Angie's Blog

WIW: Dopamine Dressing

February 22, 2025

I am BIG on dopamine dressing:

"Dopamine dressing is a style of dressing that aims to boost your mood and confidence by wearing colors and styles that make you feel good. It's based on the idea that certain colors and textures can stimulate dopamine, the brain's feel-good chemical". 

Wore this to shop with a fab and very stylish friend yesterday. We had a wonderfully therapeutic time! Seattle is damp, chilly, and atmospheric. We stayed dry in the outside mall.

*(Pics taken in an Anthropologie dressing room). 

New Boden stripe sweater is awesome! I've already worn it 4 times. It works perfectly with the toffee pants I got at the NAS last year, and the bubblegum coat I got at the NAS a few years ago. Belt is NAS too. 

Pink specs to go with the pink in the outfit. White boots, bag, belt, and pearls are wardrobe essentials. 

Hair is at a great length. FINALLY! It took three years. Thanks for looking. xo

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

43 Comments

  • Tanya replied 3 weeks ago

    Gorgeous and so you! Perfect outfit to brighten up the day and the mood. Really like your hair.

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Thanks, sweet Tanya! We could all use a little mood-lifting. 

    Always wonderful to see you chime in :) 

  • Star replied 3 weeks ago

    Everything matches so perfectly.  Such good choices you make.  You look incredible and I do love your hair.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 weeks ago

    Gorgeous! I love it when you can get a perfect match from different sources, to create looks that are uniquely yours.

  • Cookie replied 3 weeks ago

    Spring personified!

  • JAileen replied 3 weeks ago

    Oh my matchy matchy heart!  Lovely!  

  • SarahD8 replied 3 weeks ago

    Oh wow! SO polished, pretty, and put-together -- so you! Hair looks great, too.

    I am a fan of dopamine dressing, but also oxytocin dressing, a strategy of boosting one's mood by wearing clothing that feels like a hug, thus stimulating oxytocin, the brain's cuddle hormone. Hence my dragon's hoard of lofty cashmere! :-)

  • Dee replied 3 weeks ago

    So pretty, it lifts my spirits just seeing this outfit :)

  • Irina replied 3 weeks ago

    You look fabulous!

  • kkards replied 3 weeks ago

    I think I need to up my phone cover game!  Love the creamy white in this outfit.  And the pink coat is the wow that every February needs!  

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Thanks, everyone! 

    Star and Dee, appreciate the high praise and kind words :)

    Sharan, yes! I'm careful about matching - (learning from past mistakes). Although my wardrobe is colour-rich, there is discipline in the palette so that items work well with each other - and MATCH :)

    JAileen, our matching-genes are happy!

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Thanks, Irina!

    Cookie, Spring palettes year round  :) 

    SarahD8, awwh! Thank you :) Oxytocin dressing, FTW! We could all do with comforting hugs. Go Team Cosy Cashmere!

    kkards, the white is nice and bright! Also mood-lifting. Thanks!

  • Marlies replied 3 weeks ago

    Wow, beautiful!

  • slim cat replied 3 weeks ago

    PERFECTION! 

  • Sal replied 3 weeks ago

    My favourite outfits blend old and new together - love this! Your hair looks fantastic - well done on staying the course.

  • RachelNZ replied 3 weeks ago

    Huge believer in dopamine dressing! This outfit is the perfect antidote to dreary weather!

  • Runcarla replied 3 weeks ago

    I love this!

  • Indigoprint replied 3 weeks ago

    Well done. Fun to see how all the pieces fell into place so cohesively..

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Thanks for the kind compliments, Marlies, Runcarla, Indigoprint, and Slim cat! 

    RachelNZ, go Team Dopamine Dressing! 

    Sal, me too! There is great satisfaction when the puzzle pieces fit - and thanks for the hair love :) 

  • Jaime replied 3 weeks ago

    Well I am going pull out my pink coat today in homage! Angie you are just stunning (as usual). Sunshine on a rainy day (I am sure I told you this before but it bears repeating :) ).

  • Suz replied 3 weeks ago

    It's so amazing how these toffee tones work with your hair and then how the sour brights make it all pop! Love this!

  • Column replied 3 weeks ago

    My dopamine went up, too! Thanks for sharing!

  • sabimct replied 3 weeks ago

    Angie - your pictures made me smile - thank you from my snow covered corner of the world!!

  • Janet replied 3 weeks ago

    So pretty and cheerful!

    I’m leaning heavily into my blue-green-black-grey-white color palette. I might branch out a bit more in warm weather but I find my preferred color scheme comforting. I so enjoy seeing how many people use color to express themselves though! My BFF and I went to the ACC Craft Fair yesterday and half of the fun is seeing how creative people adorn themselves. :-)

    Your hair is looking so good! Love it.

  • ChristelJ replied 3 weeks ago

    Ooh, such beautiful hair, and yummy outfit!

  • Roberta replied 3 weeks ago

    Truly, I think your smile is the cherry on top of the hot fudge on top of the premium vanilla ice cream! I smiled back at all of the images.

  • Jules replied 3 weeks ago

    So lovely and fun thanks for sharing with us :)

  • Bonnie replied 3 weeks ago

    That coat looks perfect with your new outfit. Love that the glasses frames match, too.

  • Suntiger replied 3 weeks ago

    Plonk! Love the whole look on you, inc hair, but especially that coat!
    Do you still have your nice chartreuse coat? That would be good with the toffee brown too.

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Jaime, thanks for your always generous words, and making me blush! :)

    Suz, yes to a good hair match! I like to wear toffee with whites and brights to "un-earth" them, IYKWIM - well spotted ;) 

    Column and sabimct, HAH! Lovely and thanks. 

    ChristelJ, thanks for the hair love!

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Janet, dopamine dressing YOUR way is what its all about! Please carry on. Thanks for the kind hair love! 

    Roberta, what a sweet thing to say! You had me laughing too -thank you! Love hot fudge sundaes :) 

    Jules and bonnie, fab to see you chime in! Appreciate the kind words.

    Suntiger,  YES! I LOVE my old chartreuse coat and new jacket. They are the same colour, although the Finds suggest otherwise.  Wore them together last night over a column of bright orange! (Too earthy with toffee, but thanks for the suggestion). 

  • Brooklyn replied 3 weeks ago

    Sparkling for spring!

    I can’t get over how long your hair is now. It looks great. Have you reached your perfect length or do you plan to go longer?

  • Lisa replied 3 weeks ago

    *high five for dopamine dressing* and another *high five for earth tones*

    I'm a fan of dopamine dressing (I've been wearing the Pink Violet Zella vest on repeat a lot lately) and I'm a recent fan of earth tones (you're right they pair so well with blues).

    You look lovely here Angie! Isn't it fun when a new wardrobe addition immediately becomes a workhorse because it so seamlessly fits in with everything? :)

    The new striped sweater pairs beautifully with the toffee trousers. The pink coat and light colored boots and bag are the perfect additions to brighten up an earthy palette. 

    And wow, look at your hair! It's so long! It's a lot of work to grow out hair but it was worth the wait, this is a lovely length on you!  

  • The Cat replied 3 weeks ago

    Love this outfit. Cohesive in a way that is playful and relaxed as well as elegant.

  • Sisi replied 3 weeks ago

    Haha - very Angie and fab!

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Brooklyn, I'm at the length I want my hair. FINALLY. Shoulder length with a few long layers. What a slog! Thanks for the hair compliment!

    Lisa, thanks for more kind words, and hair love! High fives back, and YES to items fitting seamlessly into your style. Makes things easy :)

    The Cat, lovely to see you chime in! Appreciate your generous words :) 

    Sisi, good to know! 

  • RobinF replied 3 weeks ago

    Wow, your hair is so long! Looks great!

    Love these colors on you, no wonder you like them. The sweater is perfect.

  • MsMaven replied 3 weeks ago

    Wow--just looking at these photos made me feel more cheerful. Spring will come. I love love love your hair. Just the length I want for now. (Why do I so often seem to be secretly copying your hair length and style? Maybe not so secret since I look here every day for inspiration.) 

  • AJ replied 3 weeks ago

    I knew the stripes would fit right in with your happy wardrobe family, but I can't stop looking at how beautifully long your hair is getting! Gorgeous!

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 3 weeks ago

    Your hair looks gorgeous, and I’m with you on wearing pink or red to get in a good mood.

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    MsMaven and UmmLila, thanks for the hair love! I'm blushing :)

    AJ, wonderful to see you chime in! As always, I appreciate your generous compliments. 

  • Ket replied 3 weeks ago

    Cue Whitney Houston: And IIIIIIIIIIII will always love you (in brights)! :D 


    You look so fun and happy, Angie! I admit, I love your pixie hair cut and yet... your new length is so fab on you. Beautiful mix of colors. xo

  • Angie replied 3 weeks ago

    Ket, appreciate that you are full of gracious compliments! Thank you! Appreciate the chuckle too ;) 

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Hi, I'm Angie. I'm the co-founder of youlookfab.com and write most of the content. I've been in the Rag Trade for 20 years, and spent many of those years as a buyer. Now I'm a fashion stylist and enjoy this angle just as much. I am committed to making us all feel great about our style.