Clothes Make a Difference: The Role of Self-Objectification

Objectification Theory contends that women self-objectify as a result of internalizing an observer’s perspective on their
physical selves. Self-objectification has been examined as both a stable enduring trait and as a context dependent state.
The present study aimed to assess the link between clothing, a neglected area of women’s appearance management, and self-objectification.
Participants were 102 South Australian female undergraduate students who completed a questionnaire containing a trait measure
of self-objectification, as well as four different scenarios varying in clothing worn and setting depicted, followed by state
measures of self-objectification, negative mood, body shame, and body dissatisfaction. It was found that the scenarios involving
revealing clothing (bathers) led to greater state self-objectification, body shame, body dissatisfaction and negative mood
than the scenarios involving more modest clothing (sweater), especially for heavier women. In addition, the dressing room
scenarios led to greater state self-objectification but less negative mood than the public scenarios. It was concluded that
clothing represents an important contributor to the body and emotional experience of contemporary young women.