The Enclothed Cognition In Dopamine Dressing

Curating capsule wardrobes for the fun of it.

When I was only two years old, I told my parents “Fashion is everything.” Since our family typically dresses casually and shops quite frugally, my parents still share this story with laughter.

Although I don’t remember this event, I tell myself that it was my first attempt at sarcasm that just went over their heads. Despite this self-proclaimed affinity for fashion, my enthusiasm for putting together outfits eventually faded.

Somewhere between choosing my wedding dress, and searching for maternity clothes, dressing myself became way more of a chore than a pleasure.

What Is Dopamine Dressing?

Before we talk about Dopamine Dressing, let’s remind ourselves about how dopamine works.

Naturally present in the body, dopamine is part of how humans feel pleasure, think, plan, and behave. It’s used in the body to send messages from nerve cell to nerve cell.

So not only does dopamine help us feel “right,” but it can also help keep our body balanced in very important ways. When dopamine is out of balance, a person is more susceptible to many disorders from mental health issues to struggles with heart rate, sleep, pain processing, and movement.

As someone who struggles with anxiety, I’ve found that paying closer attention to serotonin and dopamine “triggers” is important to keeping my mood a little more stable which helps me manage these symptoms a lot better.

Positive Vs. Negative Dopamine Hits

To take this concept a little further, seeking out dopamine can become an addictive pursuit, so it’s helpful to pay attention to where those “highs” are coming from. For example, it's way too easy for me to fall into scrolling social media for that dopamine hit.

As a more positive alternative, I think creating content, like writing a blog post, is better for my overall well-being and gives me a great mood boost as well. It’s all about intentionality, so let’s translate that into fashion concepts.

Take It To The Minimalist Closet

Moving from the keyboard to the closet, how can use leverage a smidge of dopamine as we go about choosing outfits? In simple terms, the idea of Dopamine Dressing is the act of choosing outfits and dressing yourself in a way that boosts your mood, joy, happiness, and satisfaction. Sounds pretty good, right?

The fun about this is that it’s a very personal decision and it’s subjective. So as you think about this, remember that only YOU can truly recognize what combination of colors, textures, and styles gives you a mood boost.

Some of us have strayed so far from dressing for our joy that we can’t remember what we liked wearing in the first place. Now it’s time to rediscover the fun of choosing your outfits!

Caution For Shopaholics

Side note: for me personally, the tricky part is separating the act of shopping from the overall concept of fashion in the broader sense. It’s way too easy for me to get caught up in that shopping high I love so much and forget the final step of actually wearing the clothes.

In my case, the shopping phase is more of a “cheap” thrill whereas taking the effort to construct a great outfit is a long-term investment. So the dopamine I get from building a great outfit might need to be a more intentional one, but the satisfaction is deeper, too!

Of course, not everyone is a shopaholic like me, but I thought I’d throw it out there for those who resonate with this.

Fantasy Shopping

While researching this topic, I might have gotten a little off track by checking out Oliver Charles’ entire lineup to find a few pieces that I would most like to add to my wardrobe. This was just a bit of “fantasy shopping” for me, as I thought about what would give me the best mood-boosting potential since I am still relatively new to the brand.

So here are the three items that will go on my Dopamine Wish List: The Summer Scoop Neck in Black, the Summer Short Sleeve in Light Grey, and the Summer Cardigan Vest in Sage Green (yes, I already own the vest in Emerald Blue but it’s SUCH a fun piece, I want to double up).

I’m pretty sure a few new pieces are always a shortcut to a dopamine high (although perhaps not the best way to achieve it on the regular).

Idea #1 For Dopamine Dressing: Color Bathing

The first rule of Dopamine Dressing: embrace your favorite hue and commit! This is your chance to indulge in the color that makes you glow with joy. Remember when you were a child and wanted to wear your favorite shirt every day?

Who says you can’t do the same today? The convention might tell you that dressing in your favorite color from head to toe isn’t stylish, but remember, the convention is irrelevant to the dopamine conversation.

Whether you bring your favorite color into the outfit through a single accent piece or build it from the shoes to your collarbone, is up to you. Whether that color is a sophisticated black or a fluorescent yellow, doesn’t make a difference. It’s all about embracing your favorite and delighting in it!

This brings me to an Oliver Charles wish: please make a sweater in purple. It has long been a favorite color of mine and I would love to have a purple sweater of any kind!

Idea #2 For Dopamine Dressing: Throwback Styles

Recreate an outfit you loved from the past. This is not the time to think about what you should be wearing, what people expect you to be wearing, or what trends dictate, either. This is a time to reflect on how an outfit makes you feel and to embrace the light-hearted joy of getting to wear something fun.

This is, of course, entirely up to your interpretation. Maybe it’s reliving a fun event with a band tee or sports jersey, or choosing an updated version of a childhood favorite like putting on a grown-up jumper instead of those preschool overalls.

Maybe you still have the dress you wore on a special first date and can pull that out for the ultimate dopamine fix (for me, I could never fit into the dress I wore on my last first date, but I digress).

Idea #3 For Dopamine Dressing: Play Up The Playful

If you often find yourself dressing in a work uniform, formal style, or often outfit repeating, this step might help you break out of the boredom mold into more creative closet exploration.

When it comes to playful styles, you might find joy in pattern mixing, novelty prints, or textural accents like ruffles or sequins. More dramatic cuts like puffed sleeves, baby doll dresses, and bell bottoms could also fall into this mood-boosting category.

Remember, the elements don’t have to overwhelm your outfit. You can just as easily choose a work-appropriate blouse with a moderately puffed sleeve that will still tickle your fashion fancy without pushing the limits of professional garb.

Give It A Try!

If you are ready to enjoy a dip into Dopamine Dressing, be ready to embrace your favorite colors, textures, cuts, and fabrics. If the joy of dressing is your goal, you should avoid uncomfortable fabric, colors that you dislike, and cuts/fabrics with negative associations.

Instead of saving special items for special occasions, be willing to wear them on the regular just for the joy of it! You won’t be catering to trends because the draw of joyful dressing goes far beyond trends. The biggest thing you’ve got to avoid is dressing for the approval of others.

After all, “fashion” is subjective and constantly trying to live up to a fast fashion standard is the fastest way to kill the fun of your wardrobe. If you decide to take the Dopamine Challenge, let us know what your interpretation is and where it takes you and your closet!

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.