Psychology of Clothing Colors: Orange
Ask fashion-forward men which colors they find difficult to wear, and you’ll very often end up with “orange” as a response. Indeed, orange is one of the most misunderstood and difficult-to-wear colors out there, and incorporating it into an ensemble is something that is often much easier said than done. Because of this, a lot of guys shun orange altogether, avoiding the color at all costs. The shame in this is that orange can actually be very effective when worn properly, and doing so doesn’t have to be nearly as difficult as most people think. Consider the following tips, all of which can help to put you on the right path towards a more fashionable you. For more information, please also see our entire series titled: “The Psychology of Color in Mens Fashion”
Energy
More than anything else, orange calls to mind a feeling of energy. Orange is “electric,” vibrant and can help to make you stand out from the crowd as having the most energy in a room. A lot of people take this as reason to incorporate a great deal of orange into their ensemble, but the fact is that it can be rather easy to overdo things. Too much orange, and you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re able to strike a healthy balance, however, you can get a lot of mileage out of wearing the color. A bright orange tie against a navy blue suit jacket, for example, will convey energy without being over the top.
Warmth
There’s a feeling of warmth that many people get when either wearing orange our hanging out around those who wear the color frequently. Since orange is a combination of yellow and red, the color is capable of conveying the best of both worlds to those who wear it, and can warm up practically any ensemble that it is incorporated in. For the most part, the warmth that people get from orange is best achieved by basing an ensemble around the color; an orange dress shirt, for example, can be very effective. Orange accents serve to add energy and excitement to an ensemble rather than warmth, and the two should not be combined in order to keep clashing at bay.
Wearing Orange Effectively
There are plenty of ways to go about wearing orange that will result in an effective ensemble. For example, a solid-colored orange t-shirt is perfect for casual summer attire, while the orange dress shirt/khaki chinos combination is a great way to add excitement to your business-casual ensembles. Wearing orange effectively is all about avoiding over-using the color, which can result in a hideous ensemble. Rather, stick with either small accents (handkerchiefs, navy and orange-striped ties), or go with a subdued peach-orange shirt; orange pants should always be avoided (with the exception of board shorts). The best way to wear orange effectively is to carefully consider exactly what scenario you’ll be wearing the color in, as the “too much” rule applies especially to those who are trying to wear orange in a business-casual environment. The more low-key you can keep the color in an ensemble, the better.
More Color Guides:
Guide to Black in Mens Fashion
Psychology of Clothing Colors: White
Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team