Colour is one element that can enhance you; help express a signature look and reflect your personal brand.
In a recent article for The Daily Mail Australia, I was quoted as saying, “We instinctively seek out green when under stress or emotional trauma”.
This was in relation to a story about former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, on her choice of wearing a colour green blazer at the recent ICAC hearing.
Various psychologists and colour consultants have said that the colours you choose to wear say more about your personality and mood than you think.
Whether you’re a work from home entrepreneur or a business executive, you can determine a signature look and colour that reflects your personal brand, suits you and has impact.
A picture tells a thousand words – and sells a lot of newspapers and magazines. Visual images attract our attention not only through photographs but other brand impressions such as packaging, logos and colour. Have you noticed that Prince William, Prince George and Queen Elizabeth all seem to favour the colour blue. Blue according to an article by UK Vogue is the Queen’s favourite clothing colour followed by green.
Most of us in the business world tend to have our wardrobes dominated by black. But do you realise bright colours always make you feel happier! And can have a positive effect on customers and clients (or constituents!) Perhaps that is why the Queen’s other favourite colours are purple, pink, yellow and red.
Here are a few colour choices to consider.
BLUE is known as the executive colour. Blue enhances your wisdom and stimulates self-awareness, so wear it when you are discussing important issues. Dark blue says, "I’m the boss". You are a person who knows who you are and where you are going! Blue stimulates the mind but can be seen as a cold colour. However it is also the colour of the sky and the ocean and is one of the most popular colours.
GREEN calms your emotions and helps with relaxation. Performers and people waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to calm their nerves. Green is a refreshing colour and symbolises nature and fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.
YELLOW is an excellent colour to wear when you’re feeling down. Yellow stimulates your desires, promotes positivity and prevents depression. It is a welcoming colour and good for communicating, so wear it when you want to sell yourself and your skills. It is cheery, optimistic and an attention getter. Although eye catching, it is a difficult colour for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused.
RED says success. Wear red to express power and to stand out in a crowd. A person who wears red is not afraid of showing a strong image. Red is stimulating, arousing and romantic, and excellent when you want to come up with ideas. If you want to boost your physical energy or overcome negative thinking and feeling of rejection wear red. Since it is an extreme colour, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations.
BLACK is a colour of authority and power. It is always popular in fashion, as it is stylish, timeless, elegant and slimming. Total black outfits can sometimes be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof. If you want to evoke mystery or aren’t in the mood to talk, wear black. Black keeps you hidden, but can have a “keep your distance” effect on people. To come across as more approachable wear a different coloured shirt or top with an all black suit.
WHITE traditionally symbolises innocence and purity and is often considered a summer colour. It’s a cleansing colour that clears away old thoughts, stimulates new growth and opening up to new ideas. When wearing white people are often described as looking fresh, or crisp. White is because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However if you have warm-toned skin, choose to wear off-white as white is considered a cool colour.
ORANGE promotes spontaneity and warmth. Orange is bold and cheerful and improves social behaviour. If you need some added motivation and fun wear orange as it’s said to be an anti- depressant. It’s a colour that is lively and active, helping to exude a dynamic or extroverted personality.
BROWN Solid, reliable brown is the colour of earth. Those that wear a lot of brown are natural, casual, reliable and genuine. Mother Earth types for example. It’s a warm colour and is said to promote restfulness and tranquillity. But brown can also be seen as a dull colour, very safe and conservative. To offset boring brown wear with an accent colour like orange or turquoise.
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Sue Currie is a speaker and the author of IMPRESSario, Present and Promote the Star Within You. She is passionate about helping business executives and entrepreneurial professionals elevate their personal brand, image and professional presence. Sue’s suite of services delivered through workshops, consulting, coaching and keynote presentations provides a multi-faceted approach to gain high transformation for her clients.
