You’ve probably heard of the terms “fashion therapy” or “retail therapy” before. They’re often used interchangeably, but the truth is that they’re quite different.
“Retail therapy” means buying things for yourself in order to feel good when you are unhappy. A study in the Journal of Psychology and Marketing revealed that shopping can greatly change one’s foul mood. Still, it can be an expensive habit, so I’m not necessarily advocating for it. “Fashion therapy,” on the other hand, is worth giving a shot.
Have you ever wondered why you chose that certain red dress for that birthday party? It’s probably because you wanted to feel and look good, or maybe because you wanted to meet someone at the party. This, in a nutshell, is fashion therapy.
Fashion therapy is dressing up for a purpose. It’s to make a statement about your uniqueness with how you choose to dress. And fashion therapy is real because when we express our unique self, it immediately improves our mood.
Fashion is truly therapeutic because it allows you to think outside the box. It even enables you to develop new style ideas from scratch. The way you dress says a lot about your mindset and how you want to present yourself that day. In fact, studies suggest that women often choose how to dress based on how they feel and how an outfit makes them feel.
So have you ever wondered why your mood changed drastically when you dressed to go for a movie or for a date? It’s because fashion is therapeutic. There’s just something about the feeling of getting “dressed up.” Moreover, it doesn’t have to mean wearing a fancy or expensive outfit. What matters is that you get the satisfaction of creating your own look and then rocking it.
Here’s my take on a little fashion therapy if you want to see how it can make you feel good:
The secret ingredient of fashion therapy is to develop a wardrobe to express your own unique personality. It’s a great way to express your sense of self and I believe that every person should develop their unique style.
If you feel like your wardrobe has gone stale, don’t fret. There’s probably an article or two of clothing in the back of your closet that you’ve forgotten all about. And there are certain combinations you’ve yet to try. I challenge you to make 3 outfit combinations you’ve never tried before. I guarantee you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction afterward.
Now that you are aware of fashion therapy, you can take full advantage of its benefits! Let’s use it to make ourselves feel good – whether you’re going out or staying in, there’s something truly wonderful about dressing yourself to feel good.
Featured image via Pexels
