By Mys Tyler founder, Sarah Neill
We all know the feeling: slipping into an outfit that just clicks and instantly makes you feel good. But what if I told you that your clothes could actually be boosting your mood in more ways than one? Enter dopamine dressing – a style concept that is sparking wardrobe joy for millions of women and proving that what you wear really can make you feel good.
What Is Dopamine Dressing?
Dopamine dressing is all about curating your wardrobe with clothes that make you feel happy, confident, and empowered. It’s about wearing things that spark joy and trigger that positive, feel-good energy we all need more of. The concept comes from the brain’s very own “feel-good” neurotransmitter – dopamine. When you wear something that excites you, whether it’s a pop of color, a bold print, or a piece that brings back great memories, your brain releases dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure, motivation, and joy. And who wouldn’t want more of that?
This isn’t just a fleeting trend. Dopamine dressing taps into the psychology of clothing, showing that fashion is a powerful tool for shaping how we feel, both about ourselves and the world around us.
Why It Works
Think about it: how many times have you put on an outfit that made you feel like you could conquer anything? It’s not just your confidence shining through – it’s the science behind it. When you wear something that resonates with you emotionally, it can lift your mood, give you that energy boost, and even improve your mental outlook.
But how do you nail this look and incorporate it into your daily wardrobe? To give you a little guidance, we’ve asked a stylist to share three key tips for mastering dopamine dressing.
3 Tips to Elevate Your Dopamine Dressing Game
Stylist & Content Creator, Amy Abrahams (@wearthedamndress), shares her top three tips for dopamine dressing:
1. Add One “Hell Yes” Piece
Start with the thing that makes you grin. Hot pink blazer? Sparkly boots? Oversized floral sunnies? That bold printed pant? That’s the dopamine hit right there! Pick your piece that brings you joy and throw it on. You can keep the rest of your outfit simple so your statement piece can shine or you can layer them; add a clashing print or another bold colour to really add some oomph.
2. Texture Is Your Secret Weapon
Sequins for brunch? Velvet on a Tuesday? Absolutely. Texture brings richness and play into everyday outfits and can help you bring an extra layer of interest to your look. Texture is a great way to add a focal point for monochrome outfits (single colour) without feeling over the top if that’s not your thing.
3. Start Small if You Need To
Not ready to dive into neon head-to-toe? No stress. You can start small! Try a bold earring, a pop-of-colour clutch, or a bright pair of shoes. Accessories are your super power here. Tiny tweaks = big joy.
Real Stories: Dopamine Dressers Share Their Experience
Now let’s meet two incredible Mys Tyler Fashion Contributors and dopamine dressers who’ve embraced the mood-boosting powers of fashion! Sephra and Liz share a bit about their stories:
Sephra Anthony, Mys Tyler Fashion Contributor (@savagesephra)
“Dopamine dressing makes me channel whatever I want to feel like that day, whether it’s joy, courage or power! I do it because I’ve spent far too big of a chunk of my life in black and hiding my body. There’s nothing wrong with black, I still love it, but there’s nothing like a pop of color that sparks joy on a gloomy day!
It doesn’t just bring joy to the wearer, it brings joy to the onlookers too from my experience.”
Sephra’s tip for those wanting to try Dopamine dressing: “Start small with colors, maybe try pastels first and stick to the same color family or hue. Monochrome colors for beginners and then slowly go to the color wheel and start color blocking that way.”
Liz Irwin, Mys Tyler Fashion Contributor (@songbirdlizzytish)
“Dopamine dressing is aptly titled: it’s what I do to raise my spirits, and elevate the mood of those around me. I wear the boldest, brightest, and shiniest pieces when I’m trying to make my inside and outside unite. A moment of self doubt? Sequins are the prescription. A dark winter day making me particularly sad? Then I’ll wear the sunshine on me, until the sun reappears. It’s my rainbow clad armor.”
Liz’s tip for those wanting to try Dopamine dressing: “I hear a lot of “I could never get away with wearing that, but it looks so good on you!” Once upon a time, a chorus of critical voices around me would also say I could not “get away with it.” It’s only natural on me, because I glean joy from it. When it becomes about YOUR internal happiness, lots of personal style doors will open. With that said, if it intimidates you to have so much color or shimmer on you from head to toe, then I would start small! An outrageously printed pair of shoes or scarf, a brightly colored glitter eyeliner, or a neon colored bag in an otherwise neutral ensemble is a really good place to start.”
Dopamine dressing isn’t just about what’s on the outside – it’s about how you feel on the inside. So, if you’re ready to make your wardrobe your new happy place, why not start today? Embrace those bold colors, fun patterns, and outfits that give you that extra pep in your step. After all, fashion is meant to be fun. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, you can find body-relevant fashion inspiration, and follow the fashion adventures of women like Sephra and Liz, via the Mys Tyler app.
