The Color of Money

According to Ruth La Ferla  of the New York Times

“The profusion of hothouse colors and patterns popping up on New York streets this month suggests a new buoyancy, as women shake off the constraints of a lingering recession and stock up on fashions more lively and vivid than they’ve seen in years.”

Good, and about time. I have no idea why navy and black are such popular colors. Like every other fat woman I know that my edges blur in dark colors, that I can merge with the background and loose a few pounds in visual illusion, and yes there are times when I have, but really is it worth it when the fabulous, exuberant joy of color is there to lift you mood, your day and everything around you? I often wonder how many women use color and aromatherapy in their lives, but stick to boring dark, dull clothes.

The effect of colorful clothes can be startling. Like wearing a jacket in a meeting (it gives you authority – try it if you don’t believe me) some colors have instant effect on those around you. Want to be seen as feminine? Wear pastels, pale pink is best, but lilac and aqua are almost as good. If you want attention – red is easy, suits almost everyone and will grab you every eye in the room. Why does it work? Usually because everyone else is too chicken to wear it.

Blue is a peaceful color – strange given it’s use in military uniforms and green is a way to say ‘I’m different’ combined with whatever version of different you’re looking for. The most interesting colors – the non colors like cream, gray, fawn, beige and taupe can make you look mousy and insignificant or fabulously rich – it’s all down to how you wear them, and what you wear them with. A good outfit uses two colors, a great outfit uses three,  Clowns use more.

But what about the bedroom. Is there a color code there? Nightgowns and robes have more scope that you might imagine from viewing most collections. A great outfit uses three colors. This is fine if you can add a scarf, shoes and a handbag to your basic outfit, but in the bedroom these accessories are just a little out of place.

The best way to get color into your nightwear is to look for prints rather than the cliched  plain colors often available. Silk is a fabulous fabric which dyes beautifully, and hand painted silks are available in a kaleidoscope of colors – there is simply no reason to feel restricted to only one.  Softest cotton is also available in beautiful delicate prints, in both cotton pajamas and a cotton nightgown designed to life your spirits.

So don’t settle for boring – challenge yourself and the fashion industry to give us the colors we need to feel good, to lift our spirits and be ourselves.  Out with the old – in with the new!  Color is king.

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