colour guide

what is the significance of wearing different colours?

 

red  – is the most emotionally intense colour, being the colour of love.  Studies show that red can have physical effects, such as increasing our breathing rates.  Red is power, hence the red carpet for celebrities.  In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration, for example in China, where it may be used to attract good luck.

orange/amber – also represents power and strength.  Orange is a combination of red and yellow so it shares some common attributes with those colours. It denotes energy, warmth and the sun.  As a citrus colour, orange is a stimulant.

 

gold/bronze – represent stability,  efficiency, loyalty and dependability.  Gold is also the colour of riches and extravagance.  It is a warm colour that can be both bright and cheerful as well as traditional.

 

brown – being the colour of earth, brown is abundant in nature. It implies genuineness and solidity and is often seen as an autumn colour.  Brown is a warm neutral colour that can stimulate the appetite.

 

yellow – is a cheerful colour which grabs the attention.  Yellow is sunshine. It is a warm colour and denotes happiness and joy.  Traditionally, yellow ribbons were worn as a sign of hope as women waited from their men to come marching home from war.  Yellow also enhances concentration.

 

green - symbolises nature.  It is said to be the easiest colour on the eye and is a calming, refreshing colour. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility, because of its link to nature. Green signifies growth, renewal, health, and the environment.

 

turquoise/aqua – combining blue and green, shades of turquoise have the same calming effects as those colours.  Turquoise has a feminine feel, while darker teal shades bring lively sophistication.  Generally this colour represents water.  Some shades of turquoise have a 50s and 60s retro feel.

 

blue – is the colour of the sky and the sea. Blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals.  Fashion advisers recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolises loyalty.  Almost everyone likes some shade of the colour blue.  In many diverse cultures blue is significant in religious beliefs, brings peace, or is believed to keep the bad spirits away

 

 

pink - is the most romantic colour and is a softer, less violent red.  Hot pink conveys playfulness and pastel pink shows tenderness.  Pink becomes stronger with darker shades of pinks and purple and burgundy.

 

white/cream - white traditionally symbolises innocence and purity. It reflects the light and is usually associated with summer, although its connection with ice and snow means it is really an all-year round colour.  Cream provides a calming effect and sets a relaxed tone of understated elegance.

 

silver – can be cool like grey but livelier and more playful. Silver can be sleek and modern or impart a feeling of ornate riches.

 

black -  known as a colour of authority and power, it is also stylish, timeless and a fashion staple.  It can be serious and conventional or mysterious, sexy, and sophisticated.  Black can make other colours appear brighter.

 

grey - a neutral, balanced colour which is cool and conservative.  Dark, charcoal grey has some of the strength and mystery of black.  All shades of grey can be good, neutral background colours.

 

summary

 

cool/calming colours – blue, green. turquoise, silver.

warm/exciting colours – red, pink, yellow, orange, gold.

mixed cool/warm colours – purple, lilac, green, turquoise.

neutral/unifying colours – brown, cream, grey, black, white.