January Blues anyone? Well, I might just have a little secret to boost your mood and put a much-needed spring in your step.
Dopamine Dressing… it’s a term I use every single day… in fact I specialise in it, but what does it actually mean?
In essence it’s what I’ve built my business around without even knowing it was a term… more of a feeling, from way back, over 20 years ago, when I started in styling and it was absolutely the core reason to get back into it in 2020.
The connection between our outfits and our state of mind is receiving renewed attention as style publications predict that this is the hottest trend of 2023. And you know what? It’s the one trend that I can get fully on board with as it purely involves dressing in a way that brings you joy and boosts your mood. Amen Sisters!
The bottom line is that we all have to get dressed – it’s the law, no naked bodies shimmying around Tesco, so why not make it count and use it as a super simple tool to boost our mood – but how does it work?
It’s scientifically proven that colour, style and texture can all have psychological associations and evoke feelings and memories- some from waaay back, both positive and negative.
And while that’s part of this trend, there’s more to it than just bright patterns and fabrics. Texture and style can boost mood and more, as well. What we wear can absolutely affect how we feel so much that it can distort and determine our thoughts and judgments.
The best example of this was me in lockdown – a grubby tracksuit really did set the tone for the day, whereas if I popped some blusher on my cheeks, a colourful top and poured that tea into a funky, bright mug then BOOM, I felt big time better, ready to commence home schooling 3 kids (this is a lie. I was NEVER ready for this and still rock in a corner from the experience). The feeling was real and the reason I got back on Instagram
Researchers, and people with far more time than me, refer to it as “enclothed cognition” and have indeed found that our clothes can have symbolic meaning that affects psychology and performance. So, whether you’re going for a colourful, sexy or simply comfortable look, it’s all about wearing what makes you feel good. Music to my ears!
For many people, the colours they surround themselves with can have a major impact on the psyche, and historically, colours have been used to heal.
Ancient civilizations used chromotherapy, or colorology, which is still used as a holistic or alternative treatment today.
I’m massively into alternative therapies and absolutely draw on these principles to give my own styling services more authenticity and productivity – its not about the clothes – it’s how they make you FEEL and subsequently, the positive affect that a shift in energy can have on your entire life, believe me, I’ve seen it happen!
More about this in my next column but for now have a think… what sparks joy for you? Is it a bright colour? A certain fabric? A particular scent? Whatever it is do more of that.
The majority of therapists and self-help gurus often recommend starting on the inside and working out and I’m a huge fan of this. But what if, just this once, we started on the outside and focus on what we CAN see, you never know. it might just help the feelings that we can’t.
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