For many men, discussing mental wellbeing remains a challenge – with 40% admitting they’ve never opened up about the topic.
While there are countless ways a man can improve their mental health, fashion might not be the first thing that comes to mind — but it can actually be a surprisingly powerful tool.
To mark World Mental Health Day on October 10th, the team at Slater Menswear has teamed up with licensed psychologist Dr Eloise Allexia, to reveal how immersing in fashion can make a man feel good.
The full onsite commentary can be viewed here: https://www.slaters.co.uk/style-inspiration/style-guides/style-and-mental-wellbeing
What are the ways in which fashion can enhance your sense of wellbeing?
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Increased Confidence
The way you dress can have a deep impact on your self-esteem. When you take the time to choose clothes that fit well, complement your physique, and suit your style, this can transform how you feel about yourself.
For example, wearing well-tailored clothes can help you feel more polished and capable, whether you’re heading into a work presentation or a social event. Even making subtle adjustments to your outfit, like pairing a well-fitting jacket with a freshly ironed shirt, can make a considerable difference in how you perceive yourself and how you’re perceived by others.
Psychologist Eloise Allexia highlights this connection, “Fashion can make a man feel confident with his appearance, which can translate to increased confidence in personal, social and professional settings.”
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Deepened Sense of Self
Clothes are a powerful tool for self-expression, helping you communicate who you are without saying a word. You can choose styles that represent your personal identity, creating a visual representation of your values and personality. This can help strengthen your sense of self, making you feel more secure in your everyday activities.
As Eloise notes, “Fashion can make a man feel more connected to his personal sense of style, which helps to strengthen a connection to identity, values and image. This can result in a stronger sense of self, which can enable a man to feel more integrated, secure and intentional in life.”
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Stronger Sense of Belonging and Community
Around 25% of men in the UK report feeling lonely, and if you’re one of them, fashion can be a great way to help you feel connected to others. Whether it’s bonding over specific trends or dressing in a way that reflects your shared values, your clothes can act as a bridge to feeling part of a group or community.
For example, wearing the colours of your favourite sports team can make it easy to find others who share the same interests. This can reinforce your identity within that community, enhancing your mental wellbeing by providing a sense of social connection.
As Eloise explains: “Fashion can help a man feel part of a group or community, especially where the fashion choices represent a particular preference, group or trend.”
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Clearer Personal Values
For many men, the clothes they wear reflect important beliefs, such as a commitment to sustainability, ethical fashion consumption, or even religion. When your fashion style aligns with your personal values, this can create a deeper sense of identity, resulting in higher self-esteem and greater day-to-day confidence.
An example of this could be wearing eco-friendly materials, such as 100% cotton, or clothing made from sustainable brands. This can signal your commitment to environmentalism. Similarly, supporting inclusive fashion brands that promote diversity can help you demonstrate your beliefs while looking good.
Eloise states, “Fashion can help a man identify his own personal values, especially if the fashion choices represent values such as sustainability, inclusion, diversity, or similar values-based themes.”
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Sense of Pride
When you put thought into the clothes that you plan to wear each day, you’re also taking pride in how you present yourself to the world, which naturally boosts self-esteem and helps you feel more in control of your appearance.
This sense of pride doesn’t necessarily come from following trends and wearing what conventionally ‘looks good’ — it comes from making choices that reflect your personality and what matters to you.
As Eloise puts it, “Where a fashion choice is made with intention and integrity, men can feel a sense of pride in the way they dress, allowing them to deepen their sense of self-esteem, connect with a personal sense of meaning and purpose, and feel as though their choices reflect an important aspect of their character.”
