In todays hybrid and less formal professional environments, most of us feel no need to ‘dress for success’. Although your employer may not insist on a strict dress code, studies show what your wearing does impact your quality of work. How!? What is enclothed cognition? It’s a psychological concept that explores how the clothes we wear can influence our thoughts, feelings and behavior. It suggests that the symbolic meaning of clothing can impact our cognitive processes and even shape our perception of ourselves and others.

The term “enclothed cognition” was coined by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky in a series of studies published in 2012. Their research showed that wearing certain types of clothing can affect various aspects of cognitive processing including attention, confidence and decision-making.

For example, wearing clothes that’re associated with authority or power such as a suit or a uniform, can lead individuals to feel more confident and assertive. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “power of the uniform.” Similarly, wearing clothing that’s associated with professionalism or competence can enhance cognitive performance in related tasks. Some studies show doctors performing better when wearing their lab coat, as opposed to less formal attire and surroundings.

Enclothed cognition can also be influenced by the fit, style and color of clothing. For instance, wearing clothes that fit well and make us feel comfortable can boost self-esteem and promote positive emotions. The color of clothing can evoke certain psychological responses; for example, wearing red may increase feelings of dominance or aggression, while wearing blue may promote feelings of calmness or trustworthiness.

Overall, enclothed cognition highlights the intricate relationship between clothing and cognition, demonstrating how the clothes we wear can shape not only how others perceive us but more importantly how we perceive ourselves and interact with the world around us. It may help to invest yourself and create a powerfully aligned personal brand image.

For more personalized strategies to develop or enhance your personal brand image, visit The Clothing Coach Studio in downtown San Francisco, or book a call to learn about our coaching, custom suiting, Tailoring services and more!

It’s not the fashion, it’s the passion.

Enclothed cognition has gained attention in psychological research, and several studies have explored its effects on various aspects of human behavior and cognition. Here are some notable studies that have contributed to our understanding of enclothed cognition:

1. Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), 918-925.
   • This seminal study by Adam and Galinsky introduced the concept of enclothed cognition and provided evidence that the symbolic meaning of clothing can influence cognitive processes and behavior. The researchers conducted several experiments demonstrating how wearing certain types of clothing can affect attention, performance, and self-perception.
2. Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). The influence of enclothed cognition on implicit and explicit attitudes. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), 918-925.
   • In this study, Adam and Galinsky investigated how enclothed cognition influences both implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) attitudes. They found that wearing clothing associated with intelligence enhanced cognitive performance and led to more positive attitudes toward intelligence-related tasks.
3. Velasquez, N., Wheeler, S. C., & Petty, R. E. (2012). The role of the self in priming-to-behavior effects: The power of private versus public self-consciousness. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 22(4), 570-578.
   • This study examined the role of self-consciousness in the enclothed cognition effect. The researchers found that individuals who were more self-conscious in public settings (e.g., when wearing clothing that draws attention to the self) experienced stronger effects of enclothed cognition on behavior compared to those who were more self-conscious in private settings.
4. Slepian, M. L., Ferber, S. N., Gold, J. M., & Rutchick, A. M. (2015). The cognitive consequences of formal clothing. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 6(6), 661-668.
   • Slepian and colleagues investigated how wearing formal clothing influences cognitive processing. They found that wearing formal attire enhanced abstract thinking and promoted a global processing style, leading individuals to focus on the big picture rather than on specific details.

These studies represent just a few examples of the research that has been conducted on enclothed cognition and provide compelling evidence clothing and presentation, can have significant effects on our thoughts, feelings, behaviors and results.