Forget Dopamine: Dosha Dressing Is Wear It's At
Met Opera production of Marni.
Marni wears many coats. Each color for her mood. Yellow, blue, red, green, orange, pink. So vibrant. Suitable for Spring glee, Summer rest, Fall tumbles and Winter comfort.
Colors influence each person differently beyond the favorite color preferences. We are drawn to certain colors without explanation. a science underlies that connection. of course, each color is see through light waves. Ayurvedic science dictates that personal energy, or dosha, is the driver of that preference because it compels something within us that is connected to mood and beyond.
Dopamine dressing is fun, but it is short-lived, linked to addiction and does not support personal energy. Individual mood and inclinations are determined by specific dosha profiles. You don’t need an evanescent high that leaves emptiness. You need persistent and supportive balance.
Use the strongest part of you to benefit the every day.
This installment of Fashionable Science Dosha Dressing will focus on your dominant dosha- Pitta, Vata or Kapha. We play with pLayful monochromatic looks that transition us from winter to summer in breezy spring. These looks pay homage to primary colors.
What’s Your Energy?
The best you can, figure out your prominent dosha by identifying which emotions you connect with the most*. Note that you will most likely be a mix of doshas, but we all have a leading one. And if you really find yourself in the middle, then you can mix and match these outfits with your mood or dosha of the day.
Prone to frustration, criticism but also ambitious? Pitta
Susceptible to anxiety, indecision with a hint of creativity? Vata
Inclined to depression, loneliness but also love big? Kapha
Marni struggles with the colors of her different moods. I’d predict she’s a mix of Pitta and Vata.
Pitta
Sooth with blue. This dress is a bit on the darker end, which is a perfect suggestion of a tranquil ocean. Usually, darker colors, like black, increase negative Pitta dosha emotions like frustration. This dress is a beautiful navy in a light fabric, which diminishes that effect. This dress also works well with a dual Pitta-Vata dosha because the dark blue is grounding.
Beige clogs are calming and easy elegance. They are the opposite of 4-inch heels that demand and command 24/7. Leadership, a role natural to Pitta, done in clogs takes a more vulnerable and accessible approach. Top off the look with an accessory like a scarf with gradient blues. This can be worn around the neck, in a ponytail or as a short headscarf.
$cientific Tidbit: Dark blues, blacks, dark brown and grays are often preferred by people with depression or negative emotions. Choosing those clothing colors maintains those emotional states. Balancing with lighter fabrics and colorful accessories has the opposite effect.
Dress by Uniqlo. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Scarf by Hermès. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Clogs by Hermès. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Vata
Warm up with a yellow dress and stay away from overstimulating red. Red should be avoided because it is the color most associated with danger, which increases fear and anxiety. This dress is perfect for a reaffirming brunch with friends. Purple platform boots in velvet add much-needed warmth to cold-prone Vata. Anxiety and fear are prominent emotions for Vata dosha, so they need to stay grounded and minimize irrational thoughts. High heels may seem counterproductive, but the very thick soles on these provide sturdiness. Wearing these can decrease anxiety related to unfounded fears like imposter syndrome. When the weather warms from Spring to Summer, this dress can be worn with sandal platforms or flats. A pretty yellow scarf with lilac complements the look by serving as a neck warmer and framing the face in a lovely glow.
Dress by Benetton. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Scarf by Hermès. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Booties by Prada. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Kapha
Kapha doshas are the opposite of Vata types, which means they need stimulation. This also means that wearing red is suitable to motivate lethargy- and depression-prone Kaphas. This red dress in silk is perfect because it is not a heavy fabric, which can add weight to an already heavy mood. Because it is a little on the darker spectrum, pair it with a small bright scarf. The yellow in this one adds a bright pop and the green can balance any Vata fears that may be lurking. The yellow flats are also light and provide anti-depression sunshine without melanoma-inducing UV.
$cientific Tidbit: Those with depression choose dark monochromatic clothes. Choosing one bright color as an outfit base and vivid accessories counteracts that feeling.
Dress by Chloe. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Scarf by Hermès. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Flats by Valentino. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
Bottom Line
These looks serve as an daily reminder as to what makes you tick on an individual level. Remember that we are all a lovely mix of two or more doshas. Monochromatic dosha dressing is the perfect introduction to your personal energy and what you need to find a balance. Like our doshas, our wardrobes are rarely monochromatic. This first installment of Dosha Dressing is describing the simplest way to try it on for size.
Wait For It: In future installments we’ll look at how to add that dosha splash with a single piece or accessories.