Getting dressed in your best and wearing more of the clothes which make you feel good is one of the biggest fashion trends for 2023 – which we can definitely get on board with, says Amy Norbury
It’s been a long, cold winter, hasn’t it? And now, with the glitz of the festive season a distant memory and another month of miserably sub-zero temperatures looming ahead, you could be forgiven for wanting to throw on your biggest, slouchiest and cosiest jumpers and joggers and not leave the house unless absolutely necessary.
But wait. Dopamine is our bodies’ clever little feel-good neurotransmitter – you know, the thing which triggers that little rush of pleasure we get when we do something we enjoy. And the best way to pick ourselves out of the winter doldrums is to seek out those little bursts of happiness as often as we can. First port of call this season? Fashion.
The idea behind dopamine dressing is to embrace the clothing which makes you happy; taking control of the way we dress in order to boost our mood. A pop of eye-wateringly bright colour or a swathe of sparkle can do serious wonders when it comes to brightening your day, much more conducive to making us feel good about ourselves than dowdy attire in dull colours.
That beautiful Christmas party dress which won’t see the light of day for the best part of a year? Wear it! Those amazing glittery boots you save only for special occasions? Throw them on with your favourite jeans to add some sparkle to everyday! Because who says you can’t wear sequins to the supermarket?
After all, fashion which makes us feel good will never go out of style. And wearing more of what we like, more often, is much more environmentally friendly than buying loads of partywear which gets worn once and relegated to the back of the wardrobe. It’s a win-win.
An easy way to incorporate your party threads into your everyday wardrobe is by pairing it with your snuggliest knitwear. Team a chunky jumper with a sparkly skirt or bedazzling trousers, or throw on a casual oversized cardigan over a sequin dress for a fabulous remix on smart-casual – add your favourite pair of chunky boots for winterproof style.
Sparkle can add a much-needed mood boost to even the most casual outfit; dig out your blingiest necklace and most dangly earrings to elevate a simple jeans-and-T-shirt combo.
Harvey nichols Markus sequin-embellished metallic-knit trousers, £180.00.
If sparkle isn’t really your thing, then a slinky slip dress might be. Layer up your strappy dresses in luxurious fabrics with a cosy roll neck or plain T-shirt, or throw a chunky knitted jumper over the top to transform your silky number from evening glam to off-duty casual chic. Layering your dresses will not only help to make them more suitable across the seasons, but it will help you enjoy your gorgeous garments more frequently.
If you draw the line at party wear-as-everyday wear, then reach for a bold punch of colour to trigger that dopamine rush instead. Forget dreary neutrals and opt for something bright and beautiful to put a smile on your face and see out these winter days in style.
