The Perception of How Fashion Is Used in Relation to the Work Personalities of Young Employees with Respect to T-Shirts in Hyderabad

Abstract

In the evolving corporate landscape of urban India, clothing has emerged as a subtle yet powerful medium of self-expression among young professionals. This study explores how fashion, specifically the use of T-shirts, reflects and shapes the work personalities of young employees in Hyderabad. Drawing on theories of person perception and unclothed cognition, the research investigates the psychological and social implications of T-shirt choices in work environments. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and in-depth interviews with 200 young employees across various sectors, the study reveals that T-shirts are not merely garments but tools for identity signaling, particularly in start-ups and creative industries. Key findings highlight significant correlations between T-shirt types (plain, graphic, branded) and perceived traits like creativity, approachability, and professionalism. The study also uncovers contextual and gender-based differences in how these fashion choices are interpreted. These insights offer practical implications for HR policies, fashion marketers, and future academic inquiry into the intersection of fashion and professional identity in emerging urban work cultures