Wearing Colour to Impact Your Mood

There is a lot to be said about the power of colour and the impact it can have on our mood or how different colours can reflect what we are feeling. For example, while black is extremely popular for most people (particularly for its slimming effect and ability to hide our bits!) it is also worn on more serious occasions like going for an important job interview to express our determination to make a good first impression or traditionally, in times of mourning when attending a funeral or cremation to express our sadness.

In contrast, young girls making their communion in the Catholic religion wear a white dress to reflect their innocence and of course, white is the traditional colour worn by a lot of brides which is interpreted as meaning purity, which I wrote more about in one of my post’s a few weeks back on wearing white to weddings!

Now, we all know that black and white are technically not on the colour wheel so let’s have a look at the colours that are and how they impact on our moods and can totally change how we are feeling about ourselves!

Yellow (Happy) and Orange (Creative)

When I see these colours, I can almost smell gorgeous citrus and zesty scents and they immediately make me feel uplifted when looking at them! There’s something about their vibrancy that makes you feel lighter and brighter in yourself! It’s almost like they have their own energy! Wearing these colours will instantly uplift your mood and make you feel like you are nearly wearing Summer – something that could be ideal for lifting moods in these cooler months! While you may not like the idea of wearing these colours from head to toe (and you might want to avoid in case you end up looking like Seasame Street’s Big Bird or Donald Trump!), the key is to mix and match these shades with their opposite colours on the Wheel. Both colours in their various hues and shades, team up beautifully with shades of blues, purples and greens. Alternatively, choose a statement handbag, pair of shoes, winter scarf or hat in these shades for an uplifting transformation in your mood.

Blue (Tranquillity) and Green (Grounded) 

We only have to look around us in Nature to find a beautiful display of blues and greens – on our beaches, in our woodlands, in the forests, even in our parks – and when you think of how they can make you feel so positive, relaxed or calm depending on what we see. Wearing the lighter shades of blues like aqua or baby blue, can make us feel relaxed and calm. These are ideal shades to wear when you need to feel these emotions. In contrast, studies have shown that wearing darker shades of blue like cobalt, indigo, azure and navy instil feelings of trust, confidence and loyalty! Shades of green in particular, the earthier shades like moss, grass, khaki can make us feel ‘grounded’.

Red (Passion and Energy) and Purple (Luxury and Powerful) 

Chris De Burgh immortalised the image of a sexy woman in his song ‘Lady in Red’ and it is associated with feeling confident, sexy and powerful. Whether it’s a red dress on a special date night, a pair of high red heels or even giving yourself a makeup update wearing a red lipstick, it is a colour that makes you feel energised, empowered and assured in yourself. Purple has long been associated with authority and traditionally Kings and Queens have worn it for hundreds of years to symbolise power. This is a great colour to wear in all its shades – lilacs, amethyst, violet – to make you feel assured in yourself and boost your confidence! 

Pink (Feminine and Beauty) and Navy (Elegant) 

Pink is a fun colour! It just screams WOMAN! And it is of course, traditionally associated with being feminine. Whether it’s a bold shocking pink or bright Barbie pink, or whether it is a soft baby or pastel pink, wearing this colour when you’re feeling a little insecure in yourself will help bring out your confidence and your inner beauty. Navy is much softer than its ‘sister shade’ black, and is a luxurious and elegant shade to wear when you want to channel your inner Audrey Hepburn.

Black (Powerful) and White (Renewal and Purity) 

I couldn’t possibly write about colour without talking about my two favourite colours to wear! As regular readers and social media followers will know, I tend to wear these as my preferred colours. Black has a naturally slimming effect, creating a silhouette and enhanced lines to your body shape. Additionally, it can make you feel in control and powerful – just think how many business suits are traditionally worn in black! If you feel it might drain you of your own natural colour, add a splash of colour with a vibrant scarf or necklace or shoes. White and shades of white including cream, can do wonders in brightening up tired skin after a night of bad sleep or worry. It catches the light and reflects it back onto your face and is like a mini-facelift! In times of new beginnings, it’s a great colour to wear.

Of course, all of these colours come with their own spectrum of shades and hues, and there will be certain shades that will work better on you than others. Some people can’t wear for example, bright yellow as it ‘drains’ them of colour yet a paler lemon or buttery shade would work perfectly with their skin tone to enhance their eyes and hair colour too. In other instances, someone who is a little shy might choose not to wear a bold purple but instead wear a softer version in lilac which would feel better for them in expressing their personality. If you are interested in colour and would like to find out in what colour group you sit, why not book a colour analysis with myself or my team and receive a colour swatch for your particular group.

As you all know, I predominantly wear black and white although when I’m on holiday, I do tend to enjoy wearing colour more! Maybe it’s the bright colours of summer! I tend to wear shades of red, blue, fuchsia and yellow.

What colours are you wearing right now? Is this reflecting your current mood? I’d love to hear more!