“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone”

Coco Chanel

Colour cannot only affect your mood and your energy but also how you are seen by others, from your partner to your friend or boss.  It has a definite psychological and emotional impact on us. Being aware of the emotional impact that the colours you wear will have on others is an important consideration and can affect the people with whom you are meeting. (This advice is most relevant for Europe and America).

Black/Navy/Grey. Navy and black are true “power” colours. Black is the colour of sophistication and power. However, whereas women can wear all black during the day, on a man, all black is best reserved for a black-tie affair unless it is broken up with a white or coloured shirt and tie. Dark colours tend to make a person appear thinner and taller. Wearing a dark skirt with matching trousers and shoes will make a short woman appear taller.

Grey is the colour of teamwork, agreement, and passivity. In a darker charcoal shade, grey is a true power colour. In a lighter shade, it becomes more relaxed. Grey is a good choice for people in sales, banking, or finance and it is ideal in combination with other colours to personalise according to colouring, scale and proportion. However, grey is not a colour to be worn on its own – it will make you look “robot like” ie lacking any own personality…

Red is the most active and energetic colour and a powerful accent colour for men. It is the colour of the initiator; no wonder red foulard ties are considered “power” ties. For women, red is an excellent choice for jackets, blouses, and dresses but it is usually too strong in a suit. Red is the colour of power, sexiness and energy. It also subconsciously transmits an aura of success. Wear red and you’ll feel confident, dynamic and in control- taking on its strength and dynamism.

• Click here for more on colour symbolism and for dressing for a corporate enviroment

The Red Book of Advice:

Red is big this season and you have the choice to wear it at work or when out and about.

• Every woman should own a pair of red shoes- an instant updater no matter what the occasion and looks great with formal wear or just a pair of jeans.
• Red bags- you just can’t go wrong whether you choose a workbag, handbag, shopping bag, clutch bag, shoulder bag, rucksack. Choose one that that suits the cause and your personality.
• Red gloves, hats, scarves, belts all great choices to inject energy and dynamism to your day.
• Red lingerie: Looks always glamorous and desirable.
• Red coat or jacket will see you through a grey season and will keep look energised.
• Red Dress- never goes out of fashion. But keep lines sharp and don’t over accessories. Let the dress do the talking.
• Don’t be afraid mixing different reds with each other- it is better to go for obvious different red tones than to go for similar red tones. It will give you a dated & tired look and show you are trying to hard.
• Best is to make red to a focus point. But remember when creating a focus point it should highlight a feature what is flattering about you. Don’t just buy something because everyone has it with the risk it will show cast a feature that is not the best on you. Know what your best feature is before putting the limelight on it.
• As always know your body shape before you start shopping. Red clothes will only bring you fun and success when dressing right for your shape. Otherwise it will do just the opposite.

Shop more for items in red on Joy of Clothes

Have a nice day,

Michaela