I was doing a little window shopping on this weekend and am so in love with the Spring colors.  They are bright and vibrant.   With all the colors that are out there it makes me wonder why so many people, including myself, wear so much black.  It could possibly be because they don’t know which colors look best on them.  Wear the right color and you look great.  Wear the wrong color and you can look tired and old.

Personal color analysis is a valuable tool in determining which colors most enhance your natural coloring.  Wearing colors that most suit you will have you looking younger, more alert and healthy looking.

A few things to think of when considering color.

Dark cool colors are navy, black and charcoal.  They are seen as authoritarian and credible.  There are times when black suits are not recommended because they can seem stiff and unfriendly.   You can change that look by adding a touch of color to the black suit.  Something bright will turn that unfriendly look into one that is friendly and approachable.

Contrast is a vital factor in impression management.  When the onlookers brain picks up color difference or contrast, it wakes up and this results in the person being remembered, listened to and taken notice of.  When low contrast is worn it often results in the wearer becoming somewhat invisible.

There are 3 levels of contrast.

High Contrast involves bright, dark combinations.  Power dressing often results in others feeling inferior.

Medium Contrast involves light, dark combinations.  Medium contrast colors are the most people friendly and professionally effective.

Low Contrast involve little or no color difference between garments.  This combination of colors is seen as elegant and even at times fashionable, but in business it can render the wearer ineffective.

Color can seem a bit complicated but it really isn’t. Finding the right colors can be fun.  The next time you are in the store, hold up a variety of colors and see which ones make you feel vibrant and bright.

About the Author: Valerie Hatcher of Your Total Image shows busy women how to choose clothes that fit their lifestyle and flatter their bodies. Visit Valerie at www.yourtotalimage.net and sign up to receive her monthly newsletter, The Stylish You.