Dress Yourself Happy + Style With a Smile Link Up

If you’re a regular reader of this blog you’ll know how much I love colour. My wardrobe is like a rainbow and brings me so much joy. Dressing in bright hues can reflect my mood and also improve it; I really believe that you can dress yourself happy! Colour psychology is relatively new, but scroll through social media apps and you’ll most likely see “dopamine dressing” – a term used to describe mood-boosting colourful outfits.

One trend that returns every spring (at least in my world!) is pastels

Each colour is said to have its own particular qualities that affect mood and behaviour. Obviously, if you follow trends then those will also influence your choice of outfit. Barbie pink, Brat summer lime green, butter yellow – they’ve all infiltrated our Instagram feeds and offerings from high street retailers. One trend that returns every spring (at least in my world!) is pastels.

Pastel pink and blue

A few weeks ago I featured these trousers with a pale blue short sleeve jumper and I loved the colour combination. After waiting years to get the trousers taken up I’m making up for lost time by wearing them again! This outfit is a more formal version of that outfit, which I wore for work last week. Trouser suits are my go-to outfit of choice for the office and I’m delighted to have a blazer* that is very nearly the same shade. I teamed it with a charming pale blue bow shirt* for a smart look with a playful twist. (Blue is associated with trust and peace, while pink evokes feelings of compassion and sincerity).

If you’re hesitant about wearing colour, I’d suggest starting with pastels because they don’t have quite the same impact as bold hues. Layering light coats and jackets in soft pastel shades instantly update a simple outfit of jeans and a tee. These pretty hues are guaranteed to make you feel more cheerful and optimistic thanks to the connotations of spring flowers and sunnier days.

Hot pink

This vibrant shade is perfect for balmy nights on holiday or a garden party closer to home

There’s a pink theme running through this post and I’m dialling up the saturation a notch with this hot pink broderie dress*. This vibrant shade is perfect for balmy nights on holiday or a garden party closer to home. I love light and airy dresses in the warmer months and this one is100% cotton, so it’s very breathable and cooling. I wasn’t sure whether I’d feel comfortable with the cut out detail on the front, but it’s only small so I don’t feel too exposed. Actually, I felt great in this dress as soon as I put it on – in fact, just looking at it when I took it out of the packet made me smile! If you want to dress yourself happy, a bright pink floaty dress is a good place to start!

Yellow and pink

I love all shades of yellow – it’s such a cheerful, optimistic colour. This season it’s been all about a soft, buttery hue. It’s surprisingly versatile too – it pairs beautifully with darker shades such as burgundy and grey, as well as other pastels. Instead of going down the matchy-matchy route, I’ve mixed different shades of yellow with pastel pink. The retro floral print blouse helps to make it a more cohesive look while adding a playful element thanks to the frilly collar. This butter yellow waistcoat* is a great layering piece, and would look great with jeans and a simple tee. The Adidas yellow and pink Gazelle trainers* “bookend” the outfit.

Red, pink and leopard print

Red and pink will always be a winning colour duo for me; it’s playful, romantic and exudes warmth. Throw in leopard print and you’ve got a a showstopping combination. I was initially intending on pairing this blouse with jeans, but on a whim I whipped out my leopard print trousers for a bold pattern clash and surprised myself by how much I liked it. I think that’s a perfect example of how I dress for my mood and why I find it difficult to plan ahead with outfits. If I’m just not feeling it I have to go back to my wardrobe and see what catches my eye that day.

Comfortable and colourful trainers

As well as colour, let’s not forget about the other C-word too: comfort. After years of punishing my feet in heels (and subsequently paying the price for it later) I now insist on wearing comfortable shoes and trainers. If my feet hurt, I’m miserable, and I’m just not prepared to put myself through that anymore. There’s absolutely no need to either with so many fabulous, colourful trainers. I’ve always been an Adidas fan, both for everyday trainers and running shoes. They just seem to fit me well and provide good support. Isobel is also a fan and convinced me to buy her some leopard print Sambas as a GCSE reward (I’ve passed on expensive tastes in footwear!).

These Adidas scarlet and pink Gazelles* are the perfect match for this heart print blouse. As with most Adidas trainers, they came with a second pair of laces in the secondary colour to match the stripes. It’s always good to have options!

Do you “dress yourself happy”? Which colours do you gravitate towards when you need a mood boost?

This is where I link up!

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration with Very. Items marked * have been gifted. Unauthorized use of text and photos is prohibited.

This week’s featured bloggers are…

Jennifer of Curated by Jennifer, Alison of Midlife and Beyond and Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style!