The Perfect ‘Fit: How Your Outfit Impacts Your Day
The outfit you choose can have a large influence on your day. From attitude to behavior to activities, clothes will impact it all. Northwestern students tell STITCH how their outfits affect them.
Your outfit can be more than just the clothes that you put on in the morning. Majoring in art history, sophomore Genesis Castro said, “I think it definitely influences my mindset for the day and the way I just feel about myself. [It] reflects how I interact with people around me in the world,” when asked if her outfit has the power to influence or change an entire day.
Dressing in what you love also boosts your confidence. Sophomore Aimee Resnick said, “I think there’s two pieces to it: identity and self-confidence. When you’re wearing something that you identify with, it makes you feel more confident, and then you have a better day because you’re embodying the identity of yourself that you want to portray. You are fulfilling your own image of yourself and that alignment makes you feel better.”
Whether it be a sweatshirt and sweatpants, a dress and heels or just a cozy sweater that keeps you warm, your clothes make you more self-assured. First-year Janse Barkley, majoring in vocal performance, is proof of this. “I like what I’m wearing today, so I had a better mood,” he says, mentioning that the compliments he received for his outfit made the day even better.
Your expectations and plans can also impact what you choose to wear. Personally, I put together an outfit that I hope will encourage the mindset I want that day. If I only have homework and need to be productive, I will put on comfortable jeans and a sweatshirt. If I have a more formal event to attend, I like to pick an outfit that will make me feel confident and pretty. Helen Davis agreed when she described her outfit choice for the day. “When I woke up I thought: ‘I [am] having dinner with my parents and my girlfriend’s parents, so I’ll look cute, I’ll look put together’,” she said.
Clothes have a larger impact on your routine than you might think. If you want a boost in confidence or to fix a dreary mood, pick an outfit you love! The key to a great day is already in your closet.