Have you ever noticed how slipping into a sharp jacket makes you feel instantly more capable, or how a soft jumper can make a stressful day feel a little kinder?
By Alan Samons
That isn’t vanity or imagination at work — it’s something psychologists call enclothed cognition, and it reveals that what we wear can genuinely influence how we think, feel and behave.
The term enclothed cognition was first introduced in 2012 by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky. Their work showed that clothing affects us in two key ways: through its physical experience (how it feels on the body) and its symbolic meaning (what we associate with it). In other words, clothes are not passive coverings; they actively shape our mindset.
One of the most frequently cited studies involved lab coats. Participants who wore what they were told was a doctor’s coat performed better on attention-based tasks than those wearing the same coat described as a painter’s smock — or those not wearing it at all. The garment itself hadn’t changed, but its meaning had. Wearing something associated with care, intelligence and authority subtly encouraged the wearer to embody those traits.
This helps explain why uniforms, ceremonial dress and professional attire have existed across cultures for centuries. Clothing has long been used to signal role, responsibility and identity — not just to others, but to ourselves. When we dress the part, our brains often follow.
Enclothed cognition also sheds light on everyday experiences. Athletes often report feeling more confident and powerful in competition kit. People working from home have discovered that staying in pyjamas can blur motivation, while getting dressed — even casually — restores a sense of purpose. Clothing helps mark psychological boundaries between rest, work, creativity and play.
Texture and comfort matter too. Soft fabrics can promote calm and emotional safety, while restrictive clothing may increase stress or self-consciousness. This is why hospitals now consider patient clothing more carefully, and why therapists and educators are increasingly attentive to what they wear in sensitive environments. What we feel on our skin sends constant feedback to the nervous system.
Importantly, enclothed cognition isn’t about dressing expensively or fashionably. It’s about intentionality. A well-loved scarf, a favourite ring, or a pair of shoes worn during moments of confidence can all act as psychological anchors. These items carry personal meaning and can help us access certain emotional states — reassurance, strength, creativity — when we need them most.
The idea also connects to mental health and self-care. For people experiencing anxiety or low mood, clothing can become a gentle tool rather than a pressure. Choosing garments that feel supportive, expressive or comforting can offer small but meaningful agency on difficult days. Some therapists even encourage clients to build a “comfort wardrobe” — clothing that signals safety and grounding.
Of course, enclothed cognition isn’t magic. Clothes won’t instantly turn us into different people. But research suggests they can nudge us — subtly influencing confidence, focus and behaviour. Like posture or environment, clothing is part of the wider ecosystem shaping our experience.
Perhaps the most liberating aspect of enclothed cognition is that it invites curiosity rather than rules. Instead of asking “Does this look right?”, we might ask, “How does this make me feel?” and “Who does this help me become today?” In a world that often rushes us along, that’s a surprisingly thoughtful question — and one that starts in our wardrobe.
Sources
Adam, H. & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed Cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Pine, K. J. (2014). Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion. Basic Books
Northwestern University, Department of Psychology – Enclothed Cognition Research
British Psychological Society – Articles on embodiment and cognition
