How and why do we choose the clothes we live in? To fit into our surroundings at work? To stand out socially, or not? To identify with a certain group? Or for purely practical purposes, in which case, why do we gravitate towards certain styles and fabrics? And why should we care?
Take decorating. We chose old clothes to carry out messy decorating or diy jobs, then live in those clothes each weekend, somethings for weekends on end. It makes practical sense, but what about how it makes us 'feel' about those jobs? Wearing our weekend uniform that we can't wait to change out of, does not get us in the mood for starting the job in the first place.
I had this pair of baggy, horrible trousers for painting, I could get as much paint over them and it didn't matter. What I didn't notice was I wore those awful trousers more than any other item of clothing in my wardrobe and every photo had me in them. Then I had an 'oh, sod it' moment and put on an OK pair of stretchy jeans, got paint over them and never looked back. It made painting 'feel' better, I enjoyed it more.
I like to think of it as, how much personal permission do we give ourselves to chose clothes that make us feel good? Are we worried we'll be judged? Are we allowed to indulge ourselves and do as we please? It's a purely personal thing. But it's certainly an interesting thought and only one, we alone can answer.
That’s such an interesting question. I had the same experience with gardening clothes, wearing dreadful ageing old threads. I’m sure it made it more of a chore. One day I intentionally changed it up and put on something I actually liked, something that I felt attractive in. The difference it made was extraordinary- I enjoyed myself more. I do the same with the gym now, choosing brighter shades (truly ‘sodding it’ and embracing the experience of moving my body and not caring who sees what)