Personal clothing style and self-concept

Embracing the true, the ideal and the creative self

Dados Bibliográficos

ID7154196
AutoresJustina Vingilyte (0000-0001-7046-1724, University of the Arts London), Ameerah Khadaroo (0000-0003-3986-4714, University of the Arts London)
Ano2025
Volume12
Fascículo3
Páginas319-335
Data de publicação2025-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoFashion Style & Popular Culture (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2050-0726 • E-ISSN: 2050-0734
EditoraIntellect (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1386/fspc_00130_1
OpenAlexW4281663294
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas34

Research shows that clothing style can influence self-perception, cognition and behaviour. However, the concept of personal clothing style and how it is linked to self-concept from an individual and subjective perspective of the wearer has received limited empirical attention. This qualitative study aimed to explore women’s lived experiences and perceptions of personal clothing style. Using a homogeneous sample of seven female participants, data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed that personal clothing style constitutes an embodiment of the true self, representation of the ideal self and expression of the creative self. More specifically, personal clothing style is predicated on self-knowledge, consistency and enduring sense of comfort. It is also perceived to actualize desired self-conceptions and one’s creative potential. Findings not only provide an empirically founded conceptualization of personal clothing style, but also identify its important psychological properties with implications for both psychology and fashion research

Aesthetics · Art · Clothing · Conceptualization · Epistemology · Perception · Visual arts · Aesthetic Perception and Analysis · Color perception and design · Computer Science · Fashion and Cultural Textiles · Psychology · Social Psychology