Research shows that dopamine dressing genuinely boosts your mood and mental health: ready to give it a go?

Research into the psycology of fashion has shown the positive impact that dopamine dressing has on our mood and mental state. Wondering why you feel a bit glum as you pick out you fourth black and grey outfit of the week? It could be time to refresh your wardrobe with some bright, bold colours. Studies suggest that yellow, pink and red have an uplifting, energising effect on our mood, while blues and greens makes us feel calmer.

Another plus point with colour is that its positive effects are catchy – bright hues make other people happy too. It’s as if you’re radiating a warm glow that gets reflected back by the world in the form of a smile or compliment when somebody sees you. So, from endorphin-enhancing prints to joyful dresses, with help from our team of personal stylists (all trained in colour therapy), here’s a guide to the pick-me-up purchases that will ensure your wardrobe makes you smile – even when the world doesn’t.

Need something to give you a kickstart? Then red could be your answer, since it’s a colour that evokes motivation, energy and enthusiasm. It’s a good beginning-of-the-week colour – start as you mean to go on, and all that. ‘Whenever I feel I need a boost to my energy I wear red – the more robust the better,’ says Peter Kane, Partner & John Lewis Style Advisor. ‘It’s one of my favourite colours but I choose to wear it on the days I may be lacking energy.’ If you’re not quite up for red, try pink for a softer way into the same uplifting feelings.

‘In my experience as a stylist, it’s not a lack of confidence to wear colour that puts women off but doubts around how to combine colours that prevent them from stepping outside their comfort zone,’ says Victoria Thewlis, Partner & Personal Stylist. Victoria advises always pairing a colour with a neutral to combat that fear. ‘Why not brighten your camel coat with an orange knit?’ she suggests. ‘Or pair your go-to joggers with a bold sweatshirt?’

Feelgood clothes are partly about confidence, but they are just as much about comfort and contentment. In a couple of years spent largely at home, we have reoriented how we dress back towards comfort. There’s been a shift to quality fabrics that feel good against our skin – think organic cottons, supersoft cashmere and slinky silk. It’s not quite a hug but a soft sweater instead of a scratchy one goes a long way. ‘I like to fuse bright pops of colour with raw textures like wool and leather,’ says Bethany Wilkins, Partner & John Lewis Personal Stylist. ‘When we’re comfy and looking great, that’s the best feeling, right?’

If you’re looking to dial it down rather than up, blues and greens are said to have a calming effect. ‘These colours are brilliant to wear, especially if you are feeling anxious as they have a soothing effect on the eye,’ says Peter. ‘This is why taking long walks in nature and seeing the blue of the sky and the green of the fields are so essential for our wellbeing.’ Harness those inspired-by-nature endorphins with some soft blue and leafy green tones.   

If you don’t want to go for full-on colour, prints are a great way to add a bright touch and lift your mood while you’re at it. ‘Adding colour to your wardrobe doesn't have to be daunting’, says Bianca Snowie, Partner & Personal Stylist. ‘A good way around this is to choose a bright print on a neutral base like black or white, which will instantly tone the print down.’ This is your opportunity to have some fun with what you wear, too – try an abstract print on an oversized shirt or pretty florals paired with denim.

‘If you're just starting out with colour, a great way to incorporate it at this time of year is through your accessories,’ says Emily Gray, Partner and John Lewis Personal Stylist. ‘Why not try a colourful hat and scarf? Or a bright bag to liven up your look?’ Personal Stylist Paulema Gaspard suggests that even socks or nail polish would be a great way to brighten things. ‘Choose colours you wouldn't normally wear,’ she says, ‘and just have fun with it!’