Red: Red is the color of love! Research shows that red raises the pulse rate faster than any other color. As women, we've been taught that men like us best in black. It's not true. Men like red, the color of love!
People wearing pure red are perceived to be confident, assertive, daring, strong, aggressive and passionate.
Purple: my favorite color! Purple is the color of royalty, and at one time, only royalty was allowed to wear it! Purple is associated with mysticism, uniqueness, sensitivity, and artistry. It stands forluxury, wealth and sophistication.
People wearingpurple are perceived to be creative and confident. It's a smart color to wear for a presentation where you want to appear creative, but a conservative group might see you as too artsy and not credible.
Blue: Blue is the favorite color of many, being associated with the sky and water.
Lighter shades of blue are calming and soothing. Navy suggests power and authority, hence the navy blue power suit. Royal blue shows trustworthiness.
Green: Green is associated with nature and is seen as pure, natural, and tranquil. Traditionally, pure green as seen on the color wheel, isn't seen as appropriate for business. Better hues to choose are olive, hunter green, teal, and sage. Dark green such as forest green or hunter green are associated with affluence.
Yellow: It's associated withsunshine and communicates warmth, cheerfulness and happiness. People wearing it are perceived as optimistic, approachable, and jolly. Surveys show yellow is the favorite color of children, so it's a great color to wear when you need cooperation from kids.
Orange: It's hard to believe but true--orange is a power color.While I've never seen an orange power suit, it stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. It means vitality and endurance. People who like orange are usually thoughtful and sincere.
White: White stands for purity and innocence--Brides wear white! White keeps cool, so it's the perfect color for summer. It creates a cool, refreshing feeling.
Black: Another power color, black suggests elegance, authority, and power. When worn properly, black clothing also conveys neatness, simplicity, and great versatility.
Not only do colors create various perceptions, but the level of contrast can be used to our advantage or disadvantage as well.
Here is just one example of that in play. As I wasdoing a closet audit with a client who is an attorney, I mentioned to her that black and white, providing the highest level of contrast, is the most authoritative suitingcombination; however, it can also be a bit intimidating and unapproachable.
Several days later when we were shopping, she thanked me for that advice. She'd been in a court trial and had decided to wear a black suit with a white blouse that day. As the opposing council was being quite contentious, she remembered what I told her. J ust knowing and feeling more powerful and perhaps a bit intimidating gave her the confidence she was looking for to be the force to be reckoned with for the rest of the day.
Just as dark colors with high contrast are powerful, authoritative and intimidating, lighter colors in lower contrast are perceived as more relaxed, friendly and approachable.
About Dana Lynch, AICI
Dana Lynch, president of Elements of Image, has over 15 years experience in retail clothing sales and management. Advising clients from all over the world on clothing and accessories purchases led to her love of helping others plan and attain complete wardrobes. An additional 5 years experience in yellow page advertising sales consulting helped to develop necessary business skills, and Elements of Image was born. Using the elements of design and the universal factors of non-verbal communications, Dana truly believes people can use their image as a resource to help them achieve success.
Elements of Image is a full service image management firm which provides honest, direct, objective feedback to its clients helping them create a powerful, dynamic image. Specializing in wardrobing, services include closet audits, shopping tours, and personal shopping. In addition to consulting with individuals, Dana is a sought after speaker on the topics of professional dress and effective business casual dressing. She also conducts workshops on discovering personal style, dressing slim, and wardrobe strategies.
Dana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Clothing and Fashion Merchandising from and has trained at the Conselle Institute of Image Management. Along with certification from the Association of Image Consultants International, she is a member of Fashion Group International, the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, is a board member of the Alliance of Professional Women. For more info and to contact her, go to www.elementsofimage.com.