Clothes are an integral part of who you are, how you feel, and how others perceive you. While the latter should influence your decision about what you wear, it is a reality. However, wearing what other people expect you to isn’t going to make you feel happy—far from it.
Choosing your clothing for yourself to experience a rush of dopamine and feel good in your own skin should be the primary motivation. When you liberate yourself from external expectations and fashion rules and start dressing in a way that truly reflects your inner self, you’ll find it easier to discover clothing that resonates with you.
This post will look at some ways to return to the drawing board and start wearing what makes you feel good.
Add Colour
Introducing color into your wardrobe is a surefire way to ignite that dopamine boost. It doesn’t matter which color you choose or how you incorporate it as long as your outfit has a splash of color. If you’re feeling a bit apprehensive about this change, start small and gradually build from there. A colorful handbag, a pair of vibrant socks, a bright tie or scarf- the choice is yours. As you become more comfortable, you can expand your color palette.
Be Comfortable
Your clothing should be a source of comfort and ease. If it’s not, it’s time to reconsider. Except for formal work attire or employment uniforms, nothing you wear should make you feel uncomfortable or unable to express yourself. If it does, it’s worth evaluating why you’re wearing it. You can always tell when a person doesn’t feel right in what they wear, and it won’t have the impact you think or hope it does. So, prioritize comfort and let your clothing make you feel good and at ease.
Experiment
This is the perfect time to embark on a style adventure. Experiment with different clothing styles, try something you never thought would suit you, and see how it feels. You might make a radical shift from athleisure to Hippie clothes for women or vice versa. Or you might swap your black leggings and baggy tops for vibrant dresses or sharp trouser suits. The choice is yours; feel free to try them all. The key is to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with different styles to see how they look on you and, more importantly, how they make you feel.
Have Fun
Dopamine dressing is all about giving yourself that feel-good boost, and to achieve this, you need to have fun with your wardrobe. What ‘fun’ means to you is entirely personal and will influence the outfits you end up wearing. But remember, it’s okay to play around, even if it’s just to figure out what doesn’t work. If you want to dress like a carefree 5-year-old, complete with fairy wings, leg warmers, and tutus, then go for it. If you want to swap your ‘mom’ dresses for playful playsuits and rompers, go right ahead. The key is to enjoy your outfit, mix and match styles and accessories, be bold and expressive, and just have fun with what you wear. This carefree approach will give you that feel-good rush and make dressing an exciting adventure.
Emulate Others
Don’t outright copy another person’s style, but emulate it in your own way. Look at how your favorite celebs dress or influencers who have a similar lifestyle and fashion sense. They might have ideas of pairings you wouldn’t have otherwise considered or helpful tips for getting some new fun pieces. Check them out, take some advice on board from them if they offer it, and incorporate it into your wardrobe for a fun take on their style tweaked to meet your personality.
Create a mood board if you don’t feel confident enough to push the boundaries just yet. This way, you can slowly build up to new changes and experiment in a way that works for you. Save reels or images to your social media accounts, pin fun styles you want to try on your Pinterest account, or go old school and create a physical mood board by butting or printing out styles you love.
Dressing for fun and a dopamine hit can be a powerful confidence booster and a great way to find your unique style. Remember, you’re dressing for yourself, not for others. Don’t be afraid to experiment, go against the norm, and toss the fashion rulebook out the window. If it makes you feel good and enjoy wearing it, that’s all that matters. And if others don’t like it, well, that’s their loss! Dressing for yourself is empowering and can boost your confidence, so embrace it.
