Did you know that colours have meanings? The science behind colour is fascinating and it can help to explain why we feel a certain way when we paint our walls in a particular colour or decide to wear different coloured clothing. Colours affect our moods and they can also tell us a lot about the person wearing them, their personality and the image they want to portray. This article will look at what different colours mean in fashion.
Yellow
Yellow is the colour of the sun and smiling emojis, so it makes sense that yellow denotes happiness and cheer. Yellow has also seen a resurgence both in interior design and fashion in recent years and was even Pantone’s colour of the year in 2021.
People who often wear yellow clothing tend to be creative and consistent. The colour yellow can even increase serotonin production in our brains, boosting self-esteem, making it a great choice for friendly types who also need to get things done!
Some people worry that yellow doesn’t suit them but there are so many different shades of yellow to suit all skin tones and it’s a great way to add a pop of colour to an outfit or make a statement in spring or summer.
Blue
The colour blue has many associations. As a cool colour, it’s seen as relaxing, particularly the lighter shades like baby blue, which suggest peace and innocence. Navy blue on the other hand suggests intelligence, responsibility and loyalty. Wearing a navy outfit to a job interview shows that you mean business and will help you come across as calm, confident and reliable.
In fact, blue is so great at exuding trust that many companies use this to their advantage and include blue in their logos or branding, for example, the car manufacturer, Ford, social media giants Facebook and Twitter and IT companies like Dell and HP.
Red
Red is a warm, high-energy colour. We’re taught from a young age that red means stop or danger and in adulthood, we associate red with passion too. Red is a loud colour that’s hard to ignore (hence why it’s used on warning signs and for stop lights) so that means that no matter what your personal feelings about the colour red if you wear it, you will be sending unconscious signals to those around you.
Red is the perfect colour to wear when you want to signify passion, for example, opting for a red dress to wear on a date or wearing red lingerie to celebrate a romantic anniversary but should be avoided in other situations, such as a job interview or at a funeral.
Green
We associate the colour green with nature and balance. It tends to make us think of positive things like new life, and energy. It’s also a versatile colour thanks to its many different shades. Earthy, dark greens can make you appear more grounded, approachable and reliable, while lighter shades can signify good health, good luck and peacefulness. People who wear green tend to come across as sociable, balanced and mindful.