Why Wearing Black Could be Killing your Confidence

I can almost hear you protesting my blog already…

If you’re like most women, you love to wear black and it is the dominate color of your entire wardrobe and my suggestion that black could be killing your confidence already has you irate, doesn’t it?

“If you take my black away, I will have nothing to wear!”

This is, by far, the biggest push back I get as an image-coach.

There are many reasons people love to dress in dark, dull clothing:

Black is seen as professional

Most business suits are black. Priests and preachers commonly wear black. It commands authority; they should.

Nuns, mimes, stage hands and those grieving also wear black. They, too, should; it creates an appropriate, solemn response. It also has a way of pushing attention away from the one wearing it.

If you want to have more fun in life or at least get a little attention, wearing black could be killing your confidence because people see black as serious, solemn or sad. 

Black is slimming

Many women are sold-out on wearing black clothing because of the way it absorbs light and draws the eye deeper, giving the appearance that the dark item is smaller. This is a great trick to help with dis-proportionate body parts. If you are “top heavy” then wearing a dark shirt and light colored slacks will give the illusion of a more balanced figure. But black is not the only dark color.

Unless the coloring of your hair and skin have deep contrasts with cool undertones (a Winter), you may notice that wearing black around your face may make you look “thinner” but wearing black could be killing your confidence because the strength of black will fight with soft or delicate coloring.

Black goes with every color

Black is not technically a true color. It is the absorption of color. This is why it compliments other colors you wear. Like the mime, it blends into the background and allows all the attention to go to the gloves and makeup.

Wearing dark, dreary colors may be a good way to hide, but in reality, wearing it could be killing your confidence if it is pushing all the attention to the one thing you are wearing that has color… which may very well be the blush on your face.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying black is evil (although that is another emotion that it represents, isn’t it?) A lot of women are Winters and they wear it well, which is why the rest of us wish we did too, because it is easy to work with and a simple wardrobe makes a simple life.

Your coloring is a big indicator of your Img.ID:

Note: if your coloring does not compliment the prototype for your clothing personality, you may have a secondary style (and the two make up your Img.ID).

C: The Classic usually has soft coloring, which cannot carry black well. 

N: The Natural does well with neutral colors, including black if she has strong coloring.

D: The Dramatic may likely be a Winter and does well with bold colors like black.

I: The Ingénue has delicate coloring and should avoid black.

R:The Romantic has soft coloring and black is too harsh for her.

G:The Gamine does very well in black, but should always wear multiple colors.

Click the letter to learn more about that Image Identity, including What2Wear.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that if you choose to wear all black, it could be killing your confidence, even if you are a strong, bold Img.ID because you are reflecting no light. I encourage you today to try something colorful. After all spring is finally here and we are all in need of something bright and cheerful, so go shine the Light in the world around you and watch how others respond to you with a bit of excitement. Your colorful outfit may be the very thing that breaks someone’s winter blues!

*****

As an author and speaker, Catrina’s passion is in helping women and girls overcome confidence conflicts, especially those involving rejection, betrayal and loss. After 30 years in the beauty industry as both a cosmetologist and an image consultant, Catrina now uses her profession, her own powerful stories and her training as a Biblical life-coach to reach the heart in a way that is relatable, encouraging and inspiring. Her message is balanced with both fashion and faith and is making a difference  in the lives of women and girls all over!  To be part of this movement, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter,  Pinterest, Linked In, Goodreads  and consider having her speak at your next event. Visit https://catrinawelch.com for more information.