What the Colour of Your Outfit (Including the One You Are Wearing Right Now) Says About You.

I cannot count how many times I have either read or heard the quote “Do not Judge a Book by its cover”. This English Idiom has been a go-to when trying to buttress the fact that the worth or the ability of things/people should not be prejudged by their outward appearance only.

Although this popular quote has serenaded the ears of many for years, more often than not, people (especially women) are always judged according to what outfit they have or in some cases do not have on.

Since being judged based on what you are wearing is inevitable, how about you own the narrative? How about YOU decide what they think or do not think of you?

Color Psychology is the study of hues (shades of colors) as a determinant of human behavior. The Advertising and Marketing Industries are heavily dependent on studies in Colour Psychology as using the wrong color on an ad campaign or product packaging can send the wrong message and result in a plunge in sales.

Let’s consider food for a second. Look at the picture below, which one of the slides would you rather have?

If you were scrolling down your IG feed and saw the burger on slide 1, hungry or not chances are you would pause for a moment to savor the beauty and perhaps save it for the next time you want lunch. But slide 2 is the real deal and no food vendor will willingly put that picture of their burger up, why? Well because they know what the relationship between the human mind and colors work, they know people judge and make decisions on what they see, therefore the prettier they see, the better (even though it’s all lies). Notice how the colors of each item in the burger are accentuated? The lettuce, tomatoes, bread, and even meat? That’s how powerful colors are. Let’s get back to talking about outfits now, shall we? Here’s a list of colors, what they say about your mood and how they influence people’s perception of you.

Colors, Moods, and Perceptions Associated

Red

Woke up feeling excited? Getting Ready for a Dinner date with someone you feel passionately about? Or going to close a deal you’ve been working a long time on? Then your mood would most likely lead you to choose a red-colored outfit. People perceive red as bold color and may automatically assume you to be a bold, energetic, or deeply passionate person when they see you in red. Remember the “lady in red” song?

Orange

Orange is also a color that spells excitement, but a different kind of excitement; one that comes with enthusiasm and warmth. Some people refer to it as “hippy excitement”. So chances are you were in an unusually happy mood when you were choosing an outfit the day you were orange.

Yellow

When you look at sunflower fields, how do you feel? Yellow is a color associated with optimism and thus evokes cheerful emotions. This means people will automatic perceive you as a cheerful or optimistic person when you wear yellow

Green

Green is a color you’d choose to wear if you were feeling restful or self-assured. And it sends the same message to people looking at you.

Blue

Blue spells authority, stability, and reliability. No wonder it’s one of the favorite colors of an Alpha Male. It also signifies intellect. Sounds funny, but people will assume highly of a person’s intellectual capability if they showed up wearing blue. My go-to outfit when I’ve got presentations and defense is blue.

Pink

Pink is a color very much associated with femininity. It exudes an aura of qualities such as softness, kindness, and compassion. I found it quite amusing that I was more inclined to pink outfits around ovulation or just before my periods. Weird huh?

White

Innocence, Purity, and Simplicity is what people perceive when you wear white, but studies have shown that someone is likely to adorn themselves in a white ensemble if they’re trying to put up a barrier or protect their energy from external forces

Grey

Grey is associated with austerity. It is a mood that is well communicated and sensed, especially when you are wearing grey.

Black

People will perceive you as bold when you wear black, but I have found out that when I’m feeling gloomy I wear black. For people who have black as their favorite colors, how do you do it?

Brown

Brown is often associated with resilience, dependability, security, and safety. In what mood do you have to be to wear brown? I wear brown to complement other colors. It is a color I can surely trust to “dependably” not mess up my outfit.

Purple

Tadtarara! Last but not least is Purple. Purple is perceived as a color for royalty and wealth. Feeling exotic or bougie? Purple will do just the right amount of justice to that mood.

How exactly though can you wear your favorite colors without sending off the wrong signals? I’d advise you to wear patterned or floral fabric outfits that way, you’re able to subtly wear your favorite color with no undue judgment from the public. This page @fabricsandjewelry on Instagram sells lots of lovely fabrics you could choose from.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Do well to like, comment, and share. Till I write to you again, stay sophisticated!