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I spoke with Charlie Culverhouse for Guap Fashion to unravel the reasoning behind consumers fascination with the past.

“One of the reasons why it’s appealing to revisit past decades in fashion is due to the positive impact of nostalgia. Early research previously identified nostalgia as a negative experience due to its association with negative psychological states, but we now know that the reason why those in negative psychological states are more prone to nostalgic thinking is due to the psychological benefits of nostalgia.”

“After engaging in nostalgia-inducing activities, research has shown that people experience higher self-esteem, are more optimistic, feel less lonely and more socially connected, and, as a result, are more creative. This induced positivity fosters creativity, illustrating some of the reasons why fashion lovers, creatives, and fashion and accessories designers look back to go forward.” 

“After engaging in nostalgia-inducing activities, research has shown that people experience higher self-esteem, are more optimistic, feel less lonely and more socially connected, and, as a result, are more creative. This induced positivity fosters creativity, illustrating some of the reasons why fashion lovers, creatives, and fashion and accessories designers look back to go forward.” 

“Similarly, when you put more effort into your outfit and wear something that speaks to your personal tastes or holds sentimental value, you’re inadvertently engaging in ‘dopamine dressing’. It’s something we’ve all experienced. When we wear something out of the ordinary, something that we love and looks great on us, our confidence increases, and we feel happy.”

Discover the full article over on by GUAP’s Fashion.

Shakaila Forbes-Bell

Author Shakaila Forbes-Bell

Shakaila Forbes-Bell is a Fashion Psychologist and writer who has been featured in Marie Claire UK, i-D, Who What Wear, All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, Fashion Bomb Daily, The Voice Newspaper, Gal-Dem, Black Matters US and more.

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