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The Power of Dopamine Dressing

Whether you realise it or not, the clothes you pick out of your wardrobe in the morning are both a reflection of your mental health and influence it.

Dopamine Dressing = Enclothed Cognition

Dressing for confidence isn’t a new thing. We see it in the power suits and sleek blazers heads-of-government wear; in the glittering ballgowns at events like the Met Gala and the Oscars; the shining jewels hanging from ears, noses, necks and fingers that capture attention and hearts. But a relatively new, research-backed trend is taking the world by storm: dopamine dressing.

Clothes and accessories are scientifically proven to have an impact on cognition and psychological processes depending on how we perceive them. This is called enclothed cognition.

In simple terms: if yellow makes you happy, then wearing yellow makes you happy. If you associate black with power and authority, wearing black makes you feel more powerful and authoritative.

So you might, for example, pick Gene in Ocean to compliment your outfit. The cool colours and soft lines help you exude calmness and serendipity. Or, you might pair a sharp formal outfit with Horace in Matte Black. The bold lines, metallic bridge feature and matte colour say “look at me”… and hold the gaze long after you have looked away.

What is Dopamine Dressing?

You might be tempted to brush off the dopamine dressing trend as just that - a trend. But, as experts in making a statement with your outfit, we’re confident this is just a once well-hidden secret of the fashion industry, now out there for the masses to benefit from.

Whether you’re a quiet introvert looking to say a lot with just a look or an extrovert who likes to announce their presence, there are psychological fashion hacks you can utilise every single day.

“Shh... want to know a secret?
How others perceive you is
entirely in your control.”

How you feel inside starts with you. So, before you get caught up in how you want people to perceive you, take some time to figure out how you want to perceive yourself. Here’s a task: over the next week, make a note of what you instinctively pick out of your wardrobe each morning, which accessories you go for and what your day looks like. Make an effort to choose clothes and accessories you love to wear. Dress for you, don’t just dress for practicality!

Prue Leith wearing Victor in Capri.
wearing Elektra in Meadow.
Mike wearing Robin in Passion.

The Psychology of Colour

Colour psychology is irrefutable and is utilised in several sectors, but it doesn’t always take into consideration how individuals perceive colour. The psychology of colour basics give you great guidelines to follow when utilising the power of dopamine dressing, but don’t be afraid to shake it up and make it your own.

Black: Authority, power, formality, grief, darkness, mystery. There’s something exciting and unnerving about black that we’re both wary of and curious about. You can wear black so many different ways, which is what makes it so versatile.
Red: Passion, love, lust, anger, creativity. Red is the colour of love. Red lips, red dresses, red signs – they all catch the eye. Red can be perceived as both positive and negative, and it really is a spectrum. For our frames, we have a delicious shade of red titled Chilli. We think red is spicy, hot and bold – just like the glasses that come in Chilli.
Yellow: Sunshine, spirituality, joy, cheer, self-confidence, trustworthiness, warmth. If you want to be seen as joyful, happy and sunny, wear yellow. Almost everyone has a positive unconscious reaction to yellow, and we’re naturally drawn to it. The colour yellow feels warm – and you will, too, if you wear it. Bright colours are great at boosting your mood.
Blue: Calm, serenity, peace, dependability, gentleness, strength, unity. Blue is perhaps the most calming colour. Light blues make us think of sunny summer skies dotted with fluffy white clouds. Dark blues are royal and remind us of luxury and decadence. You can do so much with blue – add a splash of green and you’ve got an ocean in the Maldives. Add a little purple and suddenly you’re dripping in money and prowess.
Green: Nature, growth, reliability, happiness, level-headedness, health, assuredness. Like blue, green tends to have a calming effect. It’s one of the “cool colours”. We most closely associate green with all things natural and beautiful, but unconsciously, green also puts our minds at ease. Green represents good health – and if you’re dopamine dressing, there’s really no better way to manifest good health than wearing green.

Renew Your Lust for Life by Dopamine Dressing

If you can master the benefits of dopamine dressing and gain a real sense of self, you’ll know how to dress for every occasion to get what you want out of it. This is one of the biggest trends of 2022 because, coming out of the pandemic, there is a renewed zeal for life. Don’t focus solely on the clothes, though - clothes are a good start, but they’re a building block in the foundation. Accessories are just as important - and, at the top of that carefully constructed pyramid, are glasses.

“The eyes are the windows to the soul… so open up and climb through.”

Perhaps the most important factor for dopamine dressing, and one people tend to forget, is your eyewear. People aren’t going to spend the most time looking at your shoes, or your wristwatch, or your tie - they’re going to be looking at your face. Your glasses, framing your face, are the first thing they’ll see - so you need to make the right impression. We’re here to help you do just that.

wearing Jane in Fuchsia.
wearing Victor in Apple.

Another benefit of choosing Kirk & Kirk is that we offer virtual try-on options. This allows you to see how the frames will look on your face before you make a purchase. This is especially useful if you’re shopping online and can’t try on the frames in person. Plus, with free shipping and returns options available, you can easily order your glasses and have them delivered to your doorstep.

“Perhaps the most important factor for dopamine dressing, and one people tend to forget, is your eyewear.”

What You Might Like

Within Kirk & Kirk we have our very one eyewear style experts who have reflected on the selection for frames and colour-hues that celebrates Dopamine Dressing and would recommend the following frames:

If you want to have a personal style consultation, please book a session with us and we will help you find the right frames for you. So, why not try out a pair of Kirk & Kirk frames for yourself and experience the benefits of wearing distinctive and unique glasses?

Kirk & Kirk Frames Featured in This Article

In conclusion, Robert Downey Jr.’s eyewear style is a testament to his bold and confident personality. His unique and recognisable style has made him iconic in the world of eyewear fashion, and his personal selection of Kirk & Kirk frames has showcased our quality, versatility, and style. If you’re looking for eyewear inspiration, look no further than Robert Downey Jr. and his collection of Kirk & Kirk frames.