What to wear to work? It’s an age-old question that never seems to get any easier to answer. A skirt suit? A business-casual dress? A pair of smart trousers and a nice top? 

Most of us focus on two things when we pick out an outfit for a day at the office: is it appropriate and does it look good? Of course, what we think is appropriate and attractive doesn’t always come across that way to other people (we all remember that scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Meryl Streep schools Anne Hathaway on the historical meaning of her lumpy cerulean jumper). 

But even if our colleagues aren’t scrutinising our fashion choices with the same detail as the editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, subconsciously, what we wear does have a psychological impact – on ourselves as well as the people we work with.

So what if we’re thinking about workwear all wrong? What if we stopped focusing on ‘appropriate’ and ‘stylish’ outfits and instead paid some attention to the psychology behind our fashion choices? Could we then find a way to use our style to have a tangible, positive impact on not only how we look at work, but also how we actually perform? 

In other words, can understanding the psychology of fashion help us achieve success at work?

We spoke to a few fashion experts to bring you a guide to dressing for work that isn’t just about the latest trends, but is also about the psychology behind your fashion choices.

Have we got office wear all wrong?

For many of us, deciding what to wear to work can lead to a mini existential crisis. 

“Dressing for work is a tricky challenge as there are endless considerations for getting it right,” explains Janie Morgan Wood, fashion designer and founder of sustainable fashion brand Frock Tales. “Too often we dress in what we perceive to be acceptable for our job role rather than challenging the stereotypical style, mainly because we wish to ‘fit in’ and be accepted within the culture of the organisation.”

Our focus on fitting into the office, she says, can mean we lose ourselves in the process.

For women, there is also a long history of fashion ‘rules’ at the office – and although many of those rules no longer exist, we can still find ourselves overly influenced by them.

“Although most workplaces don’t require all women to stuff their feet into high heels and skintight pencil skirts anymore, we still want to look put-together and professional and can often spend a lot of time wondering, ‘Are jeans too casual? Is a suit too formal?’” says Megan Watkins, head stylist at SilkFred. “Over the last couple of years, the lines of what is appropriate for the office has blurred, which is why it’s often hard to nail down your personal workwear style and get ready for work in the morning.”

The surprising link between style and psychology

Right now, many of us are naturally turning to bright colours in a trend known as dopamine dressing. According to Watkins, this is an example of a psychologically-driven trend that has gained popularity because bright colours can make us feel happier.

“Last year, we were all about dopamine dressing – using bright colours to brighten your mood – and this year has been no different. Just look at Barbiecore,” she says. 

Numerous studies back up Watkins’ theory, with research showing that what we wear (and what we see others wearing) can have a direct impact on us on a psychological level. One 2012 study from researchers at Northwestern University dubbed this “enclothed cognition”. The study found that dressing in symbolic clothing can affect our mindset: for instance, wearing a lab coat made people more productive and attentive. 

Another study showed that people who wear less formal clothes are perceived as less intelligent. A third found that women who wore more ‘masculine’ styles to job interviews were more likely to be hired. One researcher from the University of Hertfordshire found that clothes we associate with power could not only make us feel more confident, but could also help us perform better.

“Studies have shown us that clothes can have a direct effect on our mood, and this extends to the workplace, too,” Watkins says. “If you put on a killer outfit in the morning, you feel more confident and you’re in a better, more positive mood which can lead to better results at work.”

She adds: “I would even suggest planning a great outfit when you’ve got an extra busy or stressful day ahead, as it can ease that stress and give you the confidence that you may need.”

What to wear to work

Evidently, what we wear can have a big impact on how we feel, how we are perceived and even how we perform. So perhaps we should be a little more conscientious when picking out our work clothes.

Here are a few tips on using psychology to dress for work:

Start with what feels good

“The question ‘how will I feel in this outfit?’ is really important,” Wood says. “Try not to focus on what you look like, as most of us have aspects about our bodies that we would like to change if we could – focus on the positive. If we feel comfortable and are wearing fabrics we like against our skin, we will feel more relaxed.”

Experiment with bold colour

“People often go for classic colours such as black, navy or dark grey when it comes to job interviews, and these are classics for a reason,” says Watkins. “However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, I would suggest adding a statement accessory, such as a brightly coloured bag, tie or shoe. These small flairs can help make an impression and make your interview unique.”

She adds: “If you have a big meeting or presentation, I would pick a favourite colour or a colour that makes you feel more happy or confident.”

Wood adds that dressing in colours that suit your colouring and personality is a great way to gain some confidence.

“You may even consider the psychology of colour,” she adds. “Navy suggests trust and stability, evoking feelings of reassurance and tradition, and darkest blue signifies power and responsibility. Brown is related to warmth, security and emotions associated with the natural world. Consider the effect of the colour on those around you and your work setting.”

Don’t feel hemmed in by trends

“Of course, workwear doesn’t have to be the height of fashion and you shouldn’t feel pressure to dress ‘on-trend’ for the office,” Watkins says. “Classic items like white shirts, black blazers and tailored trousers will work well in most office settings and are relatively easy to adhere to your personal style.”

That being said, you shouldn’t feel pressured not to adhere to trends, either.

“If you’re one of those people that loves new trends and trying out different styles, then you shouldn’t dull yourself for the office,” she says. “To feel fully confident at work, you don’t want to feel like you’re dimming your shine or trying to be someone you’re not. If trend-led dressing isn’t for you, then don’t worry too much about it and stick to the basics. However, if trends make you happy and you want to show them off, then you should.”

Build your wardrobe around your style preferences

Wood suggests beginning with three questions:

• Do I prefer, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits or trousers?
• Which colours make me feel good?
• How will I feel if I wear this?

“Once you have established your garment preferences, build your wardrobe around them,” she says. “You may already have some favourite pieces; pull these from your wardrobe and look at what works together using this selection as a basis.” 

Wood also recommends looking at what you own that you tend not to wear. Ask yourself why. It is likely that you have other items in your wardrobe that have never seen the light of day. “What is it that you dislike? This will help you understand what to steer clear of in the future,” she says.

Ultimately, it’s worth remembering that dressing for work shouldn’t be a chore, it should be fun – it should be an opportunity to express yourself and become the version of yourself you always imagined you would be at the office. 

Images: Getty