The Art of Dopamine Dressing

The Untamed Issue THE ART OF DOPAMINE DRESSING

All in favor of wearing clothes that make you feel good inside? Say less! Isn’t that what fashion is all about—self-expression and wearing an outfit that represents you? Whether you’re rocking a pair of New Balance 550s or a top from Depop, if it makes you want to bounce off the walls, that’s all that matters. But wait, what does fashion have to do with feeling good? Good question. Of course, I have the answer because I would never leave our audience hanging: Dopamine. Dressing.

Initially, dopamine dressing came to life when fashion psychologist Dr. Dawnn Karen found that choosing our clothes could positively impact our mood, “Brighter colors can not only offer a mood lifter but a much-needed escape from the negative emotions associated with the pandemic, such as fear, panic, anxiety, and stress.” In other words, bright colors are a slay. I’m going to say this now, and there is no turning back—I’m a neutral colors fan and forever will be, but sometimes a bright pink top is the way to go because it signifies playfulness and excitement. I look at it as if you're manifesting that for yourself for the rest of your day. You pair your bright pink top with white cargo pants, and you’re already setting your day up for success. Color psychology is a big part of all of this, actually. Each color emits a different characteristic. For example, green radiates safety and renewal, whereas blue transmits tranquility and patience. So, when putting together your next outfit, try incorporating a bit of color psychology. Depending on where you’re going and who you’re going to be seeing, pair specific colors together and ask friends what they think. Did they feel the characteristics you were trying to emulate with those chosen colors?

Now you’re probably asking yourself, “WTF is dopamine?!” Let me break it down for you. Strike science lesson! Dopamine is the primary feel-good neurotransmitter. Serotonin and dopamine are considered “happy hormones,” regarded as essential chemicals for our brains. These chemicals are considered messengers between neurons, the working units that your brain is made of, profoundly affecting your mood, attention, and motivation. When the brain has low levels of dopamine, you feel down. But, when you have high dopamine levels going back and forth between neurons, you are bound to feel pretty great. So when your brain is expecting a reward, dopamine is released while creating feelings of pleasure which tells your brain, “Hey that was fun, let’s do this again sometime,” and it reminds us to do different activities that will provide us the necessary dopamine kick. There are different ways to achieve and keep your dopamine levels in check. Get reasonable amounts of sleep (I should take this advice), exercise, meditate, expose yourself to sunlight, and more. However, perhaps the most fun way to do this is the fashion route, baby!

Fit checks and dopamine, how do these two mix? Well, just like last night’s date that brought you an immense amount of dopamine, the immaculate outfit you wore also offered this chemical. You already knew that, though! There’s no denying that happiness wasn’t oozing out of you when you put those clothing items on your body. From the textures of the skirt to the rich colors of the top, it all blended so well together, and it made you feel radiant when looking in the mirror. That’s what dopamine dressing is all about. Grab the gem embellished denim vest hanging in your closet and make an outfit because you’ve been dying to wear it out, even though you didn’t know where the “appropriate” place to do so would be. All the time is the appropriate time if it makes you happy. Life is too short to wait for the perfect event or moment to wear an article of clothing.

For example, take a look at Tik Tok creator Mary Skinner and her “get ready with me” videos. It could be as simple as going to the grocery store or, in Mary’s case, a sample sale. In her TikToks, the creator wears leather pants paired with a crewneck and grey trench coat. She accessorizes with a black baseball cap, mixed metal jewelry, and the “Lou Lou” bag by Saint Laurent. This outfit could be simple, to some! When finishing the video, my first thought was, “she looks confident and comfortable in that outfit!” It might be all neutrals and darker colors, but sometimes it doesn’t take much to feel like you’re on top of the world. Also, comfort is key.

Colorful or neutral, wear whatever the f*ck you want. That’s what “dopamine dressing” entails. We live in a time where we see so much of the same thing, and it’s easy to get clouded by what everyone else is doing. Then, once you take a step back and look at yourself, you’re left thinking, “Am I even wearing what I like? What do I even like?” Now listen, there will be days where sweatpants and a hoodie seem like the best option. I get it! Nonetheless, on the days when you do feel an ounce of effort inside of you, I suggest picking an item from your closet and creating an outfit surrounding it that makes you feel like your best self. It’s good for the soul.

written by maria paula gonzales photography by max williams art by sabrina sylvester