Enhancing Personal Development through Creative Exploration with Clothing
Authors:   , James Wilynda , Nicholas Diana S. , Dion Genevieve 
Published: July 2022

The clothing choices we make are very significant. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are making a statement; one that should be the most authentic visual representation of the individual's true nature adorned. When thinking about clothes, how often does one consider personal style as a contribution to personal development? How does one become motivated to examine the significance of clothing beyond the scope of fashion? Has the importance of quality and function been too minimized by what is trending? Finally, why do we wear uncomfortable garments just stay current, or hide wearing something we love to avoid ridicule? Trends, forecasting methods, and even advice from peer groups are useful references that can help the consumer execute informed decisions; however, the individual can lose autonomy if those influences are more persuasive than personal judgment. Since the advent of contemporary style making, creative expression with clothing has been meaningful to many individuals. Through experimentation, one can self-analyze by expressing latent proclivities toward specific styles of apparel. Routine experimentation can cultivate a distinctive identity and enhance emotional growth. The ability to harness creative energy to foster emotional growth often enhances self-efficacy; this enables the individual to reason independently regarding what he or she should wear. This research seeks to reveal how an individual can rely less on fashion and evolve into a thoughtful style-maker. Research shows that an unhealthy dependency on fashion and peer influence does not encourage self-discovery. We should be thinking introspectively about what we place on our bodies. It would be constructive to also consider, as apparel consumers, the impact that our clothing purchases have on the global environment. Through user-centered and qualitative research, this project proposes a framework to get people to think about clothing outside the context of fashion. Using this framework, fashion-forward and less aware dressers can become more informed in terms of how to develop personal style. Hypothesis: An individual can enhance personal development through creative experimentation with clothing. Research Questions 1. How can we become motivated to consider personal style as a way to enhance personal development? 2. How do we become less affected by the influence of fashion? 3. How do we become less affected by the influence of the peer group? References Drigas, Athanasios S., and Chara Papoutsi. "A New Layered Model on Emotional Intelligence." Behavioral Sciences; Basel 8, no. 5 (2018): 45. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/10.3390/bs8050045. Kaiser, Susan B., Richard H. Nagasawa, and Sandra S. Hutton. "Fashion, Postmodernity and Personal Appearance: A Symbolic Interactionist Formulation." Symbolic Interaction 14, no. 2 (1991): 165-85. https://doi.org/10.1525/si.1991.14.2.165. Banister, Emma N., and Margaret K. Hogg. "Negative Symbolic Consumption and Consumers' Drive for Self-esteem: The Case of the Fashion Industry." European Journal of Marketing 38, no. 7 (January 1, 2004): 850-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560410539285.