We Are What We Wear

Women play different roles in our society. These women are recognized for their concern and ability in rearing healthy, happy, and productive children.

But we always wonder how many women, particularly mothers, are aware of the influence of dress and grooming within their homes and offices.

We regularly invite the participants in a family clothing workshop to become more aware of what is happening with reference to dress in their homes and workplaces. One young mother shared a surprising discovery she had made regarding her attitude toward her two toddlers.

She discovered when they were left with food on their faces and were set to play in dirty T-shirts and messy, mismatched pants or diapers, she almost expected them to get into mischief and misbehave.

She frequently found fault where there was none, and she was less apt to cuddle and kiss them. She was also less tolerant and shorter-tempered.

However, when she took care to clean and dress them up, often only to the point of color-coordinated play clothes, she found she had a more positive attitude about their behavior.

With clean faces and clean noses, they prompted her to think, “Oh, aren’t they cute,” no matter what they did.  She was more apt to bestow a hug and a kiss and was also more tolerant and even-tempered.  She noticed the same reactions from visitors to the home.

“If the appearance of my children can make that much difference in my unconscious response to them,” she concluded, “it is well worth my time and attention to keep them looking extra nice.”

This is a simple case-and-effect situation, but one with a serious impact on the family and the individual.  And it’s a two-way street since your appearance can have a positive influence on the attitudes of your children and your spouse towards you.

Our mother would always say that she could read our moods, our feelings of self-worth, and our schedule for the day according to what we wore and how we fixed our hair.  She was usually right.

We can all profit by becoming more aware of those factors, which influence our behavior towards others.

Note: This article was published in the previous printed issue of The Corporate, Guide and Style for Professionals Magazine.