Some background, so you can see where my opinions come from. I have worked as a stylist ... print work for retail clients and local Los Angeles designers. My specialty was plus sizing, although I did regular sizes and men's too. I also was called upon by plus sized private clients who wanted to up their wardrobe and plus size models who needed to do a photo shoot for their professional portfolios.
So my perspective is heavily focused on body image. I am assuming that by "body experience" your are talking about that .. how someone perceives their own body as compared to an"ideal".
I find that the right clothing helps a lot to bolster someones self esteem and body image but it can only do so much. By "right clothing" I mean something that disguised any perceived "flaws" and accentuated any perceived "assets". So, for a woman who thinks her hips might be too large, I might shift the focus to her bust line, narrow waist or shapely legs (whatever her best features were). But I don't think that just the clothing alone did that. I think that by talking to them and pointing out their "assets" and showing them how the eye is now focusing on the good, not the problem area ... that was what helped their self esteem the most. Of course, a life long feeling of being "too ... whatever" sometimes cannot be overcome with nice new clothing and encouraging comments. But sometimes, in a person who is ready to believe it ... it helps.
I currently volunteer my time with men and women who are struggling to find jobs ... mostly due to poverty, previous drug abuse, previous incarceration and emotional issues. Our organization coaches them how to do a good job interview and how to write a resume. And we also give them business appropriate clothing for job interviews. I work one on one with the clients, dressing them for those job interviews.
I find it very interesting that when you put a guy who has only worn gang banger attire his whole life, puts on his first suit and tie with dress shoes and belt ... that almost every one of them will stand taller, puff their chests out, and pose in front of the mirror. I see a visible shift in how they feel about themselves ... the tough guy attitude melts and another person seems to arrive. I will see a new guy who is polite, respectful ... and grateful. So ... I would say, that clothing does "make the man" ... at least to a small degree.
Now women are more difficult to dress for the job interviews. They worry about changing their look, worry about looking too old or too conservative. Some just hate to wear a dress or skirt ... or even dress slacks. It takes a lot longer to find something that is business appropriate ... that they will even try on. But ... when you get it right, they too light up and get excited.
