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 oversized secondhand blazer
Heidi Jones, 25
Photographer
London
“My secondhand oversized black blazer is a staple in my wardrobe. It’s minimal, classic and effortless, and I feel instantly put together when I wear it (I’m totally going for that Princess Diana look!) I find it so versatile as it can be worn to dress up or go casual. It’s one of my best purchases this year and it was only £10. I took my time finding it secondhand because I knew it was going to be a piece I wanted to wear a lot, so I’m incredibly happy to have found the perfect one.”
The floral top and leather trousers
Ashlie Brombley, 28
Freelance copywriter
Reading, UK
“For me, clothes are more than just throwaway items you only wear once or twice. They hold stories and represent a feeling or a specific time in your life. These leather trousers were given to me by a family member who wore them in the 70s, and every time I wear them, I feel like I’m giving them a new lease of life. As for the top, I made it out of an old table runner I found in a charity shop. It gives me a real sense of achievement every time I slip it on, especially when I’m working. As I carry out my job from home, wearing this top on video calls instantly makes me feel more put-together and like I can accomplish anything (even if I’m secretly wearing joggers on my bottom half!).”
The timeless white suit
Federica Carra, 33
Venice, Italy
Client advisor for LVMH Group
“I don’t think I’ve felt better than when I wear what I consider the highlight of my closet: the white suit (with palazzo pants). Wearing this suit gives me the feeling of being able to succeed in whatever I want – it’s as if by wearing it I wear self-confidence at the same time. What I like are the contrasts of this garment: so simple and clean but [give off a] ‘main character’ [look] too. This suit is chic, strong and sensual even if it leaves nothing to the eye but a hint of décolleté. A timeless piece that stays in fashion despite ever changing trends.”
The empowering blazer
Dami Omotayo, 29
Digital creator
Toronto
“My sense of style empowers me in all aspects of my career. The way I walk, talk, think and move immediately changes when I put on an outfit that works, but it especially helps when I put on a blazer. A blazer just radiates a sense of power and focus in any room I enter. It’s unspoken, but it is there for me. I get an extra boost of confidence that I don’t get from any other piece in my wardrobe. I can honestly say that my outfit is never complete until I put a blazer on, whether oversized, cropped, traditional fabric or leather. As Rashida Jones said in the August 2012 edition of Glamour magazine: blazers ‘(almost like magic) immediately give shape and add authority. With the perfect blazer, anything is possible.’ She sums it up best.
The flowing dress
Josefina Kohvakka, 24
Master of Law (LLM) at King’s College London
“It’s easy for me to say that I feel my best in a beautiful, elegant dress. I give particular importance to the fit and feel of any piece of clothing I choose to wear, and this one hits the spot. It makes me feel feminine, confident, and powerful, as I believe all your clothes should. In particular, I love the maxi length. As a legal professional my sense of fashion is more on the conservative side. Though it comes naturally to me, it’s also expected of me in my field of work. Dressing up is my way of celebrating life and I always dress for the occasion, be it the office or a social gathering in my free time. It seems to me that this dress is appropriate for various occasions, and it never fails to make me feel empowered. It’s fabulous!”
The versatile jacket
Jessica Lomas, 23
Florist
Manchester
“In my wardrobe I have a handful of pieces that I know I will keep forever, one of those being this jacket. It’s an item I can throw on with most of my clothes and instantly feel confident and satisfied in my outfit. It was a gift from me to me, as only I can know what will make me feel empowered. I also love a splash of colour in my wardrobe which echoes my work (as a florist), as every bouquet is a work of art, just like every outfit. As a florist, I have to think practically, so comfort is key. I love to wear a loose pair of jeans and a cotton shirt with my essential trusty apron.”