Image consultant Jill Swanson shares the basics of color psychology.
At the Minnesota PRSA event on January 21, high-energy author, national speaker and consultant Jill Swanson talked about the image one projects on the outside. Although we should focus on the skills we can bring to the workplace, 90 percent of first impressions are formed based on how we look and just 10 percent are formed from what we say.
Swanson taught attendees at the event held at the Mall of America how to use color personally and powerfully. Color can affect how you look, feel and think, making it important to think about the meaning of each color you are wearing. “The great thing about color is that it doesn’t cost you any more to wear a color that will impress someone as it does to wear a color that won’t impress,” she said.
Swanson said there are four occasions we should dress for: function, fashion, passion and reaction.
- Function: Dress from the bottom up; it’s important to wear comfortable shoes when dressing for function.
- Fashion: Focus on the top one-third of your body; dress from the top down.
- Passion: Dress from inside out; reflect your true self.
- Reaction: Dress from the outside in; ask yourself, what do I need to wear to get the reaction I want?
After explaining how to dress for each occasion, Swanson talked about color psychology, telling what each color means, including the image it portrays in the workplace. Here are the colors she described:
- Red: Raises your heart rate, symbol of power, makes you seem more attractive
- Blue: Lowers blood pressure, loyal, authoritative without being too intimidating
- Yellow: Cheerful, happy, first color your eye sees
- Pink: Approachable, gentle, calming
- Green: Soothing, nurturing, enhances sense of belonging
- Orange: Demands attention, fun
- Purple: Boosts confidence, stimulates brain activity
- Brown: Strength, security, slow to change, a good listener
- Grey: Wise, mature, refined, intelligent
- White: Purity, innocence, dependable, clean
- Black: Dominant, strong, most authoritative color
Knowing the meaning behind colors can help you dress for your profession or special occasions. For example, if you are a salesman, blue would be a great color. Or if you are going to be working with kids all day, orange may be the color for you. It may be difficult to incorporate every color into your wardrobe, so Swanson suggests three color staples for each person.
- Power color: Usually the color of the outer rim of your eye (navy, dark brown, ivory, black) jacket or suit
- Complement color: Typically the natural color of your lips or cheek color
- Favorite color: Wearing your favorite color will help you exude confidence
Other tips:
- The stronger the contrast you have on, the more authoritative you seem
- The weaker the contrast, the more approachable you are
- Combine colors in uneven amounts: one-third to two-third rule
Next time you go to the mall or are dressing for work, think about pieces that make you stand out and convey the message you want heard.
Swanson is the author of “Simply Beautiful: Inside and Out” and “Out the Door in 15 Minutes — How to Look Fabulous Fast.” For more information on Jill Swanson visit her website at www.jillswanson.com.