With the increase in prices.. this is how psychology helps you to build an economical winter wardrobe

In light of the continuous rise in prices and successive economic crises, following fashion and buying new clothes has become an additional burden on the shoulders of many.

And if you are one of those who pay great attention to their elegance, then the matter may pose a great challenge to you in these circumstances, especially in the winter season, as winter clothes in particular are known for their high prices.

Perhaps this is the time, then, to rethink your clothing purchases and consciously build your stylish winter wardrobe, without having to spend a huge fortune.

Choosing the right clothes is a more complicated issue than it seems at first glance, as our clothes are not just pieces of fabric and threads that wrap around our bodies softly, but are in essence an expression of our personalities and identity, and while changing fashion trends surround us from every side, our choices are in the end. Affected by many pressures and external factors as well.

The psychology of fashion.. Towards a deeper understanding of our relationship with clothes

Clothes allow us to express ourselves, our personalities, our social status or our moods, and sometimes also our intellectual and religious value system.

On the other hand, it is one of the most important ways we present ourselves to the world, and we can never ignore its impact on how others view us, as it is an important way of people interacting with each other.

From the heart of these interactions emerged what is known as "fashion psychology", which is considered one of the relatively recent branches of applied psychology, and aims to understand and analyze the behaviors of individuals and specialists in the sectors of the fashion industry and their practices related to the fashion and fashion sector in a deeper way, in addition to finding tools that help To develop the fashion sector, whether at the level of individuals or at the level of business models.

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In her book, The Psychology of Fashion, Meer discusses fashion from several angles, including the influence of clothing on our view of the world and the way others see us.

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One of the most important pioneers in this field is Caroline Meyer, having founded the Department of Fashion Psychology at University of the Arts, College London.

In her book "The Psychology of Fashion", Mir discusses fashion from several angles, including the impact of clothing on our view of the world and the way others see us, and how owning high-quality pieces of clothing can enhance our sense of self-confidence, which is what It thus affects the way we interact with others.

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On the other hand, the book deals with the negative effects that result from the false ideal image presented by the fashion industry on concepts of beauty, and its role in reducing people's satisfaction with themselves, and pushing them to spend more money, effort and time to reach an ideal image that is far from reality.

In exchange, Mir advocates for practical fashion solutions that represent all identities, ethnicities, body shapes and skin colours.

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How do you build a conscious winter wardrobe?

So how can the psychology of fashion help you build a good winter wardrobe?

The main principle here is to choose pieces of clothing that are sustainable, meaning that they can be used for a long time and in different styles.

According to Kevin Dooley, professor of supply chain management at Arizona State University, there are two factors that govern the continuity and sustainability of clothing.

As for the second factor, it is the emotional continuity of the piece of clothing, and this relates to your relationship with the piece of clothing and your feeling towards it, and its suitability for the various changing fashion trends, which means choosing a piece that you really want to use.

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Now let's start with choosing a coat or jacket. In the cold winter seasons, the coat becomes your first shield in the face of cold and rain. There are many types of coats, whether those made of wool or heavy broadcloth, leather coats and those made of fur, and puffy coats made of resistant materials. For water, long and short.

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These differences may confuse you, but if you can only afford one coat, you need to think deeply about the nature of your life, and the nature of the activities that you engage in in your day.

Make sure of the material of the fabric, your body needs a fabric that helps retain heat and at the same time keeps the body dry (if it rains), and natural wool comes on top of the materials suitable for this purpose, especially merino wool.

But if you do many outdoor activities, the puffed coat can also be a good choice, as the outer fabric is usually made of synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon, and is usually water-resistant, while the inner layer or filling is made of lightweight heat-insulating materials, which is What provides a measure of heating depends on the type of this layer and the weight of the coat.

These coats are also characterized by being cheaper than their counterparts made of wool, and are available in many colors and models suitable for various occasions, but remember when trying on the coat before buying, do not do so while wearing light clothes, but wear thick clothes to make sure that the size is suitable for you.

Another advice is to always wear thick socks, body warmth starts from the feet, and it is especially possible to wear long socks "Tights", especially those lined or made of wool or thermal fabrics, it will help to retain warmth, and provide the possibility of wearing various dresses and skirts, where there are Long socks of various colors and shapes.

Find the right materials

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What do you think about owning pieces of handmade knitted or crocheted clothes, where you can choose the colors, the materials of the threads, and the shape of the stitches as well?

If you are good at one of the two hobbies, congratulations, or you can search for someone who makes this type of clothing.

This will enable you to choose a sustainable piece of clothing that is made especially for you, and on the other hand, it will support small businesses that are usually established by individuals instead of supporting large companies.

You should also search for natural and valuable fibers, avoid buying synthetic fabrics such as viscose and acrylic as much as possible, and focus on clothes made from natural fabrics such as wool and cashmere.

On the one hand, the average life of these pieces is longer, and on the other hand, their harm to the environment is less, as they are all biodegradable.

We may think that natural fabrics are more expensive, and in a way that's true, but we can still save a lot of money when buying second-hand clothes.

Perhaps this culture is not widespread enough, but according to Shelley A.

Cohan, a retail industry expert and adjunct professor at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University in New York, has seen sales of second-hand clothes rise exponentially over the past few years, which has been noticed by several major fashion brands that have decided to expand into this range.

For example, major brands such as "Levis" and "H&M" encourage their customers to return their used clothes to stores, where they can be repaired, cleaned and sold again, giving them a new life.

Today, “thrift stores” specializing in second-hand clothes are spread in many countries. You can search for the nearest one to you.

In some countries, there are entire markets specialized in selling used clothes, such as the Wekalat Al-Balah region in Egypt, and even in the Gulf countries this trend is witnessing a growing trend, especially among the new generations, and countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have begun to witness markets for selling used clothes, whether on the ground or through Internet.

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thermal underwear

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Thermal underwear is also a good choice in winter, and is usually available in the form of a two-piece set.

A heavy-sleeved shirt and pants, both of which are tight and close to the body, so that they do not allow the cold and air to seep into you, and also allow you to wear your clothes over them without interference.

Thermal clothing is usually made from a blend of wool and synthetic fabric.

The good thing is that it will allow you to wear light outerwear, which means that you can incorporate part of your summer or fall wardrobe into the winter wardrobe, which increases your options.

Focus on quality rather than quantity.

You may think that buying a lot of cheap, low-quality items saves you money, but on the contrary, cheap items of clothing are specifically designed to wear out quickly, so that they only last one or two seasons at most, before their shape begins to change and wear out.

If you think carefully, you will find that the total amount you spend on several polyester sweaters may equal or may exceed the price of one sweater made of natural wool, and you may be able to get it at a lower price also if you buy it from used clothing stores, and you will be able to wear it for years without being affected Its quality if you take good care of it.

This applies to bags and shoes, especially winter boots, whose price is usually high as well. Buying one shoe of high quality and a neutral color that lasts for years is much better than buying a cheaper shoe that you will have to get rid of at the end of winter or even before that.

Finally, choose clothes that you really like.

As long as you decide to follow sustainable options, this means that you are forced to wear the same pieces for years, and therefore you have to be careful when choosing your clothes, as impulsive buying and following current fashion trends are in no way compatible with sustainability.

You need to buy clothes that you know you really love and that you can wear for years without getting bored.

Winter accessories can take away the boredom of repetition a little, so they are your best friend.

Keffiyehs, winter scarves, knitted gloves and hats are all aesthetic elements that add to your elegance and help renew your look. If you wear the same coat every day, you can break your boredom and renew your look by wearing scarves of different colors every day.

How do you take care of your clothes?

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The way you take care of your clothes determines how long they will last in your closet. We recommend that you wash your clothes less frequently, except for underwear, socks and workout clothes of course. You can wear clothes more than once before washing them as long as they don't get sweaty or dirty, as this will help preserve your clothes. clothes for a longer time.

Also make sure to wash your clothes in cold water, as the use of warm water in washing changes the texture of the clothes, and accelerates the change of colors.

In the past, our ancestors used hot water to wash their clothes so that they could activate the detergents in the washing powders, but today's detergents work just as efficiently with cold water, fortunately.

Also, be sure to follow the care instructions on the pieces of clothing, as this small label inside the piece of clothing was not only placed to cause us itching, but it is there to help us take care of the clothes, and through it you can identify the fabric and composition of the clothes, the country of origin, and other information that help you in your choice. (6)

In conclusion, when building your wardrobe, make sure to choose clothes that express you, what you love, your own ideas and beliefs, and do not rush behind different fashions, because you know very well that they will not last long.

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