CLOTHES

1- “flic clothes we wear in a dream can often depict the facade, or persona, we create for other people. We have certain roles that we adopt in response to other’s reactions. Clothes which others are wearing in our dreams can also set the scene for an acting out of some of the confrontations which take place.

2- Clothes can often act as a protection against being touched. This protection may also be against having the real self violated. Clothes can conceal or reveal. In covering up nudity they conceal our perceived imperfections and, by implication, disguise our sexuality. In revealing certain parts of us our dreams may show in what ways we are v ulnerable. Getting undressed can suggest the shedding of old beliefs and inhibitions. Losing one’s clothes or being naked highlights our vulnerability and fears. Dressing inappropriately, e.g. wearing formal clothes on a casual occasion and vice versa When we find ourselves in this position in a dream, we are conscious of our own difficulty in ‘fitting in’ with other people. It will depend 011 the dream scenario whether we are surprised or distressed. and it is often the emotion that we experience which gives us the correct interpretation. We may be deliberately not conforming to others’ perception of us, or trying to conform too much in adopting a certain role.

The colour of the clothing is often significant (see Colour). Clothes being worn by someone to whom they do not belong There is confusion in the dreamer’s mind as to which roles are appropriate for each character.

A man wearing woman’s clothing The dreamer needs to be more conscious of their feminine side.

A uniform on a woman The dreamer is highlighting the need to be aware of the more disciplined and masculine side of their personality. Changing clothes We are attempting to change our image. Clothes that have been cut short We may be outgrowing former pleasures and need to look to pastures new for our entertainment. Pretty clothes We have much to appreciate in our lives. Clothes belonging to a particular person We are being reminded of that person, even though we are aware that they cannot necessarily be with us.

Various articles of clothing are believed to have certain symbolic meanings:

Coat/Shawl (and especially a cloak) A coat can suggest warmth and love, but also protection. This protection can be either physical or emotional, and particularly in the case of a cloak, can be the spiritual protection of Faith.

A sheepskin coat may emphasise this significance (also see Sheep in Animals). Fear of losing the coat can suggest the fear of losing faith and belief.

The coat may be too short, or not thick enough We may be fearful that our love, or the protection we have, is not adequate for our needs.

Gloves - also see individual entry The meaning of gloves can be ambivalent. They can represent covering and protecting oneself, but also ‘showing one’s hand’ and challenging the status quo.

Hat/Cap

A hat is a symbol of wisdom and the intellect and also of protection. It can also signify both spirituality and sexuality, depending 011 the other aspects of the dream.

Pyjamas/Nightclothes

Pyjamas suggest relaxation and hence openness.

Raincoat A raincoat again holds the symbolism of protection, but this time against other people’s emotional onslaught. Very occasionally it may suggest some kind of wish to return to a womb- like state.

Shirt A shirt can suggest appropriate action, but also, as in a hair shirt, grief and pcnitencc.

Shoes

Shoes signify our ability or otherwise to be grounded and in touch with everyday life.

Recognising shoes that we, or others, arc wearing in a dream are strange alerts us to an adjustment that needs to be made to our attitude to life. Lacing up shoes in a dream is supposed to be a well-known symbol of death as are shoes on a table. Tie A tie in can have several significances in dreams.

For some it can represent correctness and good behaviour, and for others, presumably because of its shape, it will signify the phallus.

Underclothes

When we dream of underclothes - whether our own or other people’s we arc considering hidden attitudes to self-image or sexuality.

Veil or veil-like garments (also see individual entry) When we, or others, are wearing a veil we are either trying to hide something, or arc only partially accepting knowledge about ourselves or our relationship to others.

3- Clothes can suggest spiritual protection.

For instance, certain types of clothes will highlight roles and status.

Example: I am packing for a holiday, surrounded by a lovely selection of all sorts of clothes. I am matching outfits, shoes, scarves, handbags. It gives me great pleasure. I am wearing an old navy blue dress which is too shon for me. So shon I feel panic because there will not be enough time to change. I am now on the top deck of a bus. I have one bat­tered suitcase and am wearing the same dress, trying vainly to pull it down over my knees. Suitcase bursts open and it is full of old clothes fit for a jumble sale* (Valerie H). Clothes can mean many things, depending upon dream context. In the example the clothes are feelings of pleasure and confidence, and also discomfort and lack of confidence.

In general they indicate the stance or attitudes we use to meet other people or special situations such as work or dan­ger, protection, such as might be given by our feelings of reserve, shyness, anxiety or aggressiveness in fending off sex­ual or other advances, clothes depict self respect and how we see ourselves in society—the difference between what we want and what we feel others want of us; our clothes, espe­cially when we consider their colour, can also express our emotional condition and moods. Constance Newland gives the example of dressing in violet symbolising being inviolate sexually. Overdressed , unable to get clothes off: too cautious in relationships, difficulty in changing attitudes or self image; self protectiveness; avoiding intimacy.

Naked or see-through clothes: example: ‘I am at the doc­tor’s being examined.

It is always the same. I have all my clothes off and he examines me from the roots of my hair down to my toenails. I am just at the point where I am going to ask him for his diagnosis when he fades away’ (Miss L). Desire to be attractive and noticed, as in the example, where Miss L is enjoying an acceptable form of intimacy; being open about what you really feel; fear of other people seeing what you really feel, think and desire; anxiety about not being ade­quate socially, lacking ability to conform to social norm.

See nude. Ragged or inappropriate clothes: feelings of inadequacy depressed feelings; rebellion against authority or society. Ar­mour, protective clothing : defences against internal anxieties, past hurts and external intimacy. Other people’s clothes: the social attitudes and responses we have adopted from others. Children’s, teenage clothes in adult’s dream: youthful or im­mature attitudes or behaviour. Undressing: revealing one’s real character; move towards intimacy. Dirty, untidy clothes: difficult or grubby feelings; one’s inner condition, such as an untidy mind, or grubby feeling values. Worn out or old clothes: attitudes ready to be left behind; old habits no longer useful; feeling worn out, old or tired. Tight clothes: being too restricted in attitude; being tight emotionally. New clothes: change in attitudes; new feeling about self. Someone else’s clothes: could be feelings from that person; their attitudes, memories. Man in woman’s clothes: unacceptability of male role, with its connection with breadwinning, aggression, being cannon fodder in war, homosexual tendency; desire for mother. Woman in male clothes: unacceptability of female role, motherhood, housewife; lesbian tendency; desire for fa­ther figure. Clothing inappropnate to dream surroundings: at­titudes or behaviour inappropriate to one’s situation. Chang­ing clothes: altering one’s mode of behaviour, role or mood. Idioms: dress to kill; dress up.

To dream that your clothes are dirty and you are trying to clean them means you want to change something about your personality.

To dream that you are constantly changing your clothes represents the need for change and your need to fit into a new situation.

To dream that you can’t find anything to wear indicates anxiousness or nervousness about fitting into some social group or situation - you’re not sure who to be these days.

To dream of putting on or wearing multiple layers of clothing suggests that you are feeling vulnerable and under attack by others.

To dream of wearing the same clothes as someone else could mean you wish you had certain qualities that person possesses. It can also mean you are feeling close to that person.

To dream that your clothes fit too tightly suggests that you feel smothered in a relationship.

To dream that you are shopping for clothes represents your anxieties about trying to fit in.

To dream that your clothes are wet, suggests that you are drenched in emotions. It also signifies spirituality.

To dream that your clothing is torn or ripped, indicates that there is some flaw in your thinking or thought process. Your logic is not making sense. You need to alter your reasoning.

To dream of faded clothing symbolizes lost hopes.

If you dreamed of you or someone else wearing old-fashioned clothing, this suggests that you are letting go of outdated childhood ideas and moving on.

To dream of wearing your clothes inside-out suggests that you need to protect your reputation by cooling down your romantic activities.

A dream about designer or expensive clothing suggests that you are overly concerned with impressing others. This dream symbolizes the act you put on in front of people. Alternatively, it may be an indicator that you are “well suited” for a new role you are taking on.

To dream that you forget to put on an item of clothing, suggests that you are not seeing all sides of a situation. You may be missing important facts, or not understanding a crucial point, that would make things much more clear to you.

To dream about clothes that are too big for you, indicates that you are lacking confidence in some situation. You may have been placed in a role that you don’t feel ready for, or are unsure of what to do next in a relationship. Also see “Dryer” and “Washing Machine.”