In Her Mood
Fashion is arguably the largest and most visible form of self-expression. Color, texture, and accessories articulate the complexity of human emotion. As frivolous as it is to assume that black indicates ‘sorrow’ while yellow indicates ‘joy’, the clothing choices you make are determined by their conditioned meaning in your world and how you’ll define them in the future.
Who Are You?
“Express Yourself,” a phrase originating from early philosophical and Renaissance thought, has been used for centuries. While dressing, you may ask yourself, “Who am I?” "Who do I want to be today?” The answer may be found in shades of fuchsia. NIF Global shares, “The alignment of your outfit with your personal style adds to your self-awareness, whereas dressing in a way that reflects who you really are boosts your self-esteem. ”. Finding yourself in fabrics can open a whole world of internal discovery. Do you feel light and whimsical like organza, or would silk drapes capture your elegance? Today’s focus will be on the definition of color in our world and its connection to you.
The ‘Psych’ Behind the Color
“Classical conditioning” is a term used to describe our subconscious, involuntary reactions to triggers from previous experiences. Meaning, you could be feeling blue today because it’s linked to a “good luck” feeling from a successful date. Our world has perceptions of each color's internal meaning. According to the Institute of Creative Design, red = passion or danger, blue equals calm or trust, and green = growth or balance. These definitions are determined by their historical use and the effect they’ve had on the general public.
When presenting to the world, it's great to use established definitions to ensure your point gets across. Selvane provides the meaning behind frequently seen colors: “Orange: A blend of red’s passion and yellow’s optimism. Black: a sense of formal seriousness.” As artists, stylists, and people, we cater to our audience or the world around us. When dressing for yourself, ask: Does this color mean something to me? Express your definitions and values. Our human experiences are what ripple creativity in our world. Understand yourself and wear what aligns with your identity.
Color has several definitions and interpretations. Do you choose to embrace the world's standards, or will you come up with standards of your own?