Do Clothing Style and Color Affect Our Perceptions of Others? (2024)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 1-15-2018

Faculty

Adam Levy

Department

Psychology; College of Arts & Sciences

Abstract

Prior research has shown that women who wear red clothing or suggestive clothing are perceived as more attractive, having greater sexual intent, and having more negative qualities than women dressed in different colors or less suggestive clothing. This bias towards perceiving sexual intent may be evolutionary or may be due to people projecting their emotions onto others. The current study builds from this research by performing a 2 (color: white or red) x 2 (clothing type: suggestive or non-suggestive) between-subjects experiment. We hypothesized that women would be perceived as more attractive and as having greater sexual intent while wearing red and suggestive clothing rather than while wearing red and non-suggestive clothing or while in either of the white clothing conditions. Although we found no significant interaction between the color and clothing conditions, we did find multiple main effects. This suggests that either the color red or the suggestive clothing type will make a difference in perceptions of attractiveness and sexual intent, but when together, the effect is alleviated.

Recommended Citation

Kershner, Ariel M., "Do Clothing Style and Color Affect Our Perceptions of Others?" (2018). Faculty Curated Undergraduate Works. 47.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/undergrad_works/47

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Do Clothing Style and Color Affect Our Perceptions of Others? (2024)

FAQs

Do Clothing Style and Color Affect Our Perceptions of Others? ›

Abstract. Prior research has shown that women who wear red clothing or suggestive clothing are perceived as more attractive, having greater sexual intent, and having more negative qualities than women dressed in different colors or less suggestive clothing.

How do clothes influence perception? ›

Research has shown that clothing can have a profound effect on how we perceive ourselves, affecting our mood, cognitive processes, and behavior. The phenomenon known as "enclothed cognition" suggests that the symbolic meaning of clothing can influence the wearer's psychological state and performance.

How does clothing or fashion influence how others view us? ›

Social perception: Clothing can also affect how others perceive us. When we wear clothing that is associated with a certain group or social class, others may treat us differently. For example, if someone wears a suit to a job interview, the interviewer may perceive them as more competent and professional.

How does color affect our perception? ›

One example of the link between colour and emotion is the common perception that red, orange, yellow, and brown hues are “warm,” while the blues, greens, and grays are “cold.” The red, orange, and yellow hues are said to induce excitement, cheerfulness, stimulation, and aggression; the blues and greens security, calm, ...

How does how you dress affect how people view you? ›

At a glance, dress seems to strongly influence impressions of others, guiding perceivers' inferences about targets' personalities, interests, and status.

Do colors of clothes influence how we perceive people? ›

Although we found no significant interaction between the color and clothing conditions, we did find multiple main effects. This suggests that either the color red or the suggestive clothing type will make a difference in perceptions of attractiveness and sexual intent, but when together, the effect is alleviated.

Does clothing style reflect personality? ›

Our clothing style can be a reflection of our personality and a means of expressing ourselves. Wearing clothing that aligns with our personal style can boost our mood by reinforcing our sense of identity and individuality.

Does clothes define affect our personality? ›

Yes, there is a relationship between fashion and personality. Our fashion choices are influenced by our personality traits, interests, values, and experiences. Simultaneously, our clothing style can also shape how others perceive our personality and make assumptions about us.

How do clothes influence how people react? ›

Moreover, the clothes we wear can influence how we feel about ourselves. Studies have shown that people tend to feel more confident when they are dressed in formal attire compared to casual wear. This is because dressing up in professional attire signals importance and authority, which can boost one's self-esteem.

How does clothing impact identity? ›

Also, through dress individuals can internalize these ideals of the group, to influence their view of themselves, and in turn how they interact with the outside world. Furthermore, clothing can also highlight a person's individuality through failure to conform, evoking a different individual-world interaction.

How color influences perceptions and behaviors? ›

Color can play an important role in conveying information, creating certain moods, and even influencing the decisions people make. Color preferences also exert an influence on the objects people choose to purchase, the clothes they wear, and the way they adorn their environments.

How color affects the way people feel? ›

Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming. Bright, warm colors are best in rooms for entertaining like dining rooms or kitchens, while cool colors work best in relaxing spaces like bedrooms or even bathrooms.

How does color affect the attention of a person? ›

Colors may also guide attention towards important objects, since color is used both in nature and culture as a powerful signal (Hutchings, 1997). Information regarding hue is extracted at early stages of visual processing (Gegenfurtner, 2003), which makes its role in triggering early attention shifts plausible.

How does fashion influence a person? ›

"Enclothed cognition" is the name given to a phenomena by scientists. This is just the scientific way of saying that what we wear affects our mental processes. Wearing certain clothes (or seeing certain clothes on other people) can influence our thoughts, according to this theory.

Do the clothes a person wears influence what you think of them? ›

We do these things without thinking because we can't imagine that our clothes could have an influence on our thoughts. However, psychologists have confirmed that the way we dress not only has an impact on the way that we are perceived by others, but also on how we perceive ourselves.

How does clothing influence first impressions? ›

When we dress well, we project an image of self-confidence, competence, and respect for ourselves and those around us. This positively influences how others perceive us, making it easier to establish a favorable first impression.

How can clothing impact the thinking? ›

The answer lies in this phenomenon known as enclothed cognition. It suggests that when we wear certain clothing items, we embody the attributes we associate with them, which then goes on to impact how we think, behave, and feel.

How do clothes influence our behavior? ›

Our clothing becomes a reflection of how we are feeling on the inside. Furthermore, different types of clothing can also impact our behavior. Studies have shown that what we wear can affect our confidence levels, decision-making abilities, and even physical performance.

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