If you’ve ever encountered someone who regularly wears bright, distinctive clothing, they may well be ‘dopamine dressing’. Dopamine dressing is the act of wearing clothes that give you confidence, make you happy, and help you present as your authentic self.
While dopamine dressing is a key part of the neurodivergent community and usually involves wearing bright colours, anyone can dopamine dress, and this may look different for various people.
Is dopamine dressing only for neurodivergent people?
The term dopamine dressing is often mentioned alongside the neurodivergent community. This is generally due to it coming alongside the process of ‘unmasking’ – the process of conscious stopping trying to appear ‘normal’ and, instead, presenting as your authentic self.
For the neurodivergent community, to start to dopamine dress is to an embrace of personal tastes in clothing, without considering how much our outfits help us ‘fit in’. You will often find that someone who has recently been diagnosed as neurodivergent may suddenly be dressing in a more ‘out there’ way. This is likely down to them finally dressing how they want to, rather than suppressing these tastes.
But that’s not to say that only neurodivergent people can dopamine dress! The act of consciously embracing personal style, and wearing things that make you happy is something anyone can do. Whether you choose to go down a complete wardrobe overhaul, or simply reach for a mood-boosting outfit on a day you need a lift, you can incorporate dopamine dressing into your routine.
Does dopamine dressing mean wearing bright colours?
Dopamine dressing is most associated with wearing bright colours. Bright colours are typically stimulating, and send happy signals to your brain. Ellie Middleton, author of ‘UNMASKED: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence’ is a textbook example of a proud dopamine dresser, and can usually be seen in amazing bright outfits, bold patterns, and fun silhouettes.
But not everyone gets a rush from wearing bright colours. For some people, bright colours are overstimulating or, even if they enjoy looking at bright colours, they don’t feel their best when wearing them. For some, it could mean putting on a killer smart-casual outfit, a powerful gothic look, or their best gym wear. Some people may even get their dopamine rush from one item, like a pair of shoes or earrings.
Personally, I feel my best when I’m doing my best Wednesday Addams impression! While I do have some colourful items of clothing I love, my best dopamine-boosts come from Disturbia, Killstar, and AllSaints. Just like my spoon levels, my need and idea of dopamine dressing will fluctuate day to day!
The reality is, dopamine dressing will look different to each of us, but ultimately gives us each the same special boost.
How can I get a dopamine boost from my own wardrobe?
To embrace dopamine dressing yourself, you should ask yourself the simple question:
What clothes make me feel most myself?
While this might seem like a HUGE question to answer, try thinking about;
- Which items of clothing bring you the most excitement to wear?
- Are there any items you love but save for special occasions?
- Which items bring you a rush to look at?
A wardrobe change is a big task, so you can absolutely start small. Your first step could take the form of a fabulous cardigan, a bag that just screams ‘you’, or shoes which make you want to dance through your office.
As we’ve discussed, any outfit can give you a rush of dopamine and help you feel the positive vibes. The biggest part of dopamine dressing is not following any rules. Find the wardrobe choices that make you happy and embrace your new, dopamine-dresser self!
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📸 Photo by Junko Nakase on Unsplash