Dress Like An Artist: How Fashion and Creativity Are Linked

I’m a creative – nothing interesting there. But I need to feel good in order to make all the really good stuff. Luckily, fashion is one of those things that greatly influences my creativity and motivation. So what do I do when I’m not in “the mood”? I dress like an artist.

It’s like instant coffee for my creativity. Works every time.

(Well, most of the time)

There is no end-all-be-all hack to fix all the complex intricacies of our individual creative woes, sparks and motivations. No way.

But fashion is definitely one more tool to put in our belts.

So enough small talk, let’s look at why fashion and creativity are linked and how we can use this concept to boost our own creative motivation (and control).

Disclaimer: this post is not saying that you need to dress or look a certain way to be considered creative. Of course not. Rather, it’s meant to be a potentially new and inspiring way to have better control over fleeting creative moments and confidence. :)

What Does It Mean to Dress Like An Artist

This can be a bit subjective. I mean, imagine for a moment what an artist dresses like.

I’m assuming there’s probably a lot of similarities in your thoughts – and maybe even a few stereotypes. But there’s also probably a lot of differences.

So dressing like an artist is really based on our own perceptions of what we think an artist looks like in the first place.

These preconceived notions are neither correct nor incorrect. They’re subjective and personal and stem from our individual experiences and impressions.

So now is a good time to do some self reflection on what you think an artist “should” look like.

Identifying and defining this visual (and why you think this way) can serve as a helpful template to copy for yourself.

And if you’re still in need of a little inspiration, open up that Pinterest app and peruse “artist fashion” for a few minutes. This is always my go-to springboard.

How Dressing Like An Artist Boosts Creativity: 4 Reasons

Here’s the basic concept: dress the way you want to feel.

That’s nothing new. But I think we look past the role fashion can play in creative feeling and motivation. Because really, they’re synergistic.

So here are a few big reasons for why dressing the part can affect our creativity and motivation so much.

1. Clothes and Emotions

Emotion is the cornerstone of creativity. Whether you’re an artist, a musician, a writer or any other type of creative, emotion is likely a driving force for your creativity.

So leveraging fashion to influence our emotions is an exciting avenue to explore.

Here are some positive emotions that we can link to our clothing choices:

Confidence
Happiness
Excitement
Joy
Interest
Aesthetic appreciation emotions

2. Fashion and Motivation

Positive emotions inevitably lead to clarity. Clarity and positivity beget motivation. It’s kind of a domino effect we’ve got going on here.

When I’m feeling good – and yea, looking good too – I’m more motivated. I’m feeling confident and I’m feeling more inspired.

I’m feeling motivated.

And reaching this point may be as simple as dressing the part. It’s like the outfits and masks we put on before going out. We feel good. We get in the social zone.

While I’m a firm supporter of wearing pajamas while sipping martinis, there’s also a je ne sais quoi in dressing up to the nines.

So it’s not a big surprise fashion can influence creative motivation.

3. Fashion and Mental Health

I’m not a professional here. But I can tell you with confidence that mental health, clarity and mindset are crucial for creativity (and in life).

And the connection between fashion and mental health is an interesting one.

How you perceive yourself has a big impact on mental wellness. And fashion is a form of self expression that can seriously boost your self esteem.

So what’s this all mean? This again ties back to our main theme about having clarity and perceiving life from a positive framework.

Living in this mental state is pure fuel for creativity (meaning the opposite is also true). So use fashion to bolster your positive self image.

And who knows, maybe make something great in those threads.

4. Color Psychology

Color psychology is a fascinating topic. You’ve likely seen some headlines on it.

But I’m interested in how color palettes can influence our creativity. But before we make that jump, let’s start at the beginning: how color influences mood.

Different colors evoke different feelings and emotions for different people and different situations. Oof, not very clear.

For example, the color blue is often associated with calmness. But it’s also connected with sadness. And the color black can have either positive or negative associations for people.

So a little self reflection can be helpful here. Which colors evoke positive emotions and inspiration? Better yet, which color(s) evoke creativity?

We’ve well-established that mood is intimately connected with our creativity and motivation.

And since colors are intimately connected with mood, we can justly make the leap that certain colors can spark creativity.

Examples of Fashion and Creativity

Now for some inspiration. Below are a few examples that highlight the relationship between fashion and creativity.

While it’s not at all necessary to dress in any way to do amazing things, my ensemble always seems to reset my mood, when needed.

Anyway, here are some inspiring examples of creativity and the costumes we wear.

Fashion and Music

Lady Gaga
David Bowie
Nirvana
Radiohead
Daft Punk (an extreme example, perhaps)
Elvis Presley

Fashion and Art

Yayoi Kusama
Henry Hudson
Jeremy Deller
David Hockney
Andy Warhol
Jean Michel Basquiat

How to Use Fashion for Some Creative Motivation

Now let’s bring everything together. Let’s look at how we can leverage fashion and dressing like an artist to boost our motivation, inspiration and creativity.

These are tips that help me, but if you can think of any more, let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

Define Your Vibe

First things first, we need to know what vibe we’re going for. And if you’re not sure, it can help to simply mimic someone else.

Another job for Pinterest in my humble opinion. But consider yourself, your goals, your values and your image. Consider the image that most inspires you. Look to your favorite films, actors and, yes, your favorite artists.

Dial in on your vibe. Visualize it and know it.

A helpful tip is to write down your ideal artist image (regardless of whether you know it or not). I’ve written down my vibe in the last section below, so feel free to copy or use it as inspiration.

**Grab Some New Threads**

New threads carry new meaning. But a quick caveat, if you’ve already got the goods in your closet – then no pressure to spend any coins.

Still, fresh clothes give us new energy. You know how it goes.

So if you are picking up a few new items, don’t be afraid to get weird with it or try new things here.

After all, as artists and creatives, we’re notoriously off script – fashion included.

And new threads doesn’t necessarily mean brand new clothes. Thrift stores and secondhand shops can be great options here — especially the bourgie, hipster-chic spots you can find in urban areas (you can find some serious gems here).