About 30ish years ago, I took a film class in college. During one class we watched the 1956 drama Written on the Wind starring Laruen Bacall, Rock Hudson, Dorothy Malone and Robert Stack. Laruen Bacall plays an upstanding, perfect-in-every-way, secretary who marries Robert Stack, the alcoholic child of a Texas oil baron. Dorothy Malone plays his sister, the insecure, boozy town floosy who has a crush on Rock Hudson. And of course, Rock Hudson falls in love with Lauren Bacall.
Our professor pointed out that Bacall’s character was always in neutral, green, earthy tones. Which subliminally indicated that she was the down to earth, good girl. Malone’s character wore bright pink clothes, red lipstick and drove a red car, all indications that she was trouble. This was an example of how costume color choices can influence the audience’s opinion of the characters, whether we know it or not. This was the first time I had ever thought about how color affects us and how we might formulate opinions based on it.
Every spring, I breathe a sigh of relief as I fold down my predominately black, brown and cream winter wardrobe. As I gleefully flip my closet, it feels as though I am walking through a bed of brightly colored tulips. I tend to gravitate towards bright pinks and oranges.
I started noticing when I would wear bright, colorful garments strangers would stop and talk to me, people seemed more friendly. I always feel more outgoing and upbeat in bright colors. So, the question is, do I seem happier in these colors, therefore, more approachable OR do these bright colors have a positive effect on the person looking at me and they feel compelled to say something? Is it me or is it them OR could it be both?
I have been doing a deep dive on color therapy and color psychology and the healing properties of colors. I will be highlighting a color a month for the next 12 months in the hopes of shedding some light on what colors can mean to us and how to incorporate them into our wardrobes.
How are your color choices impacting you?
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XOXO-
Mel