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Feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing and confident in your appearance overall can truly boost your mood. That’s something most people intuitively understand, but the idea of dressing for joy has now turned into a movement: dopamine dressing.
Understanding Dopamine Dressing: Your Questions Answered
Dopamine dressing can best be summarized as dressing for joy. Instead of wearing boring suits or plain colors, wear things that make you happy. You can find dopamine fashion influencers on social media and guides to picking colors and patterns designed to boost your dopamine levels.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s associated with motivation, pleasure and satisfaction. When we have high levels of dopamine in our brains, it makes us feel happier. Low dopamine levels are associated with a number of mental health challenges, including major depressive disorder, which affects around 10% of the population. The theory behind dopamine fashion is that if you’re draping yourself in positive colors, it encourages your body to release more of those feel-good chemicals.
What Colors and Styles Are Associated With Dopamine Dressing?
Clothing items with bold, bright prints are common in dopamine fashion. Blues, greens and warm colors, such as orange or yellow, can all work well depending on the wearer’s personal tastes. Traditional fashion guidance, such as choosing colors that complement each other based on the color wheel, still applies. When you’re designing your outfits, consider how the whole ensemble will look, just as you would if you were taking on an interior design project.
Can Dopamine Dressing Improve Mood and Mental Well-Being?
Dopamine dressing can help improve the wearer’s mood and mental well-being. This happens in two ways. First, if you feel confident in what you’re wearing, that will improve your mood. Second, certain colors promote the release of the feel-good chemical dopamine, increasing your overall feelings of wellness.
Are There Any Scientific Studies Supporting the Concept of Dopamine Dressing?
To date, there are no formal studies into the practice of dopamine dressing. However, several studies suggest exposure to certain colors can alter psychological or behavioral responses. Dopamine dressing combines comfort and color, so it does have some basis in science.
The Principles of Feel-Good Fashion
It’s easier than you think to design a dopamine-encouraging outfit. Color is a big part of this trend. While plain outfits and dark colors are timeless, adding a splash of color is an easy way to give yourself a nice dopamine boost.
Until relatively recently, dressing for the office meant black or navy suits and simple designs. Busy prints and baggy clothing were off-limits. This new fashion trend is far more relaxed and encourages people to wear things they’re comfortable in and that match their sense of style.
If you like long, flowy dresses, tops with baggy arms or bold, eye-catching patterns, go ahead and wear them. If you prefer something more understated, that’s great too.
Incorporating Dopamine-Boosting Elements Into Your Wardrobe
If a specific color or pattern makes you think of a positive memory, clothing with that sort of print could be a good addition to your wardrobe.
A look at the fashion shows and influencers who’ve embraced dopamine clothing could leave you feeling slightly intimidated. Their wardrobes are loud, bright and eye-catching. If you’re not up for going that far with your ensemble, that’s perfectly okay. Dopamine dressing involves wearing things you like and feel comfortable with.
If you’d like to give dopamine dressing a try but don’t want to change your wardrobe too much, you could try accessorizing. Alternatively, mix garments you already own, such as comfortable slacks or jeans with bold tops or cardigans, to brighten up your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Try these tips to build a dopamine-boosting wardrobe:
- Start with small changes. You probably won’t feel confident if you completely change your wardrobe all in one go. So, pick styles you like and are comfortable with and add a splash of color.
- Choose colors you like and that suit you. Some colors look better with certain skin tones. Other colors, such as light blue, work with almost any complexion. Find some colors you love and that suit you. Over time, those new color choices could become your trademark.
- Consider where you’ll be wearing the outfit. If you’re planning an outfit to wear on a conference call, you can get away with bold, bright colors because they look great on a computer monitor. If you’re going out to the mall and you’re not confident enough to wear anything that turns heads, choose pastel colors.
- Remember you don’t have to go all in. Pairing a bold shirt or cardigan with a simple A-line skirt or a pair of slacks in a pastel color can brighten your wardrobe without feeling like a huge change. You can incorporate dopamine-boosting fashion items while still fitting within your workplace’s dress code.
- Accessorize. While you’re experimenting with this fashion trend, why not pick up some bold accessories? This is a good way to see which colors you like the most and make those colors part of your identity. Once people know you love orange, they’ll be less surprised to see you wearing it in prints.
Helping Your Mental Health
Dopamine dressing is supposed to be fun. It’s about embracing your identity, expressing yourself and taking advantage of the science behind color and dopamine at the same time. If you’re feeling a little stuck, changing up your wardrobe can help boost your mood and promote a sense of well-being.
If you feel like you need a little more help to get out of the rut you’re in, or you just need someone to talk to about anxiety, depression and mental health, know that help is available. The team of counselors at FHE Health can offer assistance with a variety of mental health challenges. Contact us today to book a confidential consultation with one of our expert therapists.
