the colours

black, white, grey and brown

Black

Black is powerful, sophisticated, glamorous, substantial and efficient. Black communicates excellence and seriousness. An uncompromising colour, wearing black can make us feel safe: it cloaks the personality, creating a protective barrier by absorbing the energy that comes towards it and reflecting nothing back.

Winter people look striking in black; most of us are overpowered and hidden by it. Too much black can make something appear menacing, oppressive and heavy.

White

White can also be seen as sophisticated and glamorous. It offers clarity and illumination, highlighting areas and reflecting back to us. White is the colour that also represents efficiency and cleanliness; we perhaps associate doctors, dentists and clinicians working efficiently in hygienic environments with wearing white.

The purity of white means it can be easily spoiled, so it demands respect and can communicate ‘don’t touch’! 

Grey

Grey is psychologically neutral. That is to say it has no positive effect.  Visually, grey can have a supporting effect on other colours if the shades are in harmony, or a dampening effect if the wrong grey is used.

Too much grey can indicate a lack of confidence and fear of exposure. We associate grey days and grey suits with a lack of excitement.

Brown

Brown is warm, earthy, and reliable. It has a quality of seriousness like black but it is warmer and softer. Like the solid earth beneath our feet it serves to ‘ground’ and support us.

Too much brown like an immovable mound of earth can seem heavy. It can indicate a lack of sophistication and humour.