It’s no secret that people like to stand out from the crowd with what they wear. Research has shown that non-conformists can be viewed as being of a higher status and more competent than those who follow the rules of fashion. We take a look at what different clothing says about the wearer…
Keeping it gender-neutral
Many retailers now offer a gender-neutral clothing section to their market. Many people are speaking up, opposing the ideas that men and women should be dressed according to their sex. But, are you presenting yourself in a different way when you dress against the gendered expectations?
As attitudes change, society seems to be changing its opinion toward gender rules too. But, some research suggests that we’re still stuck in our old ways. Psychologists in New Jersey found that attitudes towards gender stereotypes hadn’t changed much between 1983 and 2014.
It’s believed by some that it’s more favourable for women to cross the gender barrier than men. Back in 1990, it was found that — despite the sex of the applicant – if the clothing that they wore was more masculine, they were more likely to be hired. When men dressed in pink however (a colour commonly associated with females), they were seen as less intelligent than women who were wearing the same colour.
Standing out from the crowd
To differentiate themselves from others, some choose to wear eccentric dress. When we think of outrageous outfits we may think of people with brightly coloured hair, patterned clothing and over the top jewellery. But, there are other ways to express freedom through dress.
Some people think that dressing eccentric means dressing big and bold. But, that’s not always the case. People who wear unconventional socks are viewed as being rebellious and expressive. One of these people is Justin Trudeau, the current Prime Minister of Canada, who shows off his fun side by wearing funky socks with a traditional suit. You can make your own subtle ‘eccentric’ changes through patterned socks and accessories. Or make yourself stand out from the crowd through bright scarves and other extras.
Do you like to dress against the norm? Studies have suggested that you build a persona of being ‘gutsy’. And in fact, people have the potential to see you as more brilliant, creative and successful. One study, published in 2014, found that those who go against conformity can be viewed as of a higher status than those who don’t. They were also considered to be more competent — potentially influencing the impression that they give off in the workplace.
Not only does the way that you dress affect the way you look, but it can also influence the way you feel and act. This is through ‘embodied cognition’. Since eccentric dress gives you greater potential to express your individuality, it’s possible that it can make you feel more confident and comfortable in different situations. This could then go on to improve your performance at work or in challenges where you want to push yourself.
Is a dress code essential?
Following the set dress code is sometimes the right thing to do.
Men who choose to wear suits, as they are often expected to wear in a formal situation, are perceived as being more confident, successful and thought to be earning a higher wage? This was compared to men who weren’t dressed as smartly — in a loosely fitted suit.
The way that you dress can have some interesting effects. For example, it was found that senior managers were rated less favourably if they were dressed more ‘provocative’. This was a skirt slightly above the knee and one button on the blouse undone. It’s clear to see that it is important to consider our dress style carefully as people can make many assumptions without any evidence.
How productive you are can be influenced by what you’re wearing too. Research found that in a lab, those who were wearing lab coats felt smarter and went on to perform better!
It’s safe to say that dressing against societies expectations can have many effects on the opinion of others and your own performance. Although it’s important to express yourself through dress, you don’t want to hinder your work or your impression on others in formal situations. Wear a pair of crazy socks underneath your day-to-day outfit instead…
This article was created by CT Shirts, retailer of slim fitting shirts.
