Ever catch yourself thinking that certain colors just make you feel like you can conquer the world, while other colors make you feel sort of “meh”? It happens to be that the colors you wear not only influence the way other people perceive you, but they also influence the way you feel about yourself. Researchers have been studying this link, and what they’ve discovered may cause you to think twice about your wardrobe.
A study on evolutionary psychology examined how clothing colors influence how attractive individuals perceive you. They conducted a series of experiments to test whether particular colors always made an individual more attractive. Spoiler alert: they do.
The Colors That Grab Attention
In a single study, 20 young adults wore six t-shirts of various colors—red, black, yellow, green, blue, and white—under the same lighting. Then, these people had their pictures taken, which were later rated for attractiveness by 30 members of the opposite sex. And the winners were? Red and black decisively emerged as the hottest for men. Yellow and white? Not really—they usually fell toward the bottom.
So why do red and black click? Researchers believe that these colors hold profound psychological and evolutionary significance. Red tends to be associated with passion, dominance, and fertility, and black exudes an aura of power and sophistication. It’s really simple: imagine politicians wearing black three-piece suits with red ties. It’s not random. That combination is all about projecting confidence and authority.
Confidence Makes All the Difference
But the study didn’t just stop at how others saw the colors. It also explored how wearing those colors made the people feel. In another part of the experiment, the researchers digitally changed the t-shirt colors in the photos while keeping the same facial expressions. Even with identical faces, red and black still scored the highest.
Here’s the cool bit: when subjects rated facial expressions without noticing the colors of the shirts, red and black still had a slight edge. Which means wearing these colors could give you a confidence boost, and that confidence is reflected in your face. Essentially, if you like what you’re wearing, others can tell it on your face.
The Quiet Power of Color
The ultimate surprise was when researchers fully hid the shirt colors, showing only the faces. Even then, what color people had been wearing seemed to influence how attractive their faces appeared. The effect was smaller, but there, showing how color affects us on a deeper level.
So, what does it all come down to with your everyday life? If you need to leave a lasting impression—whether it’s an evening out, a job interview, or a date night—treat yourself to some red or black. These colors not only make you look fabulous; they brighten your mood, too.
While this study was done on men, the concept most likely applies to everyone. Being confident is sexy, no matter who you are, and dressing in the appropriate color is a powerful way of communicating.
Next time you’re standing in front of your closet thinking about what you should be wearing, keep in mind: picking the right color isn’t so much about what you look good in—it’s about what kind of energy you wish to introduce into the world.