Is color too emotional?

7 April 2018

Historically, bold color, in fashion, architecture, and interiors, was associated with bad taste, not having discernment and being too emotional, at least in our most recent history.

Dr. Gray, a writer, curator, and artist specialized in the politics of color, noted that post-war migration to Australia created an opening to bursting color and going against the European conservatism in design and architecture where color was associated to childishness, homosexuality, femininity or primitivity.

Dr. Gray says that avoiding color has political and cultural implications beyond what we imagine. But finally in the 1960s, little by little color returned to Europe. Australia was a great inspiration but also Southern Europe, bringing about a change in mindset. But if we look around us, we are far from the big color boom. Catwalks this Winter were more colorful than usual, sometimes I have walked by colorful window displays, but color is still timid.

But why is color an issue? As a European, I see our streets flooded by dull and dark colors. Apparently, northern Europe is even worse. Wearing black is not as chic as it used to be and it is so sad! Is it European puritanism that prevents us from wearing color or a global lack of self-esteem and self-confidence? We have already said in previous posts that color has an impact on your mood and on the way people perceive us, so do we want to blend into the point of disappearing? Are we scared of standing out in our beauty, of looking happy, on illuminating our path?

Subconsciously, color has an impact on us in different ways and gives positive or negative messages. According to @huffpost, we must surround ourselves with colors that please us, respecting our needs. So when we have an important meeting or event, or even in our every day, it’s important to wear colors that suit us and lift us, see how we feel and the image we want to project. It’s a constant effort of self-improvement that has an immediate effect on our mood.

I read an article on The Savvy Backpacker.com, that warns tourists that most Europeans tend to wear more subdued colors (though the younger ones are “starting” to wear brighter ones). Though the Parisians are known for their marvelous “chic” versus Americans who are perceived as wearing colors that are too flashy, I think a mix of the two could be beneficial for both cultures.

We Europeans have a few lessons to learn about color from countries like the US, Australia or Southern Europe, among others. Wearing colors that suit you open you up and make you, and people around you, feel better. Wearing great colors is positive, at work, at home, going for a run or a swim. We only live once, so wear those colors that appeal to you. There has never been so much choice in clothes, there is even too much to cope with. Be brave, wear color. Discover those sustainable, organic and wonderfully cut fashion brands that are being launched all over the world. In the next few months, we will try to make things easier for you to find those clothes in the colors you love and the shape that suits you.

So remember, color is not emotional, it is the expression of self-confidence and well-being. Privilege color, shape and material over buying enormous quantities of low cost, unflattering shapes and bad quality materials. Remember, you are what you wear, so don’t forget to be happy about it.

©I-DYLIC. Article by Eleonore Vadon