It’s not just what you wear that matters, but also how you wear your clothes. A successful visual image requires that you coordinate your suits with fabrics, colors, and patterns that re-enforce your intended message. Cheap fabrics, poor color combinations and garish patterns all detract from a credible professional image.
There are three basic colors for suits. Black, Navy and Gray; all of which are versatile in mixing and matching color combinations, and each comes with its individual look and its own brand of psychological interpretation.
In this article we will look at The Psychology of Suit Colors:
Black
- Sophisticated Color – Black is traditionally the color of authority and power. At many upmarket functions, people will wear black to signify timeless elegance.
- The Least People Friendly of the three basic suit colors worn by men, especially when teamed with a high contrast shirt and tie combination.
- Is Figure Flattering – it can make the portly man look thinner and elongated.
- Is Perfect For Travel – when you are on the move it hides wrinkles.
- A Versatile Color – like blue, it is versatile in that in can be combined with most colors and be incorporated into almost any style.
- The Color for Night – perfect for impressing when teamed with a pearlescent tie and luxurious white shirt.
- The Color for Impressing – black is upscale, chic and perfect for formal occasions
Navy
- A Perfect Color for Job Interviews – suggests a trustworthy and warm personality.
- A Color that can be Powered Up – The darker the navy the more authority it carries. Medium to medium-dark navies are the most people friendly. Bright navies are too insincere and childlike to be taken seriously.
- Will Impress the Boss – a blue suit will make you “appear” more serious and intellectual. It is also associated with being productive.
- Is a Versatile Color – Similarly to Black, nearly all navy blue suits look great and go with virtually anything.
- Wearable All Year – Navy is appropriate in summer and winter.
Gray
- Is Classy – Whatever style of suit you choose; having a gray one undeniably emits a class of class.
- Is Conservative – Not a color that will have you known for your forward thinking or creativity.
- A Color that can be Powered Up – The darker the gray (charcoal) the more authority it will empower you with.
- Efficiency and Brains – Color specialist associate gray with intellectuality and efficiency.
- Versatile Color – Gray is a neutral color that is easily matched with most other colors.
- The Color of Older Men – Medium gray is stereotyped with old men. Light to medium grays will drain color and add a gray pallor to light-skinned faces that have paled with age. Men over 45 are best to wear medium-dark navies to retain a look of vigor.
