Anyone who has known me for more than two weeks will tell you: I love wearing black. For most of my adult life, it’s been my go-to colour. It’s not the only colour I wear and there have been periods of time in my life when I’ve barely worn it but somehow, I always find my way back to black.
When people talk about "dopamine dressing," it’s often linked with bright colours and bold patterns, but for me, black is my dopamine dressing. It’s the colour that makes me feel most at ease. My wardrobe is my sanctuary—a place where I seek calm, order, and an escape from the sensory overload of everyday life, whether it’s the whirlwind of my thoughts or the usual chaos of my very untidy home and it’s noisy little occupants. Opening my closet to see a harmonious lineup of (mostly black) garments in beautiful textures instantly fills me with a sense of ease. This sense of ease carries over when I’m wearing it, for some very practical reasons—like not having to worry about sitting on a bit of mud, brushing against a dirty wall, or even breaking a sweat. I know it won’t be obvious, and it won’t be hard to clean.
Happy in Black
I’ve never quite understood when people call black "boring." To me, interest comes not from color, but from design and styling. Black is the perfect blank canvas, allowing you to create countless looks just by switching accessories or mixing textures. It’s entirely possible to style a black garment in a way that expresses your unique personality—and, best of all, you could wear that same black piece the next day, styled entirely differently, making it unrecognisable. That versatility means I need fewer clothes and can afford to splurge more on the clothes I do buy—a simple win for sustainability and a great way of allowing me to support smaller, slow fashion brands.
Sure, black has the potential to feel uninspired—but so do colours and prints. Personally, when I think of black, I see something bold, strong, and empowering. I don’t picture a wallflower or someone stuck in convention; I see confidence, creativity, and clarity.
So, if you’re tired of seeing me in black, I’m sorry—but, to put it bluntly, I’m not dressing for anyone else. I dress in clothes that make me feel good and enable me to wear my values, and I think that’s what we should all be encouraged to do. So, here’s to wearing whatever best expresses you and for me, that means I’ll always come back to black.
What’s your go-to colour, and why?
Ainsley 🖤