December 7, 2024 • 20 mins
We all know that the wrong outfit can ruin a day. But did you know there is actual science behind the types of clothes that can scientifically boost your mood with real science words like serotonin and dopamine.
Leigh Campbell is joined by Model & Author Jessica Vander Leahy to give us the 4-1-1 on dopamine dressing. From colours, secret underwear and sentimental jewels this weeks episode will make you feel good about getting dressed in the morning.
Here Are Jessica Vander Leahy's 8 Favourite Dopamine Pieces
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CREDITS:
Host: Leigh Campbell
Guest: Jessica Vander Leahy
Producer: Grace Rouvray
Audio Producer: Tegan Sadler
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Mama Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on you biz. You know
how a swipe of red lipstick or your favorite highlighter
can instantly lift your mood, Well, turns out what you
wear can do the same thing. There's an actual proper
science behind it. Recently, on Nothing to Wear, I spoke
(00:34):
to a fabulous model and author all about dopamine dressing.
We chatted about how certain colours, secret underwear tricks, and
even meaningful jewelry can totally transform how you feel when
you get dressed. I thought this might give you a
bit of inspo for your Sunday morning, so I hope
you enjoy it. Whoever said orange is a new pink
(00:54):
with seriously disturbed.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Laurels for spraying groundbreaking?
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Oh my god, you have to do it. You live
for fashion.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Hello and welcome to Nothing to Wear, the podcast that
solves fashion problems and levels up your wardrobe Campbell and
each week we talk to someone wonderful who is here.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
To help us.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
We're going to chat about using and getting more out
of the clothes we already own, and what is and
isn't worth adding to our wardrobe. On today's episode, we're
talking about how our clothes and our emotions can be intertwined.
Maybe you've heard the term emotional dressing or dopamine dressing.
This is where specific choices are made to evoke positive
emotions and boost our mood. It emphasizes the psychological impact
(01:38):
of dressing and the potential for clothing to influence one's
emotional state. We have brought back model and author Jessica Vandalay.
If there was an ambassador for emotional dressing, Jessica would
absolutely be the one. So jess welcome back to the show.
Loved having on talking about boobs last time, but today
we're talking about emotional dressing. It's something you're very passionate about.
(02:01):
So before we break it down into different elements, when
did you first come across his philosophy of being an
emotional dressing.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
I mean, I don't know if I originated the term,
but I will take it if someone wants attributed to me.
But I definitely have always been an emotional dresser. I
remember even girlfriends from high school will remember me sitting
in my towel before going to a party and really
deciding how I felt that night, and like kind of
choosing my personality, and you know, sometimes it was dark
(02:32):
and moody, and then sometimes it was a bit more
glitz and glammy. And yeah, it was always just a
process of really tuning into how I was feeling I
love before I chosen.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Out for it.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
And do you do that every day?
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Now?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
I don't have time to really do it every day,
but I definitely think I do it more intuitively. And
if I'm not feeling what I'm wearing, I will run
back inside and change.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
It's kind of a running joke that, like.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I will have something on walking around the house and
then just before we're about to walk out the door,
I change.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I do too, because I'm like, I loved this dress
a few weeks ago when I last saw it, but
it's not me right now.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yes, it's not me.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
We change. We're allowed to, exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
So do you know is there psychology attached to different colors, like,
for example, can you explain how we're affected by yellow
and pink and all that jazz?
Speaker 4 (03:11):
There is studies where they've talked about dopamine dressing, which is,
you know, referencing brighter colors like pinks and yellows and
shades of green that do kind of encourage the body
to release a little bit more dopamine and serotonin. In
saying that, I think it's just pretty logical as well,
Like even if we're considering the rooms that we're in
and the spaces that we're in, you know, we are
(03:32):
always trying to set up like ambient atmospheres no matter
where we are, and so colors are really important for that.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
They do channel different energy.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
I think this might be a bit of a silly question,
but what if you don't like one of those colors?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
What if you're not into the color? Do you reckon?
The psychology still works.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
I don't know if anyone's never not into a color,
I just think that they don't know how to wear
it yet. Yeah, you know, I think that there is
a way that everyone can wear all different shades, and
it just matters what you pair it with and what
you contrast it with. If you're not into pinks and yellows,
that's fine. You can wear more cooling, soothing colors like
blues and purples.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I know.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I I didn't.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Really ever think that I had a favorite color until
one day I was kind of coordinating my wardrobe by colors,
and I just had all this lilac and it was
never a conscious choice. Yeah, so I must find that
to be some kind of soothing color of.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Your destraw into it. It's funny.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Out of a couple of weeks ago, I went to a
surprise fortieth and the husband organizing has said, wear some green.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
I was like, I don't have me grain. And then
I went to my.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Dresses and I was like, oh wow, I have like
fifteen green dresses. Yeah, I do, and it's obviously a
color I really like. So that's interesting.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
I think you gravitate towards what you like and what
maybe channels a better energy.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, what makes you feel good? I wonder if it
works just looking at someone, Like, if you're wearing head
to sow yellow, do I get the dopamine just looking
at you?
Speaker 4 (04:49):
As you know, I live in barn bas so I'm
pretty woo woo adjacent. I mean, I do believe in
auras and like the energy that someone's giving off. And
I think that we can see a whole bunch of
things that we can't really put our finger on.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
It's sometimes you're in the office, someone will walk in
wearing a vibrant thing, I'm like, Oh, that's so joyful.
It lifts my mood and I'm not even wearing it.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah, totally, And I think that's it, Like our eyes
are always going to be attracted to the colorful. Whether
we're all comfortable enough to wear it, I think we
definitely can appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Okay, So I love this philosophy. I want to incorporate it.
A lot of my wardrobe's neutral. I'm getting into colours.
But what if we're having just to run around doing
the chores tracksuit kind of day.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Yeah, I think that's a feeling too. That's like you're
obviously channeling being comfortable. You want to have a little
bit more of an easy, relaxed feeling again, like you
can work your outfit. It depends on the accents and
things like that that maybe you're putting together. I all
of a sudden had a lot of bone and sand
and beige during the pandemic in my tracksuits because we
(05:48):
were at home, and that's when loungewear really took off. Yes,
so I feel like a lot of people and then
coming out of the post pandemic era into all the
colors that were on the runway and barbicore, And in
saying that, I think you can lounge around in whatever
color that you're feeling.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
It's also I think just thinking about it, like I
walk into a store and I go need new active wear.
Types must be black, liggings, gray mile for active wear.
But silly, I'm missing out on so many great colors.
It's not in my head. I don't even head to
that section, but I would love some lie like activewear.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Well, I think you'll notice as well. We are very suggestible,
like if you've ever seen a magician or like you know,
David Blaine. Even though I'm not really into magicians, they
can do things to our mind that makes it suggestible
to us. So if you want something gray male, it's
because you've been seeing it somewhere, Like you know, it
doesn't just come from really nowhere. And you know that's
why kind of window shopping is a really powerful tool.
(06:39):
And all of that VM that you see when you're
walking past them, all all of a sudden you come
out with twenty million things that you're.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Like, WHOA, what did I just do it? I liked
peach And.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
That's all your emotions just being intercepted.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
So it took me almost decades, many decades, late thirties
to get into color. I was like, navy was a
bold color for me until recently, and then I just
went for it.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I just bought color.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Does it feel better?
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yes, it's so exciting. I don't want to be her
every day. Sometimes Oh well I'm wearing a bright top today, actually,
but this is Yeah. Sometimes I go for my monome.
Sometimes I go for an all block, you know, white
or black or gray. But what are your suggestions if
someone's like, yeah, color sounds exciting. I want to feel
happy by what I wear? How do they start?
Speaker 4 (07:21):
So often when even scrolling Instagram or any social media
really you can kind of pick up on people's styles
that you like. And I think that the saved collection
is a really underused file in your kind of social
media ammunition when it comes to collating stuff that you
actually see.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
And it resonates with you.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
And so I just think, scroll through the gram HiT's
saved every time you see something that you like, and
then go back and look at it and you can
kind of curate. Okay, I'm clearly gravitating towards this and
that and this and that, and you know, it doesn't
have to be like a rainbow vomited on you, and
it doesn't have to be sparkles everywhere. But I think
(08:05):
that you can kind of just very slowly pick sort
of style icons that embrace color and shape and texture
and see where maybe you can land appropriating that.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, and I love what you said at the start
about people think they can't wear a certain color. But
like I was like that with yellow, and then I
went and tried on, like you know, there's mustard.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
These are true.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
There's so many different types of yellows, and then I
found the yellows that worked for me, and now it's
one of my favorite colors. But it's not canary yellow
for me. There's kind of ones at either end of
the spectrum. So go to a store, try a bunch
of stuff on. Like, if you're not drawn to that color, fine,
because maybe your emotions don't like it. But if you're like, oh,
I'm curious, but doesn't suit my skin tone, just wak
it on and see how you go.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Well totally, and also allow yourself to change, like you know,
don't stunt yourself. And this is my style and this
is how it's going to be forever. Like your hairstyle changes,
so like maybe you couldn't wear yellow if you were
more of a grassy blonde at some point in your life.
But then you know, ten years later, you've changed your
hair color, you've softened your shapes, change whatever, and then
all of a sudden, you've discovered this whole avenue of
(09:05):
clothing that you'd kind of written off. And I think
that's the thing. Don't just peak once, like always beIN
not a law that you've set for yourself. You can
change your mind absolutely, and you're allowed to change the
way you dress, even if it's just like incrementally.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Okay, So does it go beyond colors? Do you think
where else can we get sort of our dopamine hit
from our wardrobe?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
I do think it goes beyond colors. I mean, there's
such a thing as sentimental dressing, whether it's a band,
T shirt or I think, especially now being in my
mid thirties, I can look back and see you when
things were swung back around, and there's that nostalgic feeling
for like, okay, platforms, but then there's also sentimental items
that you can wear, and I think that everyone can
(09:57):
more so relate to this when you think of something
like a couple of years ago, my father passed away
and all of a sudden, we were all walking around
the house in his clothes. Yeah, five of us kids
just roaming around, and it was a really unsaid thing.
And that's a really powerful way that dressing and clothes
can kind of carry a lot of meaning.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
I so agree. I sleep in one of my dad's
T shirts every night.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah, I think it's.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Really common for someone to want to just keep something
physical that they can actually put on, and again, it's soothing.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And my mum had this I have it now, this
most amazing floral seventies dress that when I watched her
get ready when I was at I was like, she's
a princess. And then I kept it and then I
just happened to choose to wear it one day. I
was twenty weeks pregnant, and that's when my husband and
I kind of had our first like photos and I
was obviously pregnant, and then to look at those photos
and I'm wearing my mum's dress and it was such
a beautiful time. I will never like I would rescue
(10:49):
that dress from a house fire.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, it's so special.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Exactly, and like, you know, it carries more meaning than
just the fabric or the brand or you know, how
it fits and looks, it's how it actually feels on you.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Yeah, totally, Okay, I want to talk about the mind
field that is body positivity. Dressing to accentuate your curves
comes easy to but it's also deeply triggering for others,
depending on their relationship with their body. So do you
think embracing dopamine dressing can help in these situations?
Speaker 1 (11:19):
I do think so.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
I think if you are feeling a little bit low,
you can put on a brighter color, or you can
just challenge yourself with the way something fits and just see,
you know, walk out the door and just see how
it feels, you know. And I'm not a fan of
that toxic body positivity, you know, where you can't acknowledge
having an off day or like, hey, I'm just not
really feeling how big my boobs are, or you know,
(11:41):
lost a bit of weight and I'm just not knowing
how to dress my shape right now. And that's really
normal and natural, and so you should then be more
than ever channeling the way that your clothes are making
you feel.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yes, and it doesn't matter if it's black or rainbow.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
And also ignoring the size tags yeah, you know, and
just really noticing the fit and the feeling.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
That's why I sometimes love thrift shopping or vintage shopping
because there isn't a size. You just put it on
a go I love this, and you don't know if
it's four or fourteen or whatever. Who can And it's like,
I mean, I know we need the sizing and particularly
online shopping, but sometimes people get so stuck on that
number that an item they might love they don't want
to buy because it's a number that doesn't speak.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
To them totally.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
And I also believe that, like, you can wear something
outside of size. And I know there's some things that
I wear that are much smaller than what my measurements say,
but I don't mind. I'm like, let it spill. Yeah,
it doesn't get it, It doesn't bother me.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
So you're positive, but not toxically body positive. And there
is a line, and.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
I think on that note of body positivity, and especially
when it comes to gym gear and stuff like that, well,
I'm not someone who really falls for those slogan shirts that.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Are like I don't sweat. I sparkle, you.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Know, I find them kind of painful to look at.
But you don't need to listen to me. That's not
for me. If that means that it makes you work
out harder, it channels a kind of thriving energy inside
of your go for it.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
It's your time.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Yeah, where your dopeamine slogan on your T shirt?
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Okay, let's talk about season or in summer right now,
which kind of just generally gives us more options in
terms of fun and colors and patterns. How do you
personally or how do you suggest we bring joy to
our wardrobe in the colder months, the darker months when
we just want to wear a black coat.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Again, it's just about popping color somewhere where it's a
colorful beanie. I know when I lived in New York
and it would be snowing and all you'd have is
just puffer jackets. But I knew like I could wear
something just with a pop of color, like a beanie
or a scarf, or even if your undies a colorful.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
You know, yeah, well someone's mind, yeah exactly.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
But you feel like you feel sexy on the inside,
and that's what matters right for me.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
For winter, it's also about textures because I just I'm
not a winter girl. I don't like it, and so
I normally just throw on whatever. But then if I
actually kind of add interest with textures, that makes me happy.
And I know it's not that bright dopamine dressing, but
it's that effort that I'm putting in in a season
that I can't really be bothered and I'm like, oh,
look at my textured layers. I'm so you know, stylish that.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Yeah, totally. And that's the thing.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Some text just bring even more of an elegant, elevated feeling,
Like you know, if you're going to wear something like
one hundred wool or cashmere or you know, some type
of cable cable, I mean, you always feel like you
belong at like a Kennedy family.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Or at least at the golf club.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Let's help some corporates or those in a uniform, because
this is hard. These are the type of people that
often can't lean into color the way we've been discussing,
or even sentimental items unless they're sentimental undies. What can
women do to find joy in their clothing if they're
kind of restricted by what they have to wear.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Well, I think for something like this, you know, you
do want to still express yourself if you have to
wear a uniform every day, and some uniforms are just
so unflattering or they just don't feel like you. But
I think if there's room to accessorize, you can do that.
You know, even if I think about when I went
to school, like I wear my socks up, ye, and
(15:06):
if I could get away with it, I wear a
little bit of jewelry, you know, with just matching ring,
with a matching necklace or earring or whatever, just channeling something.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Could think like pearls.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
If you've got to wear something all black, it's kind
of like really elevating that uniform.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
And make it, I guess your own. I also think.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
I mean, I worked at David Jones in the shoe
department many decades ago. It was black, and so I
would just go black and buy crappy, cheap what ifs,
And then I bought a few nice black pieces that well,
I guess kind of expensive for me at the time
and more elevated. And the times have all those two work.
I felt better, I had a better day, I was
more confident, and so it was just like, yeah, sure,
(15:44):
I'm restricted by the colors, but it's kind of just
caring in that moment because I was wearing it five
days a week. So what's the point of not caring
five days a week?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Yeah, totally.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
And I think shoes especially are something where you can
dress for the job that you want, you know, and
if you've spent a little bit of money and you've
saved up and there's something that you've chosen and that
you feel really proud of when you slip them on
and really comfortable, then that's kind of dressing for the
life that you want. And that's that channel is really
like emotions where you've kind of got that ambition inside.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Yeah, you're projecting.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yeah, I love manifesting.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Manifesting it's very expensive.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
How wondre these twenty five percent?
Speaker 2 (16:36):
So we're talking happiness in clothing? What is your budget
dopamine dressing item?
Speaker 4 (16:42):
Well, I know I've heard it on a podcast recently
that you guys threw shade on havyannas a little bit.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Oh, it wasn't actually me, It wasn't, well, it was
I was just asking Paul or if you could wear
them to like a wedding. But I love my brown
Havanas for the beat.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Well that brown, but that's what.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
I was going to say.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Havannas are really I mean, they're not super cheap anymore.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
They used to be really cheap when we were young.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
They weren't that like fourteen dollars the day.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Yeah, they've kind of crept up.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
But they're so colorful and there's lots of patterns, and
I'm going to say the Harbies are back that it's
a really easy way, especially for summer, to slip on
a little bit of color and play with something that's
you're not forcing it in an outfit.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Yes, and they're very functional. So if you have to
choose a havana color, what color are you wearing right now?
Speaker 4 (17:23):
I'm wearing a white pear with a gold heavy symbol.
But then it's got what's like Hawaiian flowers on the block.
Oh cute, you are soap and viron. My budget is
a print on a relatively new collection so ATMSSON here
is an iconic brand and Tina, who has been on
this show before, she's actually designed a collection for this
(17:45):
brand and it's called the Bora Bora Print.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
I'm going to show it to you. It comes in
that wrap skirt.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Oh stunning.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
I imagine that on you.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
And it also comes in sort of a mini with
a puffy sleeve, and it's just so joyful. It's like
a very bright apple green and then a pink and
a palm tree and it's very not me.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
And those colors immediately channel holiday to me, don't they Like?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
I just look at that and it makes me happy.
So I think I might get the dress in that.
It's a joyful nine ninety five, so affordable for an
item of clothing. All right, what's your bougie dopamine item.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
It's not super bougie, but they're handmade bags that I'm
bringing out.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Yes, I'm so excited. You can talk about it.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
So they're bill and bags and hopefully by the time
that this podcast has dropped or get a something is
the name of them?
Speaker 3 (18:30):
What does that mean?
Speaker 1 (18:30):
That means everything?
Speaker 4 (18:32):
So it's talk pigeon, which is the kind of creole
language that we speak in Papua New Guinea. Yes, and
that for me is very sentimental because they're very colorful,
hand woven bags. There's beautiful women making them and they
kind of weave a lot of love into them and
it's just like a kind of cultural When I wear them,
I feel like it's a little bit of home with me.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Oh, that's happiness in so many ways. So if they're out,
we'll put a link in the show notes. If there's delays,
because I know how these things go having a small business,
how can people find out more about them?
Speaker 4 (19:03):
Or get a dot something on Instagram or you can
just go to my Instagram. Because I'm spooking them a lot.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
I'll just stalk. How much are they going to be?
Speaker 4 (19:10):
Well, they're going to be a reasonable price point, I
would say, but they're definitely a little bit of a
splurge as a gift, and they're going to be around
the two hundred mark.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Oh for handmade. Hello, I'm going to have five. My
quick Bougie is an Alimee's dress that you can get
exclusively on Modes fourtieth. So the two powerhouses that is
Modes fourtief and alimes have done a collection. It's called
the Osma Bodice Dress in cream multi.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Look at this.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
It's a fancy dress for the party season. I think peacocks,
I don't know. There's swells, there's blue, there's green, there's mustard.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
There's very adlg Chevida.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
Isn't it just so beautiful?
Speaker 2 (19:47):
I'll wear it once, which is why I probably won't
buy it, but I will keep lusting after it.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
It is also five hundred ninety five dollars, which is
probably why I will just admire it.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
But it is just a fun festive dress, and I
feel like you can wear that to a wedding. It's
also a print that's not everywhere, so you could wear
it for seasons to come when it doesn't scream one
particular season.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
Well sometimes as well. It's like keeping a formal dress
like that. You kind of tell me where it you
think of all the occasions that you wore at.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
So again, sentimental Adama, Well, I think you've just convinced
me to spend six hundred dollars.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Jess, thank you so much for joining me.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
As always, I love chatting to you about everything, particularly
happiness when it comes to clothes.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
So thanks for joining me. Thank you, thank you for
listening to Nothing to Wear.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
If you loved this podcast, please rate us and review
us wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
See you next week.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
This episode was produced by Grace roo Ray with audio
production by Tiagan Sadler. This podcast is powered by our subscribers.
If you believe in independent women's media and want to
support us, a subscription to Mamma Mia costs less than
the price of a coffee each month. There's a link
in the show notes, and a big thank you to
all our current subscribers.
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Mama Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on you biz. You know
how a swipe of red lipstick or your favorite highlighter
can instantly lift your mood, Well, turns out what you
wear can do the same thing. There's an actual proper
science behind it. Recently, on Nothing to Wear, I spoke
(00:34):
to a fabulous model and author all about dopamine dressing.
We chatted about how certain colours, secret underwear tricks, and
even meaningful jewelry can totally transform how you feel when
you get dressed. I thought this might give you a
bit of inspo for your Sunday morning, so I hope
you enjoy it. Whoever said orange is a new pink
(00:54):
with seriously disturbed.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Laurels for spraying groundbreaking?
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Oh my god, you have to do it. You live
for fashion.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Hello and welcome to Nothing to Wear, the podcast that
solves fashion problems and levels up your wardrobe Campbell and
each week we talk to someone wonderful who is here.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
To help us.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
We're going to chat about using and getting more out
of the clothes we already own, and what is and
isn't worth adding to our wardrobe. On today's episode, we're
talking about how our clothes and our emotions can be intertwined.
Maybe you've heard the term emotional dressing or dopamine dressing.
This is where specific choices are made to evoke positive
emotions and boost our mood. It emphasizes the psychological impact
(01:38):
of dressing and the potential for clothing to influence one's
emotional state. We have brought back model and author Jessica Vandalay.
If there was an ambassador for emotional dressing, Jessica would
absolutely be the one. So jess welcome back to the show.
Loved having on talking about boobs last time, but today
we're talking about emotional dressing. It's something you're very passionate about.
(02:01):
So before we break it down into different elements, when
did you first come across his philosophy of being an
emotional dressing.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
I mean, I don't know if I originated the term,
but I will take it if someone wants attributed to me.
But I definitely have always been an emotional dresser. I
remember even girlfriends from high school will remember me sitting
in my towel before going to a party and really
deciding how I felt that night, and like kind of
choosing my personality, and you know, sometimes it was dark
(02:32):
and moody, and then sometimes it was a bit more
glitz and glammy. And yeah, it was always just a
process of really tuning into how I was feeling I
love before I chosen.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Out for it.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
And do you do that every day?
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Now?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
I don't have time to really do it every day,
but I definitely think I do it more intuitively. And
if I'm not feeling what I'm wearing, I will run
back inside and change.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
It's kind of a running joke that, like.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I will have something on walking around the house and
then just before we're about to walk out the door,
I change.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I do too, because I'm like, I loved this dress
a few weeks ago when I last saw it, but
it's not me right now.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yes, it's not me.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
We change. We're allowed to, exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
So do you know is there psychology attached to different colors, like,
for example, can you explain how we're affected by yellow
and pink and all that jazz?
Speaker 4 (03:11):
There is studies where they've talked about dopamine dressing, which is,
you know, referencing brighter colors like pinks and yellows and
shades of green that do kind of encourage the body
to release a little bit more dopamine and serotonin. In
saying that, I think it's just pretty logical as well,
Like even if we're considering the rooms that we're in
and the spaces that we're in, you know, we are
(03:32):
always trying to set up like ambient atmospheres no matter
where we are, and so colors are really important for that.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
They do channel different energy.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
I think this might be a bit of a silly question,
but what if you don't like one of those colors?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
What if you're not into the color? Do you reckon?
The psychology still works.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
I don't know if anyone's never not into a color,
I just think that they don't know how to wear
it yet. Yeah, you know, I think that there is
a way that everyone can wear all different shades, and
it just matters what you pair it with and what
you contrast it with. If you're not into pinks and yellows,
that's fine. You can wear more cooling, soothing colors like
blues and purples.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I know.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I I didn't.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Really ever think that I had a favorite color until
one day I was kind of coordinating my wardrobe by colors,
and I just had all this lilac and it was
never a conscious choice. Yeah, so I must find that
to be some kind of soothing color of.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Your destraw into it. It's funny.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Out of a couple of weeks ago, I went to a
surprise fortieth and the husband organizing has said, wear some green.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
I was like, I don't have me grain. And then
I went to my.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Dresses and I was like, oh wow, I have like
fifteen green dresses. Yeah, I do, and it's obviously a
color I really like. So that's interesting.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
I think you gravitate towards what you like and what
maybe channels a better energy.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, what makes you feel good? I wonder if it
works just looking at someone, Like, if you're wearing head
to sow yellow, do I get the dopamine just looking
at you?
Speaker 4 (04:49):
As you know, I live in barn bas so I'm
pretty woo woo adjacent. I mean, I do believe in
auras and like the energy that someone's giving off. And
I think that we can see a whole bunch of
things that we can't really put our finger on.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
It's sometimes you're in the office, someone will walk in
wearing a vibrant thing, I'm like, Oh, that's so joyful.
It lifts my mood and I'm not even wearing it.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah, totally, And I think that's it, Like our eyes
are always going to be attracted to the colorful. Whether
we're all comfortable enough to wear it, I think we
definitely can appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Okay, So I love this philosophy. I want to incorporate it.
A lot of my wardrobe's neutral. I'm getting into colours.
But what if we're having just to run around doing
the chores tracksuit kind of day.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Yeah, I think that's a feeling too. That's like you're
obviously channeling being comfortable. You want to have a little
bit more of an easy, relaxed feeling again, like you
can work your outfit. It depends on the accents and
things like that that maybe you're putting together. I all
of a sudden had a lot of bone and sand
and beige during the pandemic in my tracksuits because we
(05:48):
were at home, and that's when loungewear really took off. Yes,
so I feel like a lot of people and then
coming out of the post pandemic era into all the
colors that were on the runway and barbicore, And in
saying that, I think you can lounge around in whatever
color that you're feeling.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
It's also I think just thinking about it, like I
walk into a store and I go need new active wear.
Types must be black, liggings, gray mile for active wear.
But silly, I'm missing out on so many great colors.
It's not in my head. I don't even head to
that section, but I would love some lie like activewear.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Well, I think you'll notice as well. We are very suggestible,
like if you've ever seen a magician or like you know,
David Blaine. Even though I'm not really into magicians, they
can do things to our mind that makes it suggestible
to us. So if you want something gray male, it's
because you've been seeing it somewhere, Like you know, it
doesn't just come from really nowhere. And you know that's
why kind of window shopping is a really powerful tool.
(06:39):
And all of that VM that you see when you're
walking past them, all all of a sudden you come
out with twenty million things that you're.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Like, WHOA, what did I just do it? I liked
peach And.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
That's all your emotions just being intercepted.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
So it took me almost decades, many decades, late thirties
to get into color. I was like, navy was a
bold color for me until recently, and then I just
went for it.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I just bought color.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Does it feel better?
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yes, it's so exciting. I don't want to be her
every day. Sometimes Oh well I'm wearing a bright top today, actually,
but this is Yeah. Sometimes I go for my monome.
Sometimes I go for an all block, you know, white
or black or gray. But what are your suggestions if
someone's like, yeah, color sounds exciting. I want to feel
happy by what I wear? How do they start?
Speaker 4 (07:21):
So often when even scrolling Instagram or any social media
really you can kind of pick up on people's styles
that you like. And I think that the saved collection
is a really underused file in your kind of social
media ammunition when it comes to collating stuff that you
actually see.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
And it resonates with you.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
And so I just think, scroll through the gram HiT's
saved every time you see something that you like, and
then go back and look at it and you can
kind of curate. Okay, I'm clearly gravitating towards this and
that and this and that, and you know, it doesn't
have to be like a rainbow vomited on you, and
it doesn't have to be sparkles everywhere. But I think
(08:05):
that you can kind of just very slowly pick sort
of style icons that embrace color and shape and texture
and see where maybe you can land appropriating that.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, and I love what you said at the start
about people think they can't wear a certain color. But
like I was like that with yellow, and then I
went and tried on, like you know, there's mustard.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
These are true.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
There's so many different types of yellows, and then I
found the yellows that worked for me, and now it's
one of my favorite colors. But it's not canary yellow
for me. There's kind of ones at either end of
the spectrum. So go to a store, try a bunch
of stuff on. Like, if you're not drawn to that color, fine,
because maybe your emotions don't like it. But if you're like, oh,
I'm curious, but doesn't suit my skin tone, just wak
it on and see how you go.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Well totally, and also allow yourself to change, like you know,
don't stunt yourself. And this is my style and this
is how it's going to be forever. Like your hairstyle changes,
so like maybe you couldn't wear yellow if you were
more of a grassy blonde at some point in your life.
But then you know, ten years later, you've changed your
hair color, you've softened your shapes, change whatever, and then
all of a sudden, you've discovered this whole avenue of
(09:05):
clothing that you'd kind of written off. And I think
that's the thing. Don't just peak once, like always beIN
not a law that you've set for yourself. You can
change your mind absolutely, and you're allowed to change the
way you dress, even if it's just like incrementally.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Okay, So does it go beyond colors? Do you think
where else can we get sort of our dopamine hit
from our wardrobe?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
I do think it goes beyond colors. I mean, there's
such a thing as sentimental dressing, whether it's a band,
T shirt or I think, especially now being in my
mid thirties, I can look back and see you when
things were swung back around, and there's that nostalgic feeling
for like, okay, platforms, but then there's also sentimental items
that you can wear, and I think that everyone can
(09:57):
more so relate to this when you think of something
like a couple of years ago, my father passed away
and all of a sudden, we were all walking around
the house in his clothes. Yeah, five of us kids
just roaming around, and it was a really unsaid thing.
And that's a really powerful way that dressing and clothes
can kind of carry a lot of meaning.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
I so agree. I sleep in one of my dad's
T shirts every night.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah, I think it's.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Really common for someone to want to just keep something
physical that they can actually put on, and again, it's soothing.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And my mum had this I have it now, this
most amazing floral seventies dress that when I watched her
get ready when I was at I was like, she's
a princess. And then I kept it and then I
just happened to choose to wear it one day. I
was twenty weeks pregnant, and that's when my husband and
I kind of had our first like photos and I
was obviously pregnant, and then to look at those photos
and I'm wearing my mum's dress and it was such
a beautiful time. I will never like I would rescue
(10:49):
that dress from a house fire.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, it's so special.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Exactly, and like, you know, it carries more meaning than
just the fabric or the brand or you know, how
it fits and looks, it's how it actually feels on you.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Yeah, totally, Okay, I want to talk about the mind
field that is body positivity. Dressing to accentuate your curves
comes easy to but it's also deeply triggering for others,
depending on their relationship with their body. So do you
think embracing dopamine dressing can help in these situations?
Speaker 1 (11:19):
I do think so.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
I think if you are feeling a little bit low,
you can put on a brighter color, or you can
just challenge yourself with the way something fits and just see,
you know, walk out the door and just see how
it feels, you know. And I'm not a fan of
that toxic body positivity, you know, where you can't acknowledge
having an off day or like, hey, I'm just not
really feeling how big my boobs are, or you know,
(11:41):
lost a bit of weight and I'm just not knowing
how to dress my shape right now. And that's really
normal and natural, and so you should then be more
than ever channeling the way that your clothes are making
you feel.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yes, and it doesn't matter if it's black or rainbow.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
And also ignoring the size tags yeah, you know, and
just really noticing the fit and the feeling.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
That's why I sometimes love thrift shopping or vintage shopping
because there isn't a size. You just put it on
a go I love this, and you don't know if
it's four or fourteen or whatever. Who can And it's like,
I mean, I know we need the sizing and particularly
online shopping, but sometimes people get so stuck on that
number that an item they might love they don't want
to buy because it's a number that doesn't speak.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
To them totally.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
And I also believe that, like, you can wear something
outside of size. And I know there's some things that
I wear that are much smaller than what my measurements say,
but I don't mind. I'm like, let it spill. Yeah,
it doesn't get it, It doesn't bother me.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
So you're positive, but not toxically body positive. And there
is a line, and.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
I think on that note of body positivity, and especially
when it comes to gym gear and stuff like that, well,
I'm not someone who really falls for those slogan shirts that.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Are like I don't sweat. I sparkle, you.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Know, I find them kind of painful to look at.
But you don't need to listen to me. That's not
for me. If that means that it makes you work
out harder, it channels a kind of thriving energy inside
of your go for it.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
It's your time.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Yeah, where your dopeamine slogan on your T shirt?
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Okay, let's talk about season or in summer right now,
which kind of just generally gives us more options in
terms of fun and colors and patterns. How do you
personally or how do you suggest we bring joy to
our wardrobe in the colder months, the darker months when
we just want to wear a black coat.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Again, it's just about popping color somewhere where it's a
colorful beanie. I know when I lived in New York
and it would be snowing and all you'd have is
just puffer jackets. But I knew like I could wear
something just with a pop of color, like a beanie
or a scarf, or even if your undies a colorful.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
You know, yeah, well someone's mind, yeah exactly.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
But you feel like you feel sexy on the inside,
and that's what matters right for me.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
For winter, it's also about textures because I just I'm
not a winter girl. I don't like it, and so
I normally just throw on whatever. But then if I
actually kind of add interest with textures, that makes me happy.
And I know it's not that bright dopamine dressing, but
it's that effort that I'm putting in in a season
that I can't really be bothered and I'm like, oh,
look at my textured layers. I'm so you know, stylish that.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Yeah, totally. And that's the thing.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Some text just bring even more of an elegant, elevated feeling,
Like you know, if you're going to wear something like
one hundred wool or cashmere or you know, some type
of cable cable, I mean, you always feel like you
belong at like a Kennedy family.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Or at least at the golf club.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Let's help some corporates or those in a uniform, because
this is hard. These are the type of people that
often can't lean into color the way we've been discussing,
or even sentimental items unless they're sentimental undies. What can
women do to find joy in their clothing if they're
kind of restricted by what they have to wear.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Well, I think for something like this, you know, you
do want to still express yourself if you have to
wear a uniform every day, and some uniforms are just
so unflattering or they just don't feel like you. But
I think if there's room to accessorize, you can do that.
You know, even if I think about when I went
to school, like I wear my socks up, ye, and
(15:06):
if I could get away with it, I wear a
little bit of jewelry, you know, with just matching ring,
with a matching necklace or earring or whatever, just channeling something.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Could think like pearls.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
If you've got to wear something all black, it's kind
of like really elevating that uniform.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
And make it, I guess your own. I also think.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
I mean, I worked at David Jones in the shoe
department many decades ago. It was black, and so I
would just go black and buy crappy, cheap what ifs,
And then I bought a few nice black pieces that well,
I guess kind of expensive for me at the time
and more elevated. And the times have all those two work.
I felt better, I had a better day, I was
more confident, and so it was just like, yeah, sure,
(15:44):
I'm restricted by the colors, but it's kind of just
caring in that moment because I was wearing it five
days a week. So what's the point of not caring
five days a week?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Yeah, totally.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
And I think shoes especially are something where you can
dress for the job that you want, you know, and
if you've spent a little bit of money and you've
saved up and there's something that you've chosen and that
you feel really proud of when you slip them on
and really comfortable, then that's kind of dressing for the
life that you want. And that's that channel is really
like emotions where you've kind of got that ambition inside.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Yeah, you're projecting.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yeah, I love manifesting.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Manifesting it's very expensive.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
How wondre these twenty five percent?
Speaker 2 (16:36):
So we're talking happiness in clothing? What is your budget
dopamine dressing item?
Speaker 4 (16:42):
Well, I know I've heard it on a podcast recently
that you guys threw shade on havyannas a little bit.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Oh, it wasn't actually me, It wasn't, well, it was
I was just asking Paul or if you could wear
them to like a wedding. But I love my brown
Havanas for the beat.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Well that brown, but that's what.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
I was going to say.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Havannas are really I mean, they're not super cheap anymore.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
They used to be really cheap when we were young.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
They weren't that like fourteen dollars the day.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Yeah, they've kind of crept up.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
But they're so colorful and there's lots of patterns, and
I'm going to say the Harbies are back that it's
a really easy way, especially for summer, to slip on
a little bit of color and play with something that's
you're not forcing it in an outfit.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Yes, and they're very functional. So if you have to
choose a havana color, what color are you wearing right now?
Speaker 4 (17:23):
I'm wearing a white pear with a gold heavy symbol.
But then it's got what's like Hawaiian flowers on the block.
Oh cute, you are soap and viron. My budget is
a print on a relatively new collection so ATMSSON here
is an iconic brand and Tina, who has been on
this show before, she's actually designed a collection for this
(17:45):
brand and it's called the Bora Bora Print.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
I'm going to show it to you. It comes in
that wrap skirt.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Oh stunning.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
I imagine that on you.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
And it also comes in sort of a mini with
a puffy sleeve, and it's just so joyful. It's like
a very bright apple green and then a pink and
a palm tree and it's very not me.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
And those colors immediately channel holiday to me, don't they Like?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
I just look at that and it makes me happy.
So I think I might get the dress in that.
It's a joyful nine ninety five, so affordable for an
item of clothing. All right, what's your bougie dopamine item.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
It's not super bougie, but they're handmade bags that I'm
bringing out.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Yes, I'm so excited. You can talk about it.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
So they're bill and bags and hopefully by the time
that this podcast has dropped or get a something is
the name of them?
Speaker 3 (18:30):
What does that mean?
Speaker 1 (18:30):
That means everything?
Speaker 4 (18:32):
So it's talk pigeon, which is the kind of creole
language that we speak in Papua New Guinea. Yes, and
that for me is very sentimental because they're very colorful,
hand woven bags. There's beautiful women making them and they
kind of weave a lot of love into them and
it's just like a kind of cultural When I wear them,
I feel like it's a little bit of home with me.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Oh, that's happiness in so many ways. So if they're out,
we'll put a link in the show notes. If there's delays,
because I know how these things go having a small business,
how can people find out more about them?
Speaker 4 (19:03):
Or get a dot something on Instagram or you can
just go to my Instagram. Because I'm spooking them a lot.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
I'll just stalk. How much are they going to be?
Speaker 4 (19:10):
Well, they're going to be a reasonable price point, I
would say, but they're definitely a little bit of a
splurge as a gift, and they're going to be around
the two hundred mark.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Oh for handmade. Hello, I'm going to have five. My
quick Bougie is an Alimee's dress that you can get
exclusively on Modes fourtieth. So the two powerhouses that is
Modes fourtief and alimes have done a collection. It's called
the Osma Bodice Dress in cream multi.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Look at this.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
It's a fancy dress for the party season. I think peacocks,
I don't know. There's swells, there's blue, there's green, there's mustard.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
There's very adlg Chevida.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
Isn't it just so beautiful?
Speaker 2 (19:47):
I'll wear it once, which is why I probably won't
buy it, but I will keep lusting after it.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
It is also five hundred ninety five dollars, which is
probably why I will just admire it.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
But it is just a fun festive dress, and I
feel like you can wear that to a wedding. It's
also a print that's not everywhere, so you could wear
it for seasons to come when it doesn't scream one
particular season.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
Well sometimes as well. It's like keeping a formal dress
like that. You kind of tell me where it you
think of all the occasions that you wore at.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
So again, sentimental Adama, Well, I think you've just convinced
me to spend six hundred dollars.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Jess, thank you so much for joining me.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
As always, I love chatting to you about everything, particularly
happiness when it comes to clothes.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
So thanks for joining me. Thank you, thank you for
listening to Nothing to Wear.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
If you loved this podcast, please rate us and review
us wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
See you next week.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
This episode was produced by Grace roo Ray with audio
production by Tiagan Sadler. This podcast is powered by our subscribers.
If you believe in independent women's media and want to
support us, a subscription to Mamma Mia costs less than
the price of a coffee each month. There's a link
in the show notes, and a big thank you to
all our current subscribers.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.