Can you dress your way out of a broken heart?

Either way, breaking up is hard. Or you ended it with themyou were brutally dumped, or even if it was a “conscious disconnection” à la Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, the end of a relationship always calls for adjustment.

What you wear during a breakup can make or break your mood, and I know this firsthand. After weeks in my pajamascrying and feeling sorry for myself, I’m finally on the mend and a wardrobe refresh has played a major role in this.

According to personal stylist and image consultant Stefania Bartolomei, dressing up can help you “build the confidence you need to move on” after a breakup.

“During difficult and emotional times, it’s extremely important to wear outfits that make us feel and look our best,” she says, adding that this can help us feel happier and energized.

“Would you rather look in the mirror and feel pathetic and even lower, or look at your reflection and think “Get it, girl! You’re going to bust it”? I think you want to feel that you are in control and that you can get through this difficult time.”

Bartolomei’s most important rule: wearing a lot of color (aka dopamine dressing).

“Colors, especially brighter hues and hues of yellow, orange, pink, and some shades of green and blue, trigger positive neurological responses in the brain, triggering feelings of happiness, pleasure, and reward,” she says.

“That’s why, historically, we see bold colors taking over the catwalks after times of crisis. Even now after a pandemic and during a recession, if you look around you, color is the fashion.’

So, here are some outfit ideas to help you navigate the different stages of a breakup.

Comfort is key

Immediately after breaking up with someone (especially if it wasn’t your decision), you may experience physical symptoms of sleep and appetite changes due to elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline.

Now is the time to take care of yourself, rest and allow yourself to grieve.

“I see breaking up as mourning. After all, we say goodbye to a relationship, to a routine, to something and someone familiar’, says Bartolomei.

“We need time for acceptance. I think that is why it is permissible, and even necessary, to have a transitional period in which we wear out the most comfortable clothes and stay indoors, to metabolize and accept our new situation.’

That’s right, you have official permission to wallow in you softest underwear, coziest pajamas And loungewearand relax your favorite bathrobe. Just make sure they are at least a little fun!

Treat yourself

Retail therapy is a real thing. Well, at least it worked for me, and Bartolomei agrees buy something new or refresh your wardrobe is actually ‘therapeutic’.

I used the breakup as an excuse to splurge on a few extravagant items to help me look into my new single-girl era and they definitely picked up my mood.

Whether it’s a new pair underwearsome jewellery or some designer shoeschoose something that will wear and make you happy.

Dress up for work

You probably spend most of your day-to-day life at work, so it’s important to do that change your work wardrobe and put a little extra thought into what you wear to the office to brighten your mood.

Workplace dress codes vary, but think about how you can take your regular outfits to the next level.

For example if you wear normally sneakers And jeanscould you elevate this to something fitted pants and loafers? How about wearing one printed midi dress and apartments, or one silk midi skirt And knitted clothes? Also, don’t be afraid to add some color to the mix.

Girls Night

Sometimes all you need is one night out with your besties, and that’s the perfect excuse to get dressed to the nines. My favorite girls night out outfit? a party dress, heelsand nice accessories of course.

Revenge dressing

We all know that Princess Diana was the queen of revenge clothesbut it’s time to put your own spin on it.

The whole point of revenge clothing is supposedly to show your ex what they’re missing, but in reality it’s more important to make yourself feel as great as possible.

“For some people, this means wearing heels, sequins, and fitted clothes, for others, sneakers or combat boots and leggings,” says Bartolemi.

‘It’s not really what we wear, but how we wear our clothes that makes a difference.

At the same time have an awareness about what works for us is key: from colors to fabrics, shapes and styles.’

The two together are a win-win combination.