Dress yourself happy in chilly winter months
ON THE PARADOX OF MODERN MOTHERHOOD AND FASHION FIXES THAT WORK HARD FOR EVERY DAY
We all have comforts and coping mechanisms that get us through the cold winter months. Up there with a glass of Malbec, a good movie, a bubble bath and 7.30pm bedtime are a few staple wardrobe pieces that I reach for when the weather isn’t playing ball or life feels heavy going.
Call it actively choosing joy-bringing clothes that boost your mood. ‘Dopamine dressing’ may be a relatively new turn of phrase but the concept of dressing yourself happy via uplifting colours and soothing textures is rooted in age-old psychology. According to Karen Pine, psychologist and author of Mind What You Wear, how you dress ultimately affects how you feel - so much so that it can distort and determine your thoughts and feelings. Studies actually suggest that yellow, pink and red have an uplifting, energising effect on our mood while blue makes us feel calmer.
My friend refers to her favourite shade as colour therapy, the idea that we all lean towards certain hues as an emotional pick-me-up. Colour in any shape feels uplifting, empowering and reviving, which is why I’m bringing you a riot of it this week (although I’m not suggesting you wear all of it together). When balmy days still feel like a while away, I love the richness and warmth of pastels, the softness of a cashmere collar or a bright print.
With that in mind, here’s some tips for injecting sunshine into your winter closet: orange and red or sage green shades are my go-to mood-boosting shades. Try H&M Conscious, & Other Stories or Olivia Rubin for cosy, ethcially made jumpers, cardigans and dresses with star quality.