Have you ever thought about the story your outfit tells before you even say a word? The colours you wear have a powerful ability to communicate who you are, how you're feeling, and what you want to project to the world. But rather than just following trends, what if you could learn how to use colour to tell your story in a way that's unique to you?
I've always believed that fashion is more than just clothes-it's a form of self-expression, and colour plays a key role in that as colour communicates (and there are so many studies that show the powerful impact different colours can have on us). When I'm working with clients through my 7 Steps to Style program, one of the first things we explore is the colours that make them truly shine and discovering those signature colours that enhance and harmonise with them.
Why Colour Matters
Colour has the ability to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and even influence perceptions. Think about how wearing bright red can make you feel bold and confident, while soft pastels might evoke a sense of calm and serenity. But it goes deeper than just mood. Colour can also symbolise different meanings and associations depending on the context, culture, or even personal experience.
For example, green might represent growth, renewal, or money and luck (depending on your culture), while blue might suggest trust, stability, or calm. By being intentional with the colours you wear, you can shape how others see you, and more importantly, how you see yourself.
Why Colour Matters in Telling Your Story
The idea of "colour storytelling" is about using these symbolic meanings to craft a visual narrative. Whether it's for a single outfit or a carefully curated wardrobe, colours can be combined to reflect different aspects of your personality, moods, or the image you want to project. Here are some ways you can do this.
The Power Palette: Defining Your Signature Colours
Do you have a few signature colours that feel so you? If not, it might be time to find yours! Your signature colours are the ones that in blissful harmony with your natural colouring and they make you feel like the best version of you whenever you wear them. For me, it's cobalt blue that brings out your inner energy and hot pink that enhances my skin and makes me feel happy and energised.
Once you've identified a few key colours that you connect with, you can begin building outfits around them to create consistency in your personal style narrative. Your signature colours become your personal brand-they tell your story in a way that is both intentional and authentic.
Layering Symbolism: Mixing Colours with Purpose
Another way to craft your colour story is by layering colours with symbolic meanings. Think about the different aspects of your life that you want to represent in your wardrobe. Perhaps you're in a season of change and growth-why not incorporate more greens, representing renewal and vitality? Or maybe you're stepping into a leadership role and want to communicate confidence and authority-rich jewel tones like deep purples, heavy or burgundy could be your go-tos.
By mixing and matching these symbolic colours, you can create a narrative that aligns with who you are or where you want to be in your life. For example, pairing a confident red blazer with a calming blue top might tell a story of balanced leadership-strength with empathy.
Seasonal Shifts: Adapting Your Colour Story with Life's Changes
As you go through different seasons of life, it's only natural that your style-and your colour preferences-change too. What you wore in your 20s might feel disconnected from who you are now, but that's the beauty of colour storytelling-it evolves with you.
As you enter different phases, take time to reassess your relationship with colour. Maybe you're craving more serenity in your life-why not explore a palette of soft blues, muted greys, or pastels to reflect that shift? Or perhaps you're feeling a newfound burst of creativity and energy- you might want to opt for warm overtone colours that grab attention, such as orange, yellow, red and pink.
In my 7 Steps to Style program, we take a deep dive into understanding how your colour palette can shift as you move through life, and how to curate a wardrobe that always feels aligned with where you are now.
Making Your Wardrobe Speak for You
So how do you begin using colour storytelling in your wardrobe? Here are a few simple steps to get started:
- Reflect on Your Colour Preferences: Take note of which colours you're naturally drawn to and how they make you feel. Is there a common theme or emotional connection?
- Research Colour Meanings: Dive into the symbolic meanings of different colours and see which ones resonate with the story you want to tell. Don't just rely on generalisations-consider what each colour personally means to you.
- Experiment with Colour Pairings: Don't be afraid to mix colours that feel significant to you. Try combining hues in different ways and see how they make you feel, both individually and as part of a whole outfit.
- Adjust for Different Contexts: Just as your story might change based on the day or the event, your colour choices should too. Maybe you want to feel powerful for a work presentation-wearing black and red might help you project authority. Or perhaps you're going for a more approachable look for a casual gathering-soft neutrals and pastels could be the perfect choice.
Your Personal Colour Journey
Ultimately, colour storytelling is about expressing you -who you are, how you feel, and where you're going. It's a way to weave together the emotional and symbolic power of colour into a narrative that's both unique and deeply personal.
Whether you're looking to refine your existing wardrobe or create something entirely new, your colour story is always evolving, just as you are. And that's what makes it exciting.
If you're ready to dive into how to use colour to tell your story more confidently, consider joining my 7 Steps to Style program. Together, we'll explore the colours that make you shine and help you tell your fashion story with confidence.
Further Reading
5 Colour Concept Essentials You Need to Understand To Create Harmonious Outfits
Personal Colour Analysis: The Hot New Old Trend
The Power of Unconventional Colour Pairings in Your Outfits
Finding Your Perfect Palette: The Evolution of Personal Colour Analysis
