This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s summer editorial intern Jordyn Centerwall. Find her on Instagram at @jordyncenterwall. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Can the clothes you wear affect the amount of attention you get on a night out? TikTok seems to think so. Many creators have come forward proposing what has been dubbed the comfy clothes theory. The believers claim that they receive more attention (and sometimes free drinks) when they dress down vs dress up on a night out. Others disagree with the theory and present alternate reasons why you might get more attention when you dress comfy. Is this “theory” empowering, fun, manipulative, or a mixture of all three? Read on to find out.
The “Theory”
Everything nowadays seems to be a theory. In science, a theory is a well-proven explanation for something observed. However, on TikTok the term it has simply come to indicate a new passing trend in dating, fashion, or beauty. Black nail theory, October theory, and the let them theory are just a few of the theories that have circulated the app.
According to creators like @paytonpoulstonn, the comfy clothes theory posits that you get approached by more people at bars when you dress comfy. This trend appears to have come and gone in waves over the last year. For the most part it has been aimed at a straight, female audience. Videos from late last year and early this year are numerous, but several have resurfaced more recently as people rediscover or are exposed to the trend for the first time.
Some people shared that they tried the trend intentionally while others reported going out without knowing about the theory in casual wear and experiencing increased interest. The comfy outfits that are being suggested include sweats, big hoodies and baggy jeans, and generally clothing at odds with typical Gen Z bar scene attire. Others like @alina.heron advise that comfy clothes with sports logos or graphics spark the most interactions with guys. If you want to try the trend yourself, consider rocking custom soccer jerseys for a casual, sporty look that’s both comfortable and a great conversation starter at the bar.
Why People Are Participating
What has been motivating other women to try out this trend? Most of the people trying the comfy clothes theory for themselves seem to be participating for a couple of reasons. First, many people try it simply to see if it works. Curiosity is a powerful thing, especially in the age of influencers. If I were to regularly hear people talking about this trend it probably would eventually get the best of me. Plus the idea of just throwing on a hoodie and going out sounds heavenly.
Prioritizing comfort also seemed to be a factor for others who have participated in the trend. In watching the videos explaining the trend, it feels like many women are taking the trend as permission to wear something that they feel comfortable in versus something that is designed to attract. There are also just as many who simply see the theory as something fun to try to mix up the monotony of going out to the same college or hometown bars. However, another large motivator appears to be attraction and attention still. In most videos, people reference to trying the trend out of the hope of a better chance at having people offer to buy them free drinks or talk to them.
Why The Theory Works And Alternate Opinions
After so many people posted about the comfy clothes theory and how it worked for them, people began wondering why. Many have suggested that guys may have found them more approachable. Others noted that they simply felt more comfortable in their own skin and that may have drawn others to them.
Others who have chimed in on TikTok disagree vehemently with the comfy clothes theory. One such opinion came from @jahelis. She argued against these other explanations about why they were approached more. Instead, she suggested that they were approached more because they were perceived as the “least effort.” In her video, she presented the argument that even if men buy the drinks and give the attention they are still the ones “winning” in this situation. She goes on to explain that their interest in this comfy image isn’t indicative of seeing natural beauty or a laid-back demeanor, but instead of them viewing them as the easiest target for their attention.
My Opinion
I spent countless weekends going to the same three bars in my college town during my junior and senior years. It can become monotonous quick. So I can understand why some people are using this trend as a way to spice up the experience. This trend seems for the most part light-hearted and done unseriously. That being said, I really dislike the line of thinking that a lot of the creators fall into. In many cases, the theory is proposed as a way to have a better chance of getting offered free drinks. You do you, but it still feels a bit manipulative. Sure it’s a nice sentiment and flattering, but I dislike it when it feels like the interaction is only happening for this exchange. For example, talking to a guy to get a drink only to ignore him the second you receive it.
I also dislike the us-vs-them mentality of pitting men and women against each other. The idea of “winning” gets brought up in the discussion of the comfy clothes theory several times. It is presented as women winning if they get free drinks. Men winning on the other hand looks like putting in the minimum amount of effort. The idea of there being a “winning” vs “losing” side in this is ludicrous to me. Not to mention the fact that the entire theory is a bit skewed as well. In all my scrolling I didn’t come across anyone saying that the theory didn’t work for them. This likely means that many tried this trend and didn’t share if they saw no results.
A Celebration Of Girlhood
My favorite videos that I’ve come across are of entire friend groups that have opted to dress casually as a group. I think for some it feels like a rebellion against the the status quo. In the video above especially, the comfy clothes theory is presented as being a fun activity to do with friends. There is a bit of evidence of the theory generating attention, but most of the video focuses on the excitement and fun that the friends have together trying the trend.
Do you think the comfy clothes theory works? Let us know in the comments!
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