Fashion psychology
Clothing can instil positivity in people for effective performance. We hear from six women who reveal the wardrobe piece that makes them feel the most confident and empowered.
The versatile blazer
Pernilla Ehrenholm, 33
Stylist and make-up artist
Gothenburg, Sweden
“As a stylist, I spend a lot of time dressing others, so it was really important to find my go-to piece. Now I know I will always feel confident in what I wear and I`m sure that affects [how I do] my job.
“If it´s a business meeting, a styling job or a dinner, I always go for a blazer, since it´s so easy to style. During the pandemic, my style definitely got more comfortable than before, but when I put my blazer on with leggings, sneakers and a knit, I always feel chic and confident while running errands. The blazer makes me feel taller and gives me a better posture. I think it´s important to invest in a good piece and when you find your favourite, shop like a man – buy two!”
The vintage jeans
The vintage jeans
Catherine Vilhem, 28
Personal assistant, content creator and owner of Les Pépites Vintage
“My style changed so much throughout the years, and what I’ve learned is that I really feel empowered when I’m letting my personality speak. These vintage jeans are quite a statement piece and I’m in love with them. They are the perfect length for my legs, and I feel so good when I’m wearing them. I still can’t believe I found them in a thrift shop for two euros.
“When I’m wearing something that makes me feel good, I have the feeling that I could conquer the world. It may seem a bit exaggerated, but it really gives me a good mindset and that’s when the magic happens.”
The masculine suit jacket
Ylenia López-Llata, 35
Founder @ylenialopezllata and co-founder @cuckoo_b
Madrid, Spain
“Definitely masculine style suit jackets. They make me feel good, confident and super feminine, [especially when worn] with some good accessories. I find it an ideal option for any occasion, with a flat shoe during the day and with good sandals at night. My favourites? Those with crossed buttons and shoulder pads. Although if they have a pattern, I love them [just the same].”
The Rouje jeans
Ambre Deveaux, 31
Clinical research associate and content creator
Paris
“The piece I feel the most confident and powerful in is jeans, like my Concorde jeans from Rouje. Why? Because they’re what I feel the most comfortable and the most me in; they’re like a second skin.
“They allow me to face my double life while remaining classy and elegant. I spend a lot of time on the train, the plane and at the hospital for my main job and for me, jeans are essential to feel good all day long.
“As a content creator, it’s a basic requirement that what I wear is easy to accessorize and makes me feel pretty and confident in each of my photos.”
The oversized striped shirt
Iona MacLean, 29
Founder of online vintage clothing store ionamaclean.com
Melbourne, Australia
“An oversized stripe shirt is my ultimate wardrobe staple and something I feel most confident in. It’s comfortable, transeasonal and effortlessly chic. I find myself reaching for an oversized shirt more than any other item of clothing in my wardrobe. It’s on high rotation because I can dress it up or down. When dressing it up, I often slick my hair back and accessorise with gold statement jewellery. Otherwise, I wear it casual: worn open with a white tank and loose jeans or black slacks. Not to mention it can be worn over your bathers at the beach for style and sun safety. An oversized stripe shirt is my MVP!”
The muted blazer
Iris van der Lely, 20
Entrepreneurship and fashion student
The Hague, The Netherlands
“The one wardrobe piece that I feel the most confident in is definitely a blazer. I feel like women can’t have enough blazers – and they define my wardrobe, too. I have them in different styles and colours. They make an outfit look classy and make me feel really feminine and confident. I love to wear a blazer with wide-leg trousers and a simple, plain shirt or top. I also like to combine a blazer with knitted dresses.”
In this photo, Iris is wearing a blazer from Massimo Dutti