There is a certain sense of optimism in the air. While last year we were shopping online for the best tracksuits and loungewear, this year it’s all about finding bold colours to brighten up your day. This association between wearing bright clothing and feeling good isn’t new — in fact, it’s long been coined dopamine dressing. But the term has recently been taken to new levels. There’s a feeling of hope in the air that’s been transferred to pops of acid brights sashaying down the catwalk and reflected on the streets. After the year (or two) we’ve had, there is something so satisfying about donning an outfit for its mood-boosting qualities. And honestly, I’m all about it.
Usually someone who for a time has stuck to the monochromatic blacks, whites, and neutrals, this year I’ve started to choose colour. Citrusy yellows, azure blues, berry reds. I wanted to stand out, to look as though I’m leaving the house with intent, with somewhere (anywhere!) to go. My dopamine hit didn’t stop with bright pops of colour mind, no I took it to another level. I choose bows and embellishments – the frills, the flounce. I even deviate into loud patterns, something I would ordinarily shy away from.
So does it work? For me, yes. I feel happier on the days I’m dressed in these brighter hues. It makes me feel more awake, more alive. There’s definitely something to it. However, I do think it’s also about personal preference. Would I wear candy floss pink? Probably not. But a flash of zesty green? Possibly. To get that dopamine hit intended, you need to choose a colour you’d want to wear, that you feel comfortable in. Most importantly, a colour that gives you confidence.
While there are studies and scientific theories behind dopamine dressing, it is as much about you and the meaning you give your clothes. It’s more about how brighter colours make you feel than it is about the current kaleidoscope of colours permeating the catwalk. And the only way to know if it works is to try it out for yourself. We may not be able to control the ups and downs of life (notably during a pandemic), but we can control what we wear. And if adding a little colour and flourish through joyful dressing will give mood-boosting effects, then I say, why not soak up all the feel-good vibes you can.
