What Is Dopamine Dressing and How Do You Do It Right?
It’s no secret that vibrant colors in your wardrobe can make you feel WOW. That’s why we bring back our pastels and power shades with fun florals and flowy fabrics in the springtime. But did you know there’s a phrase for this? It’s called “dopamine dressing.”
I stumbled across the term not too long ago, but I realized I have been doing it for years now. You gals know I love a pop of color, which is why I’ve talked about everything from colorful purses for spring and summer to tips on dressing more colorfully. When I get up in the morning, what I decide to wear is largely based on my mood. The first thing I think about is what color do I feel like wearing to match or lift my mood! Just call me Dopamine Deb – Lol!
Now, let’s talk about why dopamine dressing might be the style boost you didn’t know you needed.
red jacket – similar | striped top | jeggings | jeggings curvy
What Is Dopamine Dressing and How Do You Do It Right?
Do you ever notice that slipping into a certain outfit boosts your mood? It isn’t just in your head – It’s actually a thing called “dopamine dressing,” a term coined by fashion psychologist Karen Pine. This phenomenon is also known as “enclothed cognition,” which means that your clothing represents your emotional state and mental health. Neat!
It’s not about which colors are trending; it’s about which colors bring you the biggest positive emotion. Maybe it’s a sunny yellow lace dress that makes you feel as bright as the sun. Or, it could be a pink blazer that gives your confidence a little boost.
Whatever it may be, the goal is to wear outfits that make you feel good, literally lol! Prioritize the pieces that make you light up when you wear them.
Do Bright Colors Release Dopamine?
Experts say that wearing bright colors can do a number of things, such as increasing energy and enhancing your confidence. Notice a pattern here? Dopamine dressing has everything to do with the way colors make you feel.
Think about your own wardrobe or outfits I’ve shared on my page. Red is powerful and commands attention, but pink feels playful and feminine. Even if you’re not into bold hues, there are several ways to add a pop of color in a subtle but impactful way.
It doesn’t have to be loud to work a classy scarf or a fun pair of shoes can do the trick. Remember that it will always be quality over quantity when it comes to timeless looks and playing with trends. Adding color the right way is much more powerful than throwing a bunch of colors together and hoping for the best!
What Colors Release Dopamine?
- Yellow: Yellow tones are associated with happiness and optimism, which is why yellow is often known as the “happy color.” (Yellow has always been my favorite color!)
- Red: Wear red when you want an energetic and powerful touch. It’s attention-grabbing and known to reflect feelings of motivation! (Red makes me feel most confident!)
- Pink: It makes sense why pink is most commonly worn during Valentine’s Day. It’s the shade of love. It’s associated with feelings of playfulness and romance. Look at this post for more pink-inspired outfit ideas. (I’ve really gotten into Hot Pink and Fuschia in the last 1o years)
- Orange: Since orange is a mix of yellow and red, it makes sense that this color is linked to enthusiasm and warmth. It’s perfect for dopamine dressing! (It makes me feel warm and cheery. I love it, and coral too!)
- Green: The right green hues can reflect a sense of balance and growth. It’s a great color to wear to feel “connected” to your surroundings. (Kelly Green makes me feel fresh)
- Blue: Is there any shade of blue that doesn’t make you feel fabulous? Blue effortlessly brings a sense of peace and tranquility. (Warm Robin’s egg blue makes me happy)
- Purple: Did you know that purple is the shade of luxury and royalty? This tone would make anyone feel their best! (Warm Purple makes makes me feel expensive)
Each color affects everyone differently. You may stray away from wearing red because it’s too powerful. I, on the other hand, love bold red sweaters and festive dresses during the winter. Bright, bold colors help lift my mood, especially when it’s dull and gray out. (And speaking of gray, that’s one color that I rarely wear as I find it a real downer!) Wear clothes that bring you joy in shades you love. Now, let’s talk about a few tips for incorporating dopamine dressing into your wardrobe!
How To Incorporate Dopamine Dressing Into Your Wardrobe
Choose colors that lift your spirits.
Dopamine dressing starts with colors that make you feel confident. Sometimes, we have to skip out on trends and reach for hues that make us truly happy instead. Just because you saw your favorite celebrity stun in a bright blue dress on the runway doesn’t mean you have to wear a blue dress. You will know when you have found your perfect shades they just feel right.
For me, those colors are red, yellow, and coral. I also love spring colors – bright, clear – the colors you’d find in a beautiful spring garden. These colors make me feel very happy and confident, and my closet is full of them! Your “wow” colors, as I call them, might be totally different.
Start small with a subtle pop of color.
Bold colors can feel intimidating, which is why it’s important to start small. Trust me, you don’t need to dress like a rainbow to feel the benefits of dopamine dressing! Start with a cute handbag, a silk scarf, or a pair of pointed-toe slingbacks. It’s much easier to incorporate color in a tasteful way when you stick with timeless styles.
Notice how, in this post on my Instagram, a perfectly pink cardigan draped over my top instantly breathes life into the outfit. It isn’t super flashy or out of place, and it’s easy to accessorize without overdoing it!
Play with textures to add depth to your look.
Colors aren’t the only thing that matters with dopamine dressing. Texture can play a significant role in how the pieces wear, which inevitably plays a role in how you feel. We’ve all been there wearing a poorly made blouse that you can’t wait to take off. Lean into those silky, soft, crisp, and cozy textures instead to feel your best. For example, I feel fabulous in cashmere (like a lot of my ladies do!), and I love lace, too.
Check out these posts for more on finding fabrics that look as good as they feel:
- Classy Ways to Style a Satin Dress
- Lovely Ways to Wear Linen
- How to Wear and Care for Cashmere
- How to Feel Confident in Black Leather this Fall
Choose prints that spark joy and avoid chaos.
Not everyone loves a print, as they can often feel intimidating. But have you ever considered that you may just be finding the wrong prints? There are a number of benefits from wearing patterns, and dopamine dressing just happens to be one of them. Florals, stripes, animal prints (in moderation), or even a simple polka dot can transform your look. I’m not a huge print person, but I do love modern floral prints or a colorful, artsy print. I find a crisp classic stripe uplifting, too.
The key here is to thoughtfully choose patterns and let them be the statement piece. You don’t want to pair a polka dot blouse with striped jeans. Instead, choose one print and create the rest of your outfit around that piece. Everything should blend together, not fight for attention! For example, most of my accessories like bags and shoes are netural, and the reason is because all my clothes are so colorful!
Know how to prioritize comfort without looking frumpy.
You shine the most when you’re comfortable in what you wear. But that doesn’t mean you should go out in your brightly colored house clothes and cozy slippers and call it dopamine dressing! Wouldn’t we all just be happier in our PJs? Lol!
However, the truth is that well-fitting clothes don’t just look better; they make you feel better. You don’t want anything too tight or loose, so find that sweet spot where your clothing delicately drapes over your body. If you have ever worn something that fits you to a tee, you know how it can make you feel like a million bucks! For me, that would be very tailored clothing. However, you may feel better in a more relaxed, fluid silhouette. That’s fine as long as they fit well. Check out this guide for more on figuring out if your clothes fit you.
Blue Dress (similar) –1, 2, | sandals | bag
Dress for the type of mood you want to create.
Certain colors look best in certain settings. That’s why we wear rust and gold in the fall, and in summer, we prioritize nautical blues. Some colors are also more suited to certain settings or occasions – where you are and what you’re doing—for example, neutral colors like navy and taupe at a serious business meeting.
Even if you’re not focused on the season or the setting, think about how you feel when you wear certain tones. Would you show up to a coffee date in a bright orange maxi dress? Probably not, but if you do, kudos! But typically, we want to save those for a boat party or tropical vacation. If you’re adding any pop of color to a nice date outfit, it will probably be something soft, delicate, and feminine, like pink. Let your outfit support your mood, not fight it. (Take a look at this post about what to wear on a coffee date to see what I mean).
When pairing different colors, always make sure they are cohesive.
Just as some colors fit better in specific settings, there are shades that just naturally work together. For example, blue and green together is a stunning combination for chic vacation wear. Pink and orange look fabulous together for a refreshing spring look.
Notice how I’m not pairing yellow and green or red and purple. Stay away from shades that are too similar in undertones; they can look too matchy-matchy and wash you out. Look at this post to see how I combined different shades to create stunning looks.
Don’t forget to make every look feel personal to you.
The best-dressed women know what works for them and how to make every look feel personal. Let go of age rules, trends, and even what someone else might think of you. Wearing an outfit that brings feelings of pleasure is the ultimate key to dopamine dressing.
Whether you want to play it safe with a navy blue cardigan and pearls or have fun with a bright pink sundress and statement jewelry, wear it like you mean it!
Note: You may also enjoy this post about bright colors:
How to Wear Colorful Stripes and Not Look Like a Circus Clown
How will you be incorporating dopamine dressing into your wardrobe?
Even if you’ve never heard of dopamine dressing until now, you’ve probably been naturally leaning into some colors and fabrics that make you feel good. We all want to dress in colors that make us happy, choose styles that compliment our shape, and wear fabrics that make us feel good. Next time you’re editing your wardrobe, ask yourself this: Did I get these pieces because they make me feel good, or because that’s what everyone else was doing?
Make sure you’re keeping up with my LTK storefront to see all of my favorite outfit ideas, from everyday classics to trendy new styles. You can also join my private Facebook group, Fabulous After 40 Dressing Room, to discuss all of the ways you’re playing with dopamine dressing. Have you heard of this before now? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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My closet is full of color! I have a lot of true reds, bright pinks, royal blues, and emerald greens. Color definitely affects my mood. I’m always drawn to colors first when I’m shopping.
It’s a beautiful sunny day, which I find energizing, but I put on a bright pink top with a black skort to give me some extra energy while I run errands.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for dropping by. Isn’t shopping so much easier when you know what colors you love? You can just forget about what’s in or out and buy the colors that make you happy and make you feel confident. Cheers! Deb
Hi Deb,
I do as you do in the mornings. I ask myself every day what color I am in the mood to wear. I love warm toned brights. I do sometimes wear warm toned neutrals, but you’re more likely to find me in a happy, bright color. Like you, I find gray to be a real downer. I own absolutely nothing in that color. It drains my complexion and makes me look gray and tired. I think that a big, big reason I love reading your blog is because of the colors you choose. You always bring a little boost to my day. Thanks!
Hi Kathy, It sounds like we’re two peas in a pod, and the interesting thing is I have always been like this. I never thought about it. It’s just what I naturally do. I ask myself how I want to feel and choose my colors accordingly! The power of color is incredible, isn’t it? The other thing about color for me is I don’t feel good in muted colors, dusty grayed-out colors. I much prefer clear, crisp colors as they feel more alive. It sounds like you are the same. Thanks for popping in. I’m so glad I can bring a boost to your day. If there is anything you would like me to write about, please let me know. Cheers, Deb
While I do love my neutrals, I do a lot of dopamine dressing. I have every color of the rainbow in my closet, but in autumn leaning shades, and they all make me happy! The only color that is tough for me is yellow – I have to wear a gold/mustard, and it’s really not my best look. That shade of yellow makes me feel very earthy. My “happy” color is coral. :) Thanks for such a fun post!
Hi Carolyn, Thanks for dropping by. If you don’t like mustard, why wear it?.. unless maybe an accessory. Life is too short to wear colors that drag you down! Cheers, Deb!
LOL, oh, I love mustard/gold, it’s just not the most flattering right near my face of all the autumn colors, that’s what I meant. So I only have a couple items in that color in my wardrobe. I have one floral print top and one print dress in a gold/mustard yellow, and I wear them with browns on autumn or winter days when I’m feeling very down to earth. :)
O.K. Carolyn, Well, you’ve got the right idea for them. Keep the gold elsewhere, but incorporate it into your look. Good thinking!! I love all fall colors, too- so rich and warm. Have a great weekend. Cheers! Deb