There has always been a clear trend between fashion and major events around that time. Clothing has always reflected the mental state of the people wearing it. We saw it in WW2 when there was a lack of men in the workforce and women began wearing more traditionally masculine pieces. It was noted when the Y2K bug raised concerns that technology wouldn’t understand it was 2000, spawning numerous futuristic and metallic looks. Now, during the Covid pandemic, after just coming out of quarantine we see its impact in fashion, this time in the form of something called ‘Dopamine Dressing’.
Dopamine dressing was coined by Dr. Dawn Karen. It is known as dressing in a way that expresses what you like, causing a rush of dopamine to rush to your brain. It’s a quick way to improve your mental health with minimal difficulty. Sharing these small steps to a healthier life all contribute to the big picture.
The idea is quite simple, colors and patterns have positive and negative associations for different people. The trick is to think back to childhood, dig through happy memories and good feelings, people, or places. Then, pick the color, fabric, or pattern that you associate with these good things. For example, red might be associated with lust, blue with calmness, and yellow with joy, though it differs for everyone. In this way, wearing colors that connect to positive emotions helps you embody that persona when you wear it yourself. Dressing in a way that makes you feel good instead of worrying about how others might perceive you, can strengthen positive neural pathways.
Dopamine dressing is now increasing in popularity and is commonly seen in the form of bright, saturated colors, crazy patterns, and bold looks. After more than a year of quarantine at home, needing to dress up to go out wasn’t really necessary anymore. Being cooped up at home meant that the majority of people stuck to sweatpants and comfy pajamas. On the flip side, being at home alone meant that you didn’t have to dress for other people, instead, people were allowed to experiment a little more. Now, coming out of quarantine many people are excited to experiment and wear clothes for themselves, not just for practicality. People are given the opportunity to try on clothes that make them feel more like themselves, boosting confidence and proving better mental health isn’t always in the big things but can be attained in small steps.
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