Whether you realise it or not, what you wear can have a huge impact on how you feel that day. We're not talking about feeling self conscious in something too flashy or uncomfortable in something too small (although that can obviously impact your mood), we're talking about the subconscious impact certain colours can have on your mood. We all have days where we feel flat, drained or generally a bit low, but something as simple as putting on an outfit in a certain colour can help give you that little pick me up you need to get through the day.
Last week we spoke about how different colours impact your mood overall, but we wanted to give you an extra resource to fall back on when you're in a bit of a slump and need a quick fashion fix. So, which colours are a sure fire way to perk you up and make you feel more confident, happier and more positive? Generally speaking, the brighter and warmer a colour is, the most positively it impacts your mood. Sticking with colours like pink, orange, red, lilac and yellow are guaranteed to lift your mood and make you feel happier and more vibrant, but our personal favourites are pink, yellow and red.
Pink
We subconsciously associate the colour pink with feeling calm, love and kindness - all the things we need when we're feeling down. It can often evoke a strong emotional response, and makes us feel joyful and creative - the perfect mood booster.
Pink is also the perfect colour to dip your toe into if you're not used to wearing bolder colours. With hues spanning from a barely-there calamine colour through to bold fuchsia, it can be worn in so many different ways. Try something as simple as a pink lip or nail colour if you're not convinced pink is your colour, or throw a bright pink coat over an otherwise neutral outfit to give it, and you, a lift. If you're feeling a little more daring, you can channel your inner Elle Woods and go for an entirely monochromatic pink ensemble - simply mix and match shades to stop it looking too overwhelming.
Yellow
Yellow might seem like an obvious choice for a mood booster (smiley face motifs, the sun, etc.) but it's actually a colour a lot of people shy away from wearing. Being around too much yellow can have the opposite effect and cause anxiety and stress (consider this a remind to avoid painting your entire bedroom yellow), but when incorporated into your daily wardrobe it can make you feel upbeat, positive and full of energy.
If you're one of the many who are a bit iffy about giving yellow a whirl, investing in a buttery yellow handbag is the perfect way to dip your toe in the water. You can easily pair it with any outfit, and you can put it down when you get to your destination so you don't feel too conspicuous. If you're ready to go all in with your foray into yellow dressing, a yellow midi dress or wide leg pair of trousers are guaranteed to take your mood from 0-100 in 30 seconds flat. Just like pink, there's a whole array of yellow tones from subtle pastels to bold brights, so you should have no problem finding a shade that works for you.
Red
Red is a colour we most often associate with sex and romance, and it's been scientifically proven to raise everything from your blood pressure to your libido, making it the ideal first date colour. But this impact on your mind doesn't just affect those around you - it has an impact on you too. Red has the power to make you feel more energised, confident and bold, and is the perfect go-to shade for mornings when you need a little pick me up to get you going. Whether it's for work, dinner or even just a trip to the shops, red is the colour to go to when you want to get shit done.
Red can be a little daunting for a lot of people - we immediately get images of Julia Roberts and Jessica Rabbit in their sultry red dresses, but instead of fearing it try working with it. Red lipstick is the world's favourite shade for a reason - it gives you immediate feelings of power and can make even the most basic outfit look chic and put together. If you're feeling daring, a statement red dress or blouse will work for any occasion and give you the confidence boost you need. If you want to avoid overtly sexy vibes, stay away from fabrics like satin and anything too figure hugging, and go for fabrics like suede and cotton with a more oversized, dramatic silhouette.
