What Do You Have in Common With an Influencer & A Therapist? A Comfort Outfit
When fall weather rolls around, I dress for the occasion. I dutifully obey the forecast, pulling on my baggy Tibi jeans and layering a gray Sézane knit over a white T-shirt—my outfit formula probably won’t change until April. The initial excitement I feel to be wearing my cozy clothes fades into an era of boring outfit repetition. My look has a name: a comfort outfit.
I gravitate towards this jeans and sweater combo when I don’t feel like I’m on my A-game physically or mentally. As someone who works in fashion, I usually derive pleasure from pulling every piece of clothing in my closet off the hanger to create new outfits. But when I’m in a funk, that process can seem exhausting, and the mounting pile of clothes in the corner of my bedroom only serves as another abandoned task on my daunting to-do list.
With that in mind, I’m pleased to discover that my tendency to repeat outfits could actually have a positive impact on my mental health. “By repeating outfits, you remove the chances of choice-induced stress, i.e. trying to decide what the heck to wear,” explains Dr. Dion Terrelonge, PsyD, a fashion psychologist and sustainability advocate.
Fashion creators are essentially professionals at getting dressed, and that includes styling “off days” too. Cole Habersham (IG @cashmeretote) is a writer and creator who has seamlessly brought elements of comfort dressing into his everyday wardrobe choices. And he does so by tapping into the familiarity of his upbringing.
“I’ve been wearing blazers since my church days growing up,” he says. “Years later, blazers became part of my ‘uniform’ as a men’s stylist at J.Crew in college. And now, they’re perhaps the most recognizable part of my personal style. Sometimes I think I’m drawn to them because it reminds me of my childhood. When I have a blazer on, I feel like everything is right in my world.”
By revisiting formative basics, you’re able to “free up cognitive space to focus on other matters and you’re guaranteed to feel at ease with your style presentation that day because it’s familiar and you know it works for you,” says Dr. Terrelonge. In other words, your most basic outfit can have the biggest mental health benefit.
While “comfort dressing” might seem like something made up for a fashion story, licensed clinical social worker Olivia Decas, LCSW, says the phenomenon comes up a lot with her therapy clients. “In my remote sessions, clients usually wear comfy clothes like sweatshirts, T-shirts or cozy sweaters,” she explains. “It’s important to feel physically at ease, as our sessions are a place to explore parts of ourselves that might feel emotionally challenging.”
I get it: I once found myself excusing my Zoom therapy outfit (usually a sweatshirt) to my therapist, insisting that, “I don’t usually dress like this”—but in the context of that relationship, I do usually dress like that.
And so might your therapist. If you notice them wearing the same thing session after session, the choice may be intentional, even if it’s on a subconscious level. “Staying consistent in my appearance helps the therapeutic relationship develop naturally without any outside influences or biases,” Decas says. “It creates a comfortable and predictable environment for the client, allowing for a genuine connection to form.”
For lifestyle influencer Carly Weinstein (IG @carly_weinstein,) there’s safety in the color black. “If I’m having an off day or season, I tend to gravitate towards more cozy and oversized outfits,” she says. “When I don’t feel like planning an outfit or just need to throw something on, black leggings and a black sweater with sneakers or boots is always an easy way to appear put together, even when I’m not totally feeling that way.”
Like Weinstein’s affinity for the color black, the formula behind my jeans and sweater ensemble eliminates the mental strain I sometimes feel when getting ready—and the outfit combination is equal parts physically and emotionally effective. I look “dressed” enough to attend a work event or meet friends out for dinner, I feel confident and comfortable, and with the right accessories, I can even pull off the intentionally minimalistic vibe that I so often admire from brands like Khaite or The Row.
Disclaimer: I don’t own a single item by Khaite or The Row, but it turns out, it doesn’t really matter. According to Dr. Terrelonge, the term “enclothed cognition” may explain the mood boost I feel when I use gloomy weather as an excuse to lean into a more mysterious quiet-luxury-inspired persona, one who vibes like her closet’s brimming with The Row.
“When we wear an outfit or color that we associate with a certain behavior, personality type, profession or even person, we can sometimes embody (or take on) those associated feelings or behaviors,” Dr. Terrelong says. “For example, if we wear an outfit that reminds us of Rihanna’s style, we might find ourselves embodying her traits of confidence, sensuality, and fearlessness—but only if that is your view of Rihanna.”
Using enclothed cognition, Edward Park (IG @theedwardpark), a product manager and content creator, treats fashion as a mode of personal armor. “I wear outfits more as a costume in a way to distract me from my current headspace,” he says. “Lately, I’ve been wearing this pair of black pleated pants I got tailored to my waist and inseam, with a blazer that’s cut perfectly around my shoulders and waist. I feel so sharp. I use fashion to challenge my own perception of myself, validate things I’m confident about, and find new things about myself to love.”
It’s one example why a comfort outfit doesn’t have to be simple and cozy. During the pandemic, “dopamine dressing” took over TikTok (the hashtag has over 170 million views). The idea is that bright, bold wardrobe choices could—in theory, okay?—trigger a boost of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that acts as a “reward center” in the brain. The result? An influx of Barbie pink, bow detailing, ‘70s-inspired patterns, and metallic accents.
Chanel McKinsie (IG @chanelmckinsie), a New York City-based stylist and creator, has built her career around her keen eye for curating a luxurious aesthetic—but the image you see scrolling through her feed isn’t always indicative of the behind-the-scenes reality.
“I’ve struggled with severe depression for the last seven years and every day is a challenge for me, especially when my job requires me to be and look my best at all times,” McKinsie says. “While I believe it’s important to find balance and allow myself time to just embrace how I’m feeling, depression doesn’t pay the bills.”
“I can be an entirely new person by putting on ballet flats and adding a couple of pink satin ribbons to my hair,” she continues.
If your usual comfort outfit doesn’t seem to be doing its job, try incorporating yellow or green tones into your look (both colors also happen to be on the 2024 color trend forecast). According to Dr. Terrelonge, yellow is associated with new life, hope, and freshness, while green can make you feel balanced, grounded, and calm. (You’ll find green among the colors, patterns, and textures that our friends over at Mental call “cortisol crushing,” for their proven ability to reduce stress.)
“My advice for those who feel lifted by color is to not let go of color as we head into colder months, to not fall for the false belief that bright colors are only for summer,” Dr. Terrelonge says. “There are a few colors that have been found to be associated with positive emotions more often than not and are more likely to inspire joy.” (Another way to incorporate color if a large swath of it across your body feels overwhelming? Makeup, baby!)
Once you have your look picked out, it’s important to take it for at least one walk around the block, even when the weather tempts you to stay indoors. Legit, taking time for a walk is one of the most important habits for improving your mental health. “Whether before, during, or after your work day, it is important for your nervous system to feel the sun and get fresh air,” Decas says. “When I go for walks, I like to intentionally consume my surroundings. Take note of the colors you see, the things you hear, and the way your body feels in the movement. This is a way to feel more connected to yourself and grounded in your surroundings.”
Most likely, you’ll return feeling refreshed—and you may have even stumbled upon ideas to incorporate into a new comfort outfit. (Who’s got better inspo than Mother Nature?) But before you head outside, keep reading for comfort outfit inspiration, validation, and thoughts from six other fashion influencers and creators.
Name: Sarah Cuervo
Age: 23
Occupation: Content Creator / Freelance Consultant
“I have so many uniforms on rotation that I consider comfort outfits, but during my recent [mental] re-sets I’ve been gravitating towards my AGOLDE low-slung jeans, white cropped tee from Aritzia, an oversized burgundy bomber from House of Sunny, and my platform Adidas Gazelles. OMG—and a slick back bun (the bun is incredibly crucial to feeling put together and my best). Honestly, the jeans and tee combo has been in my life circa 2012. Although I’m not the biggest fan of how my 12-year-old self styled it back then, I feel like my 2023 self finally discovered clothing that hugs my body and curves in all the right places.”
Name: Sierra Mayhew
Age: 26
Occupation: Associate Editor at Who What Wear
“Usually, my first reaction when I’m having an off-day (which usually lasts a week) is to crawl up into a ball of sweats and pajama sets and avoid camera opps. I tend to gravitate towards things that feel like a warm hug whether that’s a big bowl of pasta or my current favorite sweatsuit from Sporty & Rich. Part of my job involves getting dressed up in very chic ensembles on a daily basis, and when I’m forced to do that during an off day, I usually don’t feel as confident in my look. I find myself questioning if the trend that I’m wearing is ‘cheugy’ or not hitting my curves quite right. When I’m ready to snap out of my sweatpants marathon, my first reach is for either a mini skirt or a little black dress. I need to get my confidence back and nothing is easier than these two style staples that have never steered me wrong.”
Name: Brooke Miccio
Age: 26
Occupation: Content Creator / Podcaster
“Style and body confidence go hand-in-hand for me. A go-to comfort outfit for me is a simple dress and comfortable shoes! I love a dress because it’s one piece (doesn’t require much thought or matching), and yet I still feel feminine. I feel the most ‘me’ when I am in these pieces, and I get to highlight parts of my body (mostly my legs) that I feel the most confident with! I wear my comfort outfit at least three times a week.”
Name: Alexis Barber
Age: 24
Occupation: Founder of Too Collective & Wharton MBA Student
“To feel my best, I am always in a robe. As someone who always struggled with society’s pressures to be ‘enough’ but not ‘too much,’ I find that a robe feels the most luxurious and vulnerable – it signifies being one with yourself and connected to myself in the best way. My Too Cozy bathrobe always helps me feel grounded and safe and like a beacon of self-care and restoration whenever I wear it.”
Name: Sarah Prisca Kouadio
Age: 26
Occupation: Fashion Content Creator
“My personal style is heavily influenced by self-image and perception. I could have a really nice outfit, but if I’m not feeling confident or beautiful, everything feels off. [My comfort outfit] is my Skims knit pants, zip hoodie, and wrap top. When I first got it, I wore it for five days straight; and I’m a girl who will change her outfit, even if I am in loungewear, multiple times a day. I got it during month one at my first ‘big girl job.’ Perfect timing.”
Name: Raeann Langas
Age: 30
Occupation: Content Creator
“I know if I like my outfit I am going to feel better about myself. I try to make sure to take time to put myself together even if I am having an off day. My comfort outfit is a mini skirt (preferably a skort), knee-high boots, and an oversized jacket. I just know that I am going to feel sexy and confident in this look. It’s a foolproof option for me to know I am going to feel good about myself when I walk out the door. I started wearing this in high school when I was obsessed with Gossip Girl and Serena Van Der Woodsen’s style. I wear this at least one or two times a week in some variation!”
![‘American Idol’s’ Platinum Ticket Trio: Watch Abi Carter, Odell Bunton Jr. and Julia Gagnon sing ‘California Dreamin’ [Full Performance]](https://www.goldderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/platinum-ticket-trio.jpg?resize=232,175)
