How young people build their identity through clothing

By Lic. Paula Martínez, psychologist specialized in personal image
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In a world where everything seems to be directed towards personalization and the search for the unique, young people find one of their main forms of expression in clothing. The way they dress goes beyond the fact of covering themselves or following fads, since it is a silent language that transmits who they are, what groups they belong to and what place they seek to occupy in society.

Each garment they choose is part of the identity construction process. During adolescence, this search becomes especially visible, because the need to feel part of a group appears, but also the urgency to differentiate oneself. And in that coming and going, clothing becomes a mirror of the personality in formation, a bridge between what one feels inside and what one wants to show on the outside.

The relationship with clothing begins in childhood, although at that stage the choices are usually made by adults. Adolescence is when true exploration begins: dressing stops being a functional act and becomes a means of expression. Identity is not yet consolidated and, therefore, decisions when choosing what to wear are deeply influenced by the groups to which they belong. Dressing similar to friends, sharing brands or styles, generates security, validation and a feeling of inclusion.

As time goes by, around the age of 25, people begin to define their own style. There appears a transition: one no longer seeks only to belong, but also to differentiate oneself. The question then arises “who am I and how do I want to show myself to the world?”, and in that answer what I call aesthetic identity begins to develop, which will later shape personal style.

The human being is a social being that constantly moves between two poles: the need to belong and the need to differentiate. This back and forth in which we constantly deal, sometimes without being aware, is the engine that drives aesthetic exploration in young people. While belonging provides security and trust, differentiation allows us to affirm individuality. When identity manages to be established in a solid and integrated way, style becomes an authentic and coherent expression of the essence of the person.

Today, in a social context marked by social networks and hyperexposure, this process is enhanced. Global trends arrive in real time and exert pressure that can be both inspiring and limiting. Young people not only compare themselves with their closest peers, but with references from around the world. Here the accompaniment of adults becomes key: helping them to take from trends what resonates with them, without losing the genuineness of their identity in construction.

Keys to accompany the search for the authentic:

1. Listen before judging.

Clothes often speak of what cannot be expressed in words. Listening to what they want to convey with their choices opens a space of trust.

2. Validate the scan.

Adolescence is a time of trial and error. Allowing them to experiment with different styles gives them the freedom to discover what represents them.

3. Promote coherence between interior and exterior.

Beyond fashion, the important thing is that what they wear makes sense with who they are and what they feel. It’s about helping them connect clothing to their identity, not just fashion.

4. Talk about belonging and difference.

Explain that it is natural to want to be like a group, but also that finding what differentiates them and makes them feel comfortable strengthens their identity.

5. Show different referents.

In a world dominated by social media and stereotypes, offering diverse styles and aesthetics can broaden your vision and reduce the pressure to fit into a single mold.

6. Invite reflection.

Ask them how they feel with what they are wearing, if they recognize themselves in that mirror. This is a simple resource for them to learn to choose from the inside out.

7. Strengthen self-esteem.

Remind them that clothing does not define their value, but is a tool of expression. Solid self-esteem is the basis for authentic style.

In a world that is moving towards personalization and the search for authenticity, clothing for young people is not a superficial detail, but a tool for building identity. Accompanying them in this process involves more than giving an opinion on a look, it is about giving them confidence to experiment, validate their choices and find a style that reflects who they are at their core.

Because in the end, fashion passes, but identity remains. And when that identity is supported by good self-esteem, coherence and

authenticity, clothing stops being a costume and becomes the genuine reflection of what each person carries inside.