“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul”.
Wassily Kandinsky
Everyone has a favourite colour or colour that they naturally gravitate towards. You may know which colours look best on you and make you glow but the psychology of colour and how it makes you feel is another factor to take into consideration. Have you ever thought about wearing colour for confidence?
Colours are very powerful and symbolic, “each colour can impact the people around you” says Maria Minor in Forbes Women, but “you should strongly consider using red to succeed and prosper”.
Red
Red is associated with confidence, excitement and energy and is the most psychologically stimulating of colours. It portrays a sense of importance- think of the red carpet and “the power tie” worn by politicians. This bold hue also stimulates us to pay attention and makes us feel more alert. Adding a bit of red to your outfit may help you shine with confidence and find your inner strength. Even though it may be your favourite colour to wear and you know it looks good on you, if you are feeling tired or stressed, red will only exacerbate these conditions. Blue might be a better choice if that is the case.
Blue
This colour is universally the most popular colour- cool and calming as it inspires mental clarity and inner peace. It gives us a sense of security and has been shown to lower blood pressure by calming the nervous system. “Blue is the colour that governs the throat so if you find it difficult to speak out or cannot find your voice, treat yourself to blue as it is the colour for communication.” ( Tina Dunne- Colour for Living)
Yellow
Yellow is recognised as the happiest colour in the world. It is the colour of confidence and optimism which is why it was chosen as Pantone Colour of the Year 2021 with grounding grey. The right yellow lifts your spirits and self esteem. Too much of it however can cause self esteem to plummet so use yellow in small doses to create balance. Yellow is perfect paired with grey as grey brings balance to your mind and emotions and gives strength when you are feeling down.
Orange
Orange is another colour associated with vibrancy and life. It is daring, upfront and lightens the mood. This colour also promotes confidence and wellbeing. If you are feeling nervous before an important meeting and need to communicate ideas, wear some orange and absorb its positive energy. When you are tired orange will help you regenerate and restore energy. It’s lighter than red, so it helps you come back to yourself in a more relaxed way.
Pink
As pink is red mixed with white, it will respond to a lot of the same messages as red. Determination and forceful traits are given added strength with pink. The colour pink can have a tranquilising effect and suppresses hostile and anxious behaviour. It is a positive colour to wear in tense situations. However it is recommended to avoid wearing too much pink as it can give off an air of self-obsession.
Purple
Purple, even though it is a striking colour is soothing and can relax your mood. It gives a feeling of wisdom, luxury and creativity. Purple is a mix of energetic red and calm blue which can bring a balance of peacefulness and mystery. “If you are over-critical of yourself, feeling stuck or unable to move forward, you should also turn to purple”. (Tina Dunne- Colour for Living)
Green
Green is a refreshing and peaceful colour that revitalizes our body and mind. It balances our emotions and leaves us feeling safe and secure. When you wear green you are showing the world that you are kind and generous. It has a calming effect and is a good colour to wear when you are meeting new people as it will help you remain balanced and true to yourself. Avoid wearing green if you are feeling jealous.
Colour is such a powerful psychological tool that can cause us to react, shift our mood and create effects in our nervous system, whether we realize it or not. It can sway thinking and feelings. You can learn how to make colour work for you by choosing what to wear to promote the feelings and energies you want to convey. Mastering wearing colour appears to be an exercise in balance like most things in life. What do you think?
“Colours are understatedly, such a beautiful and emotion-filled thing and I believe that understanding and getting a feel for our own personal thoughts about them, as well as other perspectives, will be core to our journey in analyzing the stories told through fashion”. (StoryBehindTheCloth.com)
