Dopamine Dressing (Without Buying Anything New)
Because YOU ARE the occasion (this summer... and beyond!)
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The idea of saving things for best has never sat right with me. Clothes are meant to be worn. They are meant to be enjoyed, and serve as a reminder for all the memories we have made, and those we are yet to make. Dopamine dressing will look different depending on your personal style, (good news you can’t get this wrong) but as a concept, I think it’s a powerful one.
The same way a superhero puts on their cape, our clothes signal to our brain that something is different, a new identity emerges (however temporary) and the ability to change how we feel, to lift our mood becomes possible.
For some people it may well be certain colours that change how they feel, for others it might be particular textures, the shape of a garment, perhaps the pattern in a print that brings them joy. Each of us have own expression of joy that can be found in what we choose to wear.
I took to my forever wardrobe (*in case you’re new here i’m not buying anything for my wardrobe for 365 days) to discover what’s my version of dopamine dressing, and which outfits have the power to make me feel like a superhero, even if the reality feels far from that.
I decided to plan some looks on my Indyx app, under the ‘Capsules’ I created a capsule called ‘Dopamine Dressing’, then it was time to put some music on (preferably a 90s boy band playlist) and having a monumental try on sesh.
Here’s what I came up with
This shirt is without a doubt a marmaite piece. I also have no doubt that anyone who’s from the UK saw this, and thought ‘Harry Hill wants his shirt back’. But the joy this piece brings me is unquestionable. I tend to reach for it more in AW worn with a blazer, but I decided this piece (to me) is the epitome of dopamine dressing. There’s a playfulness in this outfit that lightens my mood. The elongated collar provides something unexpected and a little jovial to an otherwise basic outfit. I also love this color combination, denim blue and tan.
If in doubt, go back to what you know has worked in the past. This blazer is such a gorgeous color, the perfect shade of olive imo. Blazers always come through for me. They seem to signify to my brain that i’m ready for action. I think a blazer is probably my equivalent to a superhero cape. The balance of tones, the color palette, the lines, everything about this outfit just made me feel like I could take on the world.
This outfit made me want to pretend I was about to join a champagne wedding reception at a villa in Lake Como. That’s the power of clothes, they let you dream. I felt so elegant in this ensemble. The oat colored linen with the perfect shade of cream/off white shoe ever to exist makes this feel clean and calm, without leaning too sterile. I felt fancy… and I liked it!
This silk Toteme set feels so good against the skin. I love the way the fabric drapes, and while i’m not usually one for anything with too much pattern, this set still has a very minimal feel to it that I appreciate. I noticed how much more confident I felt when I put this on because it does all the work for you. You don’t have to think about how you wear it, there’s no tucking in, or sleeve rolling required in order to ‘style it’.
I love nothing more than a very minimal detail added to an otherwise very basic outfit. This Hermes reversible belt (it’s tan on the other side) just adds a little something to this outfit that really elevates it, and stops it reading too basic. There’s something about a thin belt like this that makes everything look a little more delicate without being too fussy. I love how the belt ties together the bag and the shoes, and the delicate pops of black ground the look overall.
I saw an outfit similar to this on Pinterest and I just thought, ‘oh that’s a bit of me!’ There’s just something about an all black ensemble that I find so sexy, especially when there’s more skin covered up than not. I could have added more accessories, or added some contrast to this, but i’m glad I didn’t. I like that the slouchy fit is the focus, vs it being overshadowed by a statement accessory. A nice reminder there is luxury in simplicity.
To conclude
There is something celebratory in the act of dopamine dressing, it’s like a big fuck you to the voices (internal and external) that say you aren’t enough. It’s a rebellion of sorts to a world that says you don’t fit the mold. Some people believe you need an occasion in order to dress up, but getting dressed is so much more fun when you remember that YOU are the occasion, and are worthy of celebrating, every single day.
Follow the dopamine hit in your own wardrobe, do not question the pieces that bring you the most joy. Ultimately, that is one of the fundamental keys when it comes to personal style that is often lost on people in a world where we are told we need to ‘fit in’.
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