Speaking about color, here's an interesting link.

https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....ority.html

I like this because I am always trying to find the fine balance between looking professional and being approachable. She doesn't mention height, but I think that is also potentially a factor that makes people look more powerful, or at least intimidating, depending how confidently they carry themselves. Of course, I like my heels when I'm not in an orthopedic boot, but most kids seem to like the height. They love when I shoot hoops with them in my heels. (Hmm, maybe something I won't be doing again......).

Crutches are a great way to reduce the power of a look. She didn't mention that either. If you want to be approachable, don some crutches and an orthopedic boot! They immediately take away any intimidation factor!

I haven't thought about the hair color piece before? My natural hair color is some shade of brown, probably a cool medium tone. I think my grey is lighter. I haven't picked up if people find me more approachable with grey hair or not! My days seem remarkably the same! Same DH, same co-workers, same kids in my office and in the halls, etc. Same silly me!

7 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing. I will try an experiment next time I go to a social event. I will wear a light coloured top and see what happens.

chewyspaghetti

That's really interesting...thanks for sharing that! I can see how I use this theory inadvertently. When I go to see my boyfriend in a band, I wear a lot of black. I don't like having people coming up to me when I am sitting alone (either fans who want to share their enthusiasm, or men hitting on me). I recently chose to wear a black shirt and black pants with a brown belt and shoes for a job interview. It felt great and very powerful.

Penny

Very interesting - I think that I've unconsciously recognized this, as virtually all of my work clothes are navy, black, and muted jewel tones - as a petite blonde lawyer, I'll take the extra authority! Agreed that heels help, too.

texstyle

(website)

I find this to be really true. Being blonde all my life I've noticed that many people "think" they know me right off. Strangers often approach me in restaurants and other places. When I wear lighter colors I think it actually happens more! I had it happen on a trip just recently. A woman walked right up to me at our table and felt she had to explain why she was dressed up more than she thought was needed because she had been to a wedding just before dinner. I thought at first she and her DH were going to try and join us. Really funny.

And when I need to do something for business - it's always navy or charcoal for me. And more polished makeup. Higher heels don't hurt.

UmmLila (Lisa)

And that's why, when I want to feel kick-assy, I wear black.

Thanks for posting the link -- I hadn't looked at that blog in awhile.

Suz

You gave me a great chuckle, Staysfit. Thinking about your shooting hoops in heels... No wonder the kids love you.

I definitely wear darker colours when I want to come across as more serious or professional. I don't think they make me unapproachable but that might be because my light hair (and smile) make up for that. Or then again, it might be the way I do jumping jacks in the middle of a presentation.

Staysfit

Suz, I need to watch one of your presentations! They must be energetic and fun!

UmmLila, I think you look super in black. I think it amps up your power quotient but it also looks very polished on you.

Texstyle, you must have a very friendly look! I think you should wear big sunglasses and a hat when you go out, like a celebrity!

Penny, if I were a lawyer, I wonder what I would wear? Maybe darker colors if I were in the courtroom and doing depositions, but not for meeting with clients in my office. (Assuming I had a law practice like my father did, and not corporate law.)

Chewyspaghetti, it's interesting that when I want people to leave me alone, I wear nondescript, very plain, neutral clothes, like blue jeans and a grey hoodie sweatshirt. I go casual instead of going dark. I guess I blend into a crowd and make it so I don't stand out, rather than amp up the power factor.

Stylefan, I hope you come back and share your results. I plan to test this out tomorrow. I have a need to appear much more powerful when I'm at work than usual. I am going to wear my new Max Mara suit from NAS. It's a fairly dark charcoal color. I'm going to pair it with the darkest top I can find. I hope that combination with some black tights will give the crutches and orthopedic boot a less vulnerable look. Seriously, I need to bring my most powerful look to the table. I hope it works!

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