University Honors

The present study examined people’s perceptions of others as a function of fashion choices,specifically Western wedding dresses. A total of 250 UC Riverside undergraduate participantsviewed a series of pictures of the model’s silhouettes wearing Western-style wedding dresses andreported their perceptions (e.g., confident, original, shy, vain, fun) of the model in each picture.The wedding dresses varied in neckline (i.e., Sweetheart, V-Neck, Halter, High Neck) andsilhouette (i.e., A-line, Mermaid, Fit and Flare, Ballgown). We found significant, reliabledifferences in how participants perceived the models as a function of dress silhouette andneckline. Specifically, participants perceived the models wearing the Fit and Flare silhouette tobe especially confident, original, fun, and vain, but the models wearing the A-line silhouette tobe the least confident, original, and fun. Furthermore, participants perceived the models wearingthe V-neck neckline to be especially confident and vain, but the models wearing the High Neckto be the least confident, original, and fun. Additionally, the participants perceived the modelswearing the Sweetheart neckline to be especially original, and fun, and the models wearing theHalter neckline especially confident. It is important to note that the Halter, High Neck, andSweetheart all scored the same in the vain category. This research establishes a relationshipbetween wedding dresses and social perceptions, which brides can use to select the dresses toconvey their desired perceptions, and fashion shows and businesses can use to better serve theircustomers.