Winter can feel long, dark, and bleak. Living near Syracuse in tundra-like Upstate New York, I know this pain well. We go days without seeing the sun and weeks without seeing above-freezing temps.
As a teen and young adult, I actually thrived during this time of year. I’m a fan of all-things hygge and loved the excuse to prioritize and celebrate coziness for months on end. But, as a mom, I’ve had to actively find ways to enjoy (or at least, not hate) January through March.
I have three kids, ages 5 and under. Winter no longer feels naturally cozy and relaxing. It feels agitating. Dangerously cold temperatures leave the family feeling cooped up inside and the kids bring home school and daycare illnesses like it’s their full-time job. Needless to say, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make the season more enjoyable.
In recent years, this has meant taking Vitamin D supplements, getting outside as much as possible (despite the cold), planning family movie days, and relying on dopamine dressing for a dose of daily joy. So, what exactly is dopamine dressing, you ask? Read on for all the deets. Plus, shop our favorite colorful clothing items you’ll want to add to your winter wardrobe ASAP.
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What is dopamine dressing?
Dopamine is the “feel good” chemical neurotransmitter in your brain. Ergo, dopamine dressing is exactly what it sounds like—dressing yourself in a way that brings you joy and, overall, makes you feel good.
Since the idea is to raise your dopamine levels, it typically involves dressing loud with vibrant colors, bold patterns, and complete disregard for how others may view your ‘fit. It’s about throwing trends out the window and being unabashedly you. It’s the epitome of fashion as a source of fun.
How dopamine dressing can help you survive the winter
When the skies are grey and the temps are frigid, it’s easy to find yourself perpetually burrowed into a stale oversized hoodie, counting down the days until spring. Dopamine dressing flips the narrative, encouraging us to view the winter with fresh perspective. Cold weather becomes an opportunity to style even more layers in an outfit and gives snowy backdrops a chance to shine against the vibrant colors and patterns of someone’s clothes.
If you have to get out of bed on a cold winter’s day, you might as well use dopamine dressing as a means of motivating yourself to do so. In other words: dress fun because it will make winter a little bit more tolerable!
How to accomplish dopamine dressing as a mom
Dopamine dressing doesn’t have to be complicated or unrealistic for everyday life (I write as I have a 4-month-old drooling happily on my sweatered shoulder). Here are some ideas for approaching this trend as a mom.
Reach for color
Whether it’s a fresh pastel skirt or a rich jewel-tone sweater, adding color to your outfit is one of the quickest ways to dress more joyfully. Last winter I made a vow to stop wearing so much white and grey and—I’ll admit—it made a huge difference in my mental health.
One pink sweater in particular earned me compliments during every Zoom meeting I attended. Other colorful elements you might consider include a vibrant pair of colored tights or—if it’s a day at home with the kids—a sweatshirt that’s basically any color but white, grey, or black.
Mix patterns
Stop playing it safe and start getting creative. Instead of wearing an easily-matched outfit (like jeans and a solid sweater), play around with different patterns. This can be two pieces bearing two totally different motifs (such as floral jeans styled with a striped top) or a piece that contains two different patterns within itself (such as a blouse that has both stripes and lace). The trick to looking fashion-forward versus chaotic is to focus on fit and color. Choose pieces that create a flattering silhouette and opt for colors that coordinate.
Play with texture
Feathers, metallics, sherpa, studs—adding unique textures to your outfits makes them feel more intentional. Jeans adorned with studs or pearls can make a casual fit feel way less basic, just as a chic faux fur jacket can help you feel like a movie star on a cold winter day.
Don’t be afraid to have fun with accessories
Even when you have to pile on the layers, have faith knowing that your shoes and accessories can serve as your platform for serving up some happy hormones. Colorful shoes are my own personal achilles heel when it comes to shopping. I love how they instantly make your outfits more interesting and fun. In the winter, I love leaning on colorful boots and eye-catching scarves, too.
Mom-friendly fashion pieces for dopamine dressing
Dopamine dressing doesn’t have to mean investing in a whole new wardrobe. Try shopping your closet with new outfit combinations and start paying better attention to which pieces truly bring you joy.
Once you’ve pared down to the items you actually love, you might then consider adding a new fun item or two to bring your dopamine dressing to the next level. (And yes, it’s true, shopping can be a dopamine boost in and of itself!) If you’re looking to spice up what you already own, here are some standout pieces that will get the job done.
Outerwear
Tops and dresses
5 colors and patterns available
sizes XXS – XL; standard and petite
Bottoms
Shoes and accessories
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Emilee Janitz, Contributing Writer
Emilee is a communications strategist and lifestyle journalist with an M.S. in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She currently works on the content team at Enterprise SEO company Terakeet where she creates and executes reputation management strategies for Fortune 500 companies and their executives. She is a Contributing Fashion Writer for The Everygirl and has additionally been published on POPSUGAR, Motherly, MSN, and Yahoo.
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