What is dopamine dressing? Has this fashion trend replaced black as the default colour option?

The colour black is known to be effortless, flattering and a choice that pretty much no one can go wrong with – no matter what your shape and size is. The only issue that one could possibly have with the little black dress is that, well, it can be a tad expected.

Diehard fans of black – a non-colour, technically speaking – might disagree but it’s hard to deny the fact that sometimes, a little colour can instantly change a look and mood, brightening things up, no matter what hue you pick.

Don’t get us wrong, the Little Black Dress is always classy, but do you instinctively reach for one far too often? It’s understandably the safest and easiest pick – arguably, the best course of action on days when one wants to get ready quickly and still look pulled together.

While black has remained a wardrobe staple for what feels like forever, trends, however, have taken a more colourful turn in recent years. A good case in point – dopamine dressing, which has gone viral and inspired millions across the globe to ditch dark, moody tones for vibrant, rich colours in a move to derive joy from the clothes they wear.

Unsurprisingly, designers and clothing brands are quick to react, filling their racks with suitably bright and cheerful hues to meet women’s sudden demand for colourful clothing. It’s a trend that’s perfect for the Spring/Summer fashion seasons, and is likely to stay around for a bit, even if colours go a little darker as Fall/Winter season comes around.

Besides dressing more vibrantly for positivity, there are other reasons why more women are turning to hues other than black when shopping for new clothes.

NOT EVERYONE LOOKS GREAT IN BLACK

It may come as a surprise to you that black may not be as universally flattering as everyone seems to think it is. The reason is simple – our skin tones aren’t all the same and that affects how we carry off different colours.

Some of us are “warm” while others are “cool”, and apparently, black won’t look as good on you if you belong to the former group. With the trend of personal colour analysis that has gone viral recently, it’s no wonder that women everywhere are abandoning the LBD and experimenting with dressing in other colours that are more flattering for their unique skin tone.

BLACK IS NOT THE ONLY HUE THAT IS SLIMMING

Does black hide all figure flaws? Not necessarily. While it won’t emphasise bumps and bulges like some other colours will, and thus generally helps “smoothen” the silhouette, it won’t magically give you a wasp waist or supermodel thighs. In other words, an LBD may be visually slimming but won’t make you look thin (unless you are actually thin).

Consider wearing black together with other hues, which can allow you to better utilise its visually minimising powers to perfect a figure that’s not quite proportionate.

Remember that light colours have the opposite effect of dark colours like black, so wear them on the correct areas of your body whether they are on separates or a dress with a print. Colours in darker tones can have a slimming effect on the figure too – you don’t necessarily have to head straight for black if you want to feel more confident in your outfit.

COLOURS UPLIFT

It’s not news that colours can affect our mood – and apart from those in your surrounding environment, the hues you wear also have an effect on how you feel and thus impact how you project yourself.

Much has been said about colour psychology, and it seems that bright warm colours can boost our energy levels and make us more cheerful, even if it happens on a subconscious level. But of course, there are hues on the other end of the colour spectrum too – cool, subdued colours have a soothing and calming effect, which could be a good thing if you’re expecting a stressful day ahead.

Black clothing, while sophisticated and sleek, can also be sombre and a little depressing – there’s a reason why it’s worn by those who are mourning. Even if you don’t believe in these psychological effects, it can be refreshing to break away from black once in a while if you’re someone who is often told by others that you wear too much of it.

COLOUR BRINGS MORE POSSIBILITIES

Simply put, there’s so much more to choose from, design-wise, when one looks beyond the LBD or other black clothing. Besides every colour of the spectrum, there are also multicoloured prints to play with – in other words, there are endless choices.

BLACK IS BETTER FOR FORMAL OCCASIONS

Black is ideal for projecting a dressy and put-together mood with its sophisticated and classy vibe (it doesn’t mean that other colours won’t do as well though). This is why the LBD is perfect for wearing to cocktails or a formal do and great for pairing with statement jewellery that will shine against its dark hue.

The daytime, on the other hand, is suited for a lighthearted and more casual mood, which means it’s when you should experiment and have a little fun with colours (even though it’s not a strict rule). Still want to wear black on certain days? Go ahead, but pair it with other hues for a new and different feel.