It’s winter, and as I glance out the window, I can make a quick statistical assessment that about 80% of everyone I see is wearing a black jacket. Last spring, I wrote a column about how one could use clothing as a tool to uplift their mood. Now, I want to further explore the topic, but this time, focusing on colors and why so many of us choose BLACK.
I think many of us have experienced opening our closets and barely being able to distinguish one black garment from another. It’s like staring into a black hole, and one can feel the inspiration slowly fading. But why do we cling to this dark color? Below are some common statements I often hear about the color black:
1. “It’s easy to match with other colors.” That’s true, and black is a practical color if you find it difficult to know which colors go well together. We buy a black jacket because it’s easy to match with other colors. Then we buy black pants to make them easy to match with other items, and we reason the same way with cardigans and blouses. When it comes to matching with that other color, we don’t have many options left.
2. “You look slim in black.” It’s true that dark colors have a slimming effect, as they have the ability to conceal imperfections by not reflecting light. Black becomes a safe color to hide our insecurities behind. But what if we shifted our focus and didn’t always strive to look SLIM, and instead focused on what makes us appear vibrant, what brings us joy, and what gives us energy?
What if we could use our bodies as a canvas to carry as much color as we possibly can? Because during this dark winter season that we are currently in, the last thing we need is MORE black.
Colors cheer us up. I have personally experienced it, and I observe its effects on others as well. Moreover, it is scientifically proven that color can affect us positively. When we look at certain colors, it triggers neurological responses in our brain, causing the hypothalamus to release hormones. For example, when we look at warm and vibrant colors like pink and red, the feel-good hormone dopamine is released, which can elevate our mood and help us focus. Therefore, we can use color to influence our own and others’ moods!
I have lost count of the number of times I have heard stories about individuals who have always chosen black, and decided to try more colors and were pleasantly surprised by the positive comments and reactions they received.
I’m not suggesting that you should get rid of all your black clothes; as mentioned before, it can be a very practical color. However, I encourage you to dare to try wearing a different color every day. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but just wait until all those wonderful feel-good hormones are released – you’ll see that the discomfort fades away. Start today if you can, as winter is already too dark and gray.
This column was published in Åbo Underrättelser 17th November 2020. You can read it here.