Want to beat the January blues?
Let us introduce you to dopamine dressing.
It’s one of the latest fashion trends to emerge from the pandemic and one that’s predicted to boom in 2022. After the last couple of years, we all need a bit of cheering up – and dopamine dressing has the so-called power to boost your happy hormones and seriously improve your mood.
And the good news? To nail it, you just have to wear colourful clothes. Simple as that.
Psychology researchers have known for a long time that vibrant outfits can improve how the wearer feels. We won’t get into the nitty-gritty neuroscience behind it here. But essentially, when we wear something bright, dopamine (aka the ‘feel good’ hormone’) is released in our brains and we experience an emotional lift.
The best colour to wear is specific to you personally. But generally speaking, it seems that putting on ‘happy’ colourful clothes each morning can actually make us feel happier.
Sounds good to us! So why not give it a go? You’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try. Treat yourself to a few new colourful items for your wardrobe, get that much-needed hit of dopamine, and see if you can dress your way to a little bit of happiness this January.
How to wear colourful clothes
For many people, the idea of wearing bold colours can be intimidating – particularly after two years of WFH life and grey loungewear. But with the hope of the new year, one free (fingers crossed!) from COVID-19 restrictions, now is the perfect time to experiment. And to give you a helping hand, here we’ve rounded up a few tips on how to embrace the brightness.
1. Ease yourself in gently
If you’re nervous about ditching your beige uniform – or rainbow coloured separates just aren’t your thing – you can still make this trend work for you. Simply dress in your favourite neutral colours, then choose one vibrant accessory to complement the look.
It could be a pair of multi-hued shoes. An oxblood red hat. A pink scarf. Or a bright piece of jewellery. Something small, that will elevate your plain outfit – and give you that little boost.
2. Opt for bright basics
Choosing a few wardrobe ‘basics’ in statement hues will allow you to dabble in new colours, whilst on a budget. Plus, they’re a great way to lean into the trend, without feeling like a fruit pastille lolly!
Our advice? Simply pair a brightly coloured t-shirt with a pair of jeans. Jeans are the foundation of most people’s wardrobe – the thing we feel most comfortable in. They’ll balance out the vibrant shades in your short-sleeved tee and give the look an effortless off-duty vibe.
3. Add an eye-catching coat
Wrapping up in a bright coat is one of the best ways to tap into the trend. We’re talking letterbox red parkas. Bright orange puffer jackets. Hot pink rain macs and sunflower yellow boucle coats. No need to change your neutral-coloured outfit and refresh your entire wardrobe. Just add an extra layer over your usual ensemble and let your outerwear do the hard work for you.
4. Layer shades
If you’re worried about picking the wrong colour combos, the solution is simple. Just stick to one. Layering bright clothes – in varying hues of the same colour – is a clever way to follow the trend, without feeling like you’ve gone too far.
Perhaps pair a khaki parka with an olive green t-shirt? Or match your knitwear with your outerwear? It’s subtle but oh-so-stylish and will still give you that important dopamine fix.
5. Pair opposite colours
Feeling brave?
For those who wish to completely embrace the trend, the key is to remember, opposites attract. To find the perfect contrasting colours, we recommend using a colour wheel and picking shades that are directly facing each other – such as red and green, blue and orange, purple and yellow.
Granted, it’s a daring look. But dressing head-to-toe in vibrant colours is what this trend is all about. And if a multi-coloured outfit will make you smile, it’s time to add it to your day-to-day rotation.
Ready to try dopamine dressing?
If you need a boost in happy hormones, just call us your therapist.
Our online collection of menswear and womenswear is packed full of bright clothes, all of which can be used to nail the ‘dopamine dressing’ trend – and could help you to manifest some joy in 2022.
So why not have a little look around?
Invest in a few key pieces. See if what you wear really does make a difference to how you feel. And keep in mind, you’re welcome to hit us up at any time. We’re by no means experts in the psychology of fashion. Or mental health for that matter! But we do know our products. And whilst you can’t buy happiness, you can buy new clothes – and we reckon that’s basically the same thing.
Just send an email to info@tokyolaundry.co.uk and we’ll get back to you ASAP.