Accessories and anxiety
Are fashion accessories connected to women's level of body satisfaction?
By Lois B. Morris, Allure magazineWomen who feel insecure about their body when they see images of female models tend to own more shoes and handbags than other women, a study of more than 1,200 participants has shown. However, the study participants who felt less secure about their bodies did not have more pants stashed in their closets than the other women did.
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The explanation put forth by Jessica A. Boyce, a psychology researcher at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and her colleagues is that for women who feel dissatisfied with their bodies, fashion accessories are a way to enhance attractiveness without drawing attention to their figure, as clothing tends to do. But people's financial status might also affect how many accessories they buy, regardless of their level of body satisfaction, the researchers acknowledge.
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