Bright and solid colours are ruling the current fashion scene as if making a statement against 
the gloom of the pandemic, finds Anju Munshi
Have you noticed, even offhand, that people are dressed in bright tones these days? That solid colours in green, orange, red, etc. are popping up everywhere- in classy retail shops and on streets. Call it ‘Dopamine dressing’ as some fashion experts term it, it is a kind of psychological rebellion against the gloom in the air created by the pandemic on for almost two years now.
The pandemic meant no going out, no dressing up, working from home with just one formal shirt buttoned up over the pajamas and lounge skirts. You looked at your wardrobe and wondered why you bought all those clothes.
Then the vaccine arrived, thankfully. Feeling a little more secure armed with a double-dose regimen, a slow opening- up is happening too. So like butterflies coming out of a cocoon people are going all out to don bright colours with hope in the air.
As Sunita Sen, a young homemaker, confesses, “Going to a movie hall after almost two years to catch up with James Bond in No time to Die was refreshing – the movie is good no doubt, but more than that, it was that liberating feeling that mattered more.”
Like revenge tourism when people are making plans to travel wherever possible, revenge dressing syndrome is on with a splash of ultra-stylish and bright striking colours adding to 
the wardrobe .
The air of optimism is resonant in the new collections in stores like Zara and Marks & Spencer introducing casual wear and informal outfits in bright bold colours , as though making up for the lost opportunities to dress up during of past two years.
“It’s said that the gloomier the time, the brighter one should dress. Good bright colours induce a sense of well-being,” says Sunanda Patkar, a Reiki expert from Mumbai. “The glow on the face comes from happiness and colours aid in making you experience that . Dark colours like brown, grey or black highlight the dark circles and the 
dullness of the face; lighter colours highlight the undertones of the skin,” she says.
Vivek Sharma, a sales attendant in a retail outlet in Kolkata finds that customers prefer bright red and orange for the ongoing festival season. “This is as if to counter-act pandemic induced misery and help to boost one’s positivity,” he observes.
An association between brightly coloured clothing and happiness has long been established. Indian festivals reflect this with the yellow of marigolds, bright reds and pinks and oranges in flowers.
Many elderly women, mostly urbanites, seem to think that bright hues are not for them; rural women in India continue to wear bright colours till old age anyway. They are hesitant to wear trendy attires too. But psychologists say that colours make us look youthful and enable us to ‘think young’ too. Bhumi Vohra, a 60 year old homemaker, finds that the 
radiance of the dress reflects on the face and so she always avoids browns and greys .
“Self- deprivation often leads to depression later. Why would you allow that to happen? Is there a dress code for the aged? ”asks Jayanti De of Howrah, near Kolkata.
She feels that bright red lipstick , magenta nail polish, bold patterns , hot pink, pastel coloured saris with striking contrasts in brocade blouses look good with age and the fact is that wearing these youthful and vibrant colours make you look younger and more energised.
‘People do experience changes in their emotional state with a change in their style of dress,” says Roshima Thakur, a fashion designer from New Delhi .“When you wear clothes that make you look good, you feel confident, complete and empowered . When you aren’t happy with what you are wearing you tend to look unsure and 
restless and that is not good body language for any kind of communication, social or professional.”
So here comes the bold and beautiful brigade to beat the pandemic blues.
Trans World Features
(Credit to author and TWF mandatory)
Image credits: Lakme Fashion Week Winter Collection 2021, Photos by Sandip Das
Dopamine Dressing: Unsplash