A couple times per year, I find myself in a real style rut. Even as a fashion editor, I go through these slumps in which I feel like my outfits just aren’t working and I am unhappy with my closet. Once upon a time, this would’ve caused me to go on a shopping spree and end up with a bunch of clothes that weren’t really me. But last year, I learned about the concept of dopamine dressing.
The thing that drew me to it was that dopamine dressing doesn’t mean you have to completely gut your wardrobe and start fresh. Instead, it fits right in with the idea of intentional shopping and only buying things that you’ll really get a lot of wear out of. This concept thrives on the idea that you collect unique, meaningful pieces over time. These are the items that are truly you—like if your best friend could describe an outfit that most exemplified your personality, it would be one that falls in the dopamine-inducing category.
A lot of the time, the fashion items that bring a smile to our faces have a fun pattern, our favorite color, or a texture we love. Dopamine dressing means taking all of those pieces and wearing them on a regular day, rather than saving them for a special occasion. Below, I’m breaking down the tips and tricks I rely on to dopamine dress in my everyday life.
What is dopamine dressing?
In short, dopamine dressing is the art of wearing clothes that make you happy—the opinions of anyone else be damned. The name comes from the idea that wearing fun, colorful clothes can provide you with a dopamine boost. Really, it’s just about having fun with fashion and making the clothes you wear reflect your personality.
While dopamine dressing can definitely incorporate trends, it doesn’t have to. As long as you’re excited to put together an outfit and feel as confident as ever in it, you’re doing dopamine dressing right. The practice also provides us with both a creative outlet and a reprieve from the world that can feel so heavy. It can bring a little bit of fun and whimsy to a dreary day, and for that, I’m thankful.
How to dopamine dress
Instead of jeans, try a fun bottom
Over the last year or so, I’ve been trying anything possible to not wear jeans. I’ve always found it hard to find a pair that’s just right, and I hate that certain pairs fit some day and not the next. Needless to say, wearing jeans does not provide me with a dopamine boost. I’ve been opting for patterned maxi skirts, track pants, and textured trousers instead.
Play with patterns
Throw the rules you know about patterns out the window. In the world of dopamine dressing, polka dots go with stripes, leopard goes with plaid, and even argyle has its rightful place. If you were going to treat yourself to one item to boost your dopamine, I’d recommend something in a fun pattern.
Try fun color combinations
One of my all-time favorite styling secrets is to play with color blocking, especially when I’m struggling with what to wear. This is made even more fun with unique color combinations. Some of my favorites include butter yellow and brown, olive green and plum, or fire-engine red and baby blue.
Add in some animal print
I mean, really—how can you be sad in a leopard-print coat? Aside from the fun in animal print patterns and textures themselves, they’re a great way to add a bit of interest to any otherwise boring look. Feeling a little drab? Throw on an animal-print layer or accessory, and you’ll feel like a brand new woman.
Incorporate texture
Lean into statement accessories
OK, so maybe you don’t feel like changing up your look from head to toe. A small (and lower-budget) way to start dopamine dressing is by leaning into statement accessories. Think unique pieces that will have people saying, “OMG, where did you get that?!” Oversized items, studs, fringe, beading, and patterns are all great places to start.
Take your basics up a notch
If you want a low-stakes way to try out dopamine dressing, start with a basic that has one unique twist. For example, your classic ballet flat or pair of jeans? Try them with polka dots. Your favorite style of sweater, jacket, or trousers? Maybe you try one with an oversized silhouette, a unique neckline, or fun buttons.
Reconsider seasonal clothing
While separating your clothes by season can definitely help to keep your closet organized, who’s to say that you can’t wear a summer maxi skirt in winter? A pair of ballet flats with socks? Your favorite summer blouse, layered under a jacket? Layering is key in getting more wear out of the clothes that make you happy in each season.
Commit to the hunt for statement, unique pieces
If there’s one thing I know to be true about dopamine dressing, it’s that finding something you truly hunted down—something that no one else has—will give you the ultimate confidence boost. And I am not talking about gatekeeping; I’m simply talking about the thrill of being able to tell someone the story about how you found that jacket lying on the floor under a forgotten rack at a thrift store, or that the bag you’re wearing is from a little off-the-beaten path boutique in Spain. These are the pieces that hold memories, and are ones that you will have for life.
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
Products included in graphics linked within article. Feature graphic images credited to: Aerie, Damson Madder, ASOS, and Solid + Striped.
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