In our waking lives, we use clothing to control how other people see us. Our clothes hide and protect some parts or our bodies and reveal other parts. In dreams, clothing symbolizes how we think others perceive us and how we feel about ourselves.
The condition of the clothing that you wear in a dream can indicate how you feel about yourself in waking life. If you are wearing expensive, brightly colored clothing that the other people in your dream admire, you may feel very good about yourself in waking life. However, if you are embarrassed because you are wearing dull, shabby clothing, you may lack self-confidence.
The colors of the clothing in your dream may be important. Pay attention to what these colors mean in your dream.
If you dream that you are wearing a uniform, think about the qualities that profession symbolizes. If you are wearing an army uniform, perhaps you need to discipline yourself more. If you’re wearing a business suit, you may need to approach a problem in a more rational, business-like manner. Wearing a nurse’s uniform can be a sign that you need to be more compassionate.
If you are dressed inappropriately for the situation you are in, you may feel that you can’t meet the expectations that others have for you.
Wearing clothing that you would not usually wear in waking life can be a sign that you need to look at things in a different way.
Getting Dressed or Undressed
If you are dressing or undressing in your dream, pay attention to which parts of your body you are covering up and which parts you are revealing. They can symbolize where you feel safe and where you feel vulnerable.
Changing Clothes
Changing your clothes in your dream can represent changing your behavior or your attitude.
Can’t Find the Right Clothes
A dream about searching for an item of clothing but not being able to find it could be a sign that you are worried that you won’t be able to meet other people’s expectations.
Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes
Did you dream that you were wearing someone else’s clothes? Your dream may mean that you admire that person or want to adopt some of their qualities. It may also mean that you are having trouble accepting yourself the way you are.
Jung thought that wearing clothing of the opposite sex could indicate a man’s need to express the anima (the female aspect of his nature) or a woman’s need to express the animus (the male aspect of her nature).