Can functional fashion actually make us fit? Or at least make us, ‘think’ we’re fit.

Maybe.

The introduction of the term  “Enclothed cognition” describes the systematic influence, that clothes can have on the wearer’s psychological processes.

It is an extension of the concept,  ‘Embodied cognition’, which explains that the relationship between the mind and the body works both ways.

Our thought processes are based on physical experiences that set off associated abstract concepts, including the clothes we wear.

The clothes we wear can directly influence how we feel and even our behaviour. To the point where it can enhance our psychological state and, can improve our performance on tasks and during training.

Anecdotal findings, suggest that different pieces or styles of clothing can change how we perceive the world. For example, people who donned white lab coats, were able to better perform attention related tasks than those who wore regular clothes.

Likewise, when we put on formal clothes, we tend to feel more powerful and that in turn changes the basic way we see the world.

It has been scientifically proven that the clothing we wear affects our psychological state, as well as our performance levels.

What we wear, can also directly influence how other people perceive us as well as how we think about ourselves. Our clothing, therefore has a strong link to our cognitive processes.

This psychological phenomenon “Enclothed cognition,” has become more common than not these days. High end fitness clothing or that which is perceived to increase performance, can trigger mental changes that do positively affect one’s performance.

It is all about the symbolic meaning that you associate with particular items of clothing. When we wear athletic gear, our natural cognitive thought tells us, to be ‘active’, which makes us more likely to then go to the gym.

Let me ask you this.

What are you wearing right now? And How does it make you feel?

See, once we start to realise the impact, these finer details can have on our cognitive thought, we begin to develop a better mind and muscle connection.

As individuals, we are in control of our own power and thoughts. It’s about assessing  where we are at that current moment, what we’re doing, and how we feel.

By doing this, we can start to use the enclothed cognition concept to our own benefit.

Try mindfully incorporating the enclothed cognition concept,  to intentionally shape your subjective psychological experience and performance each day.

Here’s one way to go about it: Upon waking up in the morning, take a moment to check-in with yourself and ask, “How do I want to perform today?”

What article of clothing makes me feel strong, or makes me feel I can perform better?

Once you’ve identified the article(s) of clothing that symbolizes the desired psychological state, you can actively determine how you will feel or perform that day.