HOW THE COLORS WE WEAR INFLUENCE OUR VISITS
People judge you by what you wear. You need to be selective to assure that you are portraying the correct image. That is why you need to pay attention to the colors you wear. We know that our minds can be influenced by what we see, therefore, color can influence our mood and this often sets the tone for the whole day. Consider these colors and the moods they reflect:
RED: Red is a strong, positive color. It can give you energy and power. Wearing red can help you when you need the courage and determination to conduct a difficult visit. Red is the perfect color to get someone’s attention and keep them looking at you. We often see politicians wearing a red tie. However, red can also trigger negative responses.
For example, red is used to signal “stop and look”. It is often the color of warnings. It is a color that can signal confrontation, aggressiveness or anger. Too much red can trigger a negative response from the other person. Green and blue often complement and create a balance when wearing red.
PINK: Pink is a softer shade of red. It is a warm and comforting color. Pink is a color you wear when you want to feel confident. It can be inspiring and non-threatening. It is usually associated with females. Pink is sweet, nurturing, and warm. However it can also reflect innocence and immaturity. To make pink a more sophisticated color, pair it with a darker color.
BLUE: Blue is a very soothing color. We see blue every day in the sky and water, therefore it reflects comfort and stability. Blue helps us to connect with our emotions and inner thoughts. Blue is a color you would wear when you need to feel calm and less stressed. It reflects wisdom and a sense of trust, loyalty, and reliability. Blue is most often associated with masculinity. Baby boys are often dressed in blue. However, blue can also be associated with depression and sadness. We have often heard it said that someone is “ having the blues” when speaking of depression. The overall mood when wearing blue is calm and subdued.
YELLOW: Yellow is a happy, fun color. It lifts people’s spirits. Yellow can stimulate our reasoning and creativity. It invites communication and exchange of ideas. Yellow is a color you would wear when you need to be more alert and open to new ideas, such as situations where you are learning something new or brainstorming. However too much yellow can also promote anxiety. Remember, yellow is the symbol of “caution”. Yellow is best when used as a highlighter color.
GREEN: Green is a natural color. It can promote a soothing feeling of peace. When we think of green, we think or new life growing, such as plants. It is a healthful and healing color. It is a color that promotes decision making. Wearing green helps people to see both sides of a situation and helps in negotiation. Therefore green is a good color to wear when you are negotiating an issue with a client. Green is also related to the color of money. We have heard the saying, “green with envy”. Too much green can promote a feeling of envy, or greed.
TURQUOISE: Turquoise is a combination of blue and yellow. It can promote communication and encourage others to express their needs. It is a wonderful color for trainers and those that need to communicate with others. However too much turquoise can promote a sense of indecision. It is recommended that you balance turquoise with shades of red, such pink, magenta, purple.
BROWN: Brown is a very complex color to wear. It can promote reassurance, comfort, and a down to earth feeling, or it can promote a feeling of dirtiness, or lack of sophistication. Brown can promote an environment that is neutral and open for discussion. The best choice is a light brown or a tan. This promotes a feeling of friendliness and approachability.
BLACK: Black has traditionally been a power color that has promoted authority ad control. It can be a very sophisticated and dignified color. Black is a color that can be paired with other colors for different affects.
For example Black with red can promote feelings of sincerity. However all black can be intimidating and make you unapproachable. Black is the color of “death” and can promote dark and uncomfortable feelings. When wearing black, add brighter colors such as yellow, green or shades of red.
White is the color of wedding gowns because it signals purity and goodness. White makes us think of the “good guy”. White can also show any spot or impurity. It is a color that can go with anything. White can be calming and signify a new start. White coats are worn by people in the medical profession because they portray a calm and organized atmosphere. However too much white can promote a feeling of “coldness” and “sterility”. Therefore, white should be worn with other colors that promote the message you want to convey.
As a home visitor, your clients will be influenced by the visual cues you present. As we have seen different colors can evoke emotions that range from trust to danger. The mood and tone of the visit will be directly influenced by the clothing and colors you wear. Therefore, dressing appropriately is very important.