Proof That Jewelry and Fashion Can Change Your Outlook

There is power in jewelry and clothing. It should come as no surprise that at Andrea Lopresti Fine Jewelry we believe fashion is more than clothing, style, and accessories. It’s also a form of artistic expression that can be deeply personal. It’s a way to speak to the world about who you are.

What may surprise you is that there is strong scientific evidence that not only are we correct to think of jewelry and fashion in this way, but that we might not be taking that thought far enough.

A Reflection of our Inner Self

A study by Professor Karen Pine of the University of Hertfordshire indicates that fashion choices can have a significant impact in boosting confidence levels. Pine’s book, “Mind What You Wear,” outlines her findings in detail. She says we are all aware that our clothing has an impact on what others think of us, but we’re now learning that that same jewelry and clothing also has a subconscious impact on how we feel about ourselves.

Pine said her book includes “tips on how to feel happier and more confident with the right clothes, explaining not only that we are what we wear, but that we become what we wear.”

JEWELRY AS A Way to Boost Your Confidence

A study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology came to a similar conclusion, showing that our choice of outfit can boost our confidence, make us feel better about who we are, and make us feel more capable of facing life’s challenges.

Dr. Samantha Boardman writes, “When you wear something that makes you feel great, the effects may be subtle — the way you tilt your head, your facial expressions and your body language — but they matter. It sends a message that you care about yourself. When we look good, we feel good — and vice versa.”

A Means to Change Ourselves

Clinical psychology Jennifer Baumgartner wrote the book “You Are What You Wear,” which outlines not only the idea that our choices in clothing reveal something about ourselves – that’s obvious to anyone who loves fashion – but also explores the notion that we can help ourselves overcome inner difficulties by changing our wardrobe.

“When you dress in a certain way, it helps shift your internal self,” explains Dr. Baumgartner. “We see that when we do makeovers, and even actors say that putting on a costume facilitates expression of character. That’s just as true for everyday life.”

What all of the above means is simple: if there is power in art, power to move us and shape up and change how we think, that same power extends to fashion, too.

But since clothing and jewelry are as legitimate an art form as painting, film or photography, that should come as no surprise. So open your closet or jewelry box and realize that what’s inside can change who you are for the better.

To learn more about Andrea Lopresti Fine Jewelry, look at our handmade jewelry on Etsy, and follow us on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook.