2- Clothes can often act as a protection against being touched. This protection may also be against having the real self violated. Clothes can conceal or reveal. In covering up nudity they conceal our perceived imperfections and, by implication, disguise our sexuality. In revealing certain parts of us our dreams may show in what ways we are v ulnerable. Getting undressed can suggest the shedding of old beliefs and inhibitions. Losing one’s clothes or being naked highlights our vulnerability and fears. Dressing inappropriately, e.g. wearing formal clothes on a casual occasion and vice versa When we find ourselves in this position in a dream, we are conscious of our own difficulty in ‘fitting in’ with other people. It will depend 011 the dream scenario whether we are surprised or distressed. and it is often the emotion that we experience which gives us the correct interpretation. We may be deliberately not conforming to others’ perception of us, or trying to conform too much in adopting a certain role.
The colour of the clothing is often significant (see Colour). Clothes being worn by someone to whom they do not belong There is confusion in the dreamer’s mind as to which roles are appropriate for each character.
A man wearing woman’s clothing The dreamer needs to be more conscious of their feminine side.
A uniform on a woman The dreamer is highlighting the need to be aware of the more disciplined and masculine side of their personality. Changing clothes We are attempting to change our image. Clothes that have been cut short We may be outgrowing former pleasures and need to look to pastures new for our entertainment. Pretty clothes We have much to appreciate in our lives. Clothes belonging to a particular person We are being reminded of that person, even though we are aware that they cannot necessarily be with us.
Various articles of clothing are believed to have certain symbolic meanings:
Coat/Shawl (and especially a cloak) A coat can suggest warmth and love, but also protection. This protection can be either physical or emotional, and particularly in the case of a cloak, can be the spiritual protection of Faith.
A sheepskin coat may emphasise this significance (also see Sheep in Animals). Fear of losing the coat can suggest the fear of losing faith and belief.
The coat may be too short, or not thick enough We may be fearful that our love, or the protection we have, is not adequate for our needs.
Gloves - also see individual entry The meaning of gloves can be ambivalent. They can represent covering and protecting oneself, but also ‘showing one’s hand’ and challenging the status quo.
Hat/Cap
A hat is a symbol of wisdom and the intellect and also of protection. It can also signify both spirituality and sexuality, depending 011 the other aspects of the dream.
Pyjamas/Nightclothes
Pyjamas suggest relaxation and hence openness.
Raincoat A raincoat again holds the symbolism of protection, but this time against other people’s emotional onslaught. Very occasionally it may suggest some kind of wish to return to a womb- like state.
Shirt A shirt can suggest appropriate action, but also, as in a hair shirt, grief and pcnitencc.
Shoes
Shoes signify our ability or otherwise to be grounded and in touch with everyday life.
Recognising shoes that we, or others, arc wearing in a dream are strange alerts us to an adjustment that needs to be made to our attitude to life. Lacing up shoes in a dream is supposed to be a well-known symbol of death as are shoes on a table. Tie A tie in can have several significances in dreams.
For some it can represent correctness and good behaviour, and for others, presumably because of its shape, it will signify the phallus.
Underclothes
When we dream of underclothes - whether our own or other people’s we arc considering hidden attitudes to self-image or sexuality.
Veil or veil-like garments (also see individual entry) When we, or others, are wearing a veil we are either trying to hide something, or arc only partially accepting knowledge about ourselves or our relationship to others.
3- Clothes can suggest spiritual protection.
For instance, certain types of clothes will highlight roles and status.