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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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