How to Use Color for Your Personal Brand

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror or your closet wondering what is the best outfit to wear for that very important meeting or an event you were going to? At that photoshoot for your website or when you have to appear in front of an audience or in the media?

We’ve all been through some or all of those scenarios.

And wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what influence you have on other people with what you wear? Wouldn’t you like to be able to tune your choices according to the results you want to achieve in each occasion?

The color is a powerful tool in business as it exudes energy, invokes emotion and has a subconscious influence on people. All big brands are aware of this and use color with a great consideration for their logos and branding.

The very same principles apply to personal branding.

Below you will find 13 ways to bolster and boost your personal brand with color. Knowing these secrets will help you not only choose the right color of your personal brand but also easily pick up clothes for your next important meeting, photo shoot, event or public appearance.

 

1. GAIN TRUST WITH DARK BLUE

Blue is the most popular color in personal branding. In general terms, all shades of blue are safe for most business occasions.

Darker blues make you appear trustworthy, responsible, loyal, honest, friendly and approachable. Generally, it’s a safe option for all occasions, unless you want to be very authoritative, and if you want to appear unique and creative.

 

2. PUT PEOPLE AT EASE WITH LIGHT BLUE

Lighter blues will make you look tranquillising, fresh and pleasant. They will make people feel peaceful, calm and serene around you, put others at ease, and help you look fresh and inspirational. More on that, it’s the preferred color by 80% of people.

Light blue is not a good color to wear if you want to radiate authority and power and if you need to be assertive with strong personalities, For example, you shouldn’t wear it if you are going to a meeting to negotiate a deal.

 

3. DRAW ATTENTION WITH TURQUOISE AND AQUA BLUE

Turquoise and aqua blue shows prestige, high ideals, attracts attention and is the colour of communication. This makes it a great colour for most occasions, except if you want to radiate authority and power and if you want to be assertive with dominant personalities.

 

4. SHOW PASSION WITH RED

Red exudes powerful emotions, excitement. It’s passionate, aggressive, very provocative and it makes you memorable. If you are going to a party where you want to stand out and be the center of attention, I would say it’s safe to wear red. On the other hand, red is a no-no if you are trying to resolve a conflict or dispute, and if you need to be calming. You can safely wear it where you want to stand out and provoke excitement and passion.

So what is the ultimate power color if you do want to demonstrate power and strong personalities?

 

5. RADIATE AUTHORITY WITH BLACK

Black is your safe choice for conveying power, sophistication, mastery, stability, and even creativity. That’s why you see many artists and designers wearing all black. It emphasizes the ability to make decisions and, if paired with white, radiates authority.

However, black is not a good color to wear if you need to gain trust in tense situations. Besides, you should avoid black in case you want to seem approachable to subordinates. Another inappropriate occasion for this color is job interview (unless you are going for a top managerial and leadership position).

 

6. DISPLAY AUTHENTICITY WITH WHITE

White is great when you want to seem genuine, innocent, faithfulness. Also, it’s a good choice for an occasion in which you intend to appear transparent and reliable. It’s a delicate, refined and pure color. So it’s a good color to wear when you want to gain people’s trust and look pure and innocent, like a little angel.

Though, its choice isn’t appropriate if you want to convey authority. Unless it’s paired with black.

 

7. APPROACH PEOPLE WITH GREEN

Green is my personal favorite color. I wear it very often since I am naturally sociable. Green makes you appear very friendly, pleasant and candid. It conveys coolness, balance, and well-being. Its dark shades also imply wealth and tradition. All in all, it’s a safe color for making new friends and appearing approachable and easy-going. At the same time, a green outfit should be left aside if you want to be assertive with dominant personalities and if you want to radiate authority and power.

 

8. STAND OUT WITH PURPLE

Purple is the color of wealth, royalty, and creativity. It makes you look poised, authoritative, powerful, dramatic and innovative. Although, purple doesn’t suit occasions in which you don’t want to stand out or are going to be around timid people.

 

9. BRING JOY WITH PINK

Pink is a very calming color, young and joyful, gentle and calm. A lot of bright pink can sap the energy of the viewer after a while, so it’s not a good color if you need your audience to retain energy levels for long periods. Pink also represents love and gentleness, which makes it appropriate for romance. As a contrary, you should never wear it if you intend to appear assertive and radiate power and authority.

 

10. STAY DOWN TO EARTH WITH BROWN 

Brown is a color that conveys protection, practicality, and security. It works well in business and social settings but will not help you if you want to indicate authority.

 

11. ENERGIZE WITH ORANGE

Orange is a great color for displaying energy, playfulness, cheerfulness and paired with intense blue can give the impression of strength. However, it might make people feel nervous and therefore is not good if you want to radiate authority and power and in tense situations.

 

12. INSPIRE WITH YELLOW

Yellow is an exciting, inspirational, high energy color representing happiness. At the same time, too much yellow can put people around you in tension, increase their anxiety and temper. Since yellow is the first color the eye sees, avoid wearing it if you want to escape someone’s attention.

 

13. BE EXCLUSIVE WITH DARK GRAY

Dark charcoal gray is suitable for business meetings, conferences and networking events as it will make you look exclusive, successful, cultured, wise and dependable. For this reason, it’s an excellent choice for conservative companies and industries.

To sum up, be aware that the colors you wear influence people. But at the same time, choose for your personal brand what feels best for you and what makes you feel comfortable and confident.