Your Style and the Importance of Color
by: Pamela Petrich
The use of color is an important tool for communication and
can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks who used
color as a form of therapy. According to mythology, the ancient
Egyptians associated the art of healing with color. These ancient
cultures used colored minerals, stones, crystals, salves, and
dyes in various shades of color for healing remedies.
Today many societies use color to associate different meanings
and as an important form of communication. It is believed that
the human eye can see millions of colors. However, to understand
how this is possible we need to understand how light travels.
Light travels in the form of waves. The colors of the rainbow
for instance are made of wavelengths on the visible end of the
spectrum and we are able to interpret some of these colors as
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. White light
as from the sun is a combination of all the possible color variations.
Yet, humans are limited and can only respond to certain colors
and wavelengths.
Colors are different types of light recognized by their own
wavelengths. Some waves like microwave, infrared and radio are
at the invisible spectrum and the human eye is unable to detect
them. We know that light can be reflected, absorbed or transmitted
and color depends on the type of light sent to our eyes. Objects
have color because of the light they reflect. Humans can see color
because they have light and color-sensitive receptors in their
eyes.
Understanding this cursive view of light and color can be beneficial
to knowing how color can effect our well being. Studies have been
made that conclude that different colors emote various feelings
or emotions. It is also important however to understand that cultural
upbringing also plays a role in our interpreting color. For instance
in western society, the color green is associated with soothing
and comfort. Yellow and red are stimulating colors and can be
an irritant to the eye, while blue is also a calming color.
The best thing to consider about color when it comes to the
idea of changing your style is that everyone interprets color
slightly differently. So trust your instincts. If a color makes
you feel happy, than by all means go ahead and experiment with
color. So often we are afraid to be daring and bold with color
combinations and we allow fashion to dictate all the rules. When
in reality the only rules one should follow are to consider your
skin tone and personal tastes. Fashion styles come and go but
they do help us to consider new trends. They allow us to experiment
with our own sense of expression. A general rule of thumb should
be if you find something you like, love the color and are willing
to take a risk to be yourself, than your confidence will show
and you may end up with your own unique style. Color hues should
flatter and harmonize with each other to allow you to expand your
wardrobe choices. As you begin the search for the colors that
are becoming for your skin tone, you must determine the underlying
color in you complexion. Is it warm or cool? Warm complexions
have yellow, peach or red undertones. Cool complexions have pink,
violet or blue undertones.
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