Enclothed Cognition and Women over 50
Happy Saturday, ladies! Today, I would like to discuss Enclothed Cognition and Women over 50.
Perhaps you are like I was recently when I saw the phrase “enclothed cognition,” and wondered…What is that?
I suppose you could call it a trend term, because after I did a little research, it is an idea that I have written about for the 15 years I have done this blog.
I say trend term only because I have just now seen it on Instagram…though the idea is much older.
And, I believe enclothed cognition theory was behind the success of “What Not to Wear?”
Even if the creators did not know it.
This is the time of year when we are being bombarded with how to clean a closet posts, but let’s step back before you hit the closet and discuss what is inside of it.
The first discussion is on enclothed cognition and women over 50…60, 70, and beyond.
ENCLOTHED COGNITION AND WOMEN OVER 50: WHAT IS IT?
When you search enclothed cognition online, you find out this….
“Enclothed cognition is the idea that clothing can influence a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through the symbolic meaning of the clothes and the physical experience of wearing them.
Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky coined the term in a 2012 study that tested the effects of wearing a lab coat. The researchers found that participants who wore a lab coat performed better on an attention task than those who wrote an essay about how they identified with a lab coat. The researchers hypothesized that the symbolic meaning of the lab coat, which is associated with attentiveness and carefulness, activated abstract concepts that improved performance.
While the 2012 article received a lot of attention, a meta-analysis of 40 studies found that the effects of enclothed cognition were more likely to be replicated in studies published after 2015.”
Simply put: “Enclothed cognition has been described as the overall influence that clothing has on the wearer’s psychological influences.”
As you see here, the term has been around for about 13 year.
Interesting enough, Stacy London’s book that I like so much, The Truth About Style, was first published in 2012.
It was about the overall influence clothing has on the wearer’s psychological influences…but did not use the term enclothed cognition.
She writes: “Refusing to acknowledge that how you dress sends a message to other people is a major blind spot. Our clothes like it or not, give other people insight into who we are. To take control of the message, you have to know yourself, and dress accordingly. Style is the quickest shorthand to who you are.”
It was pondering this statement for a very long time plus other things she says in this book that lead me to “take control of the message.”
ENCLOTHED COGNITION AND WOMEN OVER 50: WHY SHOULD WE CARE AT OUR AGE?
In the beginning, taking control of the message was not to tell people who I am…but to help me understand who I am.
I sat down and wrote words I believe described who I wanted to be….then I crossed out the words that just were not me at all, and circled the ones I believed I was or could be.
They were all adjectives.
What I am saying is that in the beginning, dressing to communicate five style messages was more for me than anyone else.
It took a little testing of words for me to get to where I have been for a few years..confident me.
There was a time when the word “elegant” was in my five style adjectives, but eventually I acknowledged I was not really a woman of elegance….and that is ok.
However, I am a woman who likes to be polished and put together…with a little creative flair.
I am a joyful woman who wants my smile to be a daily accessory…never fully dressed without a smile…can you sing it?
The process of communicating who we are with our clothing is incredibly healthy and mentally healing.
When I focus on the messages I am sending with my clothing each day and not on my weight or my income level or my age…just the messages, then I am a stronger more confident woman.
So each day after I dress, I look in the mirror and ask, “Does this look say that I am polished, current, creative, approachable and joyful?”
if it does, then we are good to go. If I do not believe it communicates those messages at the same time, then I tweak it until it does.
That is how I created my own personal style and confidence when I dress and shop.
I feel better about myself…I honor myself…I save money…and I have less in my closet that does not work…all because I dress with five style adjectives.
Stacy, and even enclothed cognition supporters, are right…how we dress is transformative if we focus on the messages we send.
This means that you do not listen to other people tell you who you are and how you should look…you create that with messaging and become UNIQUELY YOU.
This released me from a small depression in my 50s to a woman who has not stopped growing since then.
Aging… yet, still growing and living.
When I am confident about me…I can do anything…and I am 71, not wealthy and have been over weight most of my life.
I know several of you are struggling with extra weight right now and I will address how to look your best with it soon.
ENCLOTHED COGNITION AND WOMEN OVER 50: IMPORTANT NO MATTER THE NAME
It is a new year and a perfect time for you to communicate to the world who you are right now.
You control that…no one else.
So make a list of adjectives you want to tell the world about you with the way you dress…think deeply about them and try your best to limit them to 3, 4 or 5.
I like five that works for me.
Then make a pact with yourself to dress EVERY DAY using those adjectives as guidelines to develop your own unique style.
If there is ANYTHING in your closet that does not speak those five adjectives, then it is time to send it on its way.
Do not try to wear something that is not you…that does not tell the world who you are.
For a short time, I tried to be bohemian. It is not me. Sometimes a test will help us see that, but it can be costly in buying garments we do not wear.
Ladies, this is fun. If you need help, just ask.
If you are feeling down, just begin to send messages that you want to be. Pretty soon, the doldrums will begin to move on. I have experienced this first hand.
But when you see articles about ENCLOTHED COGNITION…just smile, be confident and think, “I’ve got this.”
We will have these conversations more often this year, so if you have any comments please share….thanks for being here.
Now….
GIVE THANKS FOR WHO YOU ARE & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
DON’T FORGET THE SALES!! MANY ARE ALREADY UNDER WAY!
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
What a wonderful post to think about my relationship with clothing! I can relate to so much to all these ideas and statements. Thank you for your insights!
You are welcome, Ann! Happy Saturday!
Good Morning Pam – I really enjoyed your article today. I certainly have never used the term
“enclothed cognition” in a conversation, but yes that is what you have continually shared with us over the years. Such a timely article for the beginning of 2025. Wishing you a wonderful 2025!!
And to you, Janet! I do think it is important that we consider this before we dive into closet cleaning or spring shopping!
Pam, this is a golden message! I have always believed in this concept but didn’t know what it is called. It’s a two-way street. How a person presents herself gives a message to those around her. It also makes her feel a certain way about herself. And a smile is essential. ❤️
So important. One of my own sort of tweets to the concept is just to plain old stop wearing old, worn out, ill-fitting clothing around the house. Ditto for workouts. I now have dedicated at home wear and a walking/yoga/workout wardrobe, and the latter really makes a difference in my attitude toward exercise. When I worked, weekend wear was snagged, faded, leftover work clothes. Exercise gear was a pair or two of old leggings and a ruined tee. But when I retired into Covid and two foot surgeries, I realized my crummy wardrobe wasn’t honoring my new life. I had worked so hard and longed for retirement, and I wanted to get the most out of it. You can be at home and still show up for yourself.
I am really tired of people telling me to ‘ buy that, it will look great on you’ when it really is not me. I get caught up in what is not me to the extent that I have a fantasy wardrobe area that is for a lifestyle that is not me. I enjoy reading the posts about your journey, and I too have all Stacey’s books as well as many many others on style etc. I have preordered David Kibbe’s new book, after wearing out the old one from the 80s and read much of Gabrielle Aruda’s blog. I must say, your elegant phase resonated with me, but I do not live that lifestyle in my small community, so will continue to persue the less fantasy style and get back on track. I find when shopping now, I need a list of just what I need to fill the gap, and also a list of adjectives regarding fabric choices etc. Works so much better. And, no matter what the current term for dressing to express personal style, it is the first thing people will use to make a decision about you.
Wonderful topic this morning Pam.
I really enjoyed today’s post and could probably write three pages on it. Lol, I will spare everyone. I do want to reiterate the idea of ‘focusing on the message’ when choosing clothing. You helped me , Pam, with my adjectives years ago. I have noted them in my color swatch book. I have tweaked them or expanded them. Strong, intelligent (literary), dramatic (something special to focus on) , polished , approachable (smile!). When teaching school , I had more elegance in my choices, but in retirement, I am happy with casual chic. I used to choose color over style, but now I am more into style (but in the correct colors). I know not everyone here is color focused, but I am very much attached to my deep autumn colors. With my adjectives in mind, I have added wool and straw fedoras, plaid and notable knee length coats, and interesting footwear. My fun goal for dressing this year is finding and wearing more rich color combinations and using the book The Triumph Of Individual Style as a workbook and guide. I think it is out of print but still available on Amazon. It depicts recognizable female portrait art in order to see yourself as an artist would and define your physical beauty in a way to dress your body according to your individual features. For instance, I just learned how to choose the best pattern for clothing by examining the lines and features of my face and body. I usually avoid pattern because I feel that that I don’t look good in it, but perhaps I just haven’t selected the correct pattern. Over the years I have never had an issue with dressing my best or feeling a lack of confidence, but I will admit here in this safe place that I am not always happy when looking in the mirror or at photos these past two years. I am 72. I have friends who say I look fine or be happy you are here. True, but I am mentally not accepting aging well. This book proposes “Lasting beauty begins with self awareness that goes beyond self-consciousness to self-acceptance.” I am hoping that as I work through it, I will feel better about the mirror, be more successful taking nine pounds off with WW, and perhaps pick up a few nuggets along the way. I doubt I will ever lose interest in style. I am looking forward to more conversation here. Thank you, Pamela.
This is an excellent article for the new year. It’s so much more positive and powerful than a self criticizing list of resolutions. It speaks to the core of who we are and how we relate to others. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
Fascinating, the mind-body connection. A personal test for me is would I answer the doorbell looking like this – ha! Linda LM’s observations about honoring one’s life through wardrobe choices and showing up for yourself are spot on. Yesterday was a pajama day for me which, while relaxing, was nonproductive mentally and physically, surrounded by stacks of holiday decor to pack and undesirable chores. Living solo, I prefer to step up my game…the get-up, get-dressed, get-out challenge. This past week’s blog and reader comments have been joyfully encouraging…even motivating me to sign up for an olive-oil farm-to-table day trip.
We should always be able to smile at ourselves when we get dressed in outfits unique to who we are!
I agree, Linda! I am currently working on my workout clothes…so many need to be trashed! Not even worthy to donate.
So glad you enjoyed it. Now that I shop with my adjectives and best colors I am having more success.
This is a very good post and definitely something to think about. It makes a lot of sense.
I have trouble picking my style adjectives. I see something on someone and want to try it.
Can you give me direction on how to do that?
I liked this … helps me to understand why I need to up my style in the things I wear everyday around the house. I spend more time at home than I do “out and about” so I need to curate outfits to wear at home that make me feel good about myself. Now to find some words to describe who/what I want to project … hmmmm.
No surprise you found that on Instagram, “Enclothed Cognition” seems a high brow for the Tic-Tok Generation.
I like to encapsulate it in the Boomer-era “Fake it Till You Make It” , or as our Mothers told us, “you’ll feel better if you put some lipstick on.”
Great way to start us out on a new year!
WOW Pam! You always manage to nail your topic. When I was in the work force I NEVER struggled with my style. Not understanding or cognizance of I was being true to myself. Fast forward to retirement and the struggle began to achieve a more casual wardrobe. Once I accepted I am a member of the “over dressed squad“, 10 y e a r s later, I am once again happy with my clothing. You have been a big part of that journey. It’s your message because we don’t share height, body shape, colors or, some time, style. (Can’t do prints).
THANK YOU!
I’ve struggled with my wardrobe since I retired. I can so relate to Linda LM’s comment about wearing old, worn out clothes around the house. The problem is that once you’re retired it seems you’re always around the house! For me when I first retired being in comfy clothes all day was a luxury. Now it makes me feel frumpy and like a slug. I love the idea of having specific clothing for days you’re just hanging around the house that make you feel good. Thanks, Linda LM for that suggestion. As I do my New Year’s purge I will keep in mind how I want to approachl each day. Love this community of ladies you’ve given us, Pam!
Great topic today! I think I have always loved clothes. However, I worked in CCU where we had to wear ugly grey/green scrubs from the hospital laundry and white nursing shoes or later on sneakers. My hair had to be up in a ponytail or bun. Not a particularly fashionable look. I was too tired when I got home to care much what I looked like. On days off I lived in jeans and tees or shorts and tees. I spent my money on bike clothes as I would hop on my bike and ride a 23 mile loop to decompress. I also bought high quality ski clothing and gear. I only recently donated my hiking boots that were in excellent condition but I don’t wear anymore. That lifestyle is gone. I’m 80 years old and now disabled. Life sure hands out curveballs! I live in nice jeans from Chicos, knit tops or flannel shirts and my ever present sneakers from Easy Spirit, Skechers or Brooks. This suits my rural mountain lifestyle now. I’m comfortable in my own skin again but it did take a while and Pam, you and the readers have helped me to get there. I’m grateful.
This is such an interesting topic, & I have loved reading all the comments. I can very much relate to Linda LM’s comments. I have been retired for almost 15 years, & when I first retired, I found myself with a lot of clothes that were either too dressy for my new life or very worn & sad. I did have a few things that were what I had termed “weekend wear”, so those became the base to build on.
While I had never heard the term enclothed cognition, I do think how you dress does send a message to others, & more importantly to yourself. This is especially true for those of us who live alone. While I do go out fair amount, there are many days when I am at home. On those days, I still want to look my best & dress accordingly. I also do my hair, put on a bit of makeup & wear earrings in my pierced ears. I do it for myself & my mental health.
Paula, what do you want someone you meet to know about you without you speaking a word. Write those words down and start there. Then revisit the list the next day and try to limit those adjectives to no more than five. Then start putting outfits together that you believe communicate those adjectives to others. Let me know how this goes.
Thanks for your post today. It really puts together what you have been sharing with us through the past few years. Blessings
Interesting term for what I think must have been what many thought when nurses wore uniforms with caps signifying their school or when schools require children to wear uniforms. Your dress effects your behavior; dress professionally and you will act professionally. All denim, from jackets to skirts were prohibited at my educational school of employment; too casual, but it caused an uproar among the teachers. A good friend had her children put their private school uniforms on during covid mimicking a regualr school day. How you dress sends a message. Traveling over the holidays I often wondered when it became acceptable for grown women to show up to the free hotel breakfast in pajamas. For me, it’s a definite no. I care too much how I present myself to the world, myself and my husband.
I have tried to figure this out for myself. What I would like to portray is not my natural tendency so feels too stuffy or inauthentic. But, it seems that what we want to be can change as we work to become a better version of ourselves. Like someone else said, fake it til you make it!
Hi April, I decided what I wanted to say with my style and that is how I have been dressing for several years. Now, I have friends who say they see things that they know are my style! It is because those five adjectives have become ME.
This is a great topic! You are beautiful Pam!
You are so kind, Beth. Thank you.