Here's What You Should Know About Dopamine Dressing
If you're looking for a new way to improve your mood, you should consider dopamine dressing, which is becoming a hot new street-style trend. So, what's dopamine? As Healthline explains, dopamine "is a neurotransmitter made in the brain." Additionally, Healthline adds that dopamine typically helps make you feel joyful and excited. Thus, dopamine dressing is focused on choosing outfits that you think will make you feel, well, happier.
According to Byrdie, specific features of the clothing you wear, such as the hues or designs, can help increase your dopamine levels, making you feel better. After all, people have constantly talked about using beauty products such as makeup to boost their moods, but what we wear is also a significant part of our appearances. It only makes sense that the world is starting to pick up on the connection between how we dress and how we feel.
Anyone who wants to start experimenting with dopamine dressing can find inspiration by searching #dopaminedressing on Instagram, where you'll find a plethora of colorful, unique outfits.
Wearing brighter colors is a great way to dabble with dopamine dressing
We know how tempting it is to fill your closet with neutral pieces, especially since everyone knows that you can never go wrong with classic black and white outfits. However, getting out of your comfort zone and investing in some colorful pieces could be the key to a better mindset. Moreover, Vogue notes how donning brighter clothing can make you feel happier and more energetic throughout your day. It makes sense because brightness is associated with happiness. Just think about how sunshine is a commonly used motif in happy scenes in movies and TV shows!
The traditional primary colors — red, yellow, and blue — are all excellent options to work with if you're new to wearing more vibrant pieces and don't really know where to start. For instance, one of the boldest yet least complicated colors we can think of is red. According to Color Meanings, this bright hue exudes an energetic vibe and can easily turn heads. In fact, wearing a red top or dress can make you feel more confident and braver.
Furthermore, Color Matters adds that yellow traditionally signifies joy and hope, so it's a terrific hue to wear to uplift your mood. If you prefer a cool color palette, various brighter shades of blue are other options. Think about how happy you feel when the sky is a crystal clear shade of light yet bright blue!
Fun patterns are mood boosters
While rocking bright colors can lead to a better mood, donning pieces with playful patterns is another method of dopamine dressing. The beauty of patterned pieces is that there are so many different designs out there that there's something for everyone's unique style. For instance, wearing floral patterns is a great way to boost your mood if you enjoy a girly look. According to Flush the Fashion, flower designs relate to nature, and surrounding yourself with nature can make you feel better, so why not wear this nature-inspired style to improve your mood?
For those who prefer a more retro vibe, polka dots are a popular pattern. It's impossible not to smile when looking at this playful pattern, and polka-dotted pieces don't necessarily have to contain any bright colors to radiate cheerful energy. Anyone who wants to find some examples of polka-dotted outfits can find endless pictures of dresses, tops, and skirts on Instagram.
Or, if you feel dauntless, why not wear patterns with food-inspired designs? After all, mushroom prints are taking over style trends in 2022. We're not saying that you need to completely change your wardrobe from solid neutrals to all neon clothing with wild patterns, but you might be surprised by how investing in some brighter or patterned pieces might give you a pleasant dopamine boost. Once you've decided how to update your wardrobe, why not try some retro eyeglass frames?