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color and personality

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I have been thinking about the link between colors that we look good in, gravitate towards and feel most comfortable wearing. Sometimes there is a distinction between these three things but not usually. I have been reading a book called Highly Sensitive People. It states that about 20% of the population is highly sensitive. This does not refer to being nicer to others but having a nervous system that gets overstimulated easily. That stimulation can relate to sound, activity, visual imagery and anything dealing with the senses. Many artists are in this category because of a heightened awareness of subtleties and nuances in everyday life. I am a poster child for this personality type.

I know now that that is why I am much more comfortable and at ease in a neutral palette at home and in my clothing. I feel more relaxed. I can occasionally wear brighter color but it makes up only about 20 % of my wardrobe and is hardly ever a color at full brightness. I always need to tone it done with neutrals. I am more convinced that finding a style and colors that make one feel right in the world is a big part of the effortless side of fashion. I can be myself so much more when I am not over stimulated by what I am wearing but in the right comfort zone. This may be the reason someone with a very big personality that loves risks and adventure would look and feel boring in colors that are not vibrant. I also think that we look a certain way because it somehow matches who we are. There is a harmony that exists when we wear what we are meant to. This in no way means not to take fashion risks but within whatever limits are comfortable. Going against our natures in too strong a direction will never feel or look effortless.

That is why I think Angie is so right in nudging us towards a fashion persona and not merely asking us to wear what she wears. That is why YLF is so helpful and why all the personalities involved can help each other find that right mix of elements to make us shine and be our true selves.

Enough arty, touchy- feely stuff from a highly sensitive fashion lover.

What do you think?

General

76 replies

Latest reply was from Steph

MsMary

Veteran

I think that's spot-on! I have a big personality and I feel so much happier now that I am expressing it in bright colors and fun combinations!

Funny story: I was recently complaining to a friend that I sometimes feel like I'm "too big for the room" and that I really thought I should tone down my personality. He laughed and said "Look at your shoes." I said "What?" He said "You're wearing pink patent leather pumps with rainbow-striped heels. That's who you are. What on earth makes you think it would be possible or desirable to tone that down?" LOL A good lesson in embracing our true selves, fashion and otherwise!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ha - Mary K! He is right. My BF is a big personality, as well. He decorated our house in bright purple and blue and red. I find I am neither introvert nor extrovert (I measured exactly in the middle on the Meyer's Briggs) and I like bright red as much as blush pink, depending on the day. I don't however find that I wear red when I'm feeling bold or outgoing or light pink when I'm feeling demure or quiet. For me, it's not that closely related.

Di

(website)

Veteran

Totally agree! And I love this way of looking at style.

It's funny, a few years back I was in a program that was REALLY not right for me, and I remember wearing a lot of muted colors, and a lot of slacks. I felt completely confined and not at all free to be myself.

I just applied (and got into!) a different program this spring, and I wore bright colors and full skirts, and felt SO GOOD being myself.

(And MaryK, I can completely relate to what you've said-- thanks so much for sharing it.)

My husband, on the other hand, is much more introverted, and he REALLY prefers solid colors. When we were dating, that's all he wore. Now, he'll wear patterns, but they have to be very, very low-contrast.

MsMary

Veteran

Mo, our house is also decorated in bright colors: Gold dining room, purple living room, green master bedroom, gray and turquoise guest room, lavender bathroom, bright blue den.

But I agree with you -- although I am generally a "bright colors/big personality" girl, I still like to rock a neutral outfit from time to time. And I am feeling VERY quiet today because I am recovering from a bad bout of food poisoning, but I'm still sporting a bright pink skirt and polka-dot top!

catgirl

Veteran

How interesting. Jean, I agree with you and the author completely about the sensitivity of artistic types. My friends who are artists, poets and writers all see and feel connections between seemingly unrelated things which I can only attribute to some kind of heightened awareness. Here''s a poem written by my friend Sarah which I think captures it beautifully:

http://www.versedaily.org/2008/eclipse.shtml

I'm curious as to how you think that sensitivity fits with the amazing ability of so many artists to push boundaries and explore new territory in their field? Obviously there are flamboyant artists and timid artists, but there must be some common thread...

Sorry to be off-topic here, I would just love to hear your thoughts!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Jean, that makes *so* much sense to me. I am easily overstimulated, and I am much more comfortable in and around muted colors and neutrals. Thanks for this insightful post.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Alaskagirl- beautiful poem!!
I think pushing boundaries is different. It is the confidence that comes from being aware of your sensitivity that allow all kinds of creative adventures to happen. Being sensitive does not mean being timid- I am not particularly shy- actually fairly social- just need time to process away from activities that are overstimulating. Artists will take as much time as they need to have the courage and stamina to push those boundaries. Not all artists care about pushing boundaries- and some push in away that is not authentic but a need for attention but that happens in all fields. Not all artist are highly sensitive. I think the book said about 85% were. Short answer, could talk more but back to fashion!!

Scarlet

Veteran

Wow, this really resonates with me! I think that is a perfect explanation of why I feel most comfortable in neutrals and muted colors, although once in awhile I need to wear something bolder, which is always when I am in a bold, chipper mood. I remember vividly as a five year old finding the other children in kindergarten absolutely noisy and overwhelming. I haven't changed much since then
I agree also that YLF is special for being able to nurture different fashion personalities equally well. Most blogs are just about a certain look and often just the latest trend of the moment in a certain fashion culture. Something I find unique with Angie is that she is very trend-aware but really interprets trends in her own unique style. She has an own character instead of conforming to the Look. I really love that. I also love that about other members here, such as you, Jean.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Greenglove: I'm not sure about the connection between being highly sensitive and preferring neutral colours, although I do agree with your suggestion that a person's style cannot seem effortless if it doesn't mesh with their personality. I'm an artist, and I prefer neutrals (with an occasional pop of bold colour), but I'd hardly describe myself as highly sensitive. I'm a flaming extrovert -- as far as I'm concerned, the more stimulation, the better. I have a history of falling asleep in situations that don't command my full attention.

And yes, YLF is great in that it encourages women to explore their own personal style, whatever that may be, rather than stick to one set of rules.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for your comment Elizabeth- I do not think that all people who prefer neutrals are necessarily highly sensitive- it could just be a preference, especially for an artist.
It is a personality thing for me but obviously not for everyone. Just true for some which I felt worth noting.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wonderful discussion, and very interesting!

Alaskagirl, I loved your friend's poem. Thank you for sharing.

I probably fall into the highly sensitive category, but I love colour, both in my environment and on myself. Having said that, I can get overstimulated by too much pattern and by what I call "visual noise" in my environment; when I'm working, my study is often a mess, but I need to tidy it to begin a project.

Also, I'm often drawn to clothing in neutral colours and also to neutral tone environments (in magazines, for instance) and I do find them calming. It's just that I can't wear many neutrals all that well due to my own colouring, and I seem to crave colour in my own house in part to compensate for grey weather.

judy

Veteran

I hadn't really thought about sensitivity in terms of our color wardrobe choices, Jean. But actually when I consider it, it makes some sense. In the years since reading that book when it came out, I began embracing my sensitivity rather than trying to unsuccessfully hide it. Learning and leaning into what I was really sensitive to...love, beauty...made it a blessing rather than a curse for me. At the same time, the colors in my closet have become increasingly more neutral and less busy in terms of pattern too. Interesting!

The book was recommended to me by a coworker at the time, also sensitive. It was just she and I working in the office we were in. One day our boss came in, observed the quiet atmosphere we were working in, and said: "Do you guys want a radio or something?" We both looked at him and said "NO!" at the very same time and had a good laugh over it. We both enjoyed working with someone comfortable with mostly silence...which to us, felt very "full".

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Great post Jean!

I am like Mo, right in the middle of introvert, extrovert on the Briggs-Meyer.

If I am drawn to something muted, I like to pair it with bright or very solid colors like white (which I consider bright). For example, to me a muted grey top would look better with something red or orange in the outfit to balance it out. So in that regard, my personality really does reflect my color choice -- I feel I must balance things out.

Anonymous

Thanks for the post greenglove. I really connected with this. I'm highly sensitive to light, sound, smell...and prone to headaches when my senses are overwhelmed.

And I LOVE neutrals...especially blues and grays. I also tend to also like low contrast outfits. What an interesting connection

Edit: I'm not sure that blue really is a neutral, but I tend to use navy, light blue and denim like they are!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

This post has touched a nerve with me Jean, my eldest daughter is presently waiting to be assessed for possible sensory processing disorder and mild autism, she is overly sensitive to touch, light and sound and yet loves bold colours and patterns. I on the other hand fit with your theory, I have a soft nature (which I don't really see as a negative) and love mixing muted colours and low contrast patterns. I think a whisper can be as strong as a shout and my clothing choices reflect this.

Heather

Veteran

Jean, this is so interesting. Thanks for posting.....

san

Veteran

Interesting topic Jean, thank you for opening it for discussion.
Alaskagirl, I love your friends poem.
Judy, I totally identify with having silence in the room. When my husband turns on the radio I enjoy it so much, but when I'm alone I can't break the silence.
I grew up with a flamboyant artist mother. I am the shy and reserved type. My mom always tried to coax me to be flambouyant like her, wear red lipstick and the such, which could not have put me further out of my comfort zone, plus as an artist, did she not realize that red lipstick just didn't look good on me, I have no lips. She seemed to not know the boundary of where she ended and I started, but I guess that is another subject.
So, I am super shy, I love beautiful colorful large floral prints, but I won't wear them. They will decorate my closet, which I will love to look at, but they will not go out and about with me because I feel best when I am extremely neutral and comfortable.
I am also one who is over stimulated easily. It's so interesting to hear that there are others like me. My mom ,the artist, needs extreme stimulation in color, activity, over sexuality, many marriages and divorces, abusive to all, depression, several suicide attempts, again a whole different topic. She has said, "because I'm an artist, I get to be crazy". I'm sure that is not true of all artists but I am just now learning that.
I would love to read the book that you are speaking of Jean.

catgirl

Veteran

san, your mother sounds just like my friend's mother, who was also an artist (a painter) - my friend actually had to commit her more than once due to her suicide attempts. My friend struggled with that legacy of mental illness and ultimately committed suicide herself. A very tragic situation... and yes, a different topic.

Just sending you a big hug.

And sorry to get OT.

san

Veteran

Oh I'm so sorry Alaskagirl. A big hug to you, I'm sorry for your loss.
My sister, born on my first birthday, also commited suicide.

judy

Veteran

I adore color, but I tend to take pictures of it instead of wear it lately !

San , here is the book link: http://www.amazon.com/Highly-S.....0553062182

There is a website too: http://www.hsperson.com/ Looks like she has something on children also.

Here is her self test : http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm

As I recall, the authors descriptions of sensitivity have more to do with what you "pick up on", like a satellite dish or antenna...and not being able to filter some things out..than whether you test as an introvert or extrovert on the Myers Briggs test.

Freckles

Veteran

What a fabulous thread you've started greenglove!

The colours I look good in (dusty muted blues and purples), gravitate towards (green of any kind, most especially khaki, and also red) and feel most comfortable wearing (black and red) do not agree in the least.

taylor

Veteran

Good grief Jean , such a brilliant thread!!
Oversensitive to the senses...yep that's me too...comes with it's own set of problems as well as rewards!
and I am a neutral girl as well...with just a small splash of color.
I agree 100%!

MsMary

Veteran

Hmmm... that's odd. I just took the test and I'm apparently toward the "highly sensitive" end of the curve. Which kind of makes sense because I put on my brightly colored clothes and sit in my office alone for a good bit of the day, then go home and like things to be quiet.

Steph

Veteran

Jean, I do agree that the colors we naturally gravitate to tend to be those that look best on us (harmonize with our coloring) and tend to fit our personalities. I'm sure that isn't the case for everyone, but as a general rule, I suspect it is the case. Personally, I love bright colors. They make me feel happier and more fun, and I do think that they flatter me the most.

Jonesy

Veteran

Very interesting thread, Jean! I can absolutely relate to the sensitivity thing; I read a lot about it when my son was younger (a very sensitive little guy!) and when I just took the online test, I checked every box but one :). I think in the past the term might have been "high strung" or something along those lines. I find that I am very particular about how things look, and that I'm super detail-oriented, but I don't find that I am drawn to neutrals that much in terms of what I wear. I find that I like things to be balanced in a very specific way that appeals to me. Not necessarily symmetrical or even, but balanced. Hard to explain....

Aida

Veteran

Super fascinating topic, Jean! I've never really thought about this, but I think I am in that highly sensitive group as well; I took the test that Judy linked (which felt too generic imo), definitely on the high end according to it. I found most interesting the things I am NOT overly sensitive to: loud music/noise (I loves me some metal and punk!), multi-tasking related things, and competition; though I AM sensitive to all of these things, I just don't get overwhelmed by them. I think the engineering half of my brain must balance out some of the overly sensitive artistic half of my brain

As far as the colors I'm drawn to and whether it's related, that is interesting to think about as well! I'm generally drawn to neutrals and muted colors, but also selected brights (reds and blues in particular). I know that most muted colors don't look as good on me as vibrant colors due to my high contrast coloring, and like Denise when I wear brights I usually pair with a grounding neutral (black, white, sometimes gray); being ALL bright feels like overload on ME but I absolutely absolutely appreciate this look on others. But I'd also enjoy sporting this look from time to time, so not sure what that says about me heh. So this must be something to do with finding balance (artist vs. engineer again...).

That said, I'm just starting to really love having small doses of extreme brights (but not all the same color) in one outfit but spaced apart, like a bright belt, shoes, and bangles with an otherwise neutral or muted outfit. I think regardless of what colors I'm naturally drawn to and whether they fit my personality, I'm always going to want to experiment with those outside my comfort zone and push myself.

EDIT: After more thought, I think I am less averse to using colors in my outfits because I use fashion AS an artistic outlet and am very inspired by colors and unique/unexpected combinations. Though the majority of my outfits are primarily/entirely neutral, hmm....

Kate

Veteran

This is a fascinating thread! Thanks, Jean!

I have always been a fan of color, though I also am increasingly becoming a fan of simplicity and minimalism. Since I was about 10 years old, I've chosen to decorate my surroundings with calming shades of blue mixed with white and natural woods. When I was younger my wardrobe consisted of every different color I could find, and only within the past two years have I moved towards wearing more earthy/autumn colors (which I look much better in than the cool pale blues, purples, and teals I like to decorate my home with). But even when wearing earthy colors, I like wearing the more striking colors (mustard, olive, tomato, pumpkin) as well as more neutral colors (brown, tan, cognac, terracotta, army green).

While I tend towards more muted colors, or at least somewhat "complex" colors (I'm not big on the primary colors, and I love black and white photography for the shades of gray but am not big on just black and white), but I think my personality comes out more in terms of minimizing outfit clutter. I've never been big on patterns - polka dots and stripes are fine, but the more colors and less structure the less I like it, and florals overwhelm me. I prefer solids with clean lines and not too many extra details, and just a couple simple accessories per outfit.

The notion of high sensitivity is fascinating. I'm not sure I like her quiz - I think it would categorize most people as at least sensitive, and likely highly sensitive. I checked 14 of the boxes, but I also consider myself to be rather resilient and able to work past my sensitivities (be it others' moods, my hunger, loud and annoying music) for certain tasks or when the situation calls. But if I'm trying to read or write, I become far more sensitive and really need a sense of calm and order so that I can focus.

The relation to artists is interesting too. I was at a street fair this past Sunday, and I kept thinking about how many of the artists there created far more cluttered art or jewelry than I could ever deal with. My boyfriend is a musician, and is very sensitive in some ways, but doesn't get stressed out by many of the sounds (or combinations of sounds) that overwhelm me.

Lots to think about!

nancylee

Veteran

This is a really interesting thread. I think there might be something to this theory of color and personality. I'm a fiction writer and for years I've gravitated toward neutrals and low contrast clothing. There is something soothing and non-disruptive about them that frees me to be more contemplative. If I do wear color, it's never too bright--and even then I feel like the clothes are speaking rather than me! I've also found that people react to you more strongly when you wear color, so on days I feel serious and quiet I stick to neutrals.

This thread makes me think about fashion designers who wear all black or some sort of "uniform" every day. I can totally see the advantage of this: it keeps their mind focused and stimulated by their work and not what's around them. Fashion can be very distracting!

Barbara

Veteran

How fascinating!

I too am very sensitive and sometimes have visceral reactions to the strangest things. I avoid bright lights, loud noises and large crowds.

Colors are my energy vitamins! I instinctively seek out teal, purple, turquoise, red and fuchsia and do not own anything beige. Sometimes I think I am almost empathic in my reaction to colors and textures.

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