Ok, I love black. A great pair of black pants makes my legs look longer, my butt look smaller and my tummy look flatter. But I’ve also found, now that I’m no longer 20 (or 30 or 40 for that matter), that black around my face can make me look sallow, tired, and just plain old. Which, in turn, makes me feel depressed. So, what’s a girl to do?
Well, it turns out that wearing color can elevate your mood.
We all have an innate reaction to color. It’s based on social and cultural associations, such as red making our heart race since it’s the color of fire trucks and ambulances, as well as our own personal relationship to color. For instance, I grew up in a yellow house so when I see another one, even if it’s a style that’s not my cup of tea, I always think “I love that house.” But really what I love is that it’s yellow, and it reminds me of home.
Wear Red to Feel Powerful
My stepmother makes her living speaking in front of large audiences of mostly men. And she loves to wear red. Why? Because red gets you noticed. It’s passionate, dramatic and powerful. So, if you’re feeling as if your confidence needs a little boost, wear something red. If a red dress is too overwhelming, maybe start with some red polish on your fingers or toes. I wear Essie’s “Russian Roulette” on my feet and just looking at my tootsies gives me a power surge. Which makes me smile, elevating even my darkest mood.
Wearing Yellow Puts Others at Ease
Yellow is like sunshine — it makes everyone smile. Bright yellow in particular conveys joy and happiness. It’s an inviting color that instantly puts others at ease. But, it can also be a hard color to wear especially if, like most of us, you have yellow undertones in your skin. So, stick to yellow pants, a skirt or accessories. I have a pair of yellow flats that are an instant mood boost. And conversation piece. But you could also try a yellow purse or belt or nail polish. Really, the options are endless.
Wear Blue to Lower Your Blood Pressure
Blue, associated with both the sky and the ocean, is a color of tranquility. In many ways, it’s the opposite of red. Wearing blue can calm you down without depressing you. But blue is also associated with trustworthiness, steely strength and dependability which is why so many politicians wear blue suits. Oh, the irony. Blue is a great color to wear on a first date or to a job interview. And dark blue is a fantastic alternative to black. It’s still slimming, but gentler around the face. Furthermore, navy looks good on almost everyone. And navy and black together — divine!
Wearing Orange Stimulates Creativity
The color orange practically radiates vitality. Which is one of the many reasons that it’s such a popular color for active wear. It revs you up — to get to the gym, to jump start your creativity, to tackle a work presentation. Orange is like the really cool offspring of yellow and red. It’s easier to wear than yellow, more laid back than red, but still packs a punch, making you stand out from the crowd. It’s also a happy color. So if you’re up for some fun, wear orange. I have an orange purse, and whenever I wear it, people comment. Imagine what would happen if I wore an orange dress on my next date? Ooh, that just got me excited.