I feel like a lot of us say we dress for ourselves, but it’s hard to ignore how much being seen influences our choices. Even simple outfits can send a message about our mood, identity, or confidence… whether we mean them to or not.
Yes could be it is a mix of that. I know one time I was dying to get in to a classy place and I would watch from a far how the girls dressed and acted to be approved by the guards and picked out. Not everyone was. Talk about a feeling of being objected. I would watch them from my corner hanging out with friends, underaged at the time.
I set my mind to it that I simply had to be let in just to see how it looked like. What was so interesting?
Time went by. I don't remember how much I prepared but anyhow one night I was ready to give it a go. The only thing it turned out working against me was a friend who liked to show off. I knew they would not let her in because of it. What happened was I was selected to get in, but she wasn't. I wouldn't do it alone. It taught me a lesson that if I want to do something, look forward to it I better chose more wisely about who gets to be by my side. I did get in, but this time with someone else who too wanted to and too understood me.
This matter with clothes can be a more complicated issue than we might at first think it is, or should be, but I guess it is that it signals, represent different things. Foremost you have to be true to yourself but too we can end up in situations where we make the choice to adapt? God, I don't know, it's complicated. I'm one of those who in general find people cute in what ever as it can give me an insight of who they are, if they are comfortable with it, what ever makes them shine is fine by me.
IT is definitely BOTH. But person to person it varies by how much we think we HAVE to look a certain way. For some events, such as weddings, funerals, graduations there is more traditional attire to fit in.
So it's according to what, when and where, too.
I don't usually say both for questions, but in this case, it's definitely both.
We dress based on how we want the world to perceive us. If you're a girl and wear a septum ring, dye your hair neon blue, give yourself a boy cut, wear tomboyish clothes, you're literally saying that you want attention and you're a rebel in society. You're saying (generally) you hate men and you're a leftist who hates Trump, etc.
If you're a girl and you wear designer clothes and designer purses, wear a shit ton of fakeup, etc, then you're trying to tell the world... "I'm bougie. I'm high maintenance. You can't afford me. You have to pay the bill on the first date or there won't be a second one. I like expensive stuff and posting pictures of myself living the high life on social media."
If you're a guy who says you don't care how you dress, then you're likely the type of guy to get a bunch of plain white tees from Walmart and some jeans, neither of which fit that well and it's really hard to make you dress up even on occasions.
If you're a guy who's always in dress shirts and dress pants no matter the day, you're usually pretty arrogant (or high confidence... however you want to see it as), you're bougie, like luxury cars, extremely competitive and think you're better than most guys, etc.
You get the point. The way you dress is making a statement to the world.
The idea that anyone "dresses for themselves" is,, in the vast overwhelming majority of cases, very simple to disprove. If you know you are staying in for the day, and on such days, you don't dress up, then you have disproven that statement. I'm sure a tiny percentage of people really do dress up even for a sick day at home, but they are the exception for sure.
It's clear that women especially dress (and do hair and makeup) for the attention of others. That almost always includes male attention, but also includes female attention. The former validates her sexual attractiveness, and the latter speaks to her social status (or her hopes to improve it).
It's not that different for the men who dress up, it's just that a lot fewer men dress up. Most men only dress up if it's appropriate for their job, and even many of those men would rather not. There definitely IS a group of men who do care about their image and enjoy dressing up, but that is the exception. And a lot of men - men who do jobs that YOU depend on every day - have jobs that dressing up would only be a hindrance to their job.
I love this topic! We often say we dress for ourselves, embracing our identity and self-expression. Still, it's undeniable that external perceptions subtly influence our choices. Outfits naturally convey messages about mood or confidence, whether intentional or not. Striking a balance between self-expression and external influence can be key to feeling true to ourselves while embracing the fun of fashion! 🌟🎉
Opinion
36Opinion
I am a guy. I dress for my own comfort. Also since I'm not wearing anything that shows off my body, it's ok. But many women chose outfits that emphasis there curves, and shows off skin. Then they try to say, "I am just dressing for myself". If so, then why go to all the work to put on all the makeup and stuff. Why not just dress for simple comfort and cover yourself? It's confusing to me. But at the end of the day it don't matter that much to me. I get a point from GAG for saying an opinion.
It more depends on the person. If someone is wearing clothes that are more comfortable they’re wearing it for themselves. If they’re wearing stylish clothes that’s obviously uncomfortable in a way it’s for themselves but it’s either to fit in or draw attention
If someone’s wearing sexually revealing clothes. It’s obvious what they’re soliciting…. That type of attention. Either to get sex…. Or to get attention that boosts their ego. Typically people doing it for the latter reason are insecure and have self image issues. So that’s how they fill that void.
Like I said, everyone’s different it’s normal to want to look good and presentable. But there is extremes. There are people who genuinely do not give a fuck what anyone thinks and they wear what’s comfortable or looks good to them…. And others who are obsessed with what people think and very obviously dress to impress.
As a guy, it's a little of both for me. Dressing well and being well groomed makes me feel good about myself. And if it gets me noticed by women, in a positive way, that's nice too.
For women, my hunch is that it's a little different. Sure they dress well to feel good about themselves. But there is also an element of dressing to impress other women in their friend group. A competitive thing. That's pretty much absent for guys. We really don't give a crap what other guys think, LOL. It never crosses our minds.
A little bit of both. I dress for how I want people to see me when I go out in public. But I dress for myself if im going out for just myself (like the gym) or staying close to home.
Another thing I like to dry my cloths outside on in the sun on a cloths line, it makes me take pride in the cloths I wear. even the not nice ones. It all feels better to me without dryer static. In that way I dress for myself always.
I don't know. I guess it's probably a combination of both, and also varies from person to person. But I don't necessarily trust it when girls say they dress only for themselves, because people don't generally admit how much they care about what other people think. And it especially doesn't make sense when they dress sexily, because sexual attraction doesn't mean much without the opposite sex, so their intention *has* to be to be attractive to the opposite sex. On the other hand, though, I don't understand why they want to be so attractive and apparently objectified when they seem to hate objectification and sexual attention from strangers.
I think for others..
If you dress up when you stay in all day it might be for you.. but if you look like shit in the house most the time but you dress up to go out, that's pretty self explanatory..
So true. I think if I was just dressing for myself I'd just walk around in my pj's. So of course dressing nice is about who sees me and how they view me. Even tho I would say I don't specifically for anyone. Lile when guys think cos you dress in clothes that show off your curves it's not - as they believe- to try get another man!
I am a man and women. in the same body and I dress for my own comfort.
I'm more comfortable when my women side cones out. and I'm in a dress.
I've always have felt that when a woman is getting ready she want to feel a certain way and wants people to look at here in that light.
I've always felt they dress for themselves but I think your right
you know people are going to be looking at you
and I guess depending what your doing or going you also have to dress accordingly
Myself for sure, I wear comfortable clothes and what I find cool, and sure I'd be happy if someone else also finds it cool but I'd wear it anyway. Other people for sure dress for others more than they admit though.
This is actually a sexist question.😏
Women mostly dress to impress others, while men dress for their own comfort.
Of course, that's a generalization that doesn't apply to every woman and man, but it's a fair generalization.
@Phoenix98 I understood that your "we" referred to both men and women. I called it sexist because the answer depends on whether one is referring to men or women, as I explained in my opinion.
I think that answer is based off individual preference. Some people, like myself, don't care what any 1 thinks, I dress how I want to dress. But there are a lot of people who dress for the sole purpose of, others approval. I don't care, I'm gunna be comfortable regardless...
For me, it's a combination of both.
I feel really great when I look nice... at the same time, I love looking classy because when I do, others treat me with respect.
I dress for mtself but! That doesn't mean I'm not thinking bout how others will see it or react.
It's kinda like any other form of art or expression.
In the winter I wear my flannel jammies as much as possible and I don't care who knows. 🤣
In the summer I help run a little farm stand so then it's my job to smile and look cute.
I like to look nice because it makes me feel happy.
It someone throws a compliment my way then that's a bonus.
I dress for comfort not to impress anyone. I personally don't care how someone may percieve me. There are people who dress to express themselves or just for comfort and some dress to impress others.
u I can't speak for other people, but I dress mostly to make a good impression on others, but also for self-confidence. Also, I am a professional and my image has some impact on the success of my practice.
I dress primarily for myself but of course I try to choose something that fits the occasion and thinking about how others might see you can be part of it.
I dress comfortably to please myself except when my wife dresses me if we go out.
Great question cherry popper! I definitely dress for the occasion. I love getting dressed up and feeling handsome and slightly sophisticated. I have a tendency to over dress but it’s not like I’m wearing a three piece Armani suit everywhere I go.
I don't care day to day beyond clean clothes that fit but the suit if definitely an opportunity to show off what with a silk tie, double cuffs, gold tie slide, silver collar stays (that no one can see), polished shoes
Ohh definitely both.
If I want attention, I'll purposely dress a certain way to get that attention.
I have to dress professionally for work, but otherwise, I dress for myself.
I definitely dress for the occasion and myself, far much for how others view me.
Well women have a thousand reasons for buying clothes! I usually went for impacting others initially, then went to what made me feel comfortable, and final form how fast can I get home and barely wear anything.
Not sure about you but this lady dresses for herself!
Others and the weather to some degree I'd say , not really for ourselves at all.
You dress for yourselves BUT you want others to notice.
for ourselves but we want others to like our choices and appearance too.
We can dress for ourselves and enjoy being seen in it too. The confidence and joy we receive when others view us how we want them to doesn't negate but reinforced that it is for ourselves
I think mostly for our selves but we hope it is well received by others.
I dress mainly for myself. Any message I send to others is normally accidental.
I dress for myself, but I can't make a comment about the others. 'Cause this varies from person to person.
For me it's me but there are a lot of people who care too much about their appearance
Probably a bit more for others than ourselves.
I dress for myself I just dress in what I like.
I like to look nice but mostly I dress for myself. I like to be comfortable.
We dress for others, for how others perceive us..
Anyone who says they dress/put makeup for themselves is lying
It's a community thing and women are hardwired with the NEED to be included.
Social rejection for a woman is a death sentence. Therefore everything women do is to gain the approval of the society around them.
When meeting clients I dress up. Otherwise I dress how I want.
I think Women dress for themselves mostly, but also like when Men compliment them,
Women dress mainly for other women, or for men if they're interested in being a man.
Mostly myself, though I don't want to be perceived as a rapper in my attire.
I dress to look good and advertise who i am for easier conversations
Both. When at home, it's for ourselves. When going out in public, it's mostly about how we're perceived.
Women are said to dress for other women, but I have often found that hard to believe!
Dress for yourself; undress for others.
I dress for myself. How about you?
Honestly? Both. I dress for myself first, but I’d be lying if I said perception never crosses my mind depending on the occasion.
But when I leave the house I make sure I feel like myself in whatever outfit I chose to wear. And then if others like it, that’s just a nice side bonus haha
You're right 😊
I dress for function and the weather.
Possibly both depending on the situation!
Half and half
It's both for me.
Both actually
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