The psychology behind clothing choices in social media photography
Clothes affect how we feel and reflect it, too, and how we look is increasingly scrutinised
Social media has made us even more self-conscious if anything. Considering that people retain mainly visual information, it’s no surprise that thirst traps have come to be such a big thing. Everyone wants to look good, right?
The psychology of clothing
Research has shown that clothes affect our mood and behaviour. Formal attire can evoke feelings of competence and authority, while casual clothing may promote a more approachable and relaxed state of mind. In a recent survey, 57% of female participants reported wearing baggy tops when they were feeling depressed. 62% reported wearing a favourite clothing item when in a good mood.
Social media and self-consciousness
According to a survey, 35% of teens are afraid of being tagged in ugly photos on social media. 27% are worried about how they look when they post pictures online, and more than a fifth feel bad when nobody comments or ‘likes’ photos they’ve posted on social media. People can be driven to seek positive attention, which brings us to our next point.
Getting thirst traps right
If it’s attention you want, social media can be all about getting attention. This desire gives rise to thirst trap poses, amongst other things. But getting them right is not always straightforward. A high-fashion trap would be an over-the-shoulder glance with the photo taken from the side or back.
A cute trap is a close-up selfie with soft lights. Smiling with the eyes instead of the mouth adds to the effect. People might arch their backs and extend their legs to make the butt and legs appear fuller. The tricks are endless.
The dark side of thirst traps
We see a lot of revealing clothes on social media, obviously worn to attract attention. It’s not always positive, as a recent series of studies found that women judged other women more negatively when they were pictured in revealing clothing.
In the first study, a university in Southern California recruited 712 women with an average age of 25. They were shown one photo of a modestly dressed woman, and another of a woman with cleavage showing. The second one was seen as being someone more likely to cheat with someone’s boyfriend, cheat on her own boyfriend, cheat on exams, and have one-night stands. She was also judged as less likely to be included in a study group due to being less intelligent.
Judgment or no judgment, social media traps aren’t going anywhere. As of 2024, when looking at posts, individuals retain just 10% of text content but 95% of visual content. 91% of audiences prefer visually engaging, interactive content over traditional formats.
Best choices for photos
Wear solid-coloured clothes in front of a simple background. You want people to see you, not the location or outfit. Solids are also a good choice to keep images looking timeless. People sometimes wear shirts with graphics, large logos, or words to express themselves or their views on certain issues, but they take attention away from the person, and date the images quite quickly. When taking a photo for whatever reason or purpose, stick to neutral prints or solids.
The colour is just one factor. In fact, the pose is much more important to leave an impression.
More FAQs
What are the worst colours to wear for a photo?
Experts recommend light, bright clothing for light, bright images. You should avoid cherry red and black because they tend to overwhelm images. If you must wear black, do so against a light background, for example, a bright beach so that the tones will complement each other.
How do you choose the best colours for pictures on the beach or in the mountains?
Both light and bold colours can work well on wide-open, light beaches. Light neutral colours like peach, pale pink, tan, pale purple, and all pastel colours will give a soft look. Bright purple and navy will help you stand out if you’re looking for contrast. Wear lighter colours for photos in mountainous, rocky areas to stand out against the rock scenery.