The Joy of Getting Dressed

The Joy of Getting Dressed 

By: Hailey Layne

Waking up each morning and preparing for one’s day is a ritual. Most people have their non-negotiables: brushing their teeth, making coffee, and reading the news. Whether the day involves mundane tasks or a rare occasion, getting dressed requires emotion. What separates people who dread having to decide what they are going to wear from those who find joy in assembling something that reflects their aspirations for the day? How has the American attitude towards clothing and building one’s wardrobe changed through the generations? 

Clothing has historically been used to showcase status. From medieval royal family regalia to businesspeople’s suits, attire can tell others about your occupation or societal role. American brands marketed as “working class” clothing evoke images of welders wearing Carhartt or the original gold rush miners creating Levi Denim. These clothes were meant to endure and outwardly symbolized that. 

Clothing can help us assimilate into our environments and create similarities, which can explain the 12.6% growth that the medical scrub brand FIGS saw in their final quarter of 2022. As more healthcare professionals purchased the scrub sets from the brand, others followed suit. This could be a testament to their quality or to the strength of the workplace conformity. Outfit conformity is not negative when it comes to affiliation; the National Institute of Health conducted a study with monkeys and found that the animals reacted the most positively with scientists that mimicked their playing behaviors. This is thought to have implications for human behavior and the way we express ourselves. 

Clothing can emphasize a person’s beauty and simultaneously be beautiful. Fashion houses have prided themselves on creating innovative designs that captivate our minds, however, simple clothing that has been tailored to fit us perfectly can elicit the same awe. Clothing is unique in its ability to stand alone and be complimentary. 

Fashion has often been referred to as a method of communication. We choose our clothes in some way regardless of our level of awareness, whether out of convenience, to fit in, or to cultivate our own persona. At the most basic level, clothing can give you confidence and comfort. Appreciating the link between fashion and what it can do in your daily life can add a deeper meaning when searching through your closet each morning. 

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Images by Hailey Layne.