“Fake it until you make it.” It’s a term almost everyone has used, and one that everyone has heard. This can apply to the way you carry yourself, the people you surround yourself with, and especially the clothes you wear. Not only do your outfit choices impact others’ perception of you, but they can determine the way you perceive yourself.

Whether we realize it or not, clothing has always been a form of self-expression. A tailored blazer can make someone feel more professional before they’ve even stepped into the office, while a favorite pair of jeans might bring a sense of comfort on a stressful day. It’s the reason athletes have lucky socks, students carefully choose their first-day outfits, and job interviews come with the age-old advice to “dress for the role you want.”

This idea has become even more popular thanks to social media. Platforms like Pinterest and TikTok are filled with videos encouraging people to “dress like the person you want to become.” Instead of buying clothes for the life they have now, people create vision boards for the life they hope to have one day. Suddenly, fashion isn’t just about looking good—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

But does it actually work?

Psychologists have long studied a concept known as “enclothed cognition,” the idea that clothing can influence the way we think, feel, and behave. While putting on a blazer won’t instantly land someone their dream job, wearing clothes that make you feel confident can genuinely affect your mindset. When you believe you look put together, you’re often more likely to carry yourself with confidence, speak up, and approach situations with a more positive attitude.

Of course, confidence doesn’t come from your wardrobe alone. Expensive handbags and designer shoes can’t replace kindness, ambition, or personality. But clothing can be a tool. Sometimes, putting on an outfit you love is enough to remind yourself that you’re capable, even on days when you don’t quite believe it.

At the end of the day, your clothes won’t change who you are overnight. They won’t guarantee confidence or success, and they certainly won’t solve every problem. But if putting on an outfit you love makes you stand a little taller or feel a little more like yourself, then maybe there’s more truth to “fake it until you make it” than we give it credit for.