What do style icons like Kendall Jenner and Zendaya have in common with Queen Elizabeth? They have all celebrated (whether knowingly or not) a hot new trend that has taken the indie fashion world by storm—dopamine dressing!

While other fashion trends are more straightforward in telling you what to wear and how to wear it, dopamine dressing is centered around manipulating dopamine levels in the brain by using specific colors, patterns, fabrics, and silhouettes, with proponents of this indie fashion trend arguing that you can literally make yourself happier through style.

This might sound a bit airy-fairy, but there is actual science backing the dopamine dressing trend. As put by behavioral psychologist Carolyn Mair, “Expecting something good to happen as a result of how we dress makes us more open to opportunities.” This fake-it-til-you-make-it mindset can boost our confidence, enhance our mood, and even improve our posture and how we interact with others.

Where Psychology and Hipster Fashion Collide

Dopamine is a famous “feel-good” chemical that our brains release when we engage in pleasurable activities like eating and exercise. But healthy habits aren’t the only ones that flood our bodies with happy chemicals—junk food, sugar, and alcohol also cause the release of dopamine. So if you wonder why it’s so tough to stick to a New Year’s resolution or Dry January, you have your answer!

High dopamine levels caused by healthy behaviors are associated with feeling energized, motivated, and happy, while low levels can leave us sluggish, tired, and unmotivated. As a result, we are hard-wired to behave in ways that cause the release of dopamine and make us feel good. Psychology experts have begun to realize that style is no different, and the fashion industry is taking note.

Maria Costantino, a lecturer at the London College of Fashion, believes this ingrained reward system is why buying and wearing new clothes feels so good. But dopamine dressing isn’t as simple as going on a mood-boosting shopping spree—it’s about finding and wearing clothes that have symbolic value to you.

In 2012, long before it became a fashion trend, Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire studied the psychology behind dopamine dressing, concluding that “clothing doesn’t just influence others, it reflects and influences the wearer’s mood too. This demonstrates the psychological power of clothing and how the right choices could influence a person’s happiness.”

Celebrate Feel-Good Fashion with These Dopamine Dressing Tips

Pine’s study, which focused on how mood affects how women dress, found that “happy clothes” were ones that made women feel good, particularly those with flattering cuts, beautiful fabrics, and bright colors. But because these terms have different meanings from woman to woman, there are no universal definitions. One woman’s take on wearing bright colors might mean going all-out in neon, while another woman may feel more comfortable expressing joy through more lowkey jewel hues. Dopamine dressing (and indie fashion in general) is all about wearing what feels good to you!

Although color psychology comes into play with dopamine dressing, so do our own psychologies, memories, and lived experiences. Ultimately, being a true trendsetter means finding, creating, and celebrating the authentic stories behind your style.

Whether you’re ready to make a bold fashion statement or incorporate some happy-go-lucky layered accessories into your daily wardrobe, our indie fashion boutique is full of inspiration to help you embody the dopamine dressing trend.

Turn Heads with Bright Threads

Bold colors are a hallmark of the dopamine dressing trend, and nothing says “feel good” like show-stopping vibrant shades. Take center stage and tap into the metallic trend with purple crushed lamé, or find the perfect midpoint between pajamas and power suits with our decadent (and impossibly bright) pink charmeuse lounge suit. If ultra-vibrant is not your vibe, take a more understated approach to bright hues with our gorgeous orange romper. Or, if you prefer to keep your style subtle and make a bold statement with accessories, our 18k gold velvet pansies are the perfect happiness-boosting choice—bright colors and pretty flowers; what more could you want?

Slay Your Style with Sparkles

Sequins were one of 2022's most prominent trends and fit seamlessly into the dopamine dressing revolution. After all, how can sparkles not spark joy? Our emerald green mini-dress brings together so many must-have trends: balloon sleeves, miniskirt, vibrant colors, and of course, sequins. If you still want the wow factor but a little less shine, our curve-hugging retro sweater features just enough glitter to turn heads wherever you wear it. Sparkly accessories? We have them in spades. Add a sequined broach to any outfit to turn it from drab to fab, or celebrate shapes-on-shapes with a kaleidoscopic ring.

Click on the photo to shop our bold rhinestone denim jacket!

Go Bigger with Bold Print

Prints aren’t just pretty. They’ve been proven to make us happy! Research shows that complex repeating patterns (psychotextiles, if you’re feeling fancy) increase pleasure in the brain. By incorporating our indie boutique’s range of prints and patterns into your 2023 style, you can take advantage of the dopamine dressing trend in a way that’s subtle and delicate or irresistibly eye-catching, depending on your individual style. Of course, prints and patterns don’t only feature in clothing—you can also bring them into your accessories.

Click on the photo to shop our Celestial Dress

So, where is the dopamine dressing trend heading in 2023? With fashionistas emphasizing that the true heart of the trend is wearing what makes you feel good, we don’t expect it to leave anytime soon. The dopamine dressing style will likely evolve as new colors, prints, and textiles make waves in the indie fashion scene, but style mavens will always want to look as good as they feel—so we think dopamine dressing is here to stay! Ready to begin boosting your happy chemicals? Get your hands on the latest dopamine dressing staples from Wild Gardenia Boutique, where we stock the latest indie trends with a focus on women-owned, conscious brands that celebrate women of all shapes and sizes.

Browse our range online for unique pieces that are as on-trend as they are timeless, and keep up with the latest fashion news, indie inspiration, and exclusive releases on Instagram at @wild_gardenia_boutique.