Do certain colors hold a meaning or association for you?

Mander

On another thread jenanded mentioned that her mother thought that sophisticated women didn't wear black, and as a result she hardly ever wore that color.

I have a peculiar issue with brown. When I was a kid you would be teased mercilessly for wearing brown -- somehow it was the color of nerds, hence I've always tended to avoid it.

Any other irrational or unusual color associations?

14 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from biscuitsmom

Aziraphale

Veteran

I have an irrational dislike of magenta, but I have no idea why!

I'm the opposite re. black; I think it can be very sophisticated. In fact neutrals in general tend to be more sophisticated than brights, and brights in turn are more sophisticated than pastels. This is a generalization, of course. Non-neutral colours can be absolutely be worn with sophistication, and black can look grungy. But my general feeling is that black/ivory/gray/navy top the list for "sophisticated" colours.

I have some print associations too. A small floral print always makes me think Little House on the Prairie, and leopard print makes me think Peg Bundy.

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

I am in my heart sort of a minimalist so I LOVE the gray, black, (white in small doses) color schemes. I do feel they are more sophisticated because they are so pared down. However I see ladies here looking incredibly chic and sophisticated in lots of color so that just goes to show you that you can't really pigeonhole a "look". However it is interesting from a theatrical point of view how you can combine things and come up with an archtype like Peggy Bundy! Certain items read as a sort of "shorthand" for a particular concept in a look.

14 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

I've been an awful colourphobe and thus have several issues with colours!

I hated school. Our uniform colours were maroon, white and black. I still have issues with maroon, though I know some shades actually look pretty good on me. And I have positively refused to wear a solid-coloured maroon skirt or tie so far. (I have a secondary aversion to green, though not as strong. It was my school sports team's colour.)

I used to not wear black because it looks pretty dramatic on me --- I felt like it drew attention and I'm a bit of a wallflower. It also think of black as a sophisticated, grown-up colour. My mother had several black saree that I loved dressing up in as a young girl --- and wearing it, I used to be mistaken for a young woman when I was barely a tween! Again, unwelcome attention. It's taken years for me to get back to black... but now I'm enjoying it hugely! Maybe it's just that it feels more age-appropriate this time round. Or maybe it is because of finally figuring out I wear grey and black much better than browns --- and I'm a 'safe neutrals' girl, though trying to change that.

Another 'no, never' that's become a resounding 'yes' is pink. As a young girl, it seemed like people were always trying to dress me in pink --- with I think distinctly unflattering results. Once I got a say in picking my clothes, I steered well clear of ALL pink --- even though it was a favourite colour! Then, a year ago, we moved and I needed clothes for a new climate. I was desperate for new sleepwear, and picked up a hot pink summer dress that looked comfy and was cheap as chips --- and discovered I *CAN* wear pink, if it's super-saturated! Suddenly, I went crazy and bought a T-shirt, dress, tunic, top, saree AND bag in pink.

14 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I associate navy with one of my mother's sisters. She would wear navy a lot, and it looked very harsh next to her skin. I think that is why I steer away from navy; that, and navy blues are so hard to match!

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I have no bad associations, except maybe burnt orange (my college color). There are definitely colors I don't like, but I couldn't tell you the reason. I just don't like them. However, there are color combinations that I associate with certain things (holidays, school colors) and I avoid them because of those associations.

14 years ago

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Ouch - I'd hate to be the person who inspired you to hate a colour, DonnaF! LOL! Shhh on that one.

Funny, I always thought of black as a very sophisticated colour - especially in the right cut (and most people in the fashion world probably agree. It's a mainstay, isn't it?) However, taken to the extreme, it definitely reminds me of my Yiaya (grandma in Greece) during her long mourning period. Oooh, got to be careful of that! So, yes, all over black - especially with an absence of mixed textures - brings back a very sad period of my life! Not good. I recently saw Jennifer Brown-Findlay (young Lady Sybil on Downton Abbey) appearing at the BAFTAs in a very long, Victorian style, midnight black dress and it aged her terribly!

Ha, MandipaM, my high school uniform was also maroon and white! I never wear maroon now - but I do love similar colours like burgundy, deep red, and wine. And all shades of purple. But that combination of scratchy maroon with a button-down shirt will forever scream 'high school traumas'. I exaggerate here, but it will likely never be a stylish colour for me. I have similar aversions to knee socks, though it does look cute on some gals - non-uniform-related - that I've seen.

Other aversions: not crazy about brown either. It's just not a feminine or romantic or sophisticated colour to me. So what is it then? Just...there. And muddy. Perhaps in a very luxurious fabric, it can elevate itself...? Paisley print. *shudder* Cancer-cell-looking! Sorry to the fans of this enduring print!

All in all, though - I'm open to most colours, and have worn the rainbow gamut! I'm not bold at mixing colours, though. I tend to more understated with other pieces when I'm wearing a bright colour or print. I'd love to challenge myself a bit, though!

14 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

There's a football team in Australia called Hawthorn - the Hawks - whose colours are brown and yellow. I've never liked that combination.

It was clarified why when I was on a train and one boganish person (not a Hawthorn supporter) mocked another one with great hilarity and for the whole train carriage to hear - "You barrack for Hawthorn! Poo and wee! Poo and wee!"

14 years ago

Debby

(website)

Active Member

Olive and similar color greens remind me of smashed peas. The walls of the master bedroom in our house are a lovely example of this shade, chosen by the previous owner, and I can't wait to change them.

In the shop where I work part-time, there are some pretty bow blouses that are ruined by their color...hospital/scrub green. All they need are matching pants, and you can go from office to ER without missing a step!

I do absolutely love aqua, as long as there is enough blue in it, because I associate that with summer, the ocean, and water generally, and just thinking about it makes me feel peaceful.

Chocolate brown = polyester double-knit pull-on pants from the 70s, which some of my first grade classmates *and* my grandmother both wore in that era. It is a good color for my grandmother actually, but as she is an autumn and I am a winter, you will never see me in this color.

Can you tell that I'm very sensitive to color, and spent many hours as a kid with my box of Crayolas?

14 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I'm just saying...

Faded levis, brass button undone, sunkissed skin.

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Maroon, hunter green, a yellowed ivory color, peach and pinks are colors that I do not love, and that do not love me.

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

As far as color associations go, my mother spent my childhood trying to get me to wear pink. I steadfastly refused. As far as I can recall, it's the only thing she ever let me get away with.

Peach. OMG. I had to wear a screaming shade of peach when I was a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding. (This was many many years ago, but the memory is ever fresh in my mind's eye.) In the photographs, I looked like a giant barbecued shrimp. Shudder!

As far as maroon and hunter green go, I must have had been trapped in someone's den or library in the 80s, when this color combo was rife. Ick. That combination just reads old and musty to me. I don't want to see it solo or in combination, anywhere.

Yellowed ivory? Skeletons. What can I say. Skeletons were the one thing that scared the bejesus out of me when I was a kid. I have no idea why. Skeletons certainly don't bother me anymore. In fact, I try to ensure that my own remains in proper working order! But I'm sure that's the genesis of my aversion to this shade.

14 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I cant buy *anything* red, although I like the color on others....I had to wear a red polo for work for umpteen yrs and avoid polos like the plague...anything purple makes me think of DH, who truly believes everything would be perfect if it was purple! lol

14 years ago

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