Wearable Happiness: How to Dress for Feel-Good Energy
This hot pink fake fur jacket is possibly one of my all time favourite purchases. My Barbie loving inner child feels like dancing for joy every time I wear it.
Happiness is a drug, and we are all addicted.
But what if there was a way to get our fix without all the side effects? What if we could simply put on a happy outfit and enjoy the high from dopamine coursing through our veins?
This may sound too good to be true. While Pinterest forecast the dopamine-dressing trend for 2022, it's not a new concept, and science is catching up with what we have always known about emotional responses to colour and fashion. Just ask any child how fabulous they feel wearing their favourite outfit, be it a cape, swishy skirt, football kit or combination of all three!
Have you ever put on an outfit and instantly felt confident and ready to take on the world? It turns out there may be some science behind why fashion choices can improve our mood. In her book, 'The Psychology of Fashion,' behavioural psychologist Carolyn Mair, PhD, delves into the concept of dopamine dressing, or the idea that what we wear can positively impact our brain chemistry.
"Dopamine dressing refers to a person's motivation to dress in a way that will result in a positive outcome, like feeling more confident, competent, or happy." Carolyn Mair, PhD
Colour is Personal
Keep in mind our attitudes towards colour are influenced by factors like age, gender, and culture. So while some people might be drawn to bold hues like neon yellow and hot pink, others might prefer more muted shades like lilac or turquoise. Likewise, colour can hold different connotations in different cultures.
My sister and I knew how to rock the dopamine dressing trend back in the 80’s!
Many of us remember how our favourite childhood outfits and toys made us feel happy and confident. And it seems this is no coincidence, as the dopamine-dressing trend has its roots in childhood memories of happiness.
Mair stresses that it's not just about picking happy colours - it's about believing they will elevate your mood. The bottom line is that there's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to colour and our emotions. So the main rule of dopamine dressing? Wear what makes you feel good!
Read on for my top tips on how to dress for happiness and embrace your inner child, and you'll be dopamine-dressing your way to happiness in no time!
There are no rules for dopamine dressing, like my t-shirts say, you should make your own traditions. Mix colour, pattern and bold accessories in a way that sparks joy for you. (On the left I am wearing colourful pants by Adelaide designer Six Times Seven and my favourite papaya earrings by another Adelaide designer, Obiq.)
Choose Your Happiness-Inducing Colours
The first step in dopamine dressing is to choose your happiness-inducing colours. While there are some commonalities, the effects of colour are personal, so it's important to experiment and find the hues that work for you.
While colours may be associated with emotions - think red for passion, blue for serenity - consider what hues make YOU feel good. If you're drawn to brighter colours, go for it! If you prefer more muted shades, that's perfectly fine, too. There are no rules when it comes to dopamine dressing, so let your personal preferences be your guide.
Try experimenting with colours that have been shown to induce happiness. Hot pink is always a good choice, as it's associated with youthful energy and vibrance. Orange is another cheerful colour, as it is associated with warmth and energy. Yellow is also known to boost happiness levels, so don't be afraid to go all out with a canary yellow dress or shirt. And, of course, green is the colour of nature and life, so it's bound to put a smile on your face.
Dress for Joy
The second step in dopamine dressing is to dress for joy. In other words, wear clothes that make you feel happy and confident. This could be a favourite outfit reminiscent of a childhood favourite or something you recently bought that you just can't stop thinking about. The key is to choose items that put a smile on your face and make you feel good about yourself.
If you're unsure where to start, take the Marie Kondo approach and ask yourself which clothes and accessories "spark joy". You should focus on these pieces when creating your dopamine-dressing-inspired wardrobe. Try experimenting with different styles and cuts. Just because you normally dress a certain way doesn't mean you can't try something new.
Don't be afraid to wear what you love, even if it seems a little unconventional or quirky. Life is too short to worry about what other people think! We only get one chance at this life, so we might as well enjoy every minute of it by wearing clothes that make us feel joyful. If you have a favourite dress or jumpsuit that makes you feel great, put it on and get ready to take on the world!
Get Creative with Your Clothes
Once you've selected your happiness-inducing colours, it's time to get creative. This is where you can really let your inner child out to play. Have fun with your clothes and experiment with different colour combinations and styles.
One of the best things about dopamine dressing is that you can be as creative as you want. If you love mixing and matching different colours, go for it! If you prefer a more minimalist approach, that's perfectly fine, too. Just make sure you're having fun with your clothes and expressing yourself in a way that feels true to you.
Accessorize for Dopamine-Fueled Fun
The next step in dopamine dressing is to accessorize for dopamine-fueled fun. This means choosing accessories that make you happy and help you express your unique style. Again, there are no rules, so experiment and find the pieces that work best for you.
One of the best things about accessorizing is that it can help you express your personality. If you're a fun-loving person, look for playful accessories that reflect your inner child. Maybe you're more of a free spirit and prefer pieces that represent your carefree attitude. And if you're a bit of a fashionista, use your accessories to show off your unique sense of style.
If you’re new to wearing colour, accessories like statement jewellery, colourful scarves, and bright bags are the perfect way to get started. Again, the key is to choose items that make you happy and help you express your personal style.
Let Your Inner Child Lead the Way
The final step in dopamine dressing is to let your inner child lead the way. This means unapologetically expressing yourself and having fun with your clothes.
One of the best things about dopamine dressing is that it allows you to tap into your inner child and express yourself in a fun and carefree way. So go ahead and wear those bright colours, mix and match different patterns, and accessorize to your heart's content. And most importantly, don't take yourself too seriously. Let your inner child out to play and enjoy the dopamine-fueled ride!
Is green and purple a tradtionally safe fashion choice? Maybe not, but I love how I look and feel wearing this Made for a Goddess jacket with my Stronger Than You Think T-shirt at the Melbourne Life Instyle Tradefair with fellow Australian artist and colour lover, Karen Andersen. And how fabulous is her jumper?!
How to Find Colourful Clothes and Accessories?
Head to your local design market to find unique clothes and accessories, plus one-of-a-kind pieces you won't find in regular stores. As a bonus, you'll get an extra happiness boost from supporting independent makers and contributing to your community, so it's win-win!
Adelaide markets like Gathered, Bowerbird, and Gilles at The Grounds are some of my go-to spots for finding fun, unique pieces. So next time you're looking to treat yourself to some extra colour, take a trip to your local design market for some dopamine dressing inspo and good vibes all around.
Check out my events page for details on where to find me at upcoming Adelaide markets.
If you are looking for inspiration check out @theadelaidehipster on Instagram. Her page is full of colour and happiness. Plus she shares lots of great local colourful brands.
Other Ways to Add Colour
Are you still feeling wary of adding a little colour to your wardrobe? No need to fear because there's another way to incorporate those vibrant hues into your daily life: through art! Whether it's a new print for your living room or a bright painting for your bedroom, adding pops of colour with wall art is a great way to inject some fun and personality into any space. And I know just the place to start browsing ;-) Plus, you can always switch things up whenever you feel like a change.
So go ahead and experiment with bold colours on your walls, at least. Who knows, it might just give you the confidence to start wearing them in your clothes too.
Art like my ‘Fun & Friendship’ print is a great way to add a happiness inducing pop of colour to your home.
Get creative and have fun!
The most important thing about dopamine dressing is to have fun with it! Don't take yourself too seriously—the whole point is to experiment and have a good time. So go ahead and try some new combinations, play with different colours, and most importantly, have fun!
Are you with me on the colour train? Will you give it a try and see how it affects your mood? Or are you sticking with your tried-and-true neutral tones? Let me know in the comments below! Either way here's to feeling even happier in our daily fashion choices.
While dressing for happiness may help to boost your mood, it's just for fun and not a cure for depression. If you feel you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please contact your GP or a service like Lifeline on 13 11 14.