A Daily Dose of Dopamine Dressing
By Elana Katz
Is the constant usage of the word “dopamine” a recession indicator? Given that we live in a hellscape, it makes a lot of sense that people are trying to find every bit of joy in every place possible. One of the most common forms of this is Dopamine Dressing, and it’s easy to see why. Everyone wears clothes, and while some people care more about their personal style than others, it’s the easiest way to express oneself and get extra dopamine on any given day.
What is Dopamine Dressing, though? It seems self explanatory, but let’s break it down and also discuss tips for how to practice this way of getting dressed.
What is Dopamine Dressing?
Yes, in its simplest meaning, Dopamine Dressing means putting on clothes that make you happy. However, there’s more to it than that. The term was actually coined by a fashion psychologist, Dawnn Karen, in her book Dress Your Best Life, and it really means dressing in a way to boost your mood.
Many people who practice Dopamine Dressing use color and patterns to achieve this, but given the term’s actual meaning, it’s a common misconception that it has to mean bright colors and loud patterns. If you feel most like yourself wearing dark colors and that makes you happiest, that’s Dopamine Dressing, too.
Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, and Dopamine Dressing can have different meanings to different people. The most universally accepted form of this, though, is people who don’t dress for trends or comfort only, but who dress in whatever they want regardless of whether it's popular or deemed “flattering.” Flattering also is a subjective term— but that’s a longer discussion.
Dopamine Dressing can include dressing in trends and being comfortable, but ultimately, it just comes down to putting on clothes that give you joy and make you feel like your truest self.
Where to Shop
Tips for Dopamine Dressing get a little tricky when there isn't a single way to do it, but we can still look from the angle of what’s most associated with the practice.
There’s a good chance that people who describe themselves as Dopamine Dressers buy a lot of clothes secondhand. There’s a thrill in finding a hidden treasure at a low price, and it requires more creativity to style something thrifted when there are zero examples on a website of how to wear it.
Outside of thrifting, there are plenty of brands that encourage dressing for fun and have pieces that are bound to give the wearer a dopamine hit. Some examples include:
Nooworks for an explosion of one-of-a-kind prints
Lazy Oaf for unique silhouettes that beg for creative ways of styling
Kina and Tam for playful clothes for your inner child
Lucy & Yak for size-inclusize, colorful styles that are also comfortable
Big Bud Press for basics that encourage color- and pattern-mixing
Boyko for pieces that don’t shy away from the spotlight
DOWK for extra colorful, loud pieces that are ethically made
Who to Follow for Inspiration
Searching for Dopamine Dressing on Pinterest isn’t a bad place to start, but there are also countless creators to follow, as well. The people who describe themselves as Dopamine Dressers are most likely going to be the ones who aren’t just dressing in trends, but taking trends and making them their own. They’re people who are very obviously having fun with their style.
The list could go on forever, but some examples include:
@saracamposarcone for someone who styles the most unique pieces you’ve ever seen in the most creative ways
@polychrom3 for someone who always plays with volumes and silhouettes
@itsmaryfran for colorful style that always feels playful
@ariellesidney for handmade clothes styled in ways that never feel dull
@kaytmartinez for inspiration on how to take trends and style them in fresh ways
@vallerinagirl for style that looks both creative and effortless
@snittybipkins for style that’s fun and comfortable but also showcases sustainable brands
@dressingforthedopamine_ for a masterclass in dressing for your mood
@remaking_jodi for proof that fashion can and should be fun at any age
It’s hard to explain Dopamine Dressing when it means something different to everyone. Considering the term is often floating around the Internet these days, hopefully the brands and creators mentioned here will provide enough inspiration for you to practice Dopamine Dressing in your everyday life. While that may look different to you than to the next person, at the end of the day, it just comes down to you expressing yourself and having fun with your clothes.