Although you may not realize it, your color choices send subtle messages to the people around you. Police officers often dress in dark blue to convey authority. UPS carriers sport brown to show they’re reliable, and hospital employees’ light green scrubs evoke tranquility within their working environment. Below is just little insight into the world of color choice in which we live in.
Red - Strength, power, confidence, passion
Red is a versatile color that can symbolize everything from passionate love to violent warfare and conflict. Red displays both psychological and physical influences. Studies have shown that seeing the color red can speed up breathing and heart rate because it can be a tense and aggressive color.
It’s a dynamic and dramatic hue that gathers attention and can be overwhelming in professional settings, especially in a job interview. It wouldn’t be very wise to wear it in situations where conflict might easily arise. To tone it down, pair it with muted hues: a red and blue striped sweater, for example, or a red camisole under a gray jacket.
Gray- Seriousness, dependability, stability
Gray gets its basis from Mother Nature. In the outdoors, everything gray is permanent such as gravel, rocks, and stone.
Wear a gray suit to a job interview to show your future boss that you’re responsible. *But dress in it from head to toe and you might be telling the world you’re boring because gray is a very practical color. To stand out, pair a gray suit with something memorable, such as a printed blouse. A pair of heels or sparkly earrings is also well suited to balance out.
Pink - Love, affection, gentleness, femininity
Pink is soft and delicate, however it lacks passion. It may also have a calming, soothing effect.
Pink lacks the flagrant sensuality that bolder colors such as red convey. Charming and warm, soft pink is the perfect color for a romantic date.
Blue - Faithfulness, tranquility, dependability, sensitivity
Blue implies stability because it’s the color of the sky. In a way, it’s eternal and fixed. Even if the sky happens to be gray or overcast, we know that eventually, it will return to its state of blue again.
How to wear it: Darker hues are ideal for formal events. Navy is also a very powerful color, while lighter shades work better in more casual settings.
Yellow - Youth, joy, imagination
Yellow has shown to improve concentration, which explains the Post-It notes. It’s also the color of friendship.
Many people are afraid to use yellow because they deemed it as being too bright. But remember that yellow comes in many forms and to a degree; from pale pastels to deep, vibrant hues. If you’re uncomfortable with it, pair it with items you already love. Try a yellow tee with your favorite pair of jeans.
Green - Tranquility, growth, health, "good luck"
Green invokes lush images of nature - from tropical forests to parks on spring days. It’s the color of life and growth, and a symbol of fertility. Green is also considered to be a safe color. So if you're uncertain as to which color to use, choose green because it establishes a sense of order and balance. In some cultures, green is considered to be the color of good fortune, such as the four-leaf clover. However, you'll find that colors will very rarely have such direct influences on luck.
Jewel tones are best for dates and evenings. Switch to softer, pastel shades for daytime. A light tone of green is soothing for the eye too.
Black - Elegance, sophistication, power
Traditionally, black has a bad reputation. It’s the required color for movie villains and comic book criminals. It also deals with mourning, death, darkness, and fear. But it is also classic and universally slimming.
Many people wear black to formal gatherings and parties. You may seem a bit discontent being one little dot in a sea of black dresses. But you can look at it as an opportunity to accessorize. Wear purple eye shadow and an amethyst necklace with a black blouse.
When it comes to choosing colors, let your instincts guide you. Choose what works with your skin tones and what you feel comfortable wearing. But don’t be afraid to experiment and try new and different shades. Being around colors you feel comfortable with will definitely brighten your day.
Keep reading: Your Choice of Colors Sends a Message: Part 2
Images via Flickr's Creative Commons Pool, Photbucket, and Smugmug
Sources
Faber, Birren. Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A Factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life. New Hyde Park: University Books, 1992.
