What Does Color Say?

"Of all the forms of non-verbal communication, color is the most instantaneous means of conveying a message." Leatrice Eiseman notes in her book Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color.

Color is a very powerful visual tool; it can be used to create a mood, atmosphere and encourages feelings in our environment or our personal appearance. Restaurants, commercial buildings, retail stores, residential homes, etc. often use color to create a desired mood when in the space. The colors we wear can change our attitude, self-esteem, and feeling about ourselves and how others perceive us.

What is color saying?

Black is one of our favorite colors because it hides our flaws. It is a great color to wear when networking with people in leadership positions. Be careful, wearing black head-to-toe can be intimidating and stop the flow of conversation. If you are seeking input or feedback, mix black with other colors. Black suggests power and dominance, as well as elegance and sophistication. It is a great color to wear in the evening.

Charcoal Gray and Navy Blue are wonderful colors to wear when dealing with money and legal matters or when asking for a promotion. These colors indicate that you are dependable and trustworthy. Gray projects authority. Blue projects trust.

Brown is a natural and friendly color. It inspires confidence but does not intimidate. Lighter shades of brown are more casual and inviting.

White is simple and traditional. White is best worn in small amounts in business situations i.e. shirts. Keep for special events. Wearing all white will get you noticed in a room; this is one of the reasons brides wear it. Be aware, white soils and yellows easily.

Red is known as the power color. When we see red our blood pressure and brain activity increases. Red grabs people's attention. Wearing red is great when giving a presentation because people will remember your message. Red is not a great color to wear if you are announcing bad news. For evening wear, red is romantic and sexy.

Pink conveys youth, energy and enthusiasm. People tend to feel younger when they wear pink. The brighter the pink the more attention you draw to yourself. This is great if you want to be the center of attention at a meeting or function. A soft pink is feminine and romantic. It is a good color for delivering bad news because it is calming.

Blue indicates that you are cool, serene, and sincere. It is most often used in interviews. Blue shirts and blue suits convey reliability and loyalty and are a color that looks great on most people. Interestingly, blue is the one color that appeals equally to both men and women.

Purple lets people know you think "outside of the box" and see yourself as unique.

Orange is playful and exotic. Orange, like red, revs up an audience. If you are in a conservative environment use sparingly. Orange is best used in the sports or fashion industries.

Yellow is a tricky color to wear because it does not work with many people's skin tones. Avoid this color if you have been ill. It is a bright color so everyone will notice you. Yellow indicates fresh and new. It is great to use in small quantities when introducing a new project.

Green is quiet, peaceful and friendly and gives a restful feeling. Olive and forest greens add to a person's look of stability and dependability. Green is great for introducing a new, invigorating idea or plan. Like yellow, however, it is a color that can be hard to wear.

Pastels work when trying to sooth or calm someone. Pastels also suggest romance and softness but can also convey frailty and weakness. Pastels are great to wear when you do not want to draw attention to yourself.

Conclusion

Have some fun with color. Experiment to see how color affects you and those around you. Take note what compliments you receive when wearing a certain color. Be aware of how color makes you feel. Learn the colors that work best in your environment and your personal appearance then surround yourself with them.