The Meaning of Colour

As someone who grew up in a city where people wear a lot of black, it never entered my mind until recently that sometimes it is more appropriate to wear colour. After all, don't we see all the designers and fashionistas decked out in black, irregardless of whatever is the "hot" colour of the season? Black is timeless and practical, it would seem.

Yet lately I've noticed that wearing black can feel constrictive. In fact, lately I've wanted to start wearing colour because I've noticed that not only does it make me look better but feel better. Because while wearing a dark suit for an interview is championed as always appropriate, I've been finding that when dressed in that standard attire, I've acted less like myself. Something about wearing black causes me to show only part of my personality. And when interviewing, don't I want to showcase my personality and look my best while remaining respectful of the given work environment? So I thought a trip to an image consultant might be in order.

My goal was to learn how to wear colour effectively, and the colour analysis season proved to be a real eye-opener. While I had learned about colour throughout the years, both in my formal training and on the job, the consultation proved to be highly educational. First, the analyst performed a colour draping to determine whether my unique colouring was 1. warm or cool, and 2. high-contrast or low-contrast. From this high-level test she determined that I was warm and low-contrast, aka a Spring. Next, she performed a detailed analysis to determine which of the four types of Spring I am. That netted me my individualized palette of colours. She then finished off by showing me various colour combinations and giving me guidelines for tailoring my use of colour for given environments. For example, lighter colours are better suited for informal environments/events, such as a software company or family get-together. However, a bank or more conservative environment would warrant a darker colour from my palette, as would a gala evening.

The end result is that I gained a better understanding of what colour communicates. And I now feel prepared to project who I am while remaining appropriately dressed for the given situation. So if you're looking to always look your best, a visit to an image consultant may prove worth your while. You can contact the AICI for help in locating a certified image consultant in your home area.

Happy job hunting!