Colors are centrically part of our lives.   We have a complex relationship with colors.  Many different articles that have been written on colors say that it is scientifically proven that colors influence our daily life.  We are not going to analyze the scientific research or studies made on the subject of colors.  However some studies indicate that we are well connected to colors from as early as the moment that we are born.  Some studies have shown that an individual   born under a beautiful blue sky is prone to be of a positive individual.  Many of the studies done on colors and their effect on humans are fascinating.  Colors also have a psychological influence on us, if a specific color is associated with a painful or traumatic event in our life it is suggested that every time we see this specific color we will be reminded of this event.  If this is a childhood memory and we have forgotten the particular painful event, our brain remembers and the effect will be that we react negatively to that specific color.

 When we get dressed in the morning, and ask “What am I going to wear today?”  .  The color we chose to put on in the morning is a reflection of how we feel, and will have an impact on the course of our daily life it would seem that more women than men have a tendency to ask themselves this question.    And if this is the case it also impacts how people react to us depending on their state of mind.  Another big part of colors is nature, the forest, the ocean, lakes and rivers, the clouds, the flowers, the sand and so much more.   This should be enough to prove our close connection with colors without any deep scientific studies.    We see these beautiful colors and don’t question why we are attracted to some colors more than others. 

The bubble gum pink you may have liked as a young girl may not be the pink you will choose at a more mature age.  Colors have touched people’s lives throughout centuries, and with so many colors, thousand of them in fact, and if we throw in all the possible variation of colors   it becomes impossible to identify them all.  Some colors have changed people’s perspective and understanding of so many events in their lives and also a deeper communication with nature, because colors are first and far most associated with nature.

Here is a look at some of the basics colors and what their meanings are.

Blue: trustworthy, reliable, loyal, constant, honor, worth, this color is equally appealing to men and   women.

Green:  refreshing, safe, optimism, calm, relaxing, harmony, well-being, it is the color of peace and             ecology.

Yellow: enlighten, happy, enhances, liveliness, comfort, energy, intellect, it carries the promise of optimistic future and imaginative thoughts.

Orange: controversy, cheerful, enthusiasm, creativity, “love it or hate it”.

Red: warm, love, anger, exciting, desire, strength, courage, desire, it is a more personal association than many other colors.

Purple: royalty, elegance, mystery, power, mystical, it is considered high in matters of spiritual journeys.

Brown: reliable, earthy, stamina, friendliness, trustworthy, authentic, relaxing.

White: purity, cleanliness, serenity, originality, innocence, simplicity

Gray: everlasting, practical, serious, traditional, we all know of the grey suit.

Last but not least:

Black: Power, authority, power, sophistication, elegance, illicit, strength, evokes strong emotions.

In conclusion Colors are a big part of our everyday life; they have a lot to do with harmony and balance and they are the element for which fashion is based upon we should ask ourselves these questions:  what if there were No colors. Would there still be seasons? Would fashion be what we know it to be? And lastly would there still be diversity? 

Written by Nicole Cousineau