Choosing the right colour to wear to work is more than just a fashion choice, it’s a silent communicator of your mood, personality, and professionalism.
The colours you wear can influence not only how others perceive you but also how you feel about yourself throughout the day. From exuding authority in bold tones to fostering approachability in softer hues, mastering the art of workplace colour coordination can elevate your presence and confidence in any professional setting.
A certified professional image and colour consultant Fika Hyder, who is also the founder of My Palette Studios, said that colour is one of the powerful tools in life to communicate our inner feelings, where it is not just about the aesthetics but also about how it can influence how others see you, understand you better and even improve your workplace performance.
She said that each colour carries its own meaning.
Blue: Symbolises trust, reliability and calmness. Ideal for presentations or negotiations.
Black: Conveys authority, sophistication, and strength. A staple for leadership roles or high-stakes meetings.
White: Represents clarity, simplicity, and professionalism. Great for interviews or first impressions.
Grey: Neutral and balanced, grey exudes practicality and seriousness, perfect for formal environments.
Red: A bold choice for confidence and energy, suitable for presentations or pitching ideas.
Green: Associated with balance and harmony, green can be refreshing for collaborative environments.
Due to her extensive knowledge of colours, she believes that some colours suit someone best based on their skin tone, making it supposedly more favourable for people than other colours for daily presentation.
For this, she has met with many people, including celebrities such as Wany Hasrita, who had entrusted her with her colour expertise in order to know what colours suit their skin tone best.
She further said that in the workplace, colours may come in handy the most, where our outfits make up our almost daily presentation. Fika emphasised the importance of knowing what colour to wear and when.
"Our clothing choices are often influenced by the nature of our work," she said, before anything else.
For creative professionals, they might lean towards vibrant colours to showcase their personality. Meanwhile for those in corporate, finance or law for example, they might gravitate towards darker, muted tones to signal authority and dependability.
She said that it is important to acknowledge that, although involuntary decisions such as choosing the colour of an outfit, most of the time affected by the subconscious state of mind, officewear reflects the values and expectations of specific industries, helping people to blend into or stand out in professional circles.
However, Fika emphasised that professional settings often call for carefully chosen colours, with neutral shades like navy, black, grey, and white being exceptional choices for projecting sophistication and versatility.
Sometimes, they can also be incorporated with a pop of colour from a deep blue scarf, burgundy tie, or emerald accessory without breaking work protocol.
Meanwhile, she said that there would also be colours to avoid in corporate settings, such as neon shades, bright orange or yellow, and head-to-toe black. This is because neon shades are too bold and can detract from professionalism, while bright orange or yellow can appear less formal, and all black, although sophisticated, can feel too severe without accents of softer tones.
These colours can also be distracting or appear overly casual.
Fika also described how statement colours could help in corporate wear, such as integrating them into outfits with neutrals.
"You can add a coloured blazer over a neutral outfit. For accessories, you can opt for bold ones, such as a silk scarf, tie, or jewellery. Subtle accents can also be incorporated through a statement shoe or belt to keep the overall look balanced," she said.
This will ensure that your work outfit does not look dull every day, with different statement colours added to each choice.
She also highlighted that a certain colour could help to enhance your presence depending on the occasion, giving meetings, presentations, and interviews as examples.
"In meetings, you can wear navy or dark green to convey confidence and stability. In presentations, you can wear red or royal blue to capture attention and project authority.
"Meanwhile, in interviews, opt for soft blue or white for a calm and trustworthy impression," she said.
For boosting confidence and productivity with colour, she said that choosing the colour that resonates with your mood for the day or opting for your favourite colour could impact your mood and mindset, which makes it vital that the colour of your work outfit is thought about considerably.
She said that red, bright, dark colours and black are powerful choices when wanting to feel bold and in control.
Meanwhile, for enhancing productivity, she said that green and blue have calming effects that promote focus and efficiency.
"By understanding the psychological impact of each hue, you can create a wardrobe that not only reflects your personality but also enhances your professional presence," she said.