Anthropologist Sophie Woodward explains why seasonal clothes feel unfamiliar after summer
Scientific Editor Gaby Clark and Chief Editor Andrew Zinin report on anthropologist Sophie Woodward's 2007 research regarding how changing seasons affect clothing habits.
Clothes feel strange when seasons change
The clocks have gone back, making getting dressed feel more difficult for many people. A coat worn constantly last winter may no longer look quite right in the closet. Boots loved in February might not seem to go with anything anymore.
Habitual choices become familiar through repetition
By the end of summer, people know which pants work with specific shoes. They understand how a dress moves and which combinations make them feel like themselves. These choices have become familiar simply because they were repeated often.
Getting dressed involves more than selection
Anthropologist Sophie Woodward found that getting dressed is not simply about selecting an outfit. The process involved negotiating how a person wanted to look and what felt comfortable. It also included considering how others might see them in the chosen garments.
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