How What You Wear Shapes How You Feel
Ever felt sharper in a blazer, more relaxed in loungewear, or instantly more "yourself" in your favourite top? That's not just in your head—it’s enclothed cognition, a psychological phenomenon that explores how clothing affects our thoughts, emotions, and performance.
Coined by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky in 2012, the term describes the way our clothes don’t just influence how others see us—they influence how we see ourselves. In other words, fashion isn’t only about self-expression; it’s about self-perception.
For Monroe, this insight goes far beyond aesthetics. It’s part of a bigger belief: what you wear should strengthen your connection to yourself.
The science behind style and self-belief
In the original enclothed cognition study, participants who wore a lab coat described as a “doctor’s coat” performed significantly better on attention tests than those who wore no coat or were told it was a “painter’s coat.” Same garment, different meanings—and measurable differences in mindset.
What does this mean for your wardrobe? It means the symbolic power of what you wear can affect your behaviour, posture, memory, and confidence. It’s not just about feeling good in what you wear—it’s about what your clothes represent to you.
When we wear something that carries personal or cultural meaning—whether that’s a tailored suit, a sports team’s jersey, or a minimalist top that makes you feel composed—it changes the way we move through the world.
Clothes as a tool for confidence
At Monroe, we often talk about clothing as armour, comfort, and catalyst—tools that help you meet the moment. This isn’t about dressing to impress others; it’s about dressing to connect to your own strength.
Whether you're preparing for a pitch, a first date, or simply a day where you want to feel more grounded, certain pieces can act as confidence anchors. Maybe it’s the trousers that make you stand taller, the clean tee that quiets your inner critic, or the dress that signals “I’m ready.”
Understanding enclothed cognition helps you approach your wardrobe with intention—not pressure. It’s not about perfecting your look, it’s about choosing what helps you show up fully.
You don’t need a lab to test the theory. Think about:
Athletes wearing their team kit before a big game
Doctors slipping on their white coats before rounds
Musicians putting on stage outfits to get into performance mode
You, reaching for that one outfit that just feels right
In all of these examples, clothing is part of mental preparation. It’s the physical signal that you’re stepping into a particular role or version of yourself. Even in more subtle ways—like dressing “sharper” for a Zoom meeting—it makes a difference.
Why it matters now
In a post-pandemic world where the lines between home, work, and social life have blurred, many of us are re-evaluating the role of clothing in our lives. The daily uniform has shifted. But what hasn’t changed is our need to feel like ourselves.
Enclothed cognition reminds us that clothes aren’t superficial—they’re strategic. They can energise, focus, and centre us when we need it most.
And in a culture that often demands women be everything to everyone, embracing clothing as a tool for personal power can be a quiet, radical act.
Wear what brings you back to yourself
Your wardrobe doesn’t need to be expensive, trendy, or even particularly large to make an impact. It just needs to be honest. What matters most is what your clothes help you feel.
At Monroe, we believe that strength and style aren’t separate—they’re stitched together in the choices we make every day. And when those choices are rooted in awareness, confidence follows.
Because when you wear something that aligns with who you are, the world starts to align with you too.