Couture and Credibility: How the Met Gala Impacts Mental Health

The most confidential information about the 2024 Met Gala, which will take place on the first Monday in May, is now known. A total of 250 objects, many of which have never been seen in public before, will be on display in the Costume Institute's "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2024. Before the much-awaited event, Vogue is compiling all of the information we currently know.

What theme will the 2024 Met Gala have?

The official dress code for the 2024 Met Gala is "The Garden of Time," in honour of the Costume Institute's upcoming exhibition, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion." About 250 rare objects from the Costume Institute's permanent collection will be on display. The designs, which span more than 400 years of fashion history, will feature creations by Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Dior, and other designers. Additionally, there will be displays of clothing that are too delicate to ever be worn again, like an 1877 ball gown designed by Charles Frederick Worth, through the use of light projection, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and other sensory stimulation techniques.

While MetGala shines bright with the best designers adorning celebrities from all over the world, the effects it can have on mental health on both celebrities and common individuals are less discussed, In this article I shed light on the overwhelming impact of high-end fashion and how fashion can influence mental health.

Investigating how fashion and mental health are interconnected.

Fashion and mental health are separate topics, but they can also influence each other. The way we dress can affect our mental well-being and self-esteem, while our mental health can also impact our fashion decisions. Individuals with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia often become overly focused on their appearance and conform to societal fashion norms as a means of coping or feeling in control. However, this can result in a damaging cycle of comparing oneself to others, self-criticism, and excessive spending on products and services that may not genuinely enhance mental well-being. Fashion can impact mental health by allowing individuals to express themselves. The clothes we choose to wear can convey our personality and identity to others.

When we feel good about our appearance, it can improve our self-esteem and confidence, leading to positive effects on our mental well-being. Feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable in our clothing can cause negative emotions and impact our self-esteem and well-being. The pressure to follow fashion trends and societal beauty standards can also lead to body image issues and negatively affect mental health. Mental health can impact fashion choices by affecting our motivation and energy levels. When we're feeling down, we may not have the desire to put effort into our appearance, resulting in a lack of interest in fashion or personal grooming. In addition, we may prefer comfortable clothing over stylish options as a way to hide or cover-up. Innovative products, such as clothing featuring magnetic fastenings, are important in the connection between fashion and mental well-being.

How can different styles of fashion affect mental health?

Fashion is a widely consumed form of expression that can be used as a tool to address mental health concerns, despite its sometimes superficial appearance. Fashion has the potential to address mental health issues by allowing people to express themselves and connect with others through their clothing. However, there is a lack of research on specific ways that fashion can help with mental health, although there is a belief that there is a connection between fashion and how we feel about ourselves. Fashion has been shown to have an impact on our mental well-being, as certain styles and colours can improve our mood.

This is partially because clothing is associated with specific roles. Additionally, following a consistent dressing routine has been found to help individuals avoid negative thoughts that can contribute to anxiety and depression. Fashion ultimately aims to sell clothing, and while the sincerity of its efforts to address mental health issues may be debatable, it is possible for the industry to both promote clothing sales and address important social issues. Solomon suggests that marketing campaigns promoting body positivity and self-expression in the fashion industry are ultimately aimed at selling clothing. However, he acknowledges that the industry is beginning to acknowledge that there are other consumer needs beyond using fashion as a symbol of status.

Retail Therapy: Using shopping as a mental health escape

The concept of "retail therapy" is often dismissed as an excuse for shopping, but it has genuine benefits for mental health. Making thoughtful purchases can boost confidence and improve mental well-being. However, excessive and impulsive spending should be avoided as it can be a way to avoid dealing with underlying mental health issues. Solomon believes that what you wear can greatly influence your mood and overall sense of self.

Studies indicate that fashion can influence our cognitive processes. For instance, wearing professional attire has been shown to enhance abstract thinking abilities. Additionally, specific colours have been found to assist in addressing mental health concerns. Blue is known to have an antidepressant effect, while green has been proven to alleviate anxiety. Fashion is a powerful art form that can help address mental health issues and bring more optimism and improvements to the world.

Couture and Cognitive Dissonance

The concept of "enclothed cognition" refers to how clothing can impact our mental state and performance. Wearing certain clothes, such as a lab coat or blazer, can boost productivity because of the associations they have with intelligence. This concept can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the symbolic meaning of the clothing.

For example, staying in sweatpants or pyjamas all day during the pandemic may have affected productivity due to the associations of laziness or leisure. On the other side of the spectrum is “cognitive dissonance,” a psychological phenomenon in which an action that deviates from our values ​​or beliefs results in a conflict that causes mental discomfort. To reduce discomfort, we either convince ourselves that we want to perform the action or change the action so that it is consistent with our beliefs. This phenomenon occurs daily as people change their clothes or purge their wardrobe of items that do not align with their self-confidence or the sense of self they are trying to embody. The colours we choose to wear can affect our mood. Bright colours can increase energy, while darker colours create a relaxed feel. Yellow and blue are particularly mood-boosting, as they evoke happiness and peacefulness. Wearing prints can also have a similar effect on mood.

Fashion is a commonly disregarded method of supporting mental health. It can provide a sense of anticipation and aid in fighting against depression. Difficulty with self-care, like neglecting personal hygiene and appearance, is a common symptom of depression. Taking the time to get dressed each morning may seem insignificant, but it can be a beneficial practice in combating depressive tendencies and promoting mindfulness. Coming up with an outfit allows individuals to express their creativity, boost their mood, and feel more confident in their own body. It involves making choices about how to dress, finding items that make one feel good, and using coordination and style to convey a personal story and identity.

Conclusion

Clothing allows us to express ourselves in ways that words cannot, showcasing a vibrant and humorous personality that may not be immediately apparent due to reserved natures. Ultimately, fashion is empowering and allows us to shape how others perceive us. Clothing plays a role in expressing our sense of belonging to different social or aesthetic groups. Our choice of clothing can influence how others perceive and interact with us, serving as a way to connect with like-minded individuals or distinguish ourselves from certain groups. Essentially, our clothing can act as a subtle reflection of our personality and help us navigate social interactions.

Although there are already known advantages of fashion, there is still a need for further investigation into the specific psychological and mental health benefits it can provide. In the meantime, it is recommended to wear clothing that truly reflects your identity and makes you feel like yourself. Whether it is a quirky thrift store find or a slightly unfashionable sweater, embrace what excites you and makes you feel grounded. The outcome might be unexpectedly positive.