Guest Voice: How the clothes that you wear can help manage MS

Some mornings with multiple sclerosis (MS) feel like being stuck in quicksand. Fatigue appears first, followed by aches, and then the fog that turns simple tasks into mini mountains. On those days, I ask one small question to get moving: What color is my hope today?

Dressing for dopamine, or choosing clothes that trigger a pleasant chemical reaction in the brain, is not about pretending clothes cure nerve pain. It’s about changing my starting point from stuck to willing. Color, texture, pattern, and even a playful pair of earrings can nudge my brain toward “let’s try.”

Clothes do more than cover us. They cue us. What we wear can shape how we think, move, and feel about the day ahead. Psychologists sometimes call this “enclothed cognition,” which is a fancy way of saying certain clothes can send a helpful message to the brain.

Bright colors can add energy. Soft textures can calm a buzzing nervous system. A structured jacket can tell my body that it’s time to show up for my students.

I began sharing these outfits on social media to raise awareness for MS, start conversations, and make the invisible visible. Somewhere along the way, I realized the practice was helping me even more. It steadies my mood, lowers decision fatigue, and gives me a small win before the day even begins.

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Create a personal color code

I keep a personal color code: orange when I need courage, blue when I need focus, pink or red when the tank feels empty, and quiet neutrals with earrings that carry joy when sensory overload flares up.

When life is unpredictable, a small, reliable routine builds trust with my own body. Getting dressed with intention gives me a lever I can actually pull. It is a practical tool for regulation, lowering the number of morning decisions that drain energy I need for teaching, parenting, and living. It reminds me that I am still me.

If health insurance covered sequins, I’d meet my deductible every January. I’m joking, but not entirely. A dress is not a disease-modifying therapy, yet the right outfit can modify my day. By trimming decision fatigue and supporting regulation, it keeps me engaged in the life I love, and that matters.

Here’s how I make getting dressed doable with MS:

• Stage it the night before: Outfit on a hanger, shoes by the door, and bag packed
• Sit to style: A chair by the mirror and a low stool for shoes keep my pain and heart rate down
• Choose fabrics first: I prefer breathable materials, tagless items, soft waistbands, and easy closures
• Use cooling helpers: Gel packs, breathable layers, and a small fan for heat sensitivity
• Rely on signature pieces: A bright cardigan, patterned pants, or statement sneakers that do the heavy lifting when the rest of the outfit is simple
• Keep a comfort capsule: This consists of two or three no-fail outfits that feel good during flare-ups
• Add small aids but not stigma: Button hooks, zipper pulls, a long-handled shoehorn, and a sock aid

A few safety and comfort notes can help these tips work for more bodies. If seams, tags, or compression leave marks or increase dysesthesia, I recommend choosing flat seams, soft waistbands, and fabrics with a gentle stretch. If balance is an issue, pick stable footwear with a wide base and grippy soles. If spasticity or skin breakdown is a concern, speak with your clinician or therapist about fit, pressure points, and whether a brace or orthotic requires extra room.

None of this is about perfection. It’s about removing friction so you can say yes to the day with the energy you have.

Fashion choices are a permission slip to begin the day

If you want to try dressing for dopamine, keep it simple. Choose a color for the job ahead, match it to your sensory needs, and add one small joy that makes you smile. Track how you feel for a week. Notice your sleep, pain, mood, and stamina. If a certain color or texture helps, keep it in the rotation. If something irritates, retire it without guilt. Remember that dressing for dopamine isn’t vanity. It’s self-management with a hanger and a little hope.

MS takes enough. I will take back what I can. On hard mornings, dopamine dressing is my permission slip to begin, and beginning is everything.

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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.