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What are clothing dreams about?

Clothing refers to anything item that we put on our bodies. These can be shirts, pants, sweaters, scarves, hats, and so on. Clothing is interesting because it serves a few funtions. It protects us from the elements. Clothing keeps us warm when it is cold outside. Clothing also allows us to express our personality and taste. This symbol is identified by words like pant, wallet, bra, etc.

Clothing in dreams is a common dream symbol, occuring in about 6.5% of dreams. That's about 1 out of every 15 dreams.

What are the major highlights of clothing dreams?

Clothing is a very interconnected dream symbol. Having clothing in a dream substantially changes the nature of the dream.

What are the symbols that help define clothing?

The symbol of clothing in dreams is highly related to hats, jackets, pants, purse, scarves, shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, and wallets.

How does the dream symbol of clothing affect the different aspects of a dream?

Explore different elements related to dreams of clothing

Who is in clothing dreams?

Overall, dreams with clothing are aren't really related to characters in dreams. Specifically, dreams of clothing are more related to different roles, more related to distant people, and more related to romantic partners than dreams in general. They are less related to fantastic beings.

Animals

the same as usual

Insects

the same as usual

Different roles

more than usual

Fantastic beings

less than usual

Distant people

more than usual

Close people

the same as usual

Family

the same as usual

Romantic partners

more than usual
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What are the emotions in clothing dreams?

Overall, dreams with clothing are aren't really related to emotions in dreams. Specifically, dreams of clothing are more related to embarrassment, more related to confusion, and more related to fun than dreams in general. They are less related to fear.

Happiness

the same as usual

Sadness

the same as usual

Grief and sorrow

the same as usual

Embarrassment

more than usual

Confusion

more than usual

Fear

less than usual

Pain

the same as usual

Hatred

the same as usual

Fun

more than usual

Love

the same as usual
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Who is in clothing dreams?

Overall, dreams with clothing are aren't really related to places in dreams. Specifically, dreams of clothing are more related to home, more related to work, and more related to human places than dreams in general. They are less related to magical places.

Home

more than usual

Work

more than usual

Human places

more than usual

Transportation

more than usual

Natural places

the same as usual

Magical places

less than usual
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What happens in clothing dreams?

Overall, dreams with clothing are aren't really related to events in dreams. Specifically, dreams of clothing are more related to sex than dreams in general. They are less related to disasters.

Aggressive interactions

the same as usual

Friendly interactions

the same as usual

Sex

more than usual

Disasters

less than usual
Show Detail

How do clothing in dreams related to other dream phenomenon?

Overall, dreams with clothing are aren't really related to dream events in dreams. Specifically, dreams of clothing are less related to recurring dreams.

Lucid dreams

the same as usual

Nightmares

the same as usual

Recurring dreams

less than usual

Recurring nightmares

the same as usual

Sleep paralysis

the same as usual

Sleeping

the same as usual

Waking life

the same as usual
Show Detail

How do clothing in dreams related the senses?

Overall, dreams with clothing are aren't really related to senses in dreams. Specifically, dreams of clothing are more related to smelling, more related to taste, and more related to vision than dreams in general.

Hearing

the same as usual

Smelling

more than usual

Taste

more than usual

Vision

more than usual

Touch

more than usual
Show Detail

How can you make sense of clothing in dreams?

Clothing dreams are common. Among other things clothing dreams are very postively interconnected.

Do you think this is true for your dream of clothing? How might your dream of clothing be different?

All dreams have meaning

You can gain insight from thinking about any dream, no matter how strange. Only you, as the dreamer, have final say on what your dream may or may not mean. Each dream is unique.

Look for the differences

The DreamWell dictionary provides information on how each dream symbol appears in dreams in general. Finding how experience clothing in dreams can be a key to understanding its meaning.

Return to the feelings

Our emotions in dreams can help us understand its meaning. Pay attention to how you felt in the dream. Pay attention to how you feel about clothing in dreams. See how you feel about clothing now, in your waking life.

What are possible meanings for dreams of clothing?

Clothing in general can have symbolism, and certain clothing items can have specific symbolism. Refer to the entries listed below.

Clothing is associated with persona, the image you “wear” or project. Persona is your public identity.

Shopping for clothes can symbolize making decisions about the image you project to the world or the identity you take on.

For example, a man who started a new job dreams about shopping for a jacket for work. He finds one that’s appropriate and takes it to the cash register. The price is exactly how much money he has in his checking account. The dream reflects the man’s thoughts about the personal price he’s paying to do the job. He already feels overextended, and fears that doing the job right will require everything he has in the “bank,” meaning his store of energy and personal resources. The fact that he does not wear a jacket at his actual work and does not need to buy one stands out because it must be symbolism. See: Shopping

For another example of clothing-store symbolism, see: Chase.

Remember though that dreams create symbolism based on your personal associations. Clothing is closely associated with image, but for some people, shopping for clothes could connect with spending priorities. You might only shop for clothes after all other bills are paid—or shop for clothes despite being unable to afford it—and those associations can be used to create symbolism for habits or priorities, or for willingness or unwillingness to sacrifice.

Getting dressed can symbolize preparation. See: Dressing

Taking off clothing can be a way of revealing the person beneath, or giving up a role, title, or identity. See: Undressing

Dreaming about someone tearing off your clothing can symbolize being self-conscious about your body.

Giving your clothes to someone can show willingness to help or provide, like giving the shirt off your back.

Nakedness can symbolize lacking something related to identity, job, or relationship. For example, after leaving a job as a newspaper editor, a man dreams he’s in the newspaper office, at his desk, naked and wanting to get back to work. The lack of clothing symbolizes the social identity he lost when he left the job. As an editor, he had an identity that was closely tied to the job. See: Being naked

Clothes are used to cover the body, and other words for cover are “conceal” and “hide.” See: Hiding

Heavy clothes can symbolize desire to conceal yourself or a feeling of personal heaviness. See: Burying

Excessive clothing can symbolize covering the person you are, or feeling weighed down by the expectations and effort of keeping up appearances. It can symbolize trying to protect yourself from emotional or personal closeness, or being overprotective.

Wearing athletic clothes can symbolize energy and achievement. It can connect with a personal image as an athlete or active person. See: Athletes

Formal clothes can symbolize a formal or cultured image. For example, the girlfriend of a man who just got hired to work at a country club dreams about him dressed in a tuxedo and sporting a fancy pocket watch. The tuxedo and watch reflect her perception that the country club is a fancy place. Wearing formal clothes can reflect thoughts related to an upcoming event such as a graduation or wedding. If the clothes feel constricting, it can mean you feel restricted by formality.

Clothes from childhood can indicate holding onto something immature. On the other hand, they can indicate reconnection with the child within you. See: Children

A disguise can symbolize a facade, or deception. See: Disguises

A uniform can symbolize a role you play, whether formal or informal, or something related to the job performed by a person in the uniform, what it says about a person, and how that can translate to symbolism. Wearing a police uniform can symbolize authority. Dressing as a construction worker can symbolize any subject related to building: renovating a home, constructing your life, building up your self-esteem. For an example dream, see: Cheat (Exam).

And remember, action defines the symbolism. Symbolism related to building or construction will show in the action. An idle construction worker is not building anything. Instead, the meaning might have more to do with lack of action or activity.

Work clothes can relate to your work life or roles you play that feel like work. For example, wearing a maid’s outfit might express how you feel about doing chores. See: Jobs

Clothes that belong to someone else can symbolize wrapping yourself in his or her identity. For example, wearing your boyfriend’s shirt can be a way of saying your personal identity and public image are connected closely with him.

Disheveled clothing can symbolize a negative perception. Your reputation or self-image is tattered. If keeping up appearances means caring for one’s appearance, including social appearance, not keeping up appearances means the opposite. You don’t care how you are perceived or put no effort into maintaining appearances.

Torn clothing can symbolize arguments or fighting. It can mean that someone “tore into you,” or a situation is “ripping you to shreds.”

Stains on your clothes can symbolize stains on your character, self-image, or reputation. See: Clean

The fit of clothing can have symbolism. For example, wearing a stiff suit can symbolize stiffness or rigidness in personality. Ill-fitting clothes can symbolize playing a role or adopting a persona that doesn’t suit you. Tight clothes can symbolize the feeling of being constrained or hampered. A tight clothing fit can connect with the idea of freedom to be the person you want to be.

Trousers or underwear that are too tight can symbolize restricted sexuality. See: Underwear

Coats, jackets, and heavy shirts can symbolize protecting your emotions, because these articles of clothing only cover the top part of the body, including the heart. However, a full-length coat or trench coat can symbolize the desire to hide yourself or go unnoticed. Or it can connect with certain personality types: mysterious, dangerous, private.

Gloves can symbolize hiding something, particularly an action taken, stemming from the hands being used to take actions and fingerprints used to solve crime. Gloves are used to protect the hands and keep them from getting dirty, and “get your hands dirty” means participate or be involved in some action—particularly an action that you might describe as dirty, difficult, protective, or underhanded. See also: Fingerprints

Period clothing in a dream can connect with certain personality types, or be used to refer to the past. For example, if a dream drops you into a scene where everyone wears tie-dyes and bell-bottoms, it might symbolize something related to a loose attitude or personality. Or maybe it’s related to being a slacker, since some people associate the hippie lifestyle as an excuse to avoid work.

Clothing is associated with certain time periods. If you were a young child during the hippie era, the hippie style of dress might be associated in your mind with your childhood.

The color of clothing has many possibilities for symbolism, especially in connection with emotions. For example, a blue shirt can symbolize “feeling blue.” Shirts are worn over the chest, and the chest is where feelings such as sadness and depression are usually felt. Then again, blue is associated with deep thoughts. A deep-blue hat is particularly likely to symbolize deep thoughts because thoughts are associated with the head. To learn more, look up the entries for the color of the clothing in a dream if it sticks out to you. See: Colors

How you see yourself—the real “inner you”—can be symbolized with clothing color, too. For example, red is associated with aggression and is an apt color to symbolize an aggressive or assertive personality, while green is associated with creativity and establishing yourself in the physical world. The symbolism of clothing is usually related to the “outer” you, but it’s only a rule of thumb.

Dreams can make connections between people based on clothing. For example, if you dream about your husband wearing your dad’s clothes, or your wife wearing your mom’s clothes, it can mean they’re connected in your mind. Perhaps your spouse is like a parent to you, or exhibits some of the same behaviors, qualities, and traits.

Along this line, a dream character can represent someone in your life and be identified by the clothing it wears. For instance, if your brother usually wears a baseball cap backwards, a character wearing a cap backwards might symbolize your brother.

Finally, always keep in mind that dreams can use certain details to set the scene, and those details are not as important as how they connect with other details. For example, you dream about thoughts of the future as time traveling forward to a futuristic world. The dream needs the scenario to be believable, so it might dress the characters in futuristic clothing. Otherwise, the discrepancy might jar you out of the story instead of following along with it.

See also: Athletes, Burying, Children, Clean, Closets, Colors, Disguises, Dressing, Hatred, Hiding, Jobs, Lockers, Masks, Being naked, Shirts, Shoes, Shopping, Shortness, Underwear, Undressing

This interpretation is from ""The Dream Interpretation Dictionary: Symbols, Signs, and Meanings" and is provided by J.M. DeBord aka "RadOwl". He is the author of several acclaimed books about dreaming, the host of The Dreams That Shape Us podcast, and is a moderator of r/Dreams, one of the largest dream sharing communities on the internet.

Examples of dreams of clothing

Read some real dream reports of clothing dreams.. These real life dream reports come from the moderated dream sharing communities of Reddit including r/Dreams, r/Nightmares, r/DreamInterpretation, or r/thisdreamihad. Please note that some of these may contain graphic, sexual, or violent images and text. Use the source link for each dream to view and join the discussion of each one.

I tattooed justin bieber’s face on my butt

His mouth is where my arsehole is.
When someone asks for my opinion, id say, hmm i wonder what justin bieber thinks,
Then ill pull down my pants, show them my ass, make my arsehole talk a la ace ventura and let justin bieber speak for himself.
I wish i was making this up.

Thats the dream. I woke up laughing.

Post Edit:
I think ill name this dream « ask the bieber »

His mouth is where my arsehole is.
When someone asks for my opinion, id say, hmm i wonder what justin bieber thinks,
Then ill pull down my pants, show them my...

Source | Show dream

Aliens discovered under moons surface.

I had been on Earth, standing in the streets as I watched about seven spaceships flying towards the moon.

I asked someone standing beside me," what are they doing?"

"Aliens have been found underneath the moons surface. They're making contact," they replied.

Time skips to about a week later.

The governments are asking for volunteers to go fight the aliens as it was found they were hostile. I volunteered at the station set up. After training I'm set to go.

I'm on the ship, flying through space and we land (there's a group of about six of us). We begin being attacked.

Next thing I know, I'm waking up as if I had been knocked out by the attack. All of my crew are gone except for one, who is standing in front of me, inspecting himself in the mirror, his shirt is off, his veins are a dark grey. I realize I'm injured and am leaning against the wall for support as I stand but still fall due to my injuries.

He begins monologueing about how humans won't see them coming because they take our form and how they've been watching earth right under our noses, blah, blah, blah. This entire time I know Earth is doomed. This crew member in front of me was the alien. They could blend in.

While he's finishing his speech, he approaches me and I wake up. I know I died. He had killed me. This dream had felt so realistic and sometimes I wonder if this has happened in some other version of this reality.

I had been on Earth, standing in the streets as I watched about seven spaceships flying towards the moon.

I asked someone standing beside me," what are they...

Source | Show dream

So uh, I just peed the bed.

I'm a 30 year old man. I was having a dream where my brother and I were waiting in line at a supermarket. We had to make the flight and it looked like we'd be running late. I decided to go to the bathroom and started peeing. I immediately woke up and realized I had actually fucking peed. Not alot, but enough where it got onto the sheet through my pants.

What the fuck lol.

I'm a 30 year old man. I was having a dream where my brother and I were waiting in line at a supermarket. We had to make the flight and it looked like we'd be...

Source | Show dream

I (16f) had a dream about a girl that doesnt exist, caught feelings for her, then she died pretty awfully?

I didnt even realise it was a dream, I was in school with my friends but started getting overwhelmed and having a meltdown which are pretty common for me only this time I physically left school grounds and was in the parking lot trying to calm down, I met a girl with faded dyed blue hair in a braid, slept in makeup, big PJs under a big coat, her name was Charlot and we joked about how it was spelt weird, she looked like a mess but was really pretty to me. She was in this like small van she was living in? This is the weirdest dream I’ve ever had because I could ask her questions I was thinking and she’d respond but I had no control over anything else in the dream so I don’t believe it was lucid. It sounds dumb but i started catching feelings for her, she was funny and cool but came off as cold, we bonded so much, she even taught me a few life lessons but then suddenly her drug dealer came wanting money, she told him to leave her alone then he sliced her neck and killed her right infront of me and I woke up in shock. I’m kinda hurt about this because i bonded with her so much only to find out that shes not only dead but a figment of my imagination. I’m writing this all down a couple minutes after I woke up so sorry if its all over the place, does anyone know what this could mean?

I didnt even realise it was a dream, I was in school with my friends but started getting overwhelmed and having a meltdown which are pretty common for me only...

Source | Show dream

A creepy dream I had that had me feeling paranoid all day.

The beginning of the dream was confusing, and though it may sound sexual, it was not at all, but it involved accidentally downloading a virus while looking at porn. A pornstar and a guy trying to sell a kayak came to my house and talked to me while I was in the shower. Then my mom came in my room and saw these two random people, and then she left, as well as those two people. That part of the dream isn’t what creeped me out.

The next part seemed to be part of the same dream, but it felt like someone had flipped the switch from a nonsensical dream about nothing in particular, to a more dark and foreboding dream.

I got out of the shower and the people from the previous part were gone. I hadn’t totally forgotten they were there, but I had stopped thinking about whatever confusing situation had happened.

I walked into my room and the lights were off. I went to turn them on but they had been cut. I tried my lamps and they had been cut off too. None of my lights would turn on. There were also single things missing, as well as things that those two people seemed to have left. A single one of my shoes was missing. But one of the people had also left behind some tanning lotion.

Now that part of the dream still contained elements from the last part, but it transitions into the final part. So my lights have been cut and things are missing. This next part is what left me feeling paranoid.

I go into another room and my family is in there. They tell me that someone was just murdered very close to our house. I look out the window and see two short clowns riding small bikes down our street in the night, honking their horns. That was the end. Really creeped me out. Interpretations?

The beginning of the dream was confusing, and though it may sound sexual, it was not at all, but it involved accidentally downloading a virus while looking at...

Source | Show dream
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