If you know me, you know I LOVE neutrals and earth tones. I rarely deviate from that color palette in my wardrobe—which consists of green, black, beige, and chocolate brown. However, there’s a new trend that’s been popping up on my Pinterest, and it’s making my closet way more vibrant this summer: dopamine dressing.
Dopamine dressing is when you wear certain colors, textures, patterns, or styles to boost your mood and make you feel confident. Your body releases dopamine, aka the “feel good hormone” when you do something pleasurable like eating your favorite food, hanging out with friends, and of course, wearing something that makes you feel confident.
I’m a firm believer that your appearance can dictate your mood. As I’ve been expanding my wardrobe past the typical neutral tones, I’ve found that bright colors and plush fabrics are my dopamine dressing staples.
So, are you ready to find your dopamine dressing staples? Read below to find out.
Dressing with Color: The Color Theory
Knowing basic color theory is the first and ultimate step to dopamine dressing. It’s essential to pair colors that work well with your skin and that work with each other. The best part is you don’t have to be an artist to understand the basics of color theory.
When finding the right colors to pair, this is my favorite guide for finding colors that work well. If you’re looking to incorporate my colors into your wardrobe but you’re having trouble with finding which colors pair well with each other, this is a simple guide to color theory.
Monochromatic: These are variations of the same color, i.e. purple, lavender, and amethyst.
Analogous: These are colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, i.e yellow, yellow-orange, and yellow-green.
Complementary: These are two colors that sit opposite on the color wheel, i.e yellow and purple.
Split-complementary: These are a trio of colors that complement each other AND involve one primary color and two secondary colors, i.e blue, red-orange, and yellow-orange.
Triad: These are also a trio of colors that complement each other AND are spaced evenly on the color wheel, i.e red, blue, and yellow.
Tetradic: These are four colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel, so there’s no dominant color, i.e yellow, purple, blue-green, and red-orange.
Dressing with Patterns
Dressing with patterns can be tricky but not impossible. If celebrity stylists and bloggers can learn, so can you. Here are some quick beginner tips for matching patterns in your outfits.
Start with something simple. Stripes and animal print are both universal patterns that pair well with virtually anything. It’s a plus that they’re probably already in your closet. Since these are both neutral patterns, it’s best to pair them with other neutral patterns (and bold patterns should also be paired with bold patterns).
Stripes pair will with:
- Other stripes
- Animal print
- Florals
- Plaid
- Polka Dot
Cheetah print pairs well with:
- Plaid
- Paisley
- Stripes
- Herringbone
If you’re nervous about mixing patterns, think of them as colors. Replace a blue shirt with a paisley print that has blue accents. Pair this with something that has blue stripes and you’ve got a look! Also, it’s okay to go minimal. Start pattern mixing by adding it into your accessories (shoes, handbags, etc), and remember, it’s okay to mix patterns you are already comfortable wearing. That’s the point of dopamine dressing!
Know What Works For You
This may take longer for others, but it’s so important to know what styles work for you. The only way you can do this is trying out different clothes.
For example, I’ve found that Bermuda shorts and baggy t-shirts look terrible on me. I don’t feel comfortable wearing them, so I exclude those pieces from my wardrobe. For you, clothes that don’t make you feel confident are clothes that you shouldn’t wear (if you have the choice).
One of my favorite youtubers Kaiti Yoo created a *superb* video about dressing for your body. I’ve included it below.
As someone who is JUST starting to expand my wardrobe, I can say dressing your best is such a confidence booster. It can take time to build a solid style that matches your personality and profession, but dressing in what makes you happiest is the ultimate form of dopamine dressing.
Let me know which tips you’ll be implementing to upgrade your style this summer!
Love this so much Makenna!
thank you girl!!