Images L-R: H&M, COS, & Other Stories, Mytheresa

19 Jan Beat The Blues With Dopamine Dressing This January

Posted at 19:38h in Fashion, Seasonal, Trends by

January is a notoriously depressing month. The skies are often perpetually grey, the joyful peak of winter in all its Christmassy glory is behind us, and our bank accounts and social limits have been tested. This explains why it’s around this time every year that we begin obsessing over spring/summer trends, planning for a brighter future that involves decidedly less layers. There is however a little way to go until we can relinquish said layers and start skipping around in light swathes of cotton and feeling the grass beneath our bare feet. Luckily, now we are all fully aware of dopamine dressing and its powers, we can not only lift our spirits but transition seamlessly into spring with our wardrobes. The vibrant colours inspiring joy (for some) for the past few seasons seem to be a firm fixture on the agenda should you wish to partake in this jolly trend. Fresh and springy green is still a stalwart on the scene, with lime proving to be SS23’s acid bright of choice alongside a little orange. then there are icy pastels, siren saffron and oh so many shades of beautiful blue. Plus, according to Pantone, the colour of the year has been named as Viva Magenta, a bold pinkish-red that will offer a burst of energy and optimism, which honestly sounds ideal right about now. Anyway, more on the SS23 colour trends later, read on for 7 easy ways to inject a bit of joy into your winter outfits.

Vibrant Outerwear

Seeing as there are a good couple of months of bundling on the layers to go, it feels like the perfect time to pull out the fun outerwear options. Whilst it may not always be the most versatile of choices, if you’re looking for a new addition to your coat rotation, these will transform any outfit in seconds. As we spend a relatively high proportion of time in our outerwear, the cost (and happiness) per wear basis is also going to be pretty sweet. As will be your outfits, once you add a beautifully bold coat to your life.

Arket dopamine-inducing bright blue blue oversized wool blend overcoat. Long overcoat crafted from a recycled wool blend with a brushed, hairy surface. Cut for a long, oversized fit and detailed with buttoning at front, two welt pockets with flaps and a chest pocket. Single vent at the back. One inner pocket. Fully lined.
Arket Oversized Wool Blend Coat, £239

This beautiful blue Arket coat has a fuzzy textured finish that makes it look so expensive.

Proenza Schouler’s White Label dopamine bright wool blend belted coat is sure to beat the January blues. It comes in a vibrant orange/red and is shaped for a relaxed fit with buttons at the hems for adjustable side slits and a comfortable drape. It’s made from a soft, double-faced wool and cashmere-blend melton cloth and features side-slit pockets.
PROENZA SCHOULER White Label wool-blend coat, £900

How good does this bright coat look paired with an all-black outfit?

Mango red oversized wool coat with tie belt, lapel collar and relaxed fit. Back slit hem, unlined.
Mango Belted Wool Coat, £139.99

Give siren saffron a go in this amazing Red Mango coat which comes in sizes XXS-4XL.

Visual saturation was the theme of Valentino's all-pink AW22 runway show, which featured this tulip shape coat. Made from weighty, double wool-blend fabric, it features an asymmetric button-down placket, peaked lapels, and bow detailing.
VALENTINO Wool-blend coat, £4,200

Bows are big for 2023 and whilst hot pink may not be as hot as it was for AW22, this gorgeous Valentino coat will stand the test of time.

the Aligne holden sky blue wool belted car coat has a self-tie belt, and covered button placket in a single-breasted design.It has welt pockets and a car coat style collar.
Aligne HOLDEN LONG BELTED CAR COAT Sky Blue, €231,95 

Blue coats seem to be having a moment and this “sky blue” Aligne coat is so wearable. Jigsaw also have a belted option in a bright blue shade with contrasting black buttons that is equally as beautiful.

& Other Stories Tailored Yellow double-breasted wool coat featuring a wide notched collar with duo angled flap pockets in a boxy silhouette. Four buttoned closure . Duo decorative buttons. Buttoned cuffs
& Other Stories Boxy Double-Breasted Wool Coat, £205

This yellow & Other Stories coat is saying spring is on its way and giving us major 70s vibes too.

Brilliant Bags

For the colour shy, a brightly-hued bag offers the opportunity to add just the teeniest pop of colour to any outfit in a very low commitment way. It’s an easy way to add interest to any ensemble come rain or shine.

The Maillon design is the ultimate Saint Laurent bag. Taking its name from the golden chainlinks that adorn the foldover flap, this practical piece, which has been made from smooth cherry-red leather, will "link" all of your accessories together. It has been designed in an accordion shape, with separate compartments for ease of organization.
SAINT LAURENT Le Maillon leather shoulder bag, £ 2,045

This Saint Laurent Le Maillon is so classic and so beautiful in cherry red.

Jacquemus le bambidou shearling shoulder bag in icy blue. A plush iteration of one of Jacquemus' classic bag silhouettes, the Le Bambidou shoulder bag in blue is primed for the colder months. It's made entirely from shearling and accented with gold-tone hardware.
JACQUEMUS Le Bambidou shearling shoulder bag, £ 1,195

This fluffy version of Jacquemus Le Bambidou shoulder bag provides you with something to cuddle through those dark days. Icy shades are big for SS23 and this light blue is versatile enough to pair with your existing wardrobe.

Leather crossbody bag adorned with silver-toned hardware. Featuring a short handle and an adjustable crossbody handle. Decorated with metallic rings and dog hooks.
& Other Stories Soft Leather Crossbody Bag, £125

This terracotta-toned bag is such an easy way to add a burst of colour to your outfit. It also comes in a fresh cream shade.

Mini crossbody bag made from double leather that has undergone a chrome-free tanning process. Styled with a top handle and a detachable shoulder strap. Magnetic closure and an inside pocket. Dimensions: 14 cm x 17 cm x 6 cm.
Arket Crossbody Bag, £119

This eye-catching bright red Arket crossbody bag is so yummy. We were also a little bit obsessed with the bright blue in this small version. If you need something roomier, the larger rigid crossbody from Arket comes in a new soft green that is so spring-ready. Arket is a great destination for affordable but beautiful bags.

The Padded Jodie bag is the latest addition to Bottega Veneta's family of It-bags. Made from leather in the trademark Intreccio weave, it's an expression of new-age luxury.
BOTTEGA VENETA Padded Jodie leather shoulder bag, £ 3,500

Hi Jodie. This pistachio green padded Jodie leather shoulder bag from Bottega Veneta looks good enough to eat.

Proenza Schouler unstructured suede tote bag in mustard features a spacious main compartment and a short strap. This jewel tone will lift all your winter outfits.
PROENZA SCHOULER Suede tote bag, £ 375

This jewel-toned unstructured suede tote bag looks so good with black. Carry it with the strap or take advantage of the soft shape of this bag and carry in your hand like the model.

Bright Knitwear

Knitwear is the ultimate comforter on a chilly day, and nothing beats a bright knit to lift your outfit in no time whilst you stay cosy.

This dopamine bright orange jumper is knitted from a tactile blend of alpaca, traceable wool and recycled nylon. It's designed with a chunky V-neckline and neat ribbed trims.
COS REGULAR-FIT ALPACA-BLEND JUMPER, £69

This beautiful bright orange alpaca blend knit also comes in tank top form and either way, it’s delightful and looks so good with black.

This eye-catching Miller sweater from Gabriela Hearst is defined by the multicolored tie-dye pattern all over. The style is knit from pure cashmere and has a slim fit.
GABRIELA HEARST Miller tie-dye cashmere sweater, £ 780

The sunset tones of this tie-dye cashmere sweater from Gabriela Hearst can’t fail to make your heart sing.

Beat the January blues with this dopamine-inducing bright green knit from Arket. This relaxed jumper is knitted from a soft blend of alpaca and responsible wool. Recycled polyester and elastane has been added for extra durability and good recovery of the knit. Rib-knitted details on the sleevess and ribbed cuffs, neckline, and hemline.
Arket Relaxed Alpaca Blend Jumper, £79

The rib-knitted details on the sleeves really elevate this zesty green knit from Arket.

& Other Stories Fitted long-sleeved top featuring front slit detailing and round neckline in an allover ribbed finish in navy green and cream wide vertical stripes.
& Other Stories Fitted Ribbed Side Slit Top, £85

This striped rib-knit top looks more expensive than it is.

Beat the January Blues with this & Other Stories cobalt blue oversized mock neck wool jumper.
& Other Stories Oversized Mock Neck Wool Jumper., £95

& Other Stories oversized mock neck wool jumper comes in such a beautiful shade of cobalt blue. I also have my eye on this lurex slim knit cardigan in the same colour.

Jacquemus' Le Cardigan Tordu style puts a twist on the classic cardigan with an asymmetric fit. Cut into a cropped silhouette, the V-neck design has a colorful striped motif in dopamine inducing pink orange and khaki. It has diagonal slits with button detailing and a cropped fit. Beat the January blues and be ready for spring.
JACQUEMUS Le Cardigan Tordu cropped cardigan, £ 420

Bring major Joie de vivre to your outfit with this summer-ready striped cardigan from Jacquemus.

& Other Stories lilac Tight fitting long sleeve knitted cardigan with a turn down collar. Featuring an allover ribbed finish and zipped front in a cropped silhouette.
& Other Stories Cropped Zip Front Ribbed Cardigan, £55

Pastel shades are big news for SS23 and this lilac zip knit cardigan is a great way to dip your toe. It looks great toughened up with the patent leather mini we featured in our new arrivals post this week.

Joyful Winter Accessories

Ok so maybe this is the easiest and most lowkey way to bring colour to your winter outfit. If you are dressed like Wednesday Addams today, but you aren’t feeling it, a bright beanie or saturated scarf will transform you in seconds. Even if Wednesday wouldn’t approve.

Top off your looks on a colorful note with this beanie from Bottega Veneta. It's made from plush green chenille with a textured ribbed finish.
BOTTEGA VENETA Chenille beanie, £ 285

This plush beanie made from chenille looks so satisfyingly soft. It’s going to be a treat for your head and your eyes on a cold morning. If this is out of your price range, then take a look at & Other Stories gorgeous green beanie too.

H&M bright orange/red Scarf in woven fabric with fringes on the short sides.
H&M Bright Orange Scarf, £9.99

This bright orange/red scarf is a great affordable option, and how good does it look against that cream teddy coat?

Ganni ombre mohair blend scarf in green and pale yellow. This spring-ready scarf will give you the dopamine boost you need this January. This bright scarf is made from a mohair blend, and appears in a joyful ombré knit and the label’s signature patch to the tasseled edge.
GANNI Ombré mohair-blend scarf, £135

The spring palette of this mohair-blend Ganni scarf can’t fail to brighten your day. I am also obsessed with the blue and pink ombre version.

Responsibly crafted from a traceable mohair blend, this fuchsia-pink knitted beanie hat features a soft textured finish and wide fold-up brim to keep you warm throughout the colder days.
COS Textured Knitted Beanie hat, £39

LOVE. This textured fluffy beanie looks good enough to eat in hot magenta pink. This one is low in stock, so check out this gorgeous cashmere version too.

Arket Chunky woven check scarf made from a blend of responsible wool (cert. CU 847862RAF-01.2021) and recycled polyester. Featuring yarn-dyed checks and fringes. This fringed scarf comes in shades of blue. Dimensions: 180 cm x 35 cm.
Arket Wool Blend Scarf, £69

These ice cream shades are a nice mix of sweet and muted all at once, so they won’t be too disturbing for the colour shy.

& Other Stories Hooded scarf with a cotton crochet finish in pistachio.
& Other Stories Knitted Hood, £65

You know we love a knitted hood. This pistachio crochet version that wraps over at the neck will bring never-ending joy to your life, how can it not?

The Anagram logo was designed by the Spanish artist Vicente Vela as a quadruple-L insignia that now lends instant recognition to any Loewe piece. It appears on this tasseled mohair and wool-blend scarf that comes in a multicoloured stripe.
LOEWE Anagram wool-blend scarf, £225

The jewel-toned stripes on this preppy look Loewe scarf are a delight. This mohair scarf is an investment that will stay in your winter accessory rotation for life.

Colourful Dresses

Swathe yourself in a beautiful column of colour for the ultimate feel good factor. Go for a vibrant knit dress to keep you warm now, or look to spring/summer and find your perfect party dress for all the outdoor events to come. Speaking of summer events, if you are after your perfect wedding guest look and don’t find the one here, take a look at our wedding guest outfit post for more inspiration.

Arket bright blue Long slip dress made from mulberry silk. Styled with thin shoulder straps. The bias-cut fabric gives a natural stretch to the style.
Arket Silk Slip Dress, £129

A slip dress is a staple for any season. This bright blue satin dress can be layered with a knit and knee-high boots now, and worn alone come summer.

& Other Stories orange slim fitting wool knit mini dress featuring an off-the-shoulder ribbed folder over in a slim-fit silhouette.
& Other Stories Off-Shoulder Wool Mini Dress, £120

Just in case you haven’t noticed, off-the-shoulder everything is major right now. This orange knit mini dress is a joy paired with knee-high boots. Just add a sweeping maxi coat. I also love this H&M fuchsia knit mini dress in the same shape.

The Lisbeth dress from Cecilie Bahnsen has delicate shoulder straps attached to a slim bandeau top. From there, the design blooms out into a voluminous skirt from an empire waistline.
CECILIE BAHNSEN Lisbeth minidress, £ 1,066

This Cecilie Bahnsen dress is so dreamy. The voluminous skirt with pockets is balanced out perfectly by the fitted bust, straight neckline, and pin-thin straps. It will be perfect dressed up for summer events too.

This Paco Rabanne maxi dress is crafted from a lightweight knit threaded with fine metallic yarns to achieve a shimmering finish. The style features a ribbed high neck and a red and purple striped motif.
PACO RABANNE Striped metallic knit maxi dress, £811

Well, this is fun. From the beautiful red and purple colour combination to the varied stripes and metallic yarns this knit midi dress is pure joy.

COS draped and gathered cobalt blue maxi dress. This striking dress is a modern take on partywear. Made from smooth stretch-jersey in a vibrant bright-blue hue, it has a figure-hugging fit with snug long sleeves and ruching through the sides to highlight the silhouette. Keep your accessories minimal to keep focus on the design details.
COS Draped Gathered Maxi Dress, £79

This full-coverage cobalt blue gathered maxi dress from COS is so striking. We are also big fans of this rib knit maxi dress from & Other Stories in a similar shade.

Jacquemus' La Robe Espelho minidress is defined by its draped, sarong-style skirt with cutout detailing. Made from jersey for a comfortable slim fit, the tonal design has raglan sleeves and a crew-neckline.
JACQUEMUS La Robe Espelho cutout minidress, £ 460

Look forward to summer in this sporty-chic cut out Jacquemus mini dress in the most pretty shade of purple.

Red & Other Stories Relaxed mini knit dress featuring a mock neck and a tonal buckle belt. RECYCLED POLYESTER
& Other Stories Belted Knit Mini Dress, £55

This red belted knit mini dress is a head-turner. It looks great paired with sheer tights for braving the cold.

Coloured Leather

A fun new way to wear colour this season is all the bright faux and leather pieces out there right now, from trench coats to trousers and leather skirts.

The Axel pants are shaped with cargo-style pockets, straight legs, and belt detailing at the waist. Stouls' supple and stretchy leather is a signature material that's celebrated for its premium quality and machine-washable properties.
STOULS Axel leather cargo pants, £ 1,746

I am taking inspiration from this colour combo. These leather pants couldn’t be more on point with the cargo styling and vibrant green colour.

The most incredible 1980s midi skirt made from a deep purple leather... Has a tight pencil silhouette, pockets and kick split. It's very Mugler! A little bit gothic, a little bit dominatrix, it's just a fabulous skirt!
Vintage 1980s Purple Leather Midi Pencil Skirt, £55.00

Vintage sites are a great place to pick up a preloved leather gem. A little bit of 80s vibes will see you right in SS23 and this vintage leather midi skirt in purple also feels entirely of the moment.

This coat is made of PU and features faux fur details. It has a lapel neckline and a button closure. This coat features a self tie waist belt, side pockets and a lining in faux fur. This coat comes in green.
Moa Mattsson x NA-KD Faux Fur Detail Belted Coat, £120.95

Stay warm in this faux-fur lined leather look belted coat in a beautiful sage green.

Vintage french connection faux leather mini skirt in silver and gold with a zip feature.
Modern Vintage Faux Leather French Connection Mini Skirt, £25

Metallics are the new way to turn heads for SS23 and this faux leather gold and silver mini skirt is a winner.

An oversized coat with a faux shearling collar, large button closures, and patch pockets in the front. The coat is fully lined. - Oversized fit - Made from faux leather - This piece is from our Spring-Summer 2023 collection
Baum Und Pferdgarten Faux Leather DORYANA COAT, £359.00

This faux leather coat is elevated even further by the faux shearling collar detail. It has such a cool silhouette.

16 Arlington's burgundy Hagen trousers are shaped to a high-waist silhouette from glossed nappa leather, with panelled legs falling into a wide drape.
16ARLINGTON Hagen leather wide-leg trousers, £1,350

How amazing are these 16Arlington burgundy panelled wide-leg leather trousers? There is a leather mini skirt in the same colour, but the trousers are so good. If they are out of your price range but you are looking to add some burgundy leather to your life, then you need to see these Frankie Shop leather trousers in a similar shade.

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If you’re looking ahead to 2023, then next up you need to see which rollover trend will be your go-to this spring….

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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