Every day, college students across the U.S. stand in front of their closets, trying to decide what to wear. Whether it\u2019s blue jeans, a floral skirt or even comfortable pajama pants, the wardrobe of college students can take on many forms. For exam day, however, they might want to toss the pajamas aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To Keira Plotner, a freshman at UW-Madison and fashion designer at The Vault<\/a>, a student-run fashion organization focused on changing the narrow perception of the fashion industry, personal style plays a large part in college life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat you wear is the first thing someone notices,\u201d Plotner said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t like what you\u2019re wearing, you\u2019re not going to be confident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many students, fashion is the least of their worries, but Plotner’s belief aligns with new research, which indicates that putting together an outfit every morning could influence behavior. This concept, known as enclothed cogniti<\/a>on, refers to the idea that clothing choices can have an effect on someone\u2019s academic or athletic performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plotner has become familiar with enclothed cognition through her experience in running track, where mindset is crucial to maintaining a strong pace and stride. From an athletic standpoint, she believes clothing type can directly influence a person\u2019s performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt definitely goes hand-in-hand with sports,\u201d Plotner said. \u201cIf you are wearing a uniform you really like, and you did your hair and your makeup and you’re feeling good, then subconsciously, you are going to perform well too.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Apart from individual perception, style choices can also reflect mental well-being<\/a>, depending on the colors someone chooses or the way their clothing fits. Oftentimes, the right outfit can help reconnect people to their identity. To Plotner, style is closely associated with someone\u2019s sense of self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour clothing shows a lot about you,\u201d Plotner said. \u201cIt really shows people what you will do and who you will become.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, social perception related to clothes and self-expression can be intimidating, especially on college campuses, where students are actively forming identities and finding their own style. Although this is a transformative period for many, it also comes with challenges around social conformity and appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n