by Raj Desai | 4/26/22

All products listed were in stock and priced as shown at the time this was written. Dulhan is not compensated for any of the following recommendations.

Bright and bold South Asian lehengas in purple, blue, orange, and green

Dopamine dressing is about taking fashion risks that make you feel happy, energetic, and alive. On the surface, that means shedding the neutral, minimalist, lounge-inspired clothes of the pandemic era in favor of bold electric colors. But if you drill deeper, you’ll see that it means taking risks that are specific to you. 

 

Maybe you want to show a little more skin. Or try out the fishtail silhouette favored by designer darling Shloka Khialani. Or tap into your inner Bridgerton with Regency-influenced South Asian wear.

However you experiment, just know this: If it quickens your heart and sets your soul aglow, you, my friend, are dopamine dressing. 

 

Like I said to my husband as I justified a neon purple dress that will get use beyond my wine-induced closet fashion shows, dopamine dressing is an actual area of research pioneered in 2012 by Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire. And after spending years (!) in a world where pajamas become our go-to OOTD, it makes sense that this concept is seeing a surge of interest.

 

Yes, make it a part of your daily fashion (like my neon dress 👀). But also use this trend to take your South Asian party wear to the next level. Here’s how to do it in 4 different ways.

Electric Colors

A comfortable satin pant set that lets the color do all the talking. 

Hot orange and hot pink 2 piece from Payal Singhal

Price: $507

A sequined lehenga in a vibrant yellow hue.

Neon yellow sequined lehenga

Price: $1,251

An orchid colored gown with sleeves that scream Hollywood glamour. 

Orchid purple gown with feathered sleeves

Price: $877

A shimmering teal gown with a sexy low cut back.

Teal green gown

Price: $423

A bustier topped lehenga with tasteful mirror work.

Hot orange lehenga with tulle skirt

Price: $445

Gradient Apparel

This sparkly gown that’s perfect for a wedding reception. 

Pink to purple gradient sparkly gown

Price: $356

A mint and purple pairing with a delicate printed design. 

Gradient lehenga mint and fuschia

Price: $1,660

This gown that has a modern take on classic colors.

Black and white gradient gown

Price: $413

A cowl skirt set in blush pink and wine. 

Blush and wine gradient skirt set

Price: $254

Loud Patterns

An eye-catching, whimsical lehenga in aqua blue. 

Colorful pattern on aqua blue lehenga

Price: $2,501

This floral gown that’s dripping in colorful floral appliqués. 

Teal gown with intricate floral pattern

Price: $2,294

An eggplant purple sharara set with a tailored peplum top.

Embroidered gharara set in eggplant purple

Price: $813

This mint green lehenga that puts a pastel spin on bold pattern work. 

Mint green floral patterned lehenga set

Price: $500

This cornflower blue silk lehenga for the Regencycore obsessed.

Cornflower blue patterned lehenga set

Price: $584

A lightweight saree skirt set to wear at those hot summer weddings. 

Green and yellow saree skirt set

Price: $229

This blue and green patterned lehenga in blush pink.

Blush pink lehenga with simple top and patterned skirt

Price: $676

Indowestern Gems

A flirty pink midi dress with metallic embroidery.

Carnation pink Indowestern midi dress

Price: $253

A blue ombré saree pant set. 

Ombre blue saree pant set

Price: $313

This set featuring a ruffled jacket, a crop top, and peach cigarette pants.

ruffled jacket pant set

Price: $544

This one shouldered pale pink dress. 

One shouldered blush pink dress

Price: $806

A hand embroidered pant set that comes with a sleeveless blazer and tasseled belt.

Gold embroidered pant and top set

Price: $1,334

Raj Desai

Content strategist and UX writer who’s been researching and writing about weddings for 5 years. Addicted to Netflix, dirty martinis, and naps.

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