Your Hoodie Is Your Psychologist: Emotions and Clothes

 Emotions have always been a complex subject—something scientists, sociologists, philosophers, and thinkers of all kinds have tried to understand. At its core, an emotion is defined as “a conscious mental reaction,” but to me, emotions are the colors of our lives, they are what make our lives joyful and fun. Most importantly, emotions are what make us human. The way we feel and perceive the world is deeply connected to how our brain works—specifically the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex.

But emotions don’t just stay inside us—they’re nearly impossible to hide. One of the most visible ways we express our emotions, often without even realizing it, is through our clothes. The outfit we choose for the day can be a direct reflection of how we’re feeling at that moment. 

Dr. Karen Pine, a professor of psychology, once said that, “our outfits significantly impact our confidence and mood,” and it's true—we often dress in a way that reflects our internal state. You probably wouldn’t wear something bold, bright, or sexy on a day when you're feeling low. But on a date, when you're excited or hopeful, your outfit will probably reflect that energy. (Okay, yes—fashion lovers, us, always put thought into what we wear, but you get what I mean!)

Interestingly, what we wear doesn’t just reflect our mood—it can also influence it. I read about a fascinating study by Barbara Fredrickson where women who were asked to take a math test performed worse when wearing a swimsuit compared to when they wore a sweater. I mean, how amazing is that? (Honestly until I started to write, I had no idea clothes had that much power and now I'm even more in love with fashion). Something as simple as feeling comfortable in what we wear can actually affect our performance and confidence.

Our clothes are more than just fabric and something that keeps us warm or makes us decent. They’re emotional armor, mood boosters, our messages to the world, and sometimes even a source of power. They tell the world who we are before we get to introduce ourselves. Whether it’s throwing on your favorite hoodie for comfort, wearing all black to feel strong, or dressing up to lift your spirits, fashion is deeply emotional.

Lately, I’ve been diving into existentialism, and naturally, it’s impacted how I view not just life, but also things as everyday as how I dress. Albert Camus, one of the most well-known existentialists, once said: "The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy."

To me, this quote means that no single moment defines our life or emotions. We experience both struggle and joy, yet we keep going—and that’s what it means to live. Our outfit choices come from a similar mindset, we don’t need to always be perfect or polished. Choosing comfort over aesthetic doesn’t mean you’re giving up; it just means you're honoring your current state. Your mood and emotions are valid—and your clothes are there to reflect and support you through it all. 

So here’s my little dare for you: don’t let a rough day make you feel like you don’t look cute. Your outfit is there to lift your mood, express who you are, and complement your vibe. Love yourself—always, no matter what.