CAN the clothes we wear have an influence on how we see our ourselves and, how we behave?
Two researchers, Adam Galinksy and Hajo Adam, set out to understand how people might make this connection. Labelling it enclothed cognition, the process explained in its simplest form occurs when a person wears, sees and feels on their skin and also understands the meaning society has given it. When the combination of these factors are present, it is more likely that clothing will influence self-perception and behaviour.
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WHITE laboratory coats. Generally known as being worn by doctors and scientists, the clothing item was shown to participants. Attentiveness and carefulness were associated with this garment. From this, the researchers predicted that a when a participant wore the coat, they would see an increased performance with attention-related tasks. So what happened?
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EXPERIMENT one found that physically wearing a lab coat increased sustained attention compared to not wearing a lab coat. Next, when described as a doctor’s coat, there was increased sustained attention compared to when described as a painter’s coat. The third experiment showed that when described as a doctor’s lab coat, wearing it increased sustained attention compared to when just seeing or identifying it being worn by a doctor. So what does this mean?
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PHYSICAL experiences such as wearing the clothing, seeing and feeing it on your skin can trigger associated meanings society has given it. Galinsky and Hajo suggested that because of the symbolic meaning, it exerts influence on the way the wearer thinks and acts.
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RAVENCLAN’s inclusion of Y-back, button style suspenders in its accessories range is in line with fashion’s revival of iconic items from bygone eras. Originating from 18th Century, suspenders were designed to hold up men's high-waisted trousers. That trend faded until the 1960’s when, they were reintroduced as a pairing with tight jeans that didn't need any ‘holding up’. This reflecting that the history of suspenders has evolved as a symbol of necessity to personal expression.
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“EXPRESSION of an inner cool” is symbolic of RaVenClan’s suspenders range. “ I think they’re edgy whether in the professional context or amongst the bohemian poets and writers” says designer Sanesh Prasad. “I feel hipster guys tend to combine amazingly well the beauty of vintage fashion with modern edgy pieces to create a look that extends beyond traditional fashion boundaries”. With a 3.5 cm width, the suspenders have been intentionally designed to “take an ordinary shirt/pants outfit and turn it into funky and unique without going over the top” says Prasad.
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WITH the present offerings of deep pink, blue with a white strip there is also experimenting underway with a camel/burnt orange colour palette suspender range. It is clear that RaVenClan is dedicated to creating an accessory that when, seen and worn by its’ clients, it synchronises with projecting the versatile and ‘inner cool’ thinking and mannerisms that is synonymous with the hipster scene.
