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The Psychology Of Color

By Dr. Alycia Ellison

Part One | Part Two

One day while walking in the mall looking at the new styles in women's fashions in the various displays, I ran into a kindred spirit who remarked, "these new fashions remind me somewhat of the time when I was young and fashion minded." I thought back to the times when skirts were returning to just below the knee after coming from the mini-skirt craze and then plummeting to the maxi -skirt phase and said to myself here we go again.

This time I refuse to get involved.

This time I vowed never to purchase anything that didn't conform to my sense of style or color regardless of the fashion trend.

This change in perception started a short time ago, when one day while walking through the mall as Alycia, I fell in love with a yellow silk blouse. I had to have it, so I acquired it. I had some doubts about it but I thought that it may be due to its price as it was not covered in my budget. However, while wearing it one day I discovered I was feeling listless and out of sorts, so remembering my mate commenting on the effects that certain colors had on emotions, I conducted an experiment and changed and put on a lovely blue silk blouse with cap sleeves, suddenly I felt exhilarated.

I looked in the mirror and that I had the same hair, same makeup, same white skirt but I looked like a different person. I looked vibrant and alive, whereas before I was listless and pale.

This got me to thinking so I took it one step further, I went into Dilliard's Department store and went to the Clinique make up counter where they were giving free makeovers in their private room, I stepped up and inquired when they had an opening and they said come back in 15 minutes and they would fit me in. I browsed through the store and returned at the appointed time and I was taken into the Salon area and my makeup was removed. I was then informed that I was using the wrong style of coverage and color.

Using their color analyzer, she discovered I had pink not yellow undertones so that the colors I had been using tended to make me look more pale and washed out. She then turned to me and inquired in a matter of fact tone, "do you feel tired and listless some of the time when you use similar colors." I responded, yes, especially if I had been on my feet a lot or had a hard day at the office.

She said my color wheel was out of tune. She proceeded to demonstrate, beginning with a moisturizer , foundation, and finally finishing with a mauve lipstick. I felt terrific and replenished and after paying for my new acquisitions I then went to the library to find information on style and color.

I became fascinated by the psychology of color, for many stylists claimed that emotions and feeling are conveyed very quickly by the color and style you wear. Aha, I exclaimed to myself that is the answer to what I was seeking. Therefore, now picture yourself in your best colors, whether it be blue, green, yellow or red, then imagine the impact that the right color will make on your outlook . As I gathered more insight, I learned that I had to match skin tone with clothing colors to radiate total confidence without being washed out. The right color, and style. Now that is a horse of a different color for I have discovered it also plays an integral part of how I feel as well as how I present myself to the world, either drab and anonymous, or vibrant and alive.

One of the easiest mistakes to make when putting together your wardrobe is to pick the wrong color or style for your body type. I've done it plenty of times, often because I was attracted by the color without realizing that the wrong color will kill any garment, but as important as color is, a garment that is made of the wrong fabric or worn with an inappropriate fabric, such as silk and cotton, will equally be a weak link in how you present yourself. This is especially true if worn together. I am now aware that changing color as well as the style and texture of the material sets me free to find and express my moods and feelings.

I now feel alive with clear warm colors but not those that are too vibrant. With these thoughts echoing in my mind, I continued my stroll in the mall and then there it was, staring at me though the window, I knew I had to have it.

On the mannequin in the window was a wide black and white checkered skirt topped with a solid black blouse. One look at the rack told me they had it in my size and after locating a black blouse, I went and tried on the combination. The skirt fell to just below the knee and when combined with the black blouse I looked terrific and felt ecstatic. Suddenly I was back in fashion again.

So once again the adage was right. If it sings your song and the color and style are right, you are the winner.

For More Information on Color and Style Visit the How To Section of the Main Library

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