Hooks the Look

Style Notes: Bright Sunshiny Days

Jumping ahead into Spring and sharing a few style notes for the new season. Whether that ol’ groundhog saw his shadow or not, temperatures are warming up and bright sunshiny days are in the forecast.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
~ Johnny Nash ~

That song was playing on the radio while The Husband and I were headed to this location and the tune kept popping into my head as we were doing the photoshoot. And now maybe it’s stuck on repeat in your brain, too. So who’s ready to swap out your winter woolens and boots for lighter layers and shoes with no socks?

The one constant I’ve been seeing in magazines and on social media recently is that this Spring is all about dopamine dressing, specifically color. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, dopamine dressing isn’t a new condiment for your salad. It’s an approach to style that encourages the use of color, texture, and pattern to boost your mood much like the effect that dopamine has to make one happier. Really, it’s just a fancier way of saying “go bold or go home”, style-wise that is.

As for my style notes, I’m going to focus mostly on color. Despite the examples seen online of wildly colorful outfits, you can achieve a similar effect just by adding a few pops of bright shades, especially in your accessories. In my look, I’ve paired up my red loafers and a hot pink crossbody purse with my patched up jeans. Some might say that red and pink don’t look good together to which my reply would be most unladylike and not suitable for print. 😜

Yellow is certainly a bright sunshiny color but one that a lot of people shy away from believing it to be an unflattering hue. I would normally fall into that camp but I also know that there are ways to work yellow into a look besides as a solid block of color. In my look, the t-shirt I’m wearing has a narrow yellow stripe. Because of the lower yellow to white ratio, the white does more of the heavy lifting and the yellow reads like an accent. And then there’s the white jacket which I think is the boldest color of all.

Head-to-toe white isn’t just for brides and it can definitely be a bright sunshiny day kind of look when done either for casual or a dressier occasion. Sure we’ve all embraced wearing white denim jeans in Fall but a white floaty frock is the uniform of the Spring holiday getaway, am I right? Too much? Then you could simply try a white belt or strappy sandals to lighten your look. For me personally, I’m on the hunt for a white denim vest.

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Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from last week’s link-up is Jacqui, the fabulous fashion and lifestyle blogger who also throws in with little on beauty, hair and cooking on her blog Mummabstylish. While she might not have realized, Jacqui’s bright and cheerfully hued dress that she wore in her DINING AT THE RITZ post is a great example of dopamine dressing.

It doesn’t take much to venture out of your comfort zone when it comes to putting together a fresh look for the bright sunshiny days to come. Now that Spring is upon us, how do you plan to dress in ways that’ll bring you joy and boost your mood?


Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.

Photos: MMPerez

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23 Comments

  3. Pamela Graham

    The first day of Spring finds the UK in a brighter mood too, it certainly lifts the spirits. You’ve hit my own thoughts on the head with your feature today. Although I write about color all the time, actually my own wardrobe has become neutral heavy and far too practical. I’m already planning my pops of color to help break out after the last two years!
    Pamela
    http://www.style-yourself-confident.com

  4. Terri Gardner

    I always love a good pop of red. Your outfit is such a classic and I love it. It is ironical that I link up today with the total opposite-all neutrals. But I was working off of Picasso’s Les Demoiselles D’Avignon. Take care and here’s to sunny days.

  5. Gail Is This Mutton

    Nice look Rena, I love red and pink together with white. Fresh summery look. I’m looking forward to walking in shorts, with bare arms.

  6. Anne M Bray

    Well… I’m not shy in the color/pattern lane, that’s for sure!
    Maybe that’s another reason I’m giving away the brown lace scarves (in linkup).

    I’m happy to vicariously “uplift” everyone around me!

    Have a great sunshiny day!

  9. thisblondesshoppingbag

    Now I am singing that song too! I can see why dopamine dressing is big – after the last few years everyone is ready to get out and be happy. Now if we could just get things settled for the Ukraine. So heartbreaking to watch.
    Thanks for the link up Rena!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  11. marsha57

    I have never embraced the neutral trend. It’s just not me. I like colors and lots of them! I’ve been hearing a lot about dopamine dressing, but you’ve really done a wonderful job defining it. It’s funny…I am also one to say I don’t like to wear yellow…but I’m wearing yellow pjs with hot pink polka dots and Westies all over! So, maybe I do wear yellow, but it’s just not a color I gravitate to!

    Thanks so much for the link up!!!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

  12. Mica - Away From The Blue

    Such a great way to do double denim! You can’t go wrong with a stripe tee and jeans I find and I like the pop from your accessories!

    Thanks for the link up! Hope that you are having a great day 🙂

  14. shelbeeontheedge1

    I love that dopamine dressing has become sort of a trend. We should have been dressing for our souls all along though. Haha. This outfit is so great! Those patchwork jeans are enough to make one smile but then the white, pink and red color combination adds an extra bit of happiness to the mix. Great post!

    Shelbee

  17. Jess

    I love the color this season! I dont own any green trousers but I do love the look with pink. Your outfit is a great example of dressing with pops of color to brighten the look, I love the red touches! The patches are fun with your jeans too!
    Happy Spring!

  19. The Grey Brunette

    I’m not feeling it quite yet because the Algarve has come over all wintery again! It’s peeing down with rain and it’s cold! I’m sitting in my office (having just returned from the UK where it was warm in comparison) in a thick jumper AND a thick woolly cardigan!!! But once it does warm up, I’m all for the dopamine dressing, Rena! And I will definitely wear pink and red together. You look fabulous. I love everything about your outfit, especially the red shoes!
    Big hugs
    Suzy xx

  21. helenfern

    Great party! Thanks for hosting. I shared from both my blogs. Have a great week.

  23. mummabstylish

    Many thanks for the feature. I adored wearing this dress and yes it did make me feel very happy. It’s a great colour, brilliant style and it’s just a me dress! Jacqui x