The mood-boosting power of dopamine dressing

May 14

Dear Trendy,

I keep hearing about “dopamine dressing” and that it’s supposed to actually help me feel happier. What is it and is there any truth to it?

Signed,

I Need a Mood Boost

Dear I Need a Mood Boost,

First of all, you’re not alone. In tumultuous times, who couldn't use a happiness-boost simply by getting dressed? "Dopamine dressing" has taken center stage in 2024, with people of all ages boldly embracing brights and vibrant hues designed to lift our spirits. In a world that can feel overwhelmingly negative, this fashion trend brings an uplifting burst of color and unabashed joy. But, to answer your question … what exactly is it?

What is Dopamine Dressing?

At its core, dopamine dressing refers to wearing clothes in bright, energetic shades in an effort to increase levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that regulates our brain's pleasure and reward centers. Without being scientifically proven by formal studies, people anecdotally say it works. By intentionally wearing these saturated "happy" colors like electric blues, sunny yellows, hot pinks and neon greens, dopamine dressers aim to elevate their mood through fashion.

While vibrant hues have always been present in fashion, the intentional mood-boosting element combined with the term "dopamine dressing" popped in the early 2020s. According to fashion psychologists, it emerged as an antidote of sorts to the collective emotional trauma, isolation and stress of the pandemic years.

The Rise of Dopamine Dressing as Self-Care

Dopamine dressing as a defined aesthetic caught on in 2021. As people emerged from lockdowns craving optimism and joy, social media accounts highlighting bright, monochrome outfits alongside posts on the psychological benefits of color therapy went viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Soon, trendsetters were sporting electric shades expressly nicknamed "dopamine hues" or "mood-boosting colors." From neon green slip dresses to hot pink suits, wearing bold, happy colors went from a playful statement to legitimate self-care practice aimed at boosting emotional well-being.

By 2023, major fashion brands were fully leaning into the empowering dopamine dressing narrative. Luxury names launched "Dopamine" collections in celebratory shades. Activewear and athleisure lines embraced dopamine brights to pair with their upbeat wellness positioning. Even footwear collided with the trend through whimsically colorful sneaker and sandal drops.

What’s the Science on Dopamine Dressing?

So you look good - but do you feel good, mentally and emotionally? Proponents insist it's a shortcut to improve your frame of mind by tricking your brain into positivity through color therapy. While research is lacking, studies on red clothing in particular have indicated that our clothes' colors measurably impact perception of self-confidence. Others anecdotally say that bright colors improves perception of the wearers by others. The idea of naturally enhancing wellbeing through fashion is intriguing to consumers and brands alike.

Now, with dopamine dressing adopters spanning all ages, genders and styles, it has officially achieved mainstream appeal. We're seeing dopamine brights electrifying everything from red carpets and runways to Instagram feeds and city streets.

Celebrities such as Margot Robbie, Dua Lipa, Anya Taylor-Joy, Harry Styles and Lil Nas X have embraced eye-catching monochrome outfits in highly saturated shades like cobalt blues and Barbiecore pinks. It-girls like Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid have been spotted in elevated takes on dopamine dressing through sleek monochrome looks in shades like electric green. Even Taylor Swift brought bright red front and center with her looks at several Kansas City Chiefs games in 2023, not to mention her chronically crimson lips.

Gen Z trendsetters and influencers continue driving the dopamine dress trend with maximalist color philosophy to the extreme through daring mixed hues and accessories like shockingly bright makeup and hair colors. Across all ages and personal styles, the unifying theme is that dopamine dressing encourages pure, unrestrained self-expression through joyfully bold palettes - and maybe a much-needed boost of happy neurotransmitters along the way.

Dopamine dressing has flourished from wearing bright colors into a culture-defining fashion movement about feeling empowered and happy, and exuding confidence through color. There’s no harm in trying. The best way for a mood boost? No matter what is trending, wear what makes YOU happy.

As we say: “You wear you.”

xoxo

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