-Sztainer et al. 2006 ) and even to weight gain (Needham et al. 2010 ). Lately, gender differences have also been investigated relative to self-weighing. Klos et al. ( 2012 ) found self-weighing was related to a strong investment in appearance, preoccupation with body shape, and higher weight among women. However, among men self-weighing was related to body satisfaction, investment in health and fitness, and positive evaluation of health.

One interesting departure from weight as a generalized aspect of body concern among women is the examination of wedding-related weight change. Considering the enormous cost of weddings, estimated to average $20,000 in the United States (Wong 2005 ), and the number of wedding magazines, websites, and self-help books on weddings (Villepigue et al. 2005 ), it is not surprising that many brides-to-be want to lose weight for their special occasion. Researchers have shown that an average amount of intended weight loss prior to a wedding is 20 pounds in both the U.S. and Australia with between 12% and 33% of brides-to-be reporting that they had been advised by someone else to lose weight (Prichard & Tiggemann 2009 ). About 50% of brides hoped to achieve weight loss, yet most brides did not actually experience a change in weight (Prichard & Tiggemann, 2014 ); however, when questioned about six months after their weddings, brides indicated that they had gained about four pounds. Those who were told to lose weight by significant others such as friends, family members, or fiancé gained significantly more than those who were not told to do so, suggesting that wedding-related weight change can have repercussions for post wedding body satisfaction and eating behaviors. Regaining weight is typical, given that many people who lose weight regain it with a year or so of losing it.

Drive for muscularity

Researchers have found that body modifications practiced by men are related more to developing muscularity than to striving for a thin body (Cafri et al. 2005a , [ b ]) with particular emphasis placed on developing the upper body areas of chest and biceps (Thompson & Cafri 2007 ). The means to achieve this body modification may include risky behaviors such as excessive exercise and weight training, extreme dieting and dehydration to emphasize musculature, and use of appearance or performance enhancing substances (Hildebrandt et al. 2010 ).

One possible explanation for men’s drive for muscularity may be objectification. While objectification theory was originally proposed to address women’s objectification, it has been extended to men (Hebl et al. 2004 ; Martins et al. 2007 ). These researchers determined that like women, men are objectified in Western and westernized culture and can be induced to self-objectify via revealing clothing manipulations.

Researchers have also examined how men are affected by media imagery that features buff, well-muscled, thin, attractive male bodies as the aesthetic norm. Kolbe and Albanese ( 1996 ) undertook a content analysis of men’s lifestyle magazines and found that most of the advertised male bodies were not “ordinary,” but were strong and hard bodies, or as the authors concluded, objectified and depersonalized. Pope et al. ( 2000 ) found that advertisements for many types of products from cars to underwear utilized male models with body-builder physiques (i.e., exaggerated “6 pack” abdominal muscles, huge chests and shoulders, yet lean); they suggested that men had become focused on muscularity as a cultural symbol of masculinity because they perceived that women were usurping some of their social standing in the workforce. Hellmich ( 2000 ) concurred and suggested that men were overwhelmed with images of half-naked, muscular men and that they too were targets of objectification. Other researchers (e.g., Elliott & Elliott 2005 ; Patterson & England 2000 ) confirmed these findings – that most images in men’s magazines featured mesomorphic, strong, muscular, and hyper-masculine bodies.

How do men respond to such advertising images? Elliott and Elliott ( 2005 ) conducted focus interviews with 40 male college students, ages 18-31, and showed them six different advertisements in lifestyles magazines. They found six distinct types of response, two negative, two neutral, and two positive. Negative responses were (1) homophobic (those who saw the ads as stereotypically homosexual, bordering on pornography), perhaps threatening their own perceived masculinity or (2) gender stereotyping (those who saw the ads as depicting body consciousness or vanity, traits that they considered to be feminine). Neutral responses were (3) legitimizing exploitation as a marketing tool (those who recognized that naked chests or exaggerated body parts were shown and sometimes with no heads, making them less than human, but recognizing that sex sells products), and (4) disassociating oneself from the muscular body ideals shown in the ads (recognizing that the images represented unattainable body types or shapes). Positive responses were (5) admiration of real or attainable “average” male bodies and (6) appreciating some naked advertising images as art, rather than as sexual objects. The researchers concluded that men do see their gender objectified in advertising, resulting in different responses or perceived threats to self.

There is evidence that experiencing these objectified images of the male body is also partially responsible for muscle dysmorphia, a condition in which men become obsessed with achieving muscularity (Leit et al. 2002 ). Understanding contributors to the development of muscle dysmorphia is important as the condition can lead to risky appearance management behaviors such as extreme body-building, eating disorders, and use of anabolic steroids to gain bulk (Bradley et al. 2014 ; Maida & Armstrong 2005 ). In an experiment, Maida and Armstrong exposed 82 undergraduate men to 30 slides of advertisements and then asked them to complete a body image perception test. Men’s body satisfaction was affected by exposure to the images, such that they wanted to be notably more muscular than they were.

Contemporary researchers have found that drive for muscularity is heightened among men when there is a perceived threat to their masculinity such as performance on some task (Steinfeldt et al. 2011 ) or perceiving that they hold some less masculine traits (Blashill, 2011). Conversely, researchers have also suggested that body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity can be reduced by developing a mindfulness approach to the body characterized by attention to present-moment experiences such as how one might feel during a certain activity like yoga or riding a bicycle (Lavender et al. 2012 ). While the investigation of mindfulness to mitigate negative body image and negative appearance behaviors is relatively new, it is a promising area of investigation.

Tattooing is not necessarily a risky behavior in and of itself, as most tattoo parlors take health precautions with the use of sterile instruments and clean environments. However, research has focused on other risk-taking behaviors that tattooed individuals may engage in, including drinking, smoking, shoplifting, and drug use (Deschesnes et al. 2006 ) as well as and early and risky sexual activity (Koch, Roberts, Armstrong, & Owen, 2007). Tattoos have also been studied as a bodily expression of uniqueness (Mun et al. 2012 ; Tiggemann & Hopkins 2011 ) but not necessarily reflecting a stronger investment in appearance (Tiggemann & Hopkins 2011 ).

Tanning behaviors are strongly associated with skin cancer, just as smoking is associated with lung cancer. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization has classified ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning devices that emit ultraviolet light as group 1 carcinogens, placing ultraviolet radiation in the same category as tobacco use (World Health Organization, 2012 ). Yet, tanning behaviors are prevalent among many young adults and adolescents causing them to be at increased risk of skin cancer, particularly with indoor tanning devices (Boniol et al. 2012 ; Lostritto et al. 2012 ). Studies of motives for tanning among these populations suggest that greater tanning behavior, for both genders, is correlated with high investment in appearance, media influences, and the influence of friends and significant others (Prior et al. 2014 ). Frequent tanning behaviors in adolescent boys have been related to extreme weight control, substance use, and victimization (Blashill 2013 ). Among young adults, Yoo and Kim ( 2014 ) identified three attitudes toward tanning that were related to tanning behaviors. The attitude that tanning was a pleasurable activity influenced indoor and outdoor tanning behaviors. The attitude that a tan enhances physical attractiveness influenced use of tanning beds and sunless tanning products. The attitude that tanning is a healthy behavior influenced outdoor tanning. They advised that tanning behaviors could be studied further particularly in relation to other risky behaviors.

Body talk and the self

A relatively recent line of investigation concerns the impact of talk about the body on perceptions of self. One would think that communication among friends would typically strengthen feelings of self-esteem and psychological well-being (Knickmeyer et al. 2002 ). Yet, certain types of communication, such as complaining about one’s body or appearance, may negatively impact feelings about the self (Tucker et al. 2007 ), particularly in the case of “fat talk” or disparaging comments about body size, weight, and fear of becoming fat (Ousley et al. 2008 ; Warren et al. 2012 ). Such fat talk has become normative behavior among women and, according to one study, occurs in over 90% of women (Salk & Engeln-Maddox 2011 ) and, according to another study, occurs in women of all ages and body sizes (Martz et al. 2009 ) because women feel pressure to be self-critical about their bodies. More women than men reported exposure to fat talk in their circle of friends and acquaintances and greater pressure to engage in it (Salk & Engeln-Maddox). Thus, fat talk extends body dissatisfaction into interpersonal relationships (Arroyo & Harwood 2012 ).

Sladek et al. ( 2014 ) reported a series of studies that elaborated on the investigation of body talk among men, concluding that men’s body talk has two distinct aspects, one related to weight and the other to muscularity. After developing a scale that showed strong test-retest reliability among college men, they found that body talk about muscularity was associated with dissatisfaction with the upper body, strong drive for muscularity, symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, and investment in appearance. Body talk about weight was associated with upper body dissatisfaction, symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. They suggest future research in body talk conversations among men and boys of all ages, from different cultural backgrounds, and in different contexts.

Negative body talk among men appears to be less straightforward than that among women (Engeln et al. 2013 ). These researchers reported that men’s body talk included both positive elements and negative elements, while that of women tended to focus on the negative, perhaps reflecting an accepting body culture among men in which they can praise one another as well as commiserate with other men on issues regarding muscularity and weight. Yet, both muscle talk and fat talk were found to decrease state appearance self-esteem and to increase state body dissatisfaction among men.

While the fat talk literature clearly establishes the normative occurrence of this type of communication, as well as establishes the negative impact on the self, the literature has not delved into theoretical explanations for its existence. Arroyo ( 2014 ) has posited a relationship between fat talk and three body image theories (self-discrepancy, social comparison, and objectification), and suggested that degree of body dissatisfaction could serve as a mediating mechanism. Self-discrepancy theory suggests that the discrepancy between one’s actual self and one’s ideal self on any variable, such as weight or attractiveness, motivates people to try to achieve that ideal (Jacobi & Cash 1994 ). Social comparison theory (Festinger 1954 ) explains that we compare ourselves to others on some variable of comparison. When we compare ourselves to others who we believe to be better than ourselves (upward comparison) on this variable (say, for example, thinner or more attractive), we may feel worse about ourselves and engage in both non-risky and risky behaviors such as extreme weight control to try to meet those expectations (Ridolfi et al. 2011 ; Rudd & Lennon 1994 ). Objectification theory, as mentioned earlier in this paper, states that bodies are treated as objects to be evaluated and perceived by others (Szymanski et al. 2011 ); self-objectification occurs when individuals look upon themselves as objects to be evaluated by others.

Arroyo ( 2014 ) surveyed 201 college women to see what effect weight discrepancy, upward comparison, and objectified body consciousness had on fat talk; a mediating variable of body dissatisfaction was investigated. She found that how satisfied or dissatisfied the women did indeed impact how they felt about each variable. Each of the three predictor variables was positively associated with body dissatisfaction and higher body dissatisfaction predicted fat talk. She concluded that fat talk is more insidious than other social behaviors; it is a type of communication that perpetuates negative perceptions among women as well as the attitude that women should be dissatisfied with their bodies. Future research suggestions included examining the impact of downward social comparisons (in which the individual assumes they fare better than peers on the variables of comparison, such as weight), and examining all three phenomena of self-discrepancy, social comparison, and objectification together to determine their cumulative impact on self-disparaging talk.

Negative body talk or fat talk is related to perceptions about the self and to appearance-management behaviors in presenting the self to others. In a sample of 203 young adult women, negative body talk was related to body dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem, and was associated with stronger investment in appearance, distorted thoughts about the body, disordered eating behavior, and depression (Rudiger & Winstead 2013 ). Positive body talk was related to fewer cognitive distortions of the body, high body satisfaction, high self-esteem, and friendship quality. Another form of body talk, co-rumination or the mutual sharing between friends of negative thoughts and feelings, is thought to intensify the impact of body talk. In this same study, co-rumination was related to frequent cognitive distortions of the body as well as disordered eating behaviors, but to high perceived friendship quality. Thus, negative body talk achieved no positive outcomes, yet co-rumination achieved negative outcomes for the self, but positive outcomes for quality of friendship. Thus, future research could tease apart the specific components of the social phenomenon of co-rumination in relation to self-perceptions and appearance management behaviors.

Dress and self as distinct from others

Shifting attention from relationships between the body and self, we move to a discussion of relationships between dress and that aspect of the self that is concerned with answering questions about who we are as distinct and unique individuals (e.g., what type of person am I?). Earlier we shared research about how wearing certain article of dress might impact one’s own physical behaviors. We shift now to sharing research addressing the role dress might play in thinking about oneself as a unique and distinct individual (i.e., self-perceptions). Researchers addressing this topic have utilized Bem’s ( 1972 ) self-perception theory. Bem proposed that similar to the processes we use in forming inferences about others, we can form inferences about ourselves. Bem argues that people’s understanding of their own traits was, in some circumstances, an assessment of their own behaviors. This process was proposed to be particularly relevant to individuals who were responsive to self-produced cues (i.e., cues that arise from an individual’s own behavior or characteristics).

In the 1980s, Kellerman and Laird ( 1982 ) utilized self-perception theory to see whether wearing a specific item of dress (e.g., eye glasses) would influence peoples’ ratings of their own skills and abilities. They conducted an experiment with undergraduate students having them rate themselves on an array of traits when wearing and when not wearing glasses and to complete a hidden figures test. Although there were no significant differences in their performance on the test, the participants’ ratings of their competence and intelligence was higher when wearing glasses than when not. In related research, Solomon and Schopler ( 1982 ) found that both men and women indicated that the appropriateness of their clothing affected their mood.

Studying dress specifically within a workplace context, in the 1990s Kwon ( 1994 ) did not have her participants actually wear different clothing styles but asked them to project how they might think about themselves if they were to wear appropriate versus inappropriate clothing to work. Participants indicated they would feel more competent and responsible if they wore appropriate rather than inappropriate clothing. Similarly, Rafaeli et al. ( 1997 ) a found that employees indicated a link between self-perception and clothing associating psychological discomfort with wearing inappropriate dress for work and increased social self-confidence with appropriate attire. Nearly ten years later, Adomaitis and Johnson ( 2005 ) in a study of flight attendants found that the attendants linked wearing casual uniforms for work (e.g., t-shirt, shorts) with negative self-perceptions (e.g., nonauthoritative, embarrassment, unconfident, unprofessional). Likewise, Peluchette and Karl ( 2007 ) investigating the impact of formal versus casual attire in the workplace found that their participants viewed themselves as most authoritative, trustworthy, productive and competent when wearing formal business attire but as friendliest when wearing casual or business casual attire. Continuing this line of research with individuals employed in the public sector, Karl et al. ( 2013 ) reported participants indicated they felt more competent and authoritative when in formal business or business casual attire and least creative and friendly when wearing casual dress.

As workplace dress has become casual, it would be useful for researchers to uncover any distinctions in casualness that make individuals feel more or less competent, respected, or authoritative. Another aspect of clothing that could be investigated is fit as it might impact self-perceptions or use of makeup.

Guy and Banim ( 2000 ) were interested in how clothing was used as means of self-presentation in everyday life. They implemented three strategies to meet their research objective of investigating women’s relationships to their clothing: a personal account, a clothing diary, and a wardrobe interview. The personal account was a written or tape recorded response to the question “what clothing means to me.” The clothing diary was a daily log kept for two weeks. The wardrobe interview was centered on participants’ current collection of clothing. Participants were undergraduates and professional women representing several age cohorts. The researchers identified three distinct perspectives of self relative to the women’s clothing. The first was labeled “the woman I want to be”. This category of responses revealed that the women used clothing to formulate positive self-projections. Favorite items of clothing in particular were identified as useful in bridging the gap between “self as you would like it to be” and the image actually achieved with the clothing. The second category of responses was labeled “the woman I fear I could be”. This category of responses reflected experiences where clothing had failed to achieve a desired look or resulted in a negative self-presentation. Concern here was choosing to wear clothing with unintentional effects such as highlighting parts of the body that were unflattering or concern about losing the ability to know how to dress to convey a positive image. The last category, “the woman I am most of the time” contained comments indicating the women had a “relationship with clothes was ongoing and dynamic and that a major source of enjoyment for them was to use clothes to realize different aspects of themselves” (p. 321).

Interested in how the self shaped clothing consumption and use, Ogle et al. ( 2013 ) utilized Guy and Banim’s ( 2000 ) views of self to explore how consumption of maternity dress might shape the self during a liminal life stage (i.e., pregnancy). Interviews with women expecting their first child revealed concerns that available maternity dress limited their ability to express their true selves. Some expressed concern that the maternity clothing that was available to them in the marketplace symbolized someone that they did not want to associate with (i.e., the woman I fear I could be). Several women noted they borrowed or purchased used clothing from a variety of sources for this time in their life. This decision resulted in dissatisfaction because the items were not reflective of their selves and if worn resulted in their projecting a self that they also did not want to be. In addition, the women shared that they used dress to confirm their selves as pregnant and as NOT overweight. While some of the participants did experience a disrupted sense of self during pregnancy, others shared that they were able to locate items of dress that symbolized a self-consistent with “the woman I am most of the time”.

Continuing in this line of research, researchers may want to explore these three aspects of self with others who struggle with self-presentation via dress as a result of a lack of fashionable and trendy clothing in the marketplace. Plus-sized women frequently report that they are ignored by the fashion industry and existing offerings fail to meet their need to be fashionable. A recent article in the Huffington Post (“Plus-sized clothing”, 2013 ) noted that retailers do not typically carry plus sizes perhaps due to the misconception that plus-sized women are not trendy shoppers or the idea that these sizes will not sell well. Thus, it may well be that the relationship between dress and self for plus-sized women is frustrating as they are prevented from being able to make clothing choices indicative of their selves “as they would like them to be”.

Priming and self-perception

While several researchers have confirmed that clothing worn impacts thoughts about the self, Hannover and Kühnen ( 2002 ) were interested in uncovering processes that would explain why clothing could have this effect. They began with examining what role priming might have in explaining how clothing impacts self-perceptions. Using findings from social cognition, they argued that clothing styles might prime specific mental categories about one’s self such that those categories that are most easily accessed in a given situation would be more likely to be applied to oneself than categories of information that are difficult to access. Thus, if clothing can be used to prime specific self-knowledge it should impact self-descriptions such that, a person wearing “casual” clothing (e.g., jeans, sweatshirt) should be more apt to describe him or herself using casual terms (e.g., laid-back, uses slang). The researchers had each participant stand in front of a mirror and indicate whether or not specific traits were descriptive of him or herself when wearing either casual or formal clothing (e.g., business attire). The researchers found that when a participant wore casual clothing he or she rated the casual traits as more valid self-descriptions than the formal traits. The reverse was also true. They concluded that the clothing worn primed specific categories of self-knowledge. However, the researchers did not ask participants to what extent they intentionally considered their own clothing when determining whether or not a trait should be applied to them. Yet, as previously noted, Adam and Galinsky ( 2012 ) demonstrated that clothing impacted a specific behavior (attention) only in circumstances where the clothing was worn and the clothing’s meaning was clear. Thus, researchers could test if clothing serves as an unrecognized priming source and if its impact on impression formation is less intentional than typically assumed.

Dress and self in interaction with others

Another area of research within dress and the self involves experience with others and the establishment of meaning. Questions that these researchers are interested in answering include what is the meaning of an item of dress or a way of appearing? Early researchers working in this area have utilized symbolic interactionism as a framework for their research (Blumer 1969 ; Mead 1934 ; Stone 1962 ). The foundational question of symbolic interaction is: “What common set of symbols and understandings has emerged to give meaning to people’s interactions?” (Patton 2002 , p. 112).

There are three basic premises central to symbolic interactionism (Blumer 1969 ). The first premise is that our behavior toward things (e.g., physical objects, other people) is shaped by the meaning that those things have for us. Applied to dress and appearance, this premise means that our behavior relative to another person is influenced by that person’s dress (Kaiser 1997 ) and the meaning that we assign to that dress. The second premise of symbolic interaction is that the meaning of things is derived from social interaction with others (Blumer). This premise indicates that meanings are not inherent in objects, must be shared between individuals, and that meanings are learned. The third premise is that meanings are modified by a continuous interpretative process in which the actor interacts with himself (Blumer). As applied to clothing, this premise suggests that the wearer of an outfit or item of clothing is active in determining the meaning of an item along with the viewer of that item.

Symbolic interactionism posits that the self is a social construction established, maintained, and altered through interpersonal communication with others. While initial work focused on investigating verbal communication as key to the construction of the self, Stone extended communication to include appearance and maintained that “appearance is at least as important in establishment and maintenance of the self” as verbal communication (1962, p. 87).

Stone ( 1962 ) discussed a process of establishing the self in interaction with others. This process included selecting items of dress to communicate a desired aspect of self (i.e., identity) as well as to convey that desired aspect to others. One stage in this process is an individual’s review of his/her own appearance. This evaluation and response to one’s own appearance is called program. One might experience a program by looking in the mirror to assess whether the intended identity expressed through dress is the one that is actually achieved. After this evaluation of one’s appearance, the next stage involves others reacting to an individual’s appearance. This is called a review. Stone contends that when “programs and reviews coincide, the self of the one who appears is validated or established” (p. 92). However, when programs and reviews do not coincide, the announced identity is challenged and “conduct may be expected to move in the direction of some redefinition of the challenged self” (p. 92).

Researchers using this approach in their investigations of dress have used Stone’s ( 1962 ) ideas and applied the concept of review to the experiences of sorority women. Hunt and Miller ( 1997 ) interviewed sorority members about their experiences with using dress to communicate their membership and how members, via their reviews, shaped their sorority appearances. Members reported using several techniques in the review of the appearance of other members as well as in response to their own appearance (i.e., programs). Thus, the researcher’s results supported Stone’s ideas concerning establishment of an identity (as an aspect of self) as a process of program and review.

In an investigation of the meaning of dress, in this instance the meaning of a specific body modification—a tattoo, Mun et al. ( 2012 ) interviewed women of various ages who had tattoos to assess meanings, changes in self-perceptions as a result of the tattoo, and any changes in the women’s behavior as an outcome of being tattooed. To guide their inquiry, the researchers used Goffman’s ( 1959 ) discussion of the concept of self-presentation from his seminal work The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life . According to Goffman, on a regular basis people make inferences about the motivations that underlie other people’s behaviors. To make these inferences they use everyday details. Because most people make these inferences, Goffman believed that individuals could purposely control the content of those inferences by controlling their behavior. Included in this behavior was an individual’s dress. These researchers found support for Goffman’s reasoning. Participants shared that their tattoo(s) had meaning and were expressive of their selves, their personal values and interests, important life events (e.g., marriage), and religious/sacred beliefs. The meaning of a tattoo was also dynamic for several participants rather than static. Participants’ self-perceptions were impacted as a result of being tattooed with several participants sharing increases to their confidence and to their perceived empowerment. Individuals who shared a change in behavior primarily noted that they controlled the visibility of their tattoos to others as a method to control how others might respond to them having a tattoo especially within the workplace.

Since an array of body modifications (e.g., piercings, gauging, scarification) are being adopted cross-culturally, investigations of people’s experiences with any of these modifications is fertile area for future researchers interested in the meaning(s) of dress and how dress impacts the self through interaction with others. Researchers may want to investigate men’s experiences with piercing/gauging as well as women’s experiences with body building and other developing forms of body modification. Extreme forms of body piercings (e.g., piercings that simulate corset lacings) and underlying motivations for these body modifications would add to our understanding of relationships between dress and self. The meanings of facial hair to men or body hair removal (partial, total) for both men and women are additional aspects of dress that could be investigated.

Dress and self as influence on consumption

In the aforementioned research by Ogle et al. ( 2013 ), the researchers found that a primary reason their participants were disappointed by the maternity clothing offered through the marketplace was due to a lack of fit between their selves and the clothing styles made available. Thus, it is clear that ideas about the self impact clothing selection and purchase. Sirgy ( 1982 ) proposed self-image product-image congruity theory to describe the process of how people applied ideas concerning the self to their purchasing. The basic assumption of the theory is that through marketing and branding, products gain associated images. The premise of the theory is that products people are motivated to purchase are products with images that are congruent with or symbolic of how they see themselves (i.e., actual self-image) or with how they would like to be (i.e., ideal self-image). They also will avoid those products that symbolize images that are inconsistent with either of these self-images.

Rhee and Johnson ( 2012 ) found support for the self-image product-image congruity relationship with male and female adolescents. These researchers investigated the adolescents’ purchase and use of clothing brands. Participants indicated their favorite apparel brand was most similar to their actual self (i.e., this brand reflects who I am), followed by their social self (i.e., this brand reflects who I want others to think I am), and their desired self (i.e., this brand reflects who I want to be).

Earlier, Banister and Hogg ( 2004 ) conducted research investigating the idea that consumers will actively reject or avoid products with negative symbolic meanings. The researchers conducted group interviews with adult consumers. Their participants acknowledged that clothing items could symbolize more than one meaning depending on who was interpreting the meaning. They also acknowledged that the consumers they interviewed appeared to be more concerned with avoiding consumption of products with negative symbolic images than with consuming products with the goal of achieving a positive image. One participant noted that while attempts to achieve a positive image via clothing consumption may be sub-conscious, the desire to avoid a negative image when shopping was conscious.

Closing remarks

It is clear from our review that interest in the topic of the social psychology of dress is on-going and provides a fruitful area of research that addresses both basic and applied research questions. Although we provided an overview of several key research areas within the topic of the social psychology of dress we were unable to include all of the interesting topics being investigated. There are other important areas of research including relationships between dress and specific social and cultural identities, answering questions about how dress functions within social groups, how we learn to attach meanings to dress, and changing attitudes concerning dress among others. Regardless, we hope that this review inspires both colleagues and students to continue to investigate and document the important influence dress exerts in everyday life.

a These researchers used role theory to frame their investigation.

Abbey A, Cozzarelli C, McLaughlin K, Harnish RJ: The effects of clothing and dyad sex composition on perceptions of sexual intent: do women and men evaluate these cues differently?. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 1987, 17 (2): 108-126.

Google Scholar  

Abramov I: An analysis of personal color analysis. The psychology of fashion: From conception to consumption. Edited by: Solomon M. 1985, Lexington Books, Lexington, MA, 211-223.

Adam H, Galinsky AD: Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2012, 48 (4): 918-925.

Adomaitis A, Johnson KKP: Casual versus formal uniforms: flight attendants' self-perceptions and perceived appraisals by others. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 2005, 23 (2): 88-101.

Arroyo A: Connecting theory to fat talk: body dissatisfaction mediates the relationships between weight discrepancy, upward comparison, body surveillance, and fat talk. Body Image. 2014, 11 (3): 303-306.

Arroyo A, Harwood J: Exploring the causes and consequences of engaging in fat talk. Journal of Applied Communication Research. 2012, 40 (2): 167-187.

Banister E, Hogg M: Negative symbolic consumption and consumers’ drive for self‐esteem: the case of the fashion industry. European Journal of Marketing. 2004, 38 (7): 850-868.

Behling D, Williams EA: Influence of dress on perception of intelligence and expectations of scholastic achievement. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1991, 9 (4): 1-7.

Behling D: School uniforms and person perception. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1994, 79 (2): 723-729.

Behling D: Influence of dress on perception of intelligence and scholastic achievement in urban schools with minority populations. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1995, 13 (1): 11-16.

Bem D: Self-perception theory. Advances in experimental social psychology. Edited by: Berkowitz L. 1972, Academic, New York, NY, 1-62.

Blashill A: Psychosocial correlates of frequent indoor tanning among adolescent boys. Body Image. 2013, 10 (2): 259-262.

Blond A: Impact of exposure to images of ideal bodies on male body dissatisfaction. Body Image. 2008, 5 (3): 244-250.

Blumer H: Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. 1969, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Boniol M, Autier P, Boyle P, Gandini S: Cutaneous melanoma attributable to sunbed use: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. 2012, 345: 1-12.

Bradley L, Rudd NA, Reilly A, Freson T: A review of men’s body image literature: what we know, and need to know. International Journal of Costume and Fashion. 2014, 14 (1): 29-45.

Buote V, Wilson A, Strahan E, Gazzola S, Papps F: Setting the bar: divergent sociocultural norms for women’s and men’s ideal appearance in real-world contexts. Body Image. 2011, 8 (4): 322-334.

Burns LD, Lennon SJ: The effect of clothing on the use of person information categories in first impressions. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1993, 12 (1): 9-15.

Butryn ML, Phelan S, Hill JO, Wing RR: Consistent self-monitoring of weight: a key component of successful weight loss maintenance. Obesity. 2007, 15 (12): 3091-3096.

Cafri G, Thompson JK, Ricciardelli L, McCabe M, Smolak L, Yesalis C: Pursuit of the muscular ideal: physical and psychological consequences and putative risk factors. Clinical Psychology Review. 2005, 25 (2): 215-139.

Cafri G, Yamamiya Y, Brannick M, Thompson JK: The influence of sociocultural factors on body image: a meta-analytic review. Clinical psychology: Science and practice. 2005, 12 (4): 421-433.

Cahoon DD, Edmonds EM: Estimates of opposite-sex first impressions related to females’ clothing style. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1987, 65 (2): 406-406.

Damhorst ML: Meanings of clothing cues in social context. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1984-85, 3 (2): 39-48.

Damhorst ML: In search of a common thread: classification of information communicated through dress. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1990, 8 (2): 1-12.

Davis LL: Clothing and human behavior: a review. Home Economics Research Journal. 1984, 12: 325-339.

Deschesnes M, Fines P, Demers S: Are tattooing and body piercing indicators of risk-taking behaviors among high school students?. Journal of Adolescence. 2006, 29 (3): 379-393.

Edmonds EM, Cahoon DD: Attitudes concerning crimes related to clothing worn by female victims. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society. 1986, 24 (6): 444-446.

Elliot AJ, Maier MA: Color and psychological functioning. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2007, 16 (5): 250-254.

Elliott R, Elliott C: Idealized images of the male body in advertising: a reader-response exploration. Journal of Marketing Communications. 2005, 11 (2): 3-19.

Engeln R, Sladek M, Waldron H: Body talk among college men: content, correlates, and effects. Body Image. 2013, 10 (3): 300-308.

Feltman R, Elliot AJ: The influence of red on perceptions of relative dominance and threat in a competitive context. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. 2011, 33 (2): 308-314.

Festinger L: A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations. 1954, 7 (2): 117-140.

Francis SK, Evans PK: Effects of hue, value, and style of garment and personal coloring of model on person perception. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1987, 64: 383-390.

Frank MG, Gilovich T: The dark side of self and social perception: black uniforms and aggression in professional sports. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1988, 54 (1): 74-85.

CAS   Google Scholar  

Fredrickson BL, Roberts TA: Objectification theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 1997, 21 (2): 173-206.

Fredrickson BL, Roberts TA, Noll SM, Quinn DM, Twenge JM: That swimsuit becomes you: sex differences in self-objectification, restrained eating, and math performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1998, 75 (1): 269-

Gino F, Norton MI, Ariely D: The counterfeit self: the deceptive costs of faking it. Psychological Science. 2010, 21 (5): 712-720.

Goffman E: The presentation of self in everyday life. 1959, Doubleday, New York, NY

Goodin SM, Van Denburg A, Murnen SK, Smolak L: “Putting on” sexiness: a content analysis of the presence of sexualizing characteristics in girls’ clothing. Sex Roles. 2011, 65 (1–2): 1-12.

Grabe S, Ward LM, Hyde JS: The role of the media in body image concerns among women: a meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin. 2008, 134 (3): 460-476.

Graff KA, Murnen SK, Krause AK: Low-cut shirts and high-heeled shoes: increased sexualization across time in magazine depictions of girls. Sex Roles. 2013, 69 (11–12): 571-582.

Graff K, Murnen SK, Smolak L: Too sexualized to be taken seriously? Perceptions of a girl in childlike vs. sexualizing clothing. Sex Roles. 2012, 66 (11–12): 764-775.

Guéguen N: Color and women attractiveness: when red clothed women are perceived to have more intense sexual intent. The Journal of Social Psychology. 2012, 152 (3): 261-265.

Guéguen N, Jacob C: Color and cyber‐attractiveness: red enhances men's attraction to women's internet personal ads. Color Research & Application. 2013, 38 (4): 309-312.

Gurung RA, Chrouser CJ: Predicting objectification: do provocative clothing and observer characteristics matter?. Sex Roles. 2007, 57 (1–2): 91-99.

Guy A, Banim M: Personal collections: women’s clothing use and identity. Journal of Gender Studies. 2000, 9 (3): 313-327.

Haase AM, Mountford V, Waller G: Associations between body checking and disordered eating behaviors in nonclinical women. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2011, 44 (5): 465-468.

Hagemann N, Strauss B, Leißing J: When the referee sees red…. Psychological Science. 2008, 19 (8): 769-771.

Hannover B, Kühnen U: “The clothing makes the self” via knowledge activation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 2002, 32 (12): 2513-2525.

Harrison K, Fredrickson BL: Women's sports media, self‐objectification, and mental health in black and white adolescent females. Journal of Communication. 2003, 53 (2): 216-232.

Hebl MR, King EB, Lin J: The swimsuit becomes us all: ethnicity, gender, and vulnerability to self-objectification. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2004, 30 (10): 1322-1331.

Hellmich, N. (2000). Body fixation may be missing on health. USA Today, ᅟ , 6d. 19 September.

Hildebrandt T, Alfano L, Langenbucher JW: Body image disturbance in 1000 male appearance and performance enhancing drug users. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2010, 44 (13): 841-846.

Hilliker JAS, Rogers JC: Color analysis in the marketplace. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1988, 6 (3): 26-31.

Holland E, Haslam N: Worth the weight: the objectification of overweight versus thin targets. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 2013, 37 (4): 462-468.

Hunt S, Miller K: The discourse of dress and appearance: identity talk and a rhetoric of review. Symbolic Interaction. 1997, 20 (1): 69-82.

Hutton SS: State of the art: clothing as a form of human behavior. Home Economics Research Journal. 1984, 12 (3): 340-353.

Jacobi L, Cash TF: In pursuit of the perfect appearance: discrepancies among self- ideal percepts of multiple physical attributes. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 1994, 24 (5): 379-396.

Johnson KKP, Lennon SJ: The social psychology of dress. Encyclopedia of world dress and fashion (online). Edited by: Eicher JB. 2014, New York, NY, Berg

Johnson KKP, Workman JE: Clothing and attributions concerning sexual harassment. Home Economics Research Journal. 1992, 21 (2): 160-172.

Johnson KKP, Workman JE: Blaming the victim: attributions concerning sexual harassment based on clothing, just-world belief, and sex of subject. Home Economics Research Journal. 1994, 22 (4): 382-400.

Johnson KKP, Yoo J-J, Kim M, Lennon SJ: Dress and human behavior: a review and critique of published research. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 2008, 26 (3): 3-22.

Kaiser SB: The social psychology of clothing: Symbolic appearances in context. 1997, Fairchild, New York, NY

Karazia B, van Dulmen M, Wong K, Crowther J: Thinking meta-theoretically about the role of internalization in the development of body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors. Body Image. 2013, 10 (4): 433-441.

Karl K, Hall L, Peluchette J: City employee perceptions of the impact of dress and appearance: you are what you wear. Public Personnel Management. 2013, 42 (3): 452-470.

Kayser DN, Elliot AJ, Feltman R: Red and romantic behavior in men viewing women. European Journal of Social Psychology. 2010, 40 (6): 901-908.

Kellerman J, Laird J: The effect of appearance on self-perceptions. Journal of Personality. 1982, 50 (3): 296-315.

Klos L, Esser V, Kessler M: To weigh or not to weigh: the relationship between self-weighing behavior and body image among adults. Body Image. 2012, 9 (4): 551-554.

Koch JR, Roberts AE, Armstrong ML, Owen DC: Frequencies and relations of body piercing and sexual experience in college students. Psychological Reports. 2007, 101 (1): 159-162.

Kouchaki M, Gino F, Jami A: The burden of guilt: Heavy backbacks, light snacks, and enhanced morality. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 2014, 143 (1): 414-424.

Knickmeyer K, Sexton K, Nishimura N: The impact of same-sex friendships on the well-being of women: a review of the literature. Women & Therapy. 2002, 25 (1): 37-59.

Kolbe RH, Albanese PJ: Man to man: a content analysis of sole male images in male audience magazines. Journal of Advertising. 1996, 24 (4): 1-20.

Kwon Y: The influence of appropriateness of dress and gender on the self-perception of occupational attributes. Clothing and Textile Research Journal. 1994, 12 (3): 33-39.

Lavender J, Gratz K, Anderson D: Mindfulness, body image, and drive for muscularity in men. Body Image. 2012, 9 (2): 289-292.

Leit R, Gray J, Pope H: The media’s representation of the ideal male body: a cause for muscle dysmorphia?. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2002, 31 (3): 334-338.

Lennon SJ, Davis LL: Clothing and human behavior from a social cognitive framework Part I: theoretical perspectives. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1989, 7 (4): 41-48.

Levitsky DA, Garay J, Nussbaum M, Neighbors L, DellaValle DM: Monitoring weight daily blocks the freshman weight gain: a model for combating the epidemic of obesity. International Journal of Obesity. 2006, 30 (6): 1003-1010.

Lewis L, Johnson KKP: Effect of dress, cosmetics, sex of subject, and causal inference on attribution of victim responsibility. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1989, 8 (1): 22-27.

Lostritto K, Ferrucci LM, Carmel B, Leffell DJ, Molinaro AM, Bale AE, Mayne ST: Lifetime history of indoor tanning in young people: a retrospective assessment of initiation, persistence, and correlates. BMC Public Health. 2012, 12: 1-9.

Maida D, Armstrong S: The classification of muscle dysmorphia. International Journal of Men’s Health. 2005, 4 (1): 73-91.

Maier MA, Elliot AJ, Lee B, Lichtenfeld S, Barchfeld P, Pekrun R: The influence of red on impression formation in a job application context. Motivation and Emotion. 2013, 37 (3): 389-401.

Martins Y, Tiggemann M, Kirkbride A: Those Speedos become them: the role of self-objectification in gay and heterosexual men's body image. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2007, 33 (5): 634-647.

Martz D, Petroff A, Curtin L, Bassini D: Gender differences in fat talk among American adults: results from the psychology of size survey. Sex Roles. 2009, 61 (1–2): 34-41.

McLeod, SA. (2010). Attribution Theory. Retrieved from ., [ http://www.simplypsychology.org/attribution-theory.html ]

Mead GH: Mind, self and society. 1934, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL

Mun J, Janigo K, Johnson KKP: Tattoo and self. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 2012, 30 (2): 134-148.

Needham BL, Epel ES, Adler NE, Kiefe C: Trajectories of change in obesity and symptoms of depression: the CARDIA study. American Journal of Public Health. 2010, 100 (6): 1040-1046.

Neumark-Sztainer D, van den Berg P, Hannan PJ, Story M: Self-weighing in adolescents: helpful or harmful? Longitudinal associations with body weight changes and disordered eating. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2006, 39 (6): 811-818.

Ogle J, Tyner K, Schofield-Tomschin S: The role of maternity dress consumption in shaping the self and identity during the liminal transition of pregnancy. Journal of Consumer Culture. 2013, 13 (2): 119-139.

Ousley L, Cordero E, White S: Fat talk among college students: how undergraduates communicate regarding food and body weight, shape and appearance. Eating Disorders. 2008, 16 (1): 73-84.

Patterson M, England G: Body work: Depicting the male body in men’s lifestyle magazines. Proceedings of The Academy of Marketing Annual Conference. 2000, University of Derby, England, Cd-Rom

Patton MQ: Qualitative research and evaluation methods. 2002, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 3

Pazda AD, Elliot AJ, Greitemeyer T: Perceived sexual receptivity and fashionableness: separate paths linking red and black to perceived attractiveness. Color Research & Application. 2014, 39 (2): 208-212.

Pazda AD, Prokop P, Elliot AJ: Red and romantic rivalry: viewing another woman in red increases perceptions of sexual receptivity, derogation, and intentions to mate-guard. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2014, 40 (10): 1260-1269.

Peluchette J, Karl K: The impact of workplace attire on employee self-perceptions. Human Resource Development Quarterly. 2007, 18 (3): 345-360.

Plus-sized clothing sold online but not in stores poses problem for shoppers. (2013). Retrieved from ., [ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/plus-size-clothing-online_n_3479724.html ]

Pope HG, Phillips K, Olivardia R: The Adonis complex. 2000, Free Press, New York

Prichard I, Tiggemann M: Unveiled: pre-wedding weight concerns and health and beauty plans of Australian brides. Journal of Health Psychology. 2009, 14 (7): 1027-1035.

Prichard IJ, Tiggemann M: Wedding-related weight change: The ups and downs of love. Body Image. 2014, 11 (2): 179-182.

Prior S, Fenwick K, Peterson J: Adolescents’ reasons for tanning and appearance motives: a preliminary study. Body Image. 2014, 11 (1): 93-96.

Radeloff DJ: Psychological types, color attributes, and color preferences of clothing, textiles, and design students. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1991, 9 (3): 59-67.

Rafaeli A, Dutton J, Harquial C, Mackie-Lewis S: Navigating by attire: the use of dress by administrative employees. Academy of Management Journal. 1997, 40: 19-45.

Ridolfi D, Myers T, Crowther J, Ciesla J: Do appearance focused cognitive distortions moderate the relationship between social comparisons to peers and media images and body image disturbance?. Sex Roles. 2011, 65 (7–8): 491-505.

Rhee J, Johnson KKP: Investigating relationships between adolescents’ liking for an apparel brand and brand-self congruency. Young Consumers. 2012, 13 (1): 74-85.

Roach-Higgins ME: A social science of dress, 1947-1966: A personal view. Social science aspects of dress: New directions. Edited by: Lennon SJ, Burns LD. 1993, ITAA, Monument, CO, 2-24.

Roach-Higgins ME, Eicher JB: Dress and identity. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1992, 10 (4): 1-8.

Roberts SC, Owen RC, Havlicek J: Distinguishing between perceiver and wearer effects in clothing color-associated attributions. Evolutionary Psychology: An International Journal of Evolutionary Approaches to Psychology and Behavior. 2010, 8 (3): 350-364.

Rudd NA: Textiles and clothing in higher education: Strengthening linkages and conceptual identity. Critical linkages in textiles and clothing subject matter: Theory, method, and practice. Edited by: Kaiser SB, Damhorst ML. 1991, International Textile and Apparel Association, Monument, CO, 24-32.

Rudd NA, Lennon SJ: Aesthetics of the body and social identity theory. Aesthetics of textiles and clothing: Advancing multi-disciplinary perspectives. Edited by: DeLong M, Fiore AM. 1994, International Textiles and Apparel Association, Monument, CO, 163-175.

Rudiger J, Winstead B: Body talk and body-related co-rumination: associations with body image, eating attitudes, and psychological adjustment. Body Image. 2013, 10 (4): 462-471.

Salk RH, Engeln-Maddox R: “If you’re fat, then I’m humongous!” Frequency, content, and impact of fat talk among college women. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 2011, 35 (1): 18-28.

Sirgy MJ: Self-concept in consumer behavior: a critical review. Journal of Consumer Research. 1982, 9 (3): 287-300.

Sladek M, Engeln R, Miller S: Development and validation of the Male Body Talk Scale: a psychometric investigation. Body Image. 2014, 11 (3): 233-244.

Smeets E, Tiggemann M, Kemps E: Body checking induces an attentional bias for body-related cues. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2011, 44 (1): 50-57.

Solomon M, Schopler J: Self-consciousness and clothing. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 1982, 8: 508-514.

Steinfeldt JA, Gilchrist GA, Halterman AW, Gomory A, Steinfeldt MC: Drive for muscularity and conformity to masculine norms among college football players. Psychology of Men and Masculinity. 2011, 12 (4): 324-338.

Stone GP: Appearance and the self. Human behavior and social processes: An interactionist approach. Edited by: Rose AM. 1962, Houghton Mifflin, New York, 86-118.

Szymanski DM, Moffit LB, Carr ER: Sexual objectification of women: advances to theory and research. The Counseling Psychologist. 2011, 39 (1): 6-38.

The muscular ideal: Psychological, social, and medical perspectives. 2007, American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.

Tiggemann M, Andrew R: Clothes make a difference: the role of self-objectification. Sex Roles. 2012, 66 (9–10): 646-654.

Tiggemann M, Hopkins L: Tattoos and piercings: bodily expressions of uniqueness?. Body Image. 2011, 8 (3): 245-250.

Tucker K, Martz D, Curtin L, Bazzini D: Examining “fat talk”, experimentally in a female dyad: How are women influenced by another woman’s body presentation style?. Body Image. 2007, 4 (2): 157-164.

Tylka T: Refinement of the tripartite influence model for men: dual body image pathways to body change behaviors. Body Image. 2011, 8 (3): 199-207.

Villepigue J, Rivera HA, Allen R: The body sculpting bible for brides: A complete workout to look your best in your wedding dress. 2005, Hatherleigh Press, New York

Warren C, Holland S, Billings B, Parker A: The relationships between fat talk, body dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness: perceived stress as a moderator. Body Image. 2012, 9 (3): 358-364.

White E, Warren C: Body checking and avoidance in ethnically diverse female college students. Body Image. 2011, 10 (4): 583-590.

Wong C: Ka-ching? Wedding price tag nears $30k. 2005

Workman JE, Freeburg EW: An examination of date rape, victim dress, and perceiver variables within the context of attribution theory. Sex Roles. 1999, 41 (3–4): 261-277.

Workman JE, Johnson KKP: The role of cosmetics in attributions about sexual harassment. Sex Roles. 1991, 24 (11–12): 759-769.

Workman J, Orr RL: Clothing, sex of subject, and rape myth acceptance as factors affecting attributions about an incident of acquaintance rape. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 1996, 14 (4): 276-284.

International Agency for Research on Cancer monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. IARC Monographs. 2012

Yoo J, Kim H: Perceived negative health effect of tanning: the interface between tanning attitudes and behaviors. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 2014, 32 (1): 6-19.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

University of Minnesota, 240 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave, St Paul, MN, USA

Kim Johnson

Indiana University, 1021 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, 47405, IN, USA

Sharron J Lennon

The Ohio State University, 2330 Hartsdale Dr, Powell, 43065-9213, OH, USA

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim Johnson .

Additional information

Competing interests.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

KJ, SL, and NR drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final draft of the manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 ), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Johnson, K., Lennon, S.J. & Rudd, N. Dress, body and self: research in the social psychology of dress. Fashion and Textiles 1 , 20 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-014-0020-7

Download citation

Received : 01 October 2014

Accepted : 28 October 2014

Published : 22 November 2014

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-014-0020-7

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Social psychology

Describe an occasion that you wore formal clothes?

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

• Paragraph 1 - Introduction
• Sentence 1 - Background statement
• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
• Sentence 3 - Thesis
• Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
• Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
• Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
• Sentence 2 - Example
• Sentence 3 - Discussion
• Sentence 4 - Conclusion
• Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
• Sentence 1 - Summary
• Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
• Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ » — a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

• Check your IELTS essay »
• Find essays with the same topic
• View collections of IELTS Writing Samples
• Show IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However, there are many problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to work. Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In your letter describe the situation explain your problems and why it is difficult to work say what kind of accommodation you would prefer

It is argued that parents of children who break the law should be punished as they are responsible for their children’s actions. to what extent do you agree or disagree, more and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks benefits outweigh the drawbacks, friends can you please check my essay. topic is - eventually, technology will solve the most important environmental problems the world faces today. to what extent do you agree or disagree, writing task 1 you should spend about 20 minutes on this task. the diagram below shows how uranium is used in the production of nuclear power. summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. you should write at least 150 words..

99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples

Welcome to our list of topic ideas! Here, you will find dress code research questions, titles for dress code essays, and bonus samples. Explore the importance of school uniform, arguments for and against it, and much more with our dress code argumentative essay topics!

🔝 Top 10 Dress Code Titles for Essays

🏆 best dress code topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about dress code, 👍 simple & easy dress code essay titles, ❓ dress code research questions, ✅ most interesting titles for dress code essays.

• How to Dress for Special Events
• Dress Codes and Gender Equality
• Dress Codes in Religious Institutions
• Uniforms in the Hospitality Industry
• Workplace Diversity through Traditional Attire
• Trends in Entertainment Industry Dress Codes
• Individual Expression in Workplace Dress Code
• Impact of School Dress Codes on Student Behavior
• Brand Representation through Sports Dress Codes
• Where Is the Line between Formal and Casual Attire?
• Dress Code and Social Norm Violations In my opinion, this norm is not appropriate in the modern world due to several reasons: first, people are free to make decisions and consider their interests; second, fashion is a current issue that cannot […]
• Dubai’s Food, Dress Code and Culture Religion is an important in aspect in Dubai because it influences the lifestyle of the people and forms the foundation of their culture.
• Dress Code and Modesty in the Society In modern cultures, dressing controls and conveys a special message to the society. Dress code and modesty in the society should conform to the moral rules regardless of a person’s religion or culture.
• School Dress Codes and Self-Expression Being urged to wear only approved clothes, students are deprived of an opportunity to understand the differences between social groups and the unique problems of their social class.
• A Support for Dress Code Policy Dress codes issues in America have been serious to an extent that students have historically taken school administration to courts because of infringing on individual free expression contained in the 1st and 14th amendments.
• A Dress Code Policy as a Discriminatory Practice A dress code is an organizational policy of a school, university, company, or community organization that prescribes prohibitions and rules for the wearing of clothing.
• Organizational Manual for Dress Code: Attire and Grooming The figure below illustrates the contents of this manual: The organization will create an environment to help the workers and other stakeholders optimize their productivity. However, the employees will still be expected to groom in […]
• Legal Issue: A Working Dress Code The manager, in turn, replied that heels are part of the dress code that complements the image of the waitresses and attracts customers.
• Altman Corporation’s Dress Code Policy Memorandum In line with the recent dress code policies developed by the communication manager, the following previews and revisions have been made for the effective implementation of the policies.
• Altman Corporation Dress Code Policy They are civilian ware and not professional. Underwear should not be visible above the waistline of the clothing.
• Consultant to an Organization: Dress Codes The reason for changing a dress code policy is to ensure that employees dress appropriately to the work place. However, not all employees respond positively to a change in the dress code.
• Workplace Dress Code Rules and Their Failure As it has been mentioned before, it seems to me that a company must offer a certain dress code or, at least, certain boundaries in terms of clothes, for its employees.
• Medical Assisting Vocational School: Dress Code First and most obvious, the establishment of the standards in accordance with which the dress code will be altered will have to be considered.
• Dress Code Implementation Into the NBA
• Religious Beliefs and Dress Code Policies in the Workplace
• The Dress Code and Its Effect on the Safety of Students at School
• Arab Women Freedom and the Dress Code
• Restrictions in Business Casual Dress Code for Managers
• Effectiveness of Student Dress Code in American Schools
• Casual Dress Code vs. Business Casual Dress Code
• Increased School Safety and the Dress Code Policy
• School Uniform: Improving the Dress Code
• Dress Code Dilemma: School Education Clothing
• Feminism and the School Dress Code for Girls
• Body Piercing, Tattooing, and the Public School Dress Code
• Discriminatory Dress Codes in Male-Dominated Industries
• Applying the Dress Code Policy
• Business Casual Dress Code: Formal or Informal
• Dress Code Violation and Discrimination
• Jesuit Dress Code and Hair Restrictions
• Business Casual Dress Code of the Workplace
• Uniform and Dress Code Policies: To Provide a Safe and Orderly Environment
• The Debate Around the Dress Code in Schools
• How Dress Code Takes Meaning and Life Out of Clothes
• Islamic Dress Code and Its Restrictions
• Dress Code for Expats Who Visit Qatar
• Understanding Company Dress Code: Appropriate Work Attire
• Arguments for Reversing the Dress Code for High School
• School Dress Code and Limit Students Freedom of Express
• Nursing Uniforms: Why There Should Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses
• Establishing Employee Dress Code: Suit up or Ship Out
• Dress Code and Uniforms Code: What Is the Difference in Restrictions?
• What Not to Wear: Avoiding Dress Code Discrimination
• Dress Code for Public Schools: Pros and Cons
• Enforcing the Dress Code Policy for Nurses
• Arguments for and Against School Dress Codes
• Dress Code Arguments for High School
• Anti Dress Code Arguments for Public Schools
• Wearing Dress Code for Female Workplace
• Dress Code Policies for Public Schools: Teachers and Students
• Sexual Harassment, Dress Code, and Attendance Policy
• Business Dress Code and Image of the Company
• School Uniforms, Dress Codes, and Free Expression
• Should School Dress Code Be Enforced?
• Why Should Dress Code Not Be Enforced?
• What Does the Dress Code Be?
• How Dress Code Takes Meaning and Life Out of Clothes?
• Does Dress Code Prevent Certain Events?
• Does Your Dress Code Address Flip Flop?
• What Are Some Examples of Dress Codes?
• What Is Called the Dress Code?
• What Are the Four Types of Dress Codes?
• What Are the Three Levels of Dress Codes?
• Is It Against the Dress Code to Not Wear a Bra?
• Why Is a Dress Code Necessary?
• What Is a Nice Casual Dress Code?
• What Are the Dress Codes for Work?
• What Is the Formal, Casual Dress Code?
• What Is a Formal Dress Code for Ladies?
• What Is the Most Formal Dress Code?
• What Is the Fanciest Dress Code?
• All Schools Should Have a Student Dress Code?
• How Arab Women’s Freedom Enforced the Dress Code?
• What Is the Difference Between a Casual Dress Code and Business Casual Dress Code?
• What Is Dress Code for Expats Who Visit Qatar?
• Which Is Dress Code for Teachers in Public Schools?
• What Are the Pros and Cons of the Dress Code?
• What Is the Connection Between Dress Code Violation and Discrimination?
• Why Should There Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses?
• The Role of Dress Code in Impression Management
• Do School Uniforms Restrict Students’ Self-Expression?
• How Dress Code Correlates with Gender Identity
• The Link Between Dress Code and Consumerism
• Ways to Avoid Cultural Appropriation in Dress Code
• Body Shaming and Size Inclusivity in Dress Codes
• Dress Code Policies and Their Effect on Employee Morale and Productivity
• How Workplace Fashion Reflects and Shapes Societal Perceptions
• From Traditional Attire to Contemporary Fashion: The Evolution of Dress Codes
• Ways to Balance Discipline and Personal Expression at School
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 26). 99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/

"99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples'. 26 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "99 Dress Code Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dress-code-essay-topics/.

• Uniform Research Topics
• School Uniforms Topics
• Customer Service Essay Titles
• Social Norms Essay Ideas
• Professionalism Research Ideas
• Hospitality Management Essay Ideas
• Culture Topics
• Personal Ethics Titles
• Cultural Identity Research Topics
• Deontology Questions
• Pedagogy Topics
• Sexism Essay Ideas
• Wellness Essay Topics
• Cross-Cultural Management Research Topics
• Safety Essay Ideas

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th
• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main 2024
• JEE Advanced 2024
• BITSAT 2024
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Main Question Paper
• JEE Main Mock Test
• JEE Main Registration
• JEE Main Syllabus
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• GATE 2024 Result
• MAH MBA CET Exam
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2024
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
• CAT 2023 College Predictor
• CMAT 2024 Registration
• TS ICET 2024 Registration
• CMAT Exam Date 2024
• MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• DNB CET College Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Application Form 2024
• NEET PG Application Form 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• LSAT India 2024
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top Law Collages in Indore
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• AIBE 18 Result 2023
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Animation Courses

• Animation Courses in India
• Animation Courses in Bangalore
• Animation Courses in Mumbai
• Animation Courses in Pune
• Animation Courses in Chennai
• Animation Courses in Hyderabad
• Design Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Bangalore
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Fashion Design Colleges in Pune
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Hyderabad
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Design Colleges in India
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• IPU CET BJMC
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• IIMC Entrance Exam
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2024
• IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
• DU Admission
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• DDU Entrance Exam
• IIT JAM 2024
• IGNOU Online Admission 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET PG Admit Card 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet
• CUET Mock Test 2024
• CUET Application Form 2024
• CUET PG Syllabus 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET Exam Pattern 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Syllabus 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• IGNOU Result
• CUET PG Courses 2024

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Access premium articles, webinars, resources to make the best decisions for career, course, exams, scholarships, study abroad and much more with

Plan, Prepare & Make the Best Career Choices

Fashion Essay

The most recent trends and modifications to our routines, ways of living, diets, clothes, and other aspects of our daily lives are reflected in fashion. It comes from within to create fashion. We can express our personalities and self through it. Fashion is about more than just sporting the current trends; it's also about feeling good about yourself and the clothes you're wearing. Here are a few sample essays on Fashion .

100 Words Essay On Fashion

These days, people dress to suit their tastes, styles, and preferences. They also consider new trends seriously and adhere to them obsessively. Fashion is determined by how individuals in a given state or region choose to dress, and it can differ greatly from one nation to the next.

Even though clothes are the primary focus when discussing fashion, other accessories like jewellery, purses, shoes, and eyewear can also play a significant role. These are combined in sophisticated clothes by people. Women tend to be much more prone to following trends than men, and women's fashion typically offers a lot more variation than men's.

200 Words Essay On Fashion

Self-expression through clothing is a type of it. Your taste, preferences, and personality could be fairly clearly displayed. We can associate with a specific ethnic or social group through the clothing we choose to wear. It is currently an integral component of our culture and a topic that many people find to be quite interesting.

Clothing is one form of self-expression. It is possible to fairly clearly see your interests, tastes, and personality through your fashion style. Through the clothes we choose to wear, we can identify with a certain ethnic or social group. It currently plays a significant role in our culture and is a subject that many people find to be pretty fascinating.

Although some people could become fixated on adhering to fashion trends, which creates a downward cycle. Young people in particular are more preoccupied with how they look and how they dress, which may affect how they are seen by their peers and jeopardise their mental health. Instead of attempting to mimic what is in style right now, fashion should reflect your personal style. Therefore, it's important to strike a balance between wearing what looks good on you and staying on trend. The younger generation has to learn that true fashion is not simply trendy clothing and accessories, but also your attitude.

500 Words Essay On Fashion

Fashion has existed for as long as we can recall and is now an essential component of our daily life. Fashion has also gained more significance in today's society where the look is increasingly crucial. It has existed ever since people first learned about various textiles and fashion trends.

Fashion Trends | From ancient antiquity to the present, fashion has come a long way. The trends and fashions during this time have seen an enormous shift. Different items fall under the category of fashion, but clothes always appear to lead the way. What is considered desirable in this day and age depends on several different elements. Celebrities and other powerful figures have always had a significant impact on fashion trends because many of the individuals who follow them also heed their fashion guidance.

To put it mildly, India's fashion industry is massive . The land of diversity boasts a multitude of diverse clothing and fashion statements. Our nation has a rich cultural background that has always inspired fashion. Traditional clothing still has significant roots, even though the majority of the world chooses to adopt western patterns. Another historical trend that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon is the combination of western and traditional fashion. Fashion is a sort of art that uses various mediums to exhibit its lovely self.

Dressing For The Occasion | Fashion demonstrates a person's preferences and sense of style. The cultural legacy and importance are also represented by it. The trend of occasion-specific attire is huge. For instance, formal clothing is appropriate for business settings, casual clothing is suitable for daily use, and party clothing is appropriate for special events like birthdays. To blend in with one's social group, one should dress appropriately for the occasion. It is generally accepted etiquette to dress accordingly because you cannot attend a wedding wearing casual attire. You may face negative consequences and your reputation will suffer. Having a good fashion sense is now essential to living a fulfilling life.

Recent Trends | There has been a tremendous global evolution of fashion. It's fascinating to observe the clothing choices made by people throughout history and even today. It has been a wild ride, with everything from puffy gowns and bustiers to tight jeans and bodycon dresses. Women's fashion is much more varied than men's fashion. Clothing and cosmetics firms have traditionally marketed to women. They constantly have access to a large selection of clothing and accessories. Students in high school and college are also starting to get into fashion. They are particularly interested in keeping up with fashion trends and collecting the greatest clothing and accessories.

Though having the desire to look nice is not necessarily a bad thing, you shouldn't allow it to consume you. People should dress however they feel most at ease, after the day. It won't be beneficial for anyone to dress stylishly only to do so. There are several factors that contribute to a certain era's fashion. Never allow peer pressure to dictate your choice of clothing; instead, let your flair shine through.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
• Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

SAT® | CollegeBoard

Registeration closing on 19th Apr for SAT® | One Test-Many Universities | 90% discount on registrations fee | Free Practice | Multiple Attempts | no penalty for guessing

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

TOEFL ® Registrations 2024

Thinking of Studying Abroad? Think the TOEFL® test. Register now & Save 10% on English Proficiency Tests with Gift Cards

Resonance Coaching

Enroll in Resonance Coaching for success in JEE/NEET exams

ALLEN JEE Exam Prep

Start your JEE preparation with ALLEN

Everything about Education

Latest updates, Exclusive Content, Webinars and more.

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Cetifications

We Appeared in

• Listening Tests
• Academic Tests
• General Tests
• IELTS Writing Checker
• IELTS Writing Samples
• Speaking Club
• IELTS AI Speaking Test Simulator
• Latest Topics
• Vocabularying
• 2024 © IELTS 69

Describe an occasion that you wore formal clothes: you should say-What occasion it was? -When it was? -Where it was? -and explain why you wore it? v.1

Ielts essay describe an occasion that you wore formal clothes: you should say-what occasion it was -when it was -where it was -and explain why you wore it v. 1.

• Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
• ? One main idea per paragraph
• Include an introduction and conclusion
• Support main points with an explanation and then an example
• Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
• Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
• Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
• Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
• Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
• Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
• Check your writing for errors
• Answer all parts of the question
• ? Present relevant ideas
• Fully explain these ideas
• Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
• ? Currently is not available
• Meet the criteria
• Doesn't meet the criteria
• 7 band 1. Daily activities2. Describe the type of clothes you prefer to wear. You should say: what the clothes look like, when you prefer to wear them, where you like to buy them. Explain why you like wearing these clothes. 3. Talking about clothes you like v. 1 Nowadays, many high schools make community service an optional element of their students’ curriculums. However, whereas some people believe that this unpaid service should be a mandatory part of the syllabus, I would argue that, while it is helpful, it should remain the student’s choice. One of the ...
• 7.5 band In the past, people wore their traditional clothes and followed their culture. These days, most people wear similar clothes and therefore look very similar to one another. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? v. 1 To introduce, we can say that students are facing difficulties to get educated in a university. Although a student is rich or poor, he is still facing problems in order to get graduated from an institution. I disagree with the above statement because a wealthy person have higher chances to get in, b ...
• Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world. Rumi
• 9 band In the past, people wore their traditional clothes and followed their culture. These days, most people wear similar clothes and therefore look very similar to one another. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? v. 2 Nowadays, people are changing their dressing sense and adopt Western culture's clothes so all people looks like same so that I think its positive trend. Some reasons for my inclinations are articulated in ensuring paragraphs. First and foremost, the biggest reason to support my notion is that when ...
• 5.5 band In the past, people wore their traditional clothes and followed their culture. These days, most people wear similar clothes and therefore look very similar to one another. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? v. 3 These days, people have changed they dress up. As earlier people used to wear their regional dresses which depicted their culture. Some people believe that with westernization people have forgotten their roots as well as their traditional values which connect people with each other. Firstly, the dr ...
• You can never understand one language until you understand at least two. Geoffrey Willans
• 7 band Talk about a good law in your country. Please say- What law is it? - Why is it a good law? - Who does the law affect? - What would have happened without the law? v. 1
• 7 band he chart below shows the number of trips made by children in one country in 1990 and 2010 to travel to and from school using different modes of transport. v. 1
• If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. Nelson Mandela
• 7 band Some people think that developed countries have higher responsibility to combat climate change than developing countries. others believe that all countries should have the same responsibilities towards protecting the environment. 1
• 7 band The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at Queen marry Hospital since its construction in 1960. v. 1
• The joy of knowing a foreign language is inexpressible. I find it really difficult to express such joy in my mother tongue. Munia Khan

Welcome Guest!

• IELTS Listening
• IELTS Reading
• IELTS Writing
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Speaking Part 2
• IELTS Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Practice Tests
• IELTS Listening Practice Tests
• IELTS Reading Practice Tests
• IELTS Writing Practice Tests
• IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
• All Courses
• IELTS Online Classes
• OET Online Classes
• PTE Online Classes
• CELPIP Online Classes
• Free Live Classes
• Australia PR
• Germany Job Seeker Visa
• Austria Job Seeker Visa
• Sweden Job Seeker Visa
• Study Abroad
• Student Testimonials
• Our Trainers
• IELTS Webinar
• Immigration Webinar

Describe an occasion when you wore your best clothes – IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Sample Answers

Updated On Feb 21, 2024

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Predicted Cue Cards Topics 2024

The IELTS Speaking Module is designed to assess your English Language Speaking Skills. To ensure a good score in the IELTS Speaking Module, you must study and practice the common Speaking Question types. Below is a sample Speaking Module with responses. By studying the sample answers, you can have a reference to begin drafting your own Speaking section answers.

Describe an occasion when you wore your best clothes / formal clothes

You should say:

• What occasion it was
• When it was
• Where it was
• And explain why you wore it

Sample Answer 1

I’m going to tell you about the time I was a bridesmaid in my cousin’s wedding last year. It was a spring wedding, so she wanted us to wear light shades of purple with the men in silky, grey suits that were just divine. The exact date was May 13, 2017, held in a town known for its beautiful horse farms and sprawling (open, never-ending) fields called Hunt Valley. My cousin is a devout Christian (serious Christian) , so she decided to get married in a Catholic Church with a backdrop of the gorgeous fields behind us.

Although the wedding was held on this day, I ordered my dress three months in advance and had it altered two times before the big day. I had put on  weight during the months leading up, as I was going through a stressful break-up (end of a relationship) . So I had to alter my dresses ordered for a size 10 to size 12. Moreover, at the last minute, I realized my heels weren’t tall enough, and the bottom of the dress was dragging along the floor, picking up dirt. So, I had it altered again by about 6cm. When all was said and done, the dress fit me like a glove (fit perfectly) . The day before, I went to get a French manicure and had my hair and make-up done the morning. My cousin provided us with bouquets, a flower bracelet, and a set of gold earrings to thank us for being a part of her special day.

Although the dress wouldn’t be my personal taste, I felt that I had to put on a face (smile even when you don’t like something) for my cousin’s sake . I know that a wedding day is one that a person cherishes, for their entire life, so I certainly didn’t want to  fuss (complain) . Furthermore, a wedding, especially in a church is a formal event, so I wanted to dress accordingly. All in all, I did it for her!

Sample Answer 2

I love dressing up. In fact, I keep an eye on almost every sale organised by online platforms. One of the reasons why I prefer online shopping for clothes is because I get to grab latest deals and discounts that further decrease the price to a great extent. So, on the occasion of Diwali, when I had to wear something traditional, I scrounged through plenty of eCommerce sites to find a dress.

It was back in 2019 and I simply wanted to doll-up on this festival. So, one day, I took out some time from my schedule and navigated through options available on varying sites. Fortunately, I came across a shimmery Lehenga Choli on Myntra.

At a glance, I found it attractive because of its peachy colour. Moreover, the model in those pictures had draped the Duppatta in an elegant manner. I dived more into the specifications and found out that the Lehenga Choli had cotton lining inside with artwork done on georgette cloth. All in all, I found it gorgeous and affordable; thus, I placed the order.

It arrived just a day before Diwali. Fortunately, the dress didn’t need any alterations. So, on the D-day, I dressed myself in the traditional possible way and had subtle makeup. Everybody appreciated my look and I felt gorgeous.

Vocabulary 

• Sprawling: open and never ending Eg: The campus is surrounded by a sprawling garden
• Devout Christian: Serious Christian Eg: As a Devout Christian, John visits the church every sunday. 
• Break up: end of a relationship  Eg: Rose broke up with John as they had a lot of misunderstanding. 
• Dress fit me like a glove: fit perfectly  Eg: When I wore my sister’s dress, it fit me like a glove. 
• Put on a smile: Smile even when you don’t like it  Eg: Rose put on a smile and greeted everyone. 
• Sake: the purpose of doing something  Eg: John sacrificed his love for the sake of his family. 
• Fuss: complain Eg: Rose didn’t want to create a fuss. So she agreed to the decision

[do_widget id=custom_html-22]

Questions for Part 3

What kinds of clothes do people wear after work.

There are a wide range of clothes people can choose to put on when people go home from their office. One of the most popular types is shorts and T-shirts, which I think is favoured by both sexes. I guess this is because staff are supposed to dress formally at the workplace, and such clothes are pretty uncomfortable. So, casual wear helps the blood circulate better and thereby relaxing their body. Many people are also keen on gym clothes, pyjamas or skirts as it doesn’t increase their laundry, which means they don’t have to wash their clothes frequently.

What kinds of clothes should people wear at work?

I think it depends on what people do. One of the most popular types among manual labourers is thick pieces of garments with protective gear, as these help them prevent injuries and dirt. However, those working in the office have different dress codes for sure. To be more precise, office workers tend to dress formally like a pair of trousers and shirts for males or a dress for females. This is probably because they have to present a professional image in the eyes of the customers, or wearing such clothes gives staff more confidence in their ability.

Do you think it is necessary for children to wear school uniforms?

I strongly believe that it’s vital for school children to wear uniforms. The most convincing reason is that in a developing country, if all students wear the same clothes, which are white shirts and blue pants, then poor students will feel less humiliated and embarrassed about the financial conditions. Eventually, they will be able to focus more on their academic study. It levels the playing field, so to speak. The second reason is that a uniform brings and cultivates a sense of belonging and unity in a group. Besides, it will be pleasing to the eyes, if you see students in their uniforms in the schoolyard line up to enter the class, which I think is unique in my country.

Where do people in your country buy clothes?

There is quite an array of places at which people can purchase their clothes. The most typical example is the supermarket where clothes of all price ranges are on display. I reckon it caters to consumers’ interest as they are able to pick whatever garment they like and try it on, ask their buddies’ opinion, and so on. Another place is at the market or alongside the streets. Clothes sold at these points are often of lower quality but at more reasonable prices, which is quite a popular choice among less well-off folks. Needless to say, but most people are short of cash at times, so this alternative seems to be pretty good.

When do people wear formal clothes?

Formal attire is often a must on essential occasions such as meetings, ceremonies, and other solemn events. Having said this, it’s becoming more and more popular that people nowadays prefer casual wear on nearly all occasions and it’s a standard practice in my country, I’d have to admit. For example, it’s normal to wear jeans and T-shirts to weddings, birthdays, meetings, etc., if the nature of the event is not too severe. It is entirely in contrast to Westerners who often put on a suit or a dress every time they join a formal occasion.

Do people wear formal clothes more often or less often than the past?

I’d say casual attire is gaining more popularity as people in modern society prefer flexibility and convenience.

Will the way we dress influence the way we behave?

It is an interesting question, and my answer is yes. Creative people, who often choose a combination of diverse colors in their clothing style tend to be fashionistas who have a firm grasp of what to wear to make them look best. These people are dynamic, energetic, and love to socialize. On the other hand, those who often wear plain clothes belong to a group that doesn’t have much enthusiasm about fashion and are willing to put on anything they find in their wardrobe.

Vocabulary for part 3 

• Precise: (of a person) exact, accurate, and careful about details.  Eg: Rose won the first prize in the precise writing competition. 
• Convince: cause (someone) to believe firmly in the truth of something. Eg: John was successful in convincing his parents. 
• Unity: the state of being together or joined as a whole  Eg: India is a united country. 
• Array: a large group or number of things.  Eg: There was an array of clothing stores in the market. 
• Ceremony: a formal religious or public occasion, especially one celebrating a particular event, achievement, or anniversary  Eg: My friend invited me to attend her wedding ceremony on Sunday. 
• Combination:  a mixture obtained when two or more things are combined  Eg: The combination of blue and green will create a yellow color. 
• Socialize: participate in social activities; mix socially with others. Eg: John loved to socialize with his friends. 
• Grasp: seize and hold firmly.  Eg: She grasped the plates. 

Related Cue Cards:

• An occasion a home appliance broke down
• Describe an occasion you borrowed something from somebody
• Describe an occasion when you received good service from a company
• Describe An Occasion When You Got Up Extremely Early

Explore More Occasion Cue cards >>

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common question topics asked in IELTS Speaking test Part 1?

Is the Speaking test different for IELTS General and IELTS Academic?

How long will the Speaking test be conducted?

What is the marking criteria for the Speaking test?

How will a typical Speaking test be conducted?

Explore IELTS Speaking

30 + Difficult IELTS Cue Card Topics with Answer pdf

Kasturika Samanta

Kasturika is a professional Content Writer with over three years of experience as an English language teacher. Her understanding of English language requirements, as set by foreign universities, is enriched by her interactions with students and educators. Her work is a fusion of extensive knowledge of SEO practices and up-to-date guidelines. This enables her to produce content that not only informs but also engages IELTS aspirants. Her passion for exploring new horizons has driven her to achieve new heights in her learning journey.

Explore other Cue Cards

Raajdeep Saha

Janice Thompson

Post your Comments

Recent articles.

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Get free eBook to excel in test

Please enter Email ID

Get support from an Band 9 trainer

Please enter phone number

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear

Royce M. Pinkston Prof. Jefferson English 102 30 September 2009 Classification Essay What we wear has an impact on what we believe and who we are personally. Fashion has played a major role in classifying people and his or her personality type. Fashion is broken down into five different categories, urban, gothic, athletic, formal, and prep. It is in these five categories that can give someone the opportunity to prejudge who you are and what type of person you may be. Urban wear, which is also known as street wear to others, is nice denim jeans with a white tee and some Jordan Nikes.

Urban Wear vs Formal Wear

This outfit is usually worn by most kids from urban development’s and rappers. Urban wear is usually not worn by white people and often times exploited by blacks. Urban wear is known for every day wear. You would wear to basketball, baseball, football games, and to rap concerts. You can go to the club but it would have to be a club that does not have a dress code or a teen club.

Formal wear, which is worn by all nationalities, is what you would call suits, tuxedoes, and dresses that are silk and what not. You would wear formal wear to a ball or gala or wedding.

Formal wear would not be considered to wear every day. You would wear formal wear to church and to work. Formal is considered to be professional wear. Prep wear is your average white boy look. Polo’s, fitted shirts, button ups, slacks, khakis, and loafers and dressy shoes is prep wear.

Proficient in: Anatomy

“ This writer never make an mistake for me always deliver long before due date. Am telling you man this writer is absolutely the best. ”

Mostly worn by white suburban kids and also worn by black kids who have a determined mindset. You can wear prep wear anywhere and to just about any event, to the club, school, church, business meetings, and other things of that nature.

People who wear prep clothes you will usually find to have briefcases and business folders. Athletic wear is sports clothing like gym shorts and tennis shoes. People who wear sport clothing all the time are people who are usually as life goes type of people nothing really phases this person and not much can bother this person. It is also worn by people who like to play sports all the time and got to games. You can wear sport clothing to any sporting event and to the mall and to do laundry and also to lounge around the house. Sportswear is considered to be a form a relaxed wear.

Gothic wear is dark clothing and worn by those who are into to video games and witch craft. These types of people are usually quiet and keep to themselves. Gothic clothing is all black clothing from head to toe and most wear it with black makeup. All these different fashion categories define us to a certain extent and usually allow people to determine our personality type from a distance. Fashion is a big part of every one’s life and I believe that is the reason why we use fashion as a way to determine someone’s personality type.

Cite this page

Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear. (2019, Nov 27). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/paper-on-classification-clothing-and-formal-wear/

"Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear." PaperAp.com , 27 Nov 2019, https://paperap.com/paper-on-classification-clothing-and-formal-wear/

PaperAp.com. (2019). Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear . [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/paper-on-classification-clothing-and-formal-wear/ [Accessed: 10 Apr. 2024]

"Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear." PaperAp.com, Nov 27, 2019. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://paperap.com/paper-on-classification-clothing-and-formal-wear/

"Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear," PaperAp.com , 27-Nov-2019. [Online]. Available: https://paperap.com/paper-on-classification-clothing-and-formal-wear/. [Accessed: 10-Apr-2024]

PaperAp.com. (2019). Classification of Clothing and Formal Wear . [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/paper-on-classification-clothing-and-formal-wear/ [Accessed: 10-Apr-2024]

• Comparing the Dunbar's Poem "We Wear the Mask and McKay's Poem "If We Must Die" Pages: 3 (817 words)
• Then Wear The Gold Hat Meaning Pages: 2 (404 words)
• Classification and Explanation Parts Of Speech Pages: 4 (952 words)
• Smart Textile Classification and Application Pages: 5 (1435 words)
• Classification Of Quantitative Techniques Pages: 16 (4789 words)
• Classification of Employability Skills Pages: 4 (1188 words)
• Classification Neat People vs Sloppy People Pages: 2 (465 words)
• Classification Of Phraseological Units Pages: 2 (385 words)
• Stakeholders Of A Clothing Company Pages: 2 (404 words)
• Korean Clothing Pages: 4 (1036 words)

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

Clothes Vocabulary: Formal and Casual

Clothes is another common topic in IELTS speaking. Organise the following vocabulary into three different categories: Casual / Formal / Suitable for both Formal or Casual. You will see that the vocabulary below includes both clothing and accessories (bags etc).

Casual Clothes

Formal Clothes

Either Casual or Formal

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

Email Address

God bless you Liz, you make IELTS very easy for me…

I’m glad it’s all helping 🙂

Good morning from UAE I started following you for a few days now I have learnt alot from your site, I can boldly said , you are the best English teacher in the world

That’s a very kind thing to say. I hope you really enjoy and benefit from my lessons

I’m afraid because I have a lot of vocabulary in my mind but I don’t use it , so that’s why I forget what I have to say when I speak to someone. Also in writing I have no idea what’s topics are there to practic . I really afraid to fall😢

Go to the main writing task 2 page of this website to find a link to over 100 common topics and questions for IELTS essays. Use the RED Menu bar at the top of the website to open the main pages of this website. For vocabulary, the more you use it, the easier it will come to you. Practice, practice, practice – even on your own – use a recording device.

your teaching on Ielts is very simple. Very useful lessons. Thank you

I’m glad it’s useful 🙂

Thanks for your useful website ♡

You’re welcome 🙂

where can I get some more vocabularies

Go to the RED BAR at the top of the site and click on Vocabulary – each section is clearly listed so you can access a lot of free resources.

hello Liz,well I have this question that what happens when we get a good point on the test I mean does the university gonna support us their? where are we gonna stay.you know honestly I dont have the money so I want to know about it all.please answer me.If you answer me you are gonna save my life .thanks

My website offers information and lessons for the IELTS test. That’s all. You will need to contact each university and talk to them directly or with a student advice centre.

First of all great work!! You are really helping so many students. My question is that if we’re confused for any answers in listening or reading. Can we slashed down and give answers .Example: Mosquitoes/ Malaria. Please answer this ..its a big time confusion for me. Thanks !

You can’t give two answers and hope that one is right. This is a test. Your answer is either 100% correct or it is wrong.

first of all, the IELTS test and any other English test has nothing to do with the university you are applying to. It is simply a standardised test to assess your proficiency in the english language and to provide a means to measure whether you reach the necessary skill to attend university/college/school etc. What you are asking for heavily depends on the University or (more generally speaking) on the country that your desired university belongs to. Many european countries offer subsidization, student loans etc. for everyone. But e.g. UK-based universities require a hefty sum of money for enrolment alone – not taking into account any accomodation costs and living expenses. Look for scholarships and as Liz already told you –> contact a student advice centre. Do your best on the IELTS test, that will increase your chance to acquire a scholarship! But always bear in mind that really the test has nothing to do with the actual university.

Hello Liz, I want some more paraphrase examples for practicing writing task 2.

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

I’m really thankful to you alot..till now i didn’t found a teacher like you.Great job keep it going.

Really great job, Liz!

Hy Liz, I am bit taking trouble for answering the speaking part 3??

Prepare lots of ideas for topics so that you have plenty to say. Remember that the examiner doesn’t actually mark your ideas, just your English – the more English you give, the better. Give plenty of examples and just keep chatty. The speaking test is informal so chat a lot 🙂

Thanks alot. I am finding your teachings really impressive.

What if examiner ask me about any sport in which i am not interested to talk about or having a very little knowledge? Or if examiner ask me about my favorite TV show but i don’t watch TV? Then how can we give answers to those questions?

Just because you don’t like something or don’t watch doesn’t mean you can’t talk about what other people think about it. For part 1, just be open, honest and direct – then let the examiner guide the questioning. Each question is a chance for your to showcase your English in a natural way – your knowledge is NOT being tested – only your level of English.

What if we are not able to hear the examiner repeatedly? Can i ask to repeat the question ❓

If you can’t hear the examiner, you must say that. You must always be very clear. You can ask the examiner to speak louder and you can repeat this request. It is an informal Speaking test so be natural and be yourself.

Good job Liz. keep it going please. Love you!

I found your teachings on iltes very simple and more effective.the ideas are really helping me to find a confidence in my hidden ability to perform well.however, at times i found difficult to do the writing task.i believe its due to my vocabulary weakness..how can i build my vocabulary, thank you

You can build vocabulary for free by researching model essays online and debate websites. You can use ideas and language from those sources. I have produced an “Ideas for Essay Topics” e-book which covers ideas and vocabulary for over 150 essay topics. That might help you: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz! I subscribed to your lessons but I couldn`t confirm my email. I tried a lot of time but I failed.

Try setting up a different email address. Sometimes automatic emailing systems have problems with certain types of email addresses. Try a gmail or something like that.

Hi liz,ĺ want to take your essay correction services….but my payment is not done through my visa card….l belong to India….is there any other option for doing payment of your services….pls tell

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-essay-correction/

hello Liz, i find difficulty in reading please give me some suggestions to improve my reading………thanks.

Please see the main reading page for all tips.

Yes, i have same problem espcially, in summary

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply

Notify me of new posts by email.

Advanced IELTS Lessons & E-books

Recent Lessons

Ielts model essay -two questions essay type, ielts bar chart of age groups 2024, ielts topic: urban planning, ielts listening transcripts: when and how to use them, 2024 ielts speaking part 1 topics, vocabulary for government topic.

Click Below to Learn:

• IELTS Test Information

Copyright Notice

Copyright © Elizabeth Ferguson, 2014 – 2024

All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

• Click here:  Privacy Policy 
• Click here: Disclaimer

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2024 · Prose on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example

If you’re a student, you’ve heard about a formal essay: a factual, research-based paper written in 3rd person. Most students have to produce dozens of them during their educational career. 

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

Writing a formal essay may not be the easiest task. But fear not: our custom-writing team is here to guide you through the process. This article will:

• explain what a formal essay is;
• show how to write it step by step;
• provide you with an essay sample. 

👔 Formal Essay Definition

• ✅ How to Write
• ✍️ Writing Rules
• 🖥️ Essay Format
• 📑 Sample Paper

🔍 References

A formal essay is a well-structured piece of writing with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This type of essay often includes cited research, uses an academic tone, and is written in 3rd person. While writing a formal essay, it’s necessary to back up your arguments with factual evidence.

What Is an Informal Essay vs. Formal Essay?

Essays come in two formats: formal and informal (also known as personal .) They differ in terms of style and context. You can choose one of the formats depending on the situation and the type of paper you need to write.

Don’t know how to tell the difference between them? Well, here are some key characteristics of these essay types:

As you can see, these types of writing are almost total opposites. Informal essays are only reserved for creative assignments, which means that most of the papers you write need to be formal.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

Our article on creative essays can help you write an informal paper. But how do you craft a perfect formal essay? Keep reading to find out.

✅ How to Write a Formal Essay

Traditionally, a formal essay it’s composed of 3 sections: an introduction, 3 or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Let’s examine each part in detail.

Formal Essay Introduction

The introduction is what your essay starts with. Its primary goal is to catch the reader’s attention with a hook, briefly introduce the topic, and lead toward the thesis statement located at the end of the first paragraph.

Here is what you might want to keep in mind while writing the introduction:

If you want some more inspiration for your introduction, check out our article on hooks in writing .

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions. Cut 20% off your first order!

Now on to the thesis statement : the key idea of your essay. When working on it, keep in mind that it should answer the central question in your topic and reflect your essay’s overall structure. your essay’s overall structure.

Suppose your topic is related to the teaching methods involving poetry. In that case, the thesis statement can be like this:

Teaching methods that involve reading and writing poetry in elementary school are beneficial for children as they enhance their capacity for empathy, develop creativity, and help with self-realization.

Formal Essay Body

The next part of an essay is the main body paragraphs. They support the thesis statement with well-developed arguments and explore the topic in-depth. Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence stating its main point. The length of a paragraph can vary, but the best option is to have between 4 and 7 sentences.

To make the text flow easily, you may use transitional words. Here are some examples:

• after all, 
• for instance, 
• on the one/other hand, 
• initially, 
• as a result.

How to Write a Formal Essay Conclusion

Lastly, every essay needs closure. A good conclusion summarizes the essay’s main ideas, includes a paraphrased thesis, and encourages the readers to think more about the topic.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

The structure of a conclusion may change slightly depending on the subject. For instance, it can suggest some solutions to a problem, express an opinion, or give a recommendation. It’s important to remember that the conclusion is a part that emphasizes your essay’s most important points and doesn’t introduce new information.

If you’re curious about writing each essay part, check out our article on 5-paragraph essays .

✍️ Formal Writing Rules

Just like choosing the proper attire to wear to a formal event, we need to use the right words while writing a formal essay. Here are some suggestions that can help you maintain a formal tone in your paper:  

Dos of formal writing

• Pay attention to your vocabulary. The words you will use in a formal essay will likely have a nuanced meaning. Make sure you know exactly what the terms mean, and do your best to sound precise.
• Use punctuation correctly. Here are some of the things to watch out for: Avoid exclamation marks; Use dashes for insertions; Use colons with enumerations; If you’re unsure of whether to use a punctuation mark or not, rewrite the sentence in a way that doesn’t require it.
• Use varied sentence structure. In formal writing, there is always a danger of sounding monotonous. Avoid repeating sentence structures to make your essay more readable.
• Provide references. It’s essential to cite every idea that you borrow. Try to paraphrase quotations from your sources: it will help you avoid plagiarism.

Don’ts of formal writing

• Avoid using pronouns.  With words such as “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us,” an essay becomes wordy. It also makes the author seem less sure of their ideas. If you want to use personal pronouns, try substituting them with words like “the reader,” “viewers,” or “one.”
• Avoid using slang expressions and nonstandard diction. Slang words in a formal essay will make it less appealing to the readers. If you want to be taken seriously, it’s best to avoid those expressions and use proper Standard English.
• Avoid informal tone.  When you write a formal essay, incorporate the language and the expressions you would use while delivering a speech, not the words you use when you casually talk to friends. A formal tone suggests that the author is serious about the topic and respects the audience.
• Avoid passive voice. Passive verbs are hard to read, and they are wordy. Use active voice to sound more straightforward and concise.

Contractions in Formal Writing

A contraction is usually a combination of two words into one, such as “don’t,” “isn’t,” “can’t,” and “wouldn’t.” When you work on a formal essay, it’s essential to be careful about contractions. It’s inappropriate to use them in academic writing, so it’s best to stick to the full variant.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, when working with direct quotations, it’s essential to reproduce words exactly as they are used in the original. To learn more about it, be sure to check out the University of North Florida’s article on in-text citations .

What to Use Instead of “You” in an Essay

Another common mistake students make is using the “you” and “yours” pronouns to address the readers. This mistake can make the essay overly informal and lead to misinterpretations of the text.

How do you fix it? Our advice is to replace 2nd-person pronouns with the following words:

• individuals,

You can find more formal writing tips in this informative video from Smrt English:

🖥️ Formal Essay Format

Now that we’ve discussed formal essay writing in detail, it’s time to look at the formatting. A formal essay is usually written in MLA or APA formats. If you’re asked to write a paper in one of these formats, you may find the guidelines below helpful:

📑 Formal Essay Example

Here is an excellent sample of a formal essay that uses all the guidelines mentioned in this article. It will help you to produce a perfect paper of your own:

For more information, check out Purdue OWL’s resources on various formatting styles .

Formal Essay Topics

• Stress management techniques  
• The effects of coffee  
• Negative effects of technology on children 
• Causes and outcomes of organizational conflicts in sports  
• Different types of friends  
• Same-sex marriages in the United States  
• Are early marriages harmful or beneficial? 
• How do nutrition and hydration improve athletes’ performance? 
• Is polygamy morally acceptable? 
• Different features of sports business  
• What characterizes friendship in the age of media ? 
• Positive and negative effects of tourism on environment in the Caribbean  
• How does society treat single parents ? 
• How does the uninvolved parenting style affect child’s future well-being? 
• The role of family relationships in Odyssey  
• Financial concepts in sport finance  
• Main features of a strong marriage  
• The importance of media coverage for sport teams 
• Reasons why students choose to get internship  
• The role of stadiums in the sports industry 
• The multiracial family: the Carters case analysis  
• Characteristics of children’s sports  
• Crucial factors affecting health fitness  
• How is technology used in hotel management ? 
• Structure and operational context of Four Seasons  
• What are the main qualities of a true friend?  
• Different websites that promote rental properties 
• The imperative aspects of tourism  
• Importance of hotel training  
• What factors determine adolescents’ adjustment after they experience parental divorce ? 
• How does tobacco use affect the human body?  
• The importance of language and world view for communication 
• What makes a combination of reinforcement and punishment in parenting efficient? 
• The scientific approach of sports economics  
• How does divorce affect children? 
• Living on-campus vs. living off-campus when attending university: a comparison  
• How does the New Moves program promote a healthy lifestyle? 
• How to be an effective counselor  
• Various types of restaurants in Ireland  
• Carolina Dog’s characteristics 
• Comparison of Monzameon’s The Love Suicides at Amijima and Tartuffe by Moliere  
• Comparing homosexual and heterosexual families  
• How is family presented in Everyday Use by Alice Walker ? 
• In what ways can Anaerobic Threshold be assessed? 
• Is bad parenting a healthcare problem? 
• Why student-athletes should benefit from sports  
• Mind-body awareness and its health benefits 
• Can punishment boost academic performance? 
• Techniques to teach students swimming  
• Issues faced by the sports licensing field 

Thanks for reading through this guide! We hope that you found it helpful and now have a better idea of how to write an excellent formal essay. Don’t hesitate to share our article with a friend who may need it. Good luck!

Further reading:

• How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: Examples & Outline
• What Is a Discourse Analysis Essay: Example & Guide
• How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
• How to Write a Précis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 

❓ Formal Essay FAQs

It’s best not to use pronouns such as “I,” “my,” “we,” “our,” etc., in a formal essay since it give the paper an informal tone and the text becomes wordy. It also makes the writer seem less sure about their ideas.

It’s better to avoid using parentheses and dashes in formal academic writing. If the information you want to include in the essay is important enough, it should be a part of the sentence. Otherwise, you can simply omit it.

The formal and informal essays differ in style and context. While a formal essay is a piece of well-structured writing that tries to convince the reader by providing arguments, an informal essay has no set structure. It reflects the author’s personal thoughts or opinions.

Starting your sentence with “because” in formal writing is not the best idea. The word “because” is a subordinate conjunction, which means it’s used to join the main clause to a subordinate clause, not to start a sentence.

It’s best to avoid using 1st- and 2nd-person pronouns, slang expressions, nonstandard diction, and contractions in a formal essay. They are primarily used in daily speech and are considered inappropriate in academic writing. 

• Point of View in Academic Writing: St. Louis Community College
• Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
• Introductions & Conclusions: University of Arizona Global Campus
• How to Improve Your Academic Writing: University of York
• Nine Basic Ways to Improve Your Style in Academic Writing: University of California, Berkeley
• Academic Writing Style: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: University of Southern California
• Formal and Informal Style: Northern Illinois University
• Formal Writing: Davenport University: LibGuides
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Rhetorical analysis is never a simple task. This essay type requires you to analyze rhetorical devices in a text and review them from different perspectives. Such an assignment can be a part of an AP Lang exam or a college home task. Either way, you will need a solid outline...

A synthesis essay requires you to work with multiple sources. You combine the information gathered from them to present a well-rounded argument on a topic. Are you looking for the ultimate guide on synthesis essay writing? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide by our custom writing team,...

A critical analysis essay is an academic paper that requires a thorough examination of theoretical concepts and ideas. It includes a comparison of facts, differentiation between evidence and argument, and identification of biases. Crafting a good paper can be a daunting experience, but it will be much easier if you...

Process analysis is an explanation of how something works or happens. Want to know more? Read the following article prepared by our custom writing specialists and learn about: process analysis and its typesa process analysis outline tipsfree examples and other tips that might be helpful for your college assignment So,...

A visual analysis essay is an academic paper type that history and art students often deal with. It consists of a detailed description of an image or object. It can also include an interpretation or an argument that is supported by visual evidence. In this article, our custom writing experts...

Want to know how to write a reflection paper for college or school? To do that, you need to connect your personal experiences with theoretical knowledge. Usually, students are asked to reflect on a documentary, a text, or their experience. Sometimes one needs to write a paper about a lesson...

A character analysis is an examination of the personalities and actions of protagonists and antagonists that make up a story. It discusses their role in the story, evaluates their traits, and looks at their conflicts and experiences. You might need to write this assignment in school or college. Like any...

Any critique is nothing more than critical analysis, and the word “analysis” does not have a negative meaning. Critical writing relies on objective evaluations of or a response to an author’s creation. As such, they can be either positive or negative, as the work deserves. To write a critique, you...

If you are assigned to write a rhetorical analysis essay, you have one significant advantage. You can choose a text from an almost infinite number of resources. The most important thing is that you analyze the statement addressed to an audience. The task of a rhetorical analysis essay is to...

Any literary analysis is a challenging task since literature includes many elements that can be interpreted differently. However, a stylistic analysis of all the figurative language the poets use may seem even harder. You may never realize what the author actually meant and how to comment on it! While analyzing...

As a student, you may be asked to write a book review. Unlike an argumentative essay, a book review is an opportunity to convey the central theme of a story while offering a new perspective on the author’s ideas. Knowing how to create a well-organized and coherent review, however, is...

The difference between an argumentative and persuasive essay isn’t always clear. If you’re struggling with either style for your next assignment, don’t worry. The following will clarify everything you need to know so you can write with confidence. First, we define the primary objectives of argumentative vs. persuasive writing. We...

Essay: The Meaning Behind the Jewelry We Wear

Writer Elizabeth Maxwell speaks on the importance of her jewelry.

I wear more jewelry than most people I come across. I understand that not many people can relate to the fact that I hardly ever remove any of it. 

The reason for this isn’t simply because I like how the items look but because I hold a strong connection to each one. This pairing of jewelry to emotion began when I was young, prompted by my mother’s influence. 

As a child, leaving my mom everyday for school proved to be difficult. To calm my angst, my mom would send me to school with a piece of her own jewelry, so a piece of her was there with me. 

I remember elementary school, sitting in a quiet classroom and feeling an overwhelming flood of fear. I didn’t know what I was afraid of, but I knew the feeling would leave if only I were reunited with the one person who knew me best. In those moments, I would hold the necklace around my neck and imagine my mom was there until I felt the tears stop. 

Throughout my life, the jewelry changed, but the comfort I felt remained the same.  

I’ve been wearing several necklaces, rings and earrings for years now and feel bare whenever they’re removed. The items have stayed on me for so long that removing them feels like removing a part of myself. 

Just as many people can feel the annoying weight of jewelry, I can feel the absence when it’s gone. 

I currently wear three necklaces and five rings and have 13 piercings that are always filled. The items are exchanged for others from time to time, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve been without a double-digit quantity of jewelry. 

Borrowing my mom’s jewelry for the day became a tradition throughout my childhood, eventually leading to her sending me to college with a small pearl necklace. I wear it on the same chain as a small key and an engraved silver circle.

I have no clue what the key was used for, just that I found it surrounded by many others in a box of my late grandfather’s things. The small circle I wear reads my grandmother’s name along with the year “1965” and the words “H.H.S. HOMECOMING QUEEN.”

My longest-worn item is the ring I wear on a chain around my neck.  My living grandfather’s old ring, it’s remained there for six years now, despite prompting numerous “The Lord of the Rings” jokes.

My newest item of jewelry is a necklace my boyfriend gave me. Taking the shape of a small hot air balloon, it represents his trip to Mexico City I was supposed to experience with him and the adventure he wishes I could’ve been there for. 

My rings change more often than any other jewelry I wear, mostly for the fact they’re the only items I seem to buy for myself. Perhaps since they’re so commonly found in thrift stores, I often find myself unable to pass by an interesting ring without purchasing it. 

While I love the rings I buy for myself, they tend to hold less significance than the ones given to me by family members.

Two of these rings are the class rings my maternal grandmother and my late paternal grandfather received at graduation. Another ring I wear is decorated with the symbol of Brittany, France. Chosen by my sister, it represents the life she had in France, bringing me closer to it despite the fact I’ve never been to Europe. 

I hold these items close to me, both in my mind and in proximity. Just as my mom told me all those years ago, carrying someone’s item with me allows me to feel their comfort even when they’re nowhere near me.

Feature image by Austin Hojdar / The Phoenix

Elizabeth Maxwell

Column: The NCAA Doesn’t Treat Women’s Basketball Fairly

Loyola Womxns’ Rugby Brings Fire and Fun to the Pitch

Editor’s Desk: Speaking With The Next Editor-in-Chief of The Loyola Phoenix

Tree House Humane Society Serves Coffee With a Purr-pose

Meet Men’s Volleyball’s All-American Parker Van Buren

Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue Takes Birds Under Their Wing

Replay: Amy Winehouse’s ‘Frank’ has ‘Sent Me Flying’

Family Found with Loyola Club Men’s Rugby