I recently did an interview for a Japanese website for working women. The interviewer asked me if I had any advice for women who were nervous to take risks in their workplace with fashion. It was a good question and caused me to think about how I do in fact get away with dressing the way I do in the hallowed halls of academia. I realized that a big part of it relates to color, or in my case the lack of it. Colors like anything else bring up a number of associations for the viewer. While some schema may be universal, for example blue is calming, most colors invoke personal meanings. These meanings depend on the person’s positionally; race, religion, culture, ethnicity, gender, citizenship and so on.
I think because I wear black and white I can get away with a great deal when it comes to cuts, drapes and silhouettes. Black is the color of judge’s robes, academic gowns, religious and clerical attire. The color black, often paired with white, conveys a sense of seriousness. It is somber and suggests there is important work going on. I think this suggests to my students a kind of formality, that I consider what we do in the classroom to be of great importance. Each of my outfits for the three days I teach this first week of the new semester will be black and white for this reason.
Something has shifted in the last week in that I seem to be much more acutely aware of color when it comes to all things outside of my clothes. I have been yearning for it. Perhaps it has something to do with the grey of winter. There is a sensory shift that has happened where I see color first, then the details of an object or a place. This is a change for me. I like it. I have walked by this restaurant in my neighborhood hundreds of times without thinking and this week the color took my breath away.
So the next time an interviewer asks me why I never seem to wear colors I can say, ” I don’t WEAR color but when I walk by color it surrounds me like a beautiful coat.”
I occasionally find myself drawn to color, but really feel most comfortable wearing in small doses like a scarf or bag. I agree that wearing black and white sometimes allows more latitude with shape and form while retaining authority.
Your lovely scarves and how you drape them are a thing of beauty!
I wear mostly black. But I actually like bright, vivid colors and prints. It’s just color is something I’m more particular about so I can get tired or bored with it more quickly than if something is solid black. I remember buying clothes in any color that I liked and having a closet full of nothing to wear. Black is just easier.
It makes everyday dressing for me so much more of an easier task, harkened back to the ease of wearing a uniform to school.
I wear mostly black. But I actually like bright, vivid colors and prints. It’s just color is something I’m more particular about so I can get tired or bored with it more quickly than if something is solid black. I remember buying clothes in any color that I liked and having a closet full of nothing to wear. Black is just easier.
It makes everyday dressing for me so much more of an easier task, harkened back to the ease of wearing a uniform to school.
My wardrobe for most of my life has been a blur of black, white, navy blue and grey. But when I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago I suddenly found myself being wearing color. Lots of color. It makes sense, right? Now that I’m healthy I’m starting to slip back into the black and white zone.
It does make sense and once again illustrates how profoundly important our clothes are.
My wardrobe for most of my life has been a blur of black, white, navy blue and grey. But when I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago I suddenly found myself being wearing color. Lots of color. It makes sense, right? Now that I’m healthy I’m starting to slip back into the black and white zone.
It does make sense and once again illustrates how profoundly important our clothes are.
being wearing. That makes zero sense. I meant wearing. I guess I should utilize the preview option on the comments.
I make mistakes too. You’re not alone.
I make them everyday!
You have given me a good challenge…using texture.
being wearing. That makes zero sense. I meant wearing. I guess I should utilize the preview option on the comments.
I love color on others but not on me that much.
For some reason, the visual impact of color seems to diminish once I wear it, unless it’s red lipstick. I’ve explored pops of color in nail polishes and accessories, but the initial thrill fades quickly fades. However, on others it looks stunning and I never tire of seeing it.
I do like red with black and white but sometimes that even feels predictable on me. I’m not sure what’s going on but I’m drawn to black, white and grays(that match my silver hair) I’m interested in learning more about using "texture" more than color.
You have given me a good challenge…using texture.
I miss it. I just saw Brooklyn and left the theater positively drunk with the colors the characters wore. We just don’t see it anymore.
Sounds like you found it. Let’s keep seeking!
I miss it. I just saw Brooklyn and left the theater positively drunk with the colors the characters wore. We just don’t see it anymore.
Sounds like you found it. Let’s keep seeking!
I enjoy color a great deal and surround myself with it as much as possible…particularly the vivid and saturated colors that I find in the natural world here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. I also love to wear color and never tire of looking at a color, or a pattern or grouping of colors, that I like. I suspect this stems from having spent three winters in Moscow and Leningrad during the Soviet times. There, I was surrounded by dark, murky black, grey, brown and navy blue and not much light. (The only public exceptions to this color deprivation were in museums, the performances of the wealthiest ballet and opera companies, and the few remaining churches.) Visually, everyday life for me in the USSR was like living in a closet. At first, I lacked the interior resources and the company of imaginative friends or family that could have brought color into my life. Yet I returned for extended stays, twice, largely because there was something very demanding and very promising about this lack of external visual stimulation. Leslie in Oregon
Thank you, I appreciate it when someone does that to me.
I think you eloquently express the importance of our transactions with our environment and how they can change our brains and inner life.
I enjoy color a great deal and surround myself with it as much as possible…particularly the vivid and saturated colors that I find in the natural world here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. I also love to wear color and never tire of looking at a color, or a pattern or grouping of colors, that I like. I suspect this stems from having spent three winters in Moscow and Leningrad during the Soviet times. There, I was surrounded by dark, murky black, grey, brown and navy blue and not much light. (The only public exceptions to this color deprivation were in museums, the performances of the wealthiest ballet and opera companies, and the few remaining churches.) Visually, everyday life for me in the USSR was like living in a closet. At first, I lacked the interior resources and the company of imaginative friends or family that could have brought color into my life. Yet I returned for extended stays, twice, largely because there was something very demanding and very promising about this lack of external visual stimulation. Leslie in Oregon
I think you eloquently express the importance of our transactions with our environment and how they can change our brains and inner life.
Wow this is so thought provoking… It really left me thinking for the longest time about my personal palette of colours
Thank you, I appreciate it when someone does that to me.
I’ve experimented with color – love it on other people but am not comfortable with it on me unless it is a "pop" of color, like a scarf, etc. Black and white make up most of my wardrobe and I actually think of grey as my color.
Color is cathartic – years ago after my divorce I painted my living room walls red. It gave me a feeling of power, happiness and life.
A physical realization of something so emotional is sometimes more cathartic than talking.
I’ve experimented with color – love it on other people but am not comfortable with it on me unless it is a "pop" of color, like a scarf, etc. Black and white make up most of my wardrobe and I actually think of grey as my color.
Color is cathartic – years ago after my divorce I painted my living room walls red. It gave me a feeling of power, happiness and life.
A physical realization of something so emotional is sometimes more cathartic than talking.
I am a painter using bright intense colors for my southwest landscapes….but I have never been able to wear much color….the vibrations annoy me and I end up taking the clothes off instead of wearing…been like this for the past 55 of my 73 years. But beyond my clothes which are generally very neutral (white outfits, blk/wht outfits, grey and/or navy, with only occasional touches of red or blue in accessories) I LOVE COLOR.
I think that is exactly where I have gotten to!
I am a painter using bright intense colors for my southwest landscapes….but I have never been able to wear much color….the vibrations annoy me and I end up taking the clothes off instead of wearing…been like this for the past 55 of my 73 years. But beyond my clothes which are generally very neutral (white outfits, blk/wht outfits, grey and/or navy, with only occasional touches of red or blue in accessories) I LOVE COLOR.
I think that is exactly where I have gotten to!
I have bright pink hair, which slowly fades to a cotton candy color after 4-6 weeks. Since by hair is this bright color my clothing choices have become stark – mainly black, white and gray – for a base each day. I love the simplicity of the colors with the bold pop of my hair. As the color changes and fades I bring a few more colors into my uniform. Including other neutrals like olive green. When I really want to stand out for important events I’ll add cobalt blues, even more pink and mustard yellow. I really enjoy how narrow my colors need to be to balance with my bright hair. I feel it makes me look chic without looking like every other woman in all black. My hair shows everyone my personality from a mile away.
Slow down, get noticed start conversations…sage and wonderful advice!
Now that is how to wear color!
I have bright pink hair, which slowly fades to a cotton candy color after 4-6 weeks. Since by hair is this bright color my clothing choices have become stark – mainly black, white and gray – for a base each day. I love the simplicity of the colors with the bold pop of my hair. As the color changes and fades I bring a few more colors into my uniform. Including other neutrals like olive green. When I really want to stand out for important events I’ll add cobalt blues, even more pink and mustard yellow. I really enjoy how narrow my colors need to be to balance with my bright hair. I feel it makes me look chic without looking like every other woman in all black. My hair shows everyone my personality from a mile away.
Now that is how to wear color!
I have been high on adding color since I bought fabulous scarves in my color in Turkey last year. When I look at pictures of myself in black I can see how it doesn’t work for me. I think part of it is I am tired of being invisible and trying to sneak by under the wire to avoid being noticed.I think I have done this in the past so I can get as much done as possible. Yet another symptomof being too busy. I am ready to slow down, get noticed and have conversations.
Slow down, get noticed start conversations…sage and wonderful advice!
I play with colour from time to time but invariably I return to my black or black and white, somehow it always feels right for me. Mood plays a big part in this regards colour. Shape and texture come to the fore with black and white and that for me is important.
I agree with the mood aspect. Everything I wear regardless of color depends on
that.
I play with colour from time to time but invariably I return to my black or black and white, somehow it always feels right for me. Mood plays a big part in this regards colour. Shape and texture come to the fore with black and white and that for me is important.
I agree with the mood aspect. Everything I wear regardless of color depends on
that.
I love color but find it my clothing I use it sparingly as if it is precious and to be savored
Beautifully stated!
That’s an interesting observation in regard to the unusual colors.
I love color but find it my clothing I use it sparingly as if it is precious and to be savored
Beautifully stated!
I don’t care to wear primary colors but love unusual colors. They can convey dignity and authority, I think, when worn in high-quality fabrications in sophisticated, even designer, styles. Black slacks, shoes and stockings are my daily base outfit; shirts, vests or jackets, scarves and jewelry are where color shines.
That’s an interesting observation in regard to the unusual colors.
You echo my sentiments exactly!
I love Autumn and Winter and my clothes reflect this, black, grey, dark burgundy and darkest navy make me feel sharp and alive. I try to wear colour in Spring and Summer but feel dowdy, I also feel better wearing plain fabrics rather than patterns. Yet I am in my sitting room surrounded by green and orange wallpaper, have photos of colour and patterns within my eyeline at work. I need to be surrounded by colour and pattern just don’t ask me to wear it!
You echo my sentiments exactly!
Thanks for stopping by.
Very cool style! Best regards
I make them everyday!
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