Does Fashion Really Make The Woman?

When we think of fashion, we think of it as living, breathing art; as a means with which we can express ourselves, and as a way to empower ourselves by choosing the way the world sees us.

But perhaps we are a bit biased. At Andrea Lopresti Fine Jewelry, we are immersed in the world of fashion every day. It is our passion, especially when it comes to handmade fine jewelry. Regardless, the question is worth asking: when you dig a little deeper, is there any truth to the idea that the clothes make the woman?

It turns out there is.

As reported in 2014, a study by Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire found that changes in our wardrobe can actual change our mental processes, altering how we think, how we perceive ourselves, and how we act.

In other words, there is power in fashion.

For example, in one test she conducted two groups of women were asked to take math tests, one group while wearing swimsuits, the other while wearing more formal clothing. The latter group performed better than the group wearing swimsuits.

At Andrea Lopresti Fine Jewelry, we’ve always known that jewelry is more than some metals and jewels. For us, handmade jewelry is expression. It is art. It is a daydream turned real. It’s gratifying to discover, then, that science supports our belief that what you wear can help influence who you are.

Celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewart told She Knows that feeling good about your wardrobe can translate to feeling good about yourself. “Learn your body, learn what looks good on you,” Stewart told the website. “Pick your go-to pieces … There must be something in your wardrobe that you always go to and I really believe in getting repeats of those things — getting your favorite things in variations.”

Building confidence in that way is important, too, because for modern women, far too many opportunities fall by the wayside when we’re not ready to grasp them. A recent survey by a major department store found that a whopping 75 percent of women had declined to take advantage of an opportunity presented to them because they lacked confidence. That’s a big number. Way too big, in our opinion.

Feel good about yourself and what you’re wearing, however, and things can change,

A survey by body language expert Dr. Lillian Glass reveals that 58 percent of women feel stronger and more confident in higher quality clothing.

Reporting on the topic of fashion and confidence, Vogue magazine writes that “assembling an outfit is like selecting social armor, and that what we wear has power over others.”

The message here is unmistakable. Yes, clothing really does make the woman. It can make you feel great about who you are. It can tell the world that you are bold and capable. Without you even realizing it, it can even completely alter the way you think, allowing you to tap into parts of yourself you didn’t realize you had.

That’s a pretty powerful thing.

Is it any wonder, then, that we wax poetic about the power of jewelry and fashion in our lives?

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