Recently, the world has gone “Barbiecore” with the premiere of the 2023 Barbie film. Brands and consumers alike are embracing bright, happy shades of pink and rethinking colour’s role in our everyday settings. This idea has translated into fashion as well. Dopamine dressing is a TikTok trend encouraging people to choose clothing that matches their desired mood. Dubbed “part fashion, part mindfulness”, the movement encourages people to opt for colourful dresses over dull and dreary outfits for a dopamine boost to feel happier.
Previous studies have shown the relationship between what we wear and how we act. In the case of “Barbiecore”, for instance, vibrant tones of pink represent youth, passion, fun, and positivity — in connection with the Barbie doll as a symbol of girlhood. Regardless of whether or not the dopamine aspect of dopamine dressing is scientifically proven, however, there’s no question that certain clothes and styles can give us a mood and confidence boost. In this post, we’ll look into some essentials you’ll need to achieve a stylish, quirky look:
Sunglasses
If you’re new to dopamine dressing, accessories can be an excellent place to start so you won’t have to overhaul your wardrobe completely, and where better to start than with your eyewear. Sunglasses from established brands are designed to stand out from your overall look, incorporating various colours in the frames and the lens tints. For example, the frames featured in Scout Gabriella’s glasses come in Light Pink Havana, a vibrant yellowish Crystal Amber, and a confident Crystal Pink, which you can easily incorporate into your looks for a pastel nod.
Mix and match different frame colours and shapes with lens tints for a more playful and colourful look. In our previous post on artist Ellie Dixon, we discussed her latest five-track EP and how it helped showcase her original style. In a photo of her wearing a colourful knitted outfit, Dixon matches the look with vibrant yellow mono-lens shades. Of course, a pair of vibrantly coloured sunglasses will also look great with simpler clothing colours, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Handbags
Another accessory to optimise your dopamine dressing is the handbag. These days, brands and companies are releasing handbags following the hottest fashion trends, including outrageously oversized and miniature ones that are technically unusable — and of course, colourful bags. Case in point, Gucci’s signature bamboo top-handle purse is playfully bubblegum pink and can be paired with fierce red outfits as an accent.
Another example is the Lady Dior — initially introduced as the Chouchou — gifted to Princess Diana in 1995 by the First Lady of France. Diana loved the bag so much that she ordered one in every colour. One of her favourite mixes of colours was the pistachio green option she frequently used with her pastel-filled wardrobe. You don’t have to order the same handbag in every shade of the rainbow to achieve this style. Try to pair your outfits that either contrast with the colour of the bag or look for complements; for instance, if your shirt has light pink stripes, you can tote around a bag in the same or a similar colour.
Footwear
Finally, while a necessity instead of a fashion accessory, footwear can be a fun aspect of your ensemble to mix and match colours with for your dopamine dressing. Like sunglasses and handbags, fashionable footwear has recently evolved beyond its functional purpose. Today, shoes can look absurdly huge or rest precariously on the sharpest high heels. More importantly, they are also much more colourful, helping colours pop out from an overall look.
If bright pink or yellow pumps are too drastic, you can experiment with lime green Jackie pumps to pair with pastel colours or even stronger tones and muted shades. The Jackie silhouette is considered an iconic classic, and wearing a pair with fun colours can help boost your confidence on a day or night out. Similarly, you can pair chic, light blue shoes with slip dresses, A-line skirts, or casual fits like jeans and a white tee.
