Use Colour To Your Advantage

 

Fashion is of the moment; biology is not. That’s why, among all the changing cuts, styles, and patterns in a man’s wardrobe, there remains one constant: colour. Our biological imperatives – among them social connections and reproduction – have been honing our hue smarts for hundreds of thousands of years, says Abby Calisch, a psychology professor at Argosy University at Dallas and an expert on art therapy. The right colour selections, she says, “can elicit emotions and feelings in those around us.” In other words, if you choose your colours carefully, you can capture attention, soften up your conversational partners, or play hardball during a business negotiation. We pulled the research to find out just how to colour your world.

 

ATTACK MODE: RED IS FOR THE AGGRESSOR

Red is a call to action. British researchers linked the colour to high levels of aggression in a 2006 study of Olympic martial artists. “In many male primates, fish, and birds, redness of the skin correlates with testosterone,” says study co-author Robert Barton, Ph.D. “Red triggers an unconscious appraisal of the opponent as more dominant. “How to wield the colour wisely? “Temper it with neutral colours,” says Men’s Health fashion director Brian Boyé. Another, more subtle option: Choose a red accessory as a reminder of your dominance.

 

COOLING TREND: SET YOURSELF TO STUN

Blue works well anywhere, from a boardroom to a barbecue. But it’s not just a laid-back utility infielder, according to researchers at the University of Utah. Colour-sensing structures in her eyes preferentially pick out the hue and forward the info on a more direct path to her brain. Choose a blue that matches the formality of your event. The more buttoned up, the darker the hue. “It’s the foundation of many key looks,” says Boyé. Accessorising properly will accentuate the effect. “Brown dress shoes, rather than black, will help a navy suit really pop from afar. It’s how the Italians do it, after all.”

 

PEACE TIME: PERFECT THE CHILL-OUT

Pastels can moderate aggressive behaviour, even in prison inmates, according to a seminal 1979 study done at the Institute for Biosocial Research, in Tacoma, Washington. So think what they’ll do for you. “They’re perfect for mediating situations or making a good first impression,” says fashion expert Laura Siebold. “Just make sure you don’t look like a bouquet.” Wear pastels to casual outdoor events or use them to take the edge off a more somber suit ensemble. Even subtle pastel accents make a difference.

 

GRAY AREAS: PROJECT MYSTERY, NOT MISERY

A Cornell University study found that professional teams with predominantly black uniforms were perceived to be more aggressive than teams wearing light colours; they were also penalized more. “It makes you look slick,” says Joe Lupo, co-owner of Visual Therapy, an image-and-style consulting service. “And sometimes that’s not the best impression to give.” A dark gray suit might help silence the penalty whistles. Pair it up with a colourful shirt. “You have to warm it up,” says Foley. Save your darkest colours for nighttime, when they’ll blend better with surroundings.

 

SKIN GAME: BLEND IN TO STAND OUT

Shade-savvy dressers make sure each piece of clothing not only matches its neighbours but also complements the body palette nature gave them. “Colour reflects against your skin, and a differentiated look will prevent you from appearing washed out,” says Julie Foley, an image consultant in Boston. Foley adds another wrinkle: eye colour. Green and blue tones complement lighter eye colours; brown and blacks, darker eyes. Let your skin tone determine intensity – the lighter your skin, the paler the palette of your shirts. Use pants and jackets as a frame; contrast them with your hair and shirt colours for maximum effect.

 

All images from Stockexchange