Turns out, Virginia was exactly right in her color commentary about me. Before we get to that…
What’s the best color for YOU?
Emory University tells students to watch what they wear in professional settings. Colors, they explain, have an impact on your own energy and on how other people perceive you.
- Red suggests action, power, and passion.
- Green conveys growth, ideas, and vitality.
- Brown? It’s practical and reliable, and sometimes perceived as dull.
- Pink portrays compassion, understanding, and warmth. When guys wear pink, they’re seen as good communicators.
- You won’t be surprised that gold paints a picture of wealth, prosperity, and luxury.
- Black seems sophisticated, it’s classic. It can also be seen as depressing or intimidating—they recommend adding a little color when you wear a black suit.
- In purple, you’ll appear inventive, creative, and intuitive. And purple projects authority.
- Wearing white, you come across as clean, pure, and innocent.
- Blue inspires confidence, success, and trust. Navy blue, they say, is the best color for business. And you’re more likely to get the job if you wear navy for your interview.
It’s worth a look at your own closet.
Stylist David Zyla says color has “a huge impact on the outcome of every business situation.”
Zyla told Fast Company even people who aren’t much into fashion make choices based on color. And people make judgements about us based on color.
Back to Virginia…when I did a workshop at the logistics company TMC last week, she told me my purple jacket was the perfect color for speaking.
Of course, she also told me she likes purple so much she named her daughter Violet. Still, it turns out Virginia is on to something.
Zyla says when you dress for public speaking or a presentation at work, you’re best off in your “power color” like blue, green, or, yes, purple.
And how do you find your particular power color? Check your wrist, of all things.
What’s the dominant vein color in your wrist? Could be a bluish purple, or turquoise, or even emerald green. Zyla says that’s the color that tells the world, “look at me, listen to me, I’m worth hearing out.”
Power isn’t everything though…
Your power color may be over-powering when it’s time for collaboration. When colleagues put their heads together, you don’t want to stand out as much—it’s important to be seen as part of the team.
So, the Emmy-winning stylist suggests a color that matches the darkest color in your eyes (you know, the windows to your soul). Zyla says that’ll make you seem open, honest and collaborative.
Want to be the chosen one?
It depends on the field you’re in, of course, but generally for job interviews, the experts recommend navy, black, and charcoal. That’s especially true if you’re in an industry that puts a premium on reliability and trust.
At the same time, the head of the Pantone Color Institute told Fast Company it’s hard to stand out from the crowd if you’re in the same uniform as every other applicant. She suggests adding something colorful that separates you from the rest. Could be a tie, maybe a piece of jewelry, something that catches attention.
Of course, if you’re in a more creative field where they put a premium on personality and individuality, that navy-black-gray thing is probably not your best bet. You’ll want to make a splash by wearing something that has more pizzazz.
There’s a caveat to the color code.
So, colors have meanings attached to them. And there are some rules-of-thumb about what to wear to create the impression you want people to have.
The most important thing is that you feel confident in whatever you’re wearing.
The experts agree: in the end, you shouldn’t wear any color just because it’s this year’s trend or because somebody (even those same experts) told you it’s right for the situation. It needs to be right for you, too.
If you don’t feel comfortable in your clothes, your energy will be off. And people will pay attention to that. No matter what the trend is, you’ll be at your best when you feel positive and self-assured in what you wear. Whatever it is.
I’m curious about your experience with color. Do you go with the trends? Stick with the business trinity of navy, black and gray? And what’s your power color, anyway?
Post a colorful comment below.
Haha, the business trinity of navy, black, and gray. Now that’s funny. That’s exactly my palette.
You need a pop of color, my friend! (Or a speaking coach who will help you get one …)
Haha, the business trinity of navy, black, and gray. Now that’s funny. That’s exactly my palette.
Years ago, my personal mentor was a Native American medicine chief, who has since passed away. He advised me that my colours were red and blue. At the time, I wore a lot of black; it was during my Goth phase. Coincidentally, I have red hair and blue eyes (I only recently read that this was an exceedingly rare combination). I have always felt good wearing blue, it is my favourite colour. I naturally gravitate to those two colours in everything from room decor to my cars to clothes. My wife even commented that our bedroom looks like a Smurf threw up in the room. I dislike wearing brown (though it goes well with purple), and only wear green one day of the year. I’ve come a long way from a teenager who had no idea how to coordinate colours. I still cringe when I remember. Oh, and back when I needed to wear “business attire”, my go-to suit for interviews was a navy pinstripe with a power tie and white dress shirt. And black dress loafers. Tying shoes wastes time.
Patrick, I love the idea of wearing loafers to save tying time. I don’t wear brown either I recently gave away a brown suede jacket that I never should have bought–I think I wore it twice. When I go to bed tonight (in our lovely gray bedroom with purple accents) I’ll be thinking about you and your wife and Smurf vomit. I’m not sure I can unsee that image …
I’ve been told to wear either a charcoal or navy blue suit, but always with a medium to light blue shirt to match my eye color. Blue has been my favorite color since youth, This has made it easy since blue is the universally accepted business suit color.
You’re so right about blue, Tom. There’s a reason you see blue in the logos of so many big, successful businesses. And in the wardrobes of so many successful business-people.
I am negotiating my divorce with a toxic ex, What color do you recommend? I am a small and short female with blonde hair and over 50. Navy? patterned or solid – does it matter? I love a bright dark pink/fuscia lipstick. Should I go with something not so bold?
Oh, Donna, I’m sorry about the toxic ex! My best suggestion: wear what makes you feel confident, strong, and comfortable in your own skin (as well as your clothes). Solid color is probably better than a pattern. Pastels can be girlish-looking, even on those of us who are way past the girl stage. And, the main thing is to feel good so you radiate that sense that you’re doing exactly the right thing to separate yourself from that person.