Let's face it, winter isn't everyone's favourite season. The cold temperatures, icy winds, and rainy days can seriously affect our moods, limiting our outdoor activities and making us feel a bit flat. Winter fashion isn’t much fun either. As temperatures drop and the skies turn grey, our clothing often reflects the gloomy weather outside, with darker colours like black, grey or navy dominating our outfits.
But fear not! While we can’t control the weather, there’s one thing we can do to brighten up those dreary days: embrace the concept of Dopamine Dressing. The term, coined by fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen, revolves around the idea that certain types of clothes have the ability to trigger a release of dopamine (the feel-good hormone) in our brains when worn. By intentionally incorporating vibrant colours, bold prints and different textures into our winter wardrobes, we can lift our moods, evoke positive emotions, and ultimately beat those winter blues.
One person who truly embodies the Dopamine Dressing aesthetic is thrift-fluencer Sonali Fernando aka @gnarlynandos. Her Instagram feed is a vibrant kaleidoscope of mood-enhancing outfits which showcase her distinctive maximalist style. Her looks, which are all sourced from op shops, often involve the artful combination of matching and clashing bold patterns, bright colours and layers with different textures.
For Sonali, clothes are a powerful form of self-expression and creativity, and crafting them into unique outfits has a profound impact on her mood. The dopamine hit comes from playing around with different elements, especially pieces she’s had for ages, and seeing them come together in a show-stopping outfit. She finds excitement in curating looks that not only mirror her emotions, but also have the potential to change how she feels. She says, “There have definitely been times when I’ve been sick or felt nervous about going somewhere and I’ve turned those feelings around with a cool or interesting outfit.”
In fact, some of Sonali’s favourite looks have been born from moments when she hasn’t felt her best, including in winter. “When the weather’s cold and grey, it’s the perfect time for colours to pop and to experiment with prints and textures because you can layer your heart out”, she says. “You can totally change the vibe of the day and boost your mood by wearing something bold and fun. It makes you feel more put-together, confident and happier”.
So, if you’re looking to get that sought-after dopamine hit and inject some fun and happiness to your winter outfits, here are Sonali’s top tips for Dopamine Dressing:
- Embrace Colours: Add a splash of vibrant colours to your outfits, even if it's just one bold item. Bright colours like yellow, orange, blue, green, purple and pink can instantly lift your mood and add a fun twist to your winter look.
- Experiment with Prints and Textures: Don't be afraid to mix, match and clash different patterns and textures. Winter is the perfect time to layer and create visually interesting combinations.
- Accessorise: Elevate your outfit with accessories such as sunglasses, hairpieces, jewellery, scarves and bags. These little details can add cool accents and points of interest to your overall look, especially if you prefer more subtle colours.
- Play around with layering: Layering is a great way to incorporate various elements in your outfit. It allows you to mix and match colours, patterns, and textures seamlessly, adding depth and complexity to your style while keeping you warm on chilly days. And the best part? It doesn't have to be complicated; you can start with a fun jacket as a layer.
- Get creative under pressure: Embrace the challenge of putting together your outfits right before you have to be somewhere. Like diamonds formed under pressure, spontaneity and creativity can lead to some of your best looks.
- Have fun: Remember, dopamine is the feel-good hormone, so enjoy the process and don't take it too seriously. Let your personal style reflect your unique personality and have fun experimenting with fashion!
Inspired by Sonali's tips, we decided to curate some dopamine-inducing looks using items from the Good Sammy Online Store. Despite the cold weather, our model, Kaizeen, radiated sunshine and warmth in the fun outfits she helped put together. "These clothes make me really happy," she said. "I want to wear them all the time!"
So, why not follow Sonali and Kaizeen's lead and give dopamine dressing a try for yourself? It's a great way to express your unique style, inject more joy and positivity into your daily life, and brighten up those gloomy winter days. Let the vibrant colours, bold prints, and diverse textures work their magic, uplifting your mood and creating unforgettable fashion moments. Step into this trend and experience the joy of dressing up in ways that make you feel truly happy and fabulous and bring out your inner glow.
Follow these thrift-fluencers for some dopamine dressing inspo and inject some colour into your social media feeds too!
@gnarlynandos
@angie0nline
@letsgetlayered
@jeswithreason
@katehannah
@thriftyfinnie
