Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among appearance management, dress, and personality. Eight hypotheses were developed that proposed
relationships among five personality factors, three appearance management variables, and style of dress. Respondents were 277 undergraduate student subjects enrolled at Oregon State University. Subjects completed two questionnaires: 1) the NEO PI-R, an instrument designed to measure five personality factors and their facets; and 2) the Appearance Management and Dress Questionnaire, developed to measure the three appearance management variables of interest in this study and style of dress.
Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and canonical correlation analysis. The results revealed significant relationships among personality factors and/or facets and appearance management and/or dress variables. As hypothesized, lower openness to experience was positively associated with emphasis placed on appearance, higher extraversion was positively associated with receptiveness to a variety of appearances for the self, and personality factors were associated with style of dress. Exploratory regression analyses revealed that specific facets of neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were associated with emphasis placed on appearance; and that specific facets of extraversion and openness to experience were
associated with receptiveness to a variety of appearances for the self. Exploratory
canonical correlation analysis revealed relationships between personality facets and style of dress. Based on the results of the present study, a relationship exists between personality and appearance management and between personality and style of dress. The findings of this investigation have theoretical implications regarding the social/psychological aspects of appearance and dress, personality research, and the marketing and retailing of appearance management products.
