Social Perceptions of Fashion

The present study examined people’s perceptions of others as a function of fashion choices, specifically Western wedding dresses. A total of 250 UC Riverside undergraduate participants viewed a series of pictures of the model’s silhouettes wearing Western-style wedding dresses and reported their perceptions (e.g., confident, original, shy, vain, fun) of the model in each picture. The wedding dresses varied in neckline (i.e., Sweetheart, V-Neck, Halter, High Neck) and silhouette (i.e., A-line, Mermaid, Fit and Flare, Ballgown). We found significant, reliable differences in how participants perceived the models as a function of dress silhouette and neckline. Specifically, participants perceived the models wearing the Fit and Flare silhouette to be especially confident, original, fun, and vain, but the models wearing the A-line silhouette to be the least confident, original, and fun. Furthermore, participants perceived the models wearing the V-neck neckline to be especially confident and vain, but the models wearing the High Neck to be the least confident, original, and fun. Additionally, the participants perceived the models wearing the Sweetheart neckline to be especially original, and fun, and the models wearing the Halter neckline especially confident. It is important to note that the Halter, High Neck, and Sweetheart all scored the same in the vain category. This research establishes a relationship between wedding dresses and social perceptions, which brides can use to select the dresses to convey their desired perceptions, and fashion shows and businesses can use to better serve their customers.