Dopamine dressing is trending right now. Here are 8 pieces to add more colour to your wardrobe.

My wardrobe's been feeling very ~neutral~ lately. 

And there's nothing wrong with that! But sometimes a gal stumbles across a new styling method and she wants to try it out, ya know? Which is exactly why I decided to try dipping my toes into dopamine dressing.

ICYMI, 'dopamine dressing' is all about wearing clothes in bright colours and bold patterns to boost your mood. The idea is that certain colours can actually trigger the release of the "happy hormone" dopamine in your brain. So, by filling your wardrobe with vibrant, eye-catching pieces, you're giving yourself a little dose of positivity every time you get dressed. 

Dopamine dressing is all about embracing feel-good vibes and adding a playful pop to your everyday looks — and after spying local label Boom Shankar's new collection, I was inspired to give it a try. 

The Aussie brand is kind of the ideal fit for a foray into dopamine dressing. Based in Noosa, Queensland, the brand is all about joyful colours, bold patterns, and straight-up fun fashion. In fact, the name "Boom Shankar" means to be filled with joy, and if that isn’t the cutest thing ever...

They cater to women of all shapes, in sizes 6 to 18, and they’re all about ethical manufacturing, working closely with their factories in India to craft high-quality pieces that just feel good to wear. 

Clearly, the feel-good vibes are strong with this label, which was founded by designer Dui Cameron with a vision to blend vibrant colours and eclectic patterns into wearable art. AKA, perfect for my dopamine dressing experiment.

Look 1.

Image: Supplied.

I love a wide-leg pant. And a matching set. So this three-piece look is basically heaven in wardrobe form for me.

The vibrant blue stripe is so fun, while the tailored cut of the pants gives an elevated, high-end style. I paired the pants with the most luxuriously soft, smooth-as-butter rust-coloured tank (I didn’t know I could love a wardrobe basic this much?) and my trusty Nike Air Force 1s for a super-cute daytime look.

I added the matching vest and a pair of heels to up the luxe vibes, plus some gold earrings, and just like that... I had a new look perfect for an evening out with friends. The fabric of the pants and vest isn’t too thick, making this the perfect set for spring and summer but it still feels very high quality — exactly what I want in a new wardrobe item.

Just for fun, I paired the vest, buttoned up, with the pants and I actually vibe with this look so much. I've been wanting to get myself a cute vest to try the suiting trend, and this set — in its gorgeous bright colours — is such a fun way to play with suiting.

Look 2.

Image: Supplied.

This set has my summer weekends sorted. The cut of the top is so cute, plus it has several buttonholes at the back so you can resize the straps to fit. I'm obsessed with the ruffle in the blue and white broderie fabric adding an extra point of interest.

Now, I know there may be those who think you should match a top with this much going on with something plain on the bottom, and sure, you could do that. Because fashion is all about doing you. But if you want to play with some matchy-matchy vibes, consider this your permission to give it a try ASAP, because this little set is such a vibe.

One thing to note: I usually wear a size 14, but I think I could’ve gone up to a 16 in these shorts. But that’s because I prefer a looser fit — something to consider!

Oh, and did I mention there's even a bucket hat if you want to go top-to-toe? Because there’s literally nothing cuter than sun protection.

Look 3. 

Image: Supplied.

When I put this dress on my body, I did not want to take it off. It's roomy, breezy, flattering (if I do say so myself), comfy as heck and it has pockets. If you're a pockets girlie like me, you'll understand the significance of this (thank you, Boom Shankar, for the detail we all want and need).

Crafted from the same luxe, high-quality fabric as the other Boom Shankar pieces I trialled, this was a true standout for me — and paired with some chunky slides, is, in my humble opinion, the ideal everyday dress for spring and summer. 

And for trans-seasonal dressing? Enter the matching blazer, which, BTW, would also look very cute paired with jeans (cooler spring nights) or white linen shorts (balmy summer evenings).

All in all, I would consider my dopamine dressing experiment a massive win. I genuinely couldn't help but smile while wearing these fun, bright 'fits and will 100 per cent be bringing more colour into my spring/summer wardrobe.

Shop Boom Shankar's latest collection online. 

Feature Image: Supplied.