Clothes and Clothing in Dreams
Dreaming about clothes and clothing helps us understand how we express ourselves, our sense of self and how we would like others to see us.
We wear clothes for a number of different reasons, with the main ones being to protect ourselves from the elements of the weather and because it’s socially required. People would definitely question us if we started walking around without clothes!
What It Means to Dream About Clothes
Clothes are a big part of our lives, so when they appear in our dreams we need to look at what the dream is saying about who we are and how we would like to be seen by others…or even what we might like to learn about ourselves!
Here are some ways clothes can appear in our dreams and what it means:
Wearing clothes that don’t belong to you can indicate you may be trying too hard to fit in with others. You may also feel like you are living someone else’s life, or that you need more adventure and excitement.
Clothing in a dream that is too small can mean that you are in an uncomfortable situation. You may be feeling out of place or worried about whether or not you are doing the right thing. You may feel like you are “being squeezed” and under pressure to perform.
To be wearing clothes that are too big in your dream can mean that you don’t feel like you live up to someone else’s expectations. You may feel overwhelmed by your feelings or may feel like you are out of control.
Clothes that are stained or dirty can indicate vulnerability and a lack of confidence. You may feel insecure in your life. It can also mean that you are neglecting an important task or you not taking care of yourself.
Dreaming about clothes that are ripped or torn means that you are feeling mixed emotions about a situation in your life. You may feel overwhelmed by emotions; like you are tearing apart at the seams.
If you dream about someone ruining your clothes, it can mean that you don’t trust this person, or it can mean that you feel like this person may not have your best interest at heart. You may feel betrayed by them.
To dream of your clothes getting caught on something means that you are feeling restricted by other people or you are afraid that you will get caught for doing something you shouldn’t have. You may be wrestling with feelings of guilt.
Dreaming of someone taking or stealing your clothes means that you are afraid of being betrayed by someone you care about. You may also be worried about what other people think of you. See what stealing means in dreams here.
Dreaming of giving someone clothes means that you are looking for ways to make a positive difference in someone else’s life. You may find the answer to happiness is to focus on the needs of others instead of your own.
Wearing something that is inappropriate can mean that you are trying to escape from your true feelings and responsibilities in life, but it won’t work. You might feel like you don’t belong within your social circle or you may feel like you can’t ever get anything right in life.
Shopping for clothes means you are exploring your different choices in life. You may be trying to decide between your options for what direction you want to go next in life. See more about shopping in dreams.
Sewing new clothes means you are working through your feelings and trying to make sense of them. You may be thinking about something you wrote or said, or how to fix a problem in your life.
Mending clothes signify that you are making changes in your life. You might also feel like things aren’t perfect for you right now – but you have hope for the future that things will get better.
Washing clothes means you are looking to “come clean” about something in your life. You may wish to be better organized and to get rid of clutter holding you back, or you may be feeling like it’s time to make a significant change. Learn what it means to dream about laundry.
Throwing clothes away in a dream means that you’re ready to put the past behind you and begin again. and start a new chapter in your life. It represents your need to let go of the past and focus on the present moment. See what garbage means in dreams.
Types of Clothes in Dreams
There are many different kinds of clothes we might see in dreams. Here are some common articles of clothing and what they represent.
T-shirts represent how comfortable we are with the way we communicate, whether it’s through actions or words. If a t-shirt doesn’t fit well or it is missing in a dream, it can mean we are experiencing something uncomfortable in our lives and aren’t sure how to tell others about it.
Blue Jeans represent our current mood – you may feel relaxed, or you may feel sad about something. Denim in general is a symbol of reliability and trustworthiness.
A coat or jacket in a dream can represent our beliefs and the way we protect ourselves from the outside world. It can represent warmth and prosperity in your life – or a lack of these things.
Pajamas are what we usually wear for sleeping. Pajamas in our dream can mean we need to rest and relax, or it can be a symbol of needing to take some time for yourself.
Business Suits are usually worn for work or attending an important event, so when they appear in our dreams it usually means that we need to take ourselves more seriously. You may be thinking about your professional life and how you can advance in your career.
Dresses in dreams can be a symbol of your self-worth and how you want to appear to others. You may be concerned about your social status, or you may be trying to be successful. Learn more about dresses in dreams here.
Uniforms are something we wear that show we belong to an organization or that we have a certain role that we play. Dreaming about uniforms can show how we feel about how we connect with others and how we fit in. It can be a symbol for a sense of belonging.
Military uniforms are another common dream symbol and they tend to show that we need to examine how our current lifestyle is making us feel. It could indicate a problem in a relationship or conflict we need to address.
Sports uniforms often relate closely to how well you work with others and get along in the world. You may dream of a sports uniform when you are trying to “win” in life or are working towards a goal.
Work clothes symbolize our need to be productive and to take action in our lives. It can also be a symbol that we are taking on too much responsibility or are being overworked.
Neck Ties represent our need to vocalize our thoughts and feelings to someone else. You may feel like you need to say something to someone or that you are not being heard by others.
Formal wear, such as tuxedos and ball gowns is another common dream symbol – it’s often related to our need for more excitement in our lives or concern about our status and whether we are worthy of such fancy dress.
Undergarments in dreams represent your need to better understand who you really are inside. It shows how you are needing to express yourself more openly or you may need some support in your life.
Socks represent our personal boundaries and how we keep others out or how we let them come in. To dream about socks can mean that you are concerned about security issues – you may be feeling vulnerable or like your boundaries are not being respected.
Shoes are a symbol of the steps we are taking in life. You may be thinking about trying to reach a goal, or you may feel overburdened by responsibilities. See more about what it means to dream about shoes.
Wearing no clothes means you feel exposed or vulnerable in some way in your life. You may be afraid of showing other people who you really are or it could mean that you are ready to face the truth in a situation.
Jewelry is a symbol of self-expression and how we want to appear to the world. It can also indicate our need for attention or our feelings of self-worth and abundance. See what it means to wear jewelry in dreams.
The Symbolism of Colors of Clothes
The colors of the clothes we see in dreams can provide additional insight into how the dream may apply to your life. Here are some of the common colors we notice in dreams of clothing and fashion:
Black clothing can represent your need to conceal some part of yourself. It may also mean that you are afraid of showing people who you really are. To wear black in your dreams can also mean there is something you are avoiding or there is something you are uncertain about.
White clothing can indicate purity and innocence. It can represent hope for the future and moving on from the past. It can also mean you are feeling more at peace with yourself. If the white clothing is dirty or stained, this often represents your conscious mind trying to deal with guilt and regret.
Wearing red clothes in a dream can mean that you are passionate about a subject, or it can mean that you are feeling angry or insecure. You may be trying to get someone’s attention. See what the color red means in dreams.
Blue clothing in a dream can mean that you are looking for ways to have more peace and tranquility in your life. To see someone wearing blue clothes can mean that you are questioning whether or not you can trust this person. You may also see blue clothing in dreams when you are feeling sad or upset about something. See what it means to dream about the color blue.
Green clothing can indicate that you are thinking about starting new projects or want to grow as a person. You may be thinking about your finances or your self-worth. Learn about the color green in dreams here.
Wearing purple clothing in your dream may be a sign that you need to look into your spiritual or religious life and find more meaning in it. You may need to listen to your intuition to better understand a situation. Purple is also a color associated with royalty, and can be a symbol for authority or power in a situation. Learn about the color purple in dreams.
Wearing yellow can mean that you have a positive outlook on life, and that you are trying to find a way to feel more powerful in a situation. Pale yellow can mean you are feeling weak or faded, whereas bright yellow can mean something in your life needs your attention. See: Yellow Dream Meaning
Seeing orange clothes in your dreams signifies you need to have more fun in your life. You need to find a way to do the things you enjoy most. It often means you need to find a way to better balance your wants with your needs. See: Orange Dream Meaning
Brown or tan clothes symbolize your need to be grounded in reality and get back to the roots of who you are. You may be thinking about past memories or thinking about your friendships with other people.
Neon clothes mean that you are seeking attention or something in your life needs your immediate attention.
Multi-colored clothes usually mean that you are trying to juggle your responsibilities in life. You may feel like life is off-balance, or you may feel like there are a lot of things you want to do and you aren’t sure how you will ever be able to do them all.
Learn more about the meaning of colors in dreams here.
How to Interpret Your Dreams About Clothes
To better understand your dream about clothes, ask yourself these questions:
- What was I wearing in the dream?
- What were other people wearing in the dream?
- Why did I notice the clothes?
- What happened in the dream?
- Where did the dream take place?
- What other symbols were significant in the dream?
- How did I feel about this dream when I first woke up?
Answering these questions will help you gain greater insight into what your dream means for you and how you can apply this knowledge to your everyday waking life.
Did you have a dream about clothes? Share your dream with us in the comments section below!
