Individual representation of the body image and clothing choices

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of studies exploring the interplay between body image and clothing choice. It highlights the substantial influence of media-transmitted cultural stereotypes of ideal beauty on body image formation. Individuals tend to conform to these societal ideals, which can lead to negative self-perceptions and self-esteem issues. The cultural body image affects attitudes towards weight and contributes to the development of self-objectification among both women and men. The latter phenomenon is detrimental to individual well-being, as it limits self-worth to physical appearance alone. However, when attention shifts to other personal aspects, individuals can cope with non-conformity to cultural beauty standards more successfully. In turn, clothing can serve as a supportive tool for modifying body image to enhance one's psychological state.