The healing effect of wearing colorful clothes
December 2012.
The evening was cold, the kind that makes you want to curl up in bed under a soft, fuzzy blanket, watching a chick flick or getting lost in a novel. I could have done just that, but instead, I found myself slowly pacing around my tiny apartment, a glass of Merlot in hand. I was alone, and the only thing breaking the silence was the soft, chill music playing from my laptop.
I paused by the window, staring into the darkness beyond. Outside my apartment lay a vast world where, at that very moment, a wild wind was whipping snowflakes into a frenzied waltz.
It had been a year since my divorce, and I was finally starting to feel at ease living alone. My finances were stable, and I was optimistic about the future. I was doing my best to maintain a delicate balance between my memories, actions, and dreams, but the puzzle of “A Happy Life” still had a few missing pieces.
As I rubbed my shoulder and took another sip of wine, my attention shifted to my outfit—a black knitted dress and black tights. Why am I wearing all black? I wondered. It felt as though I were dressed for a funeral, and yet I wasn’t.
Earlier that morning, I’d met a friend for coffee, spending two hours chatting before returning home. I hadn’t bothered to change out of my outfit, but even if I had, my cozy loungewear—mostly dark shades of gray and chocolate—wouldn’t have brightened my look much. Do I even own colorful clothes?
Maybe?
Determined to find out, I decided to check my wardrobe. But the moment I opened it, it felt like a shock wave hit me, smothering me with sticky question marks.
I stood there, staring at my clothes for a while, before muttering to myself, Why are most of my clothes black? Among the overwhelming sea of black garments, there were just three shirts—white, red, and beige—that seemed to have gotten lost. Why don’t I have more colorful outfits? I thought. It would take me a couple of years to truly answer that question.
Then, it hit me: I’d been wearing mostly black for years without ever questioning the comfort it gave me. Black had been my way of blending into the background, avoiding attention, and becoming part of the grey cityscape of the big city I lived in.
But since my divorce, a “call of bravery” had stirred within me, urging me to act. I didn’t hesitate. I kept a few essential black pieces but packed the rest into large trash bags. As I did, a wave of soothing freedom washed over me, and I felt a glimmer of hope. I had found another piece of the puzzle.
The next day, I donated the clothes and then visited the nearest shopping mall.
I want colorful clothes
Are you on a journey to change your life?
Do you want to embrace something new and colorful?
I encourage you to keep moving forward. Believe in yourself, and remember that growth and abundance await you on the other side of change.
During my transformational journey, I faced five main obstacles. Some stemmed from fear, while others were due to a lack of knowledge. It was intimidating, but I wanted more from life, so I didn’t let these obstacles hold me back.
I want to wear colorful clothes, but I don’t know which colors will suit me.
I couldn’t afford the advice of a professional image consultant, but I was determined to change my wardrobe and add some color. So, I took the simplest approach: I chose clothes in my favorite colors—red, gold, purple, and pale pink. And it worked.
These days, my favorite colors to wear are orange, yellow, red, green, pink, and fuchsia. However, there’s one color I deeply respect but know doesn’t suit me—blue. I do wear a few dresses in this peaceful color from time to time, but I wouldn’t call it my favorite.
There’s science behind choosing the right color based on your skin tone. You can read more about it in the article Trick to Finding Your Signature Fashion Color.
Get inspired by Pinterest, then experiment with different colors to see what makes you feel good and lifts your spirit. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s spread the word about the benefits of wearing colorful clothes.
2. I want to wear colorful clothes, but I’m afraid of what people will think of me.
If these words resonate with you, I understand. I was once there too. For most of my life, I cared deeply about what others thought of me. I spent countless hours creating unrealistic scenarios in my head, imagining people judging me for everything I said or did. But eventually, I decided to stop that and take control of my life.
If someone cares about your choice to wear a red dress, green pants with an orange top, or a combination of a patterned skirt, shirt, and blazer, that’s their choice. It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your colorful outfit. It could simply be that their life and wardrobe are so dull that they choose to focus on you and what you’re wearing—something interesting.
People who are happy and engaged in their own lives won’t spend time judging others. They’re too busy living their lives.
There’s a powerful quote from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic that helped me overcome this obstacle:
“Long ago, when I was in my insecure twenties, I met a clever, independent, creative, and powerful woman in her mid-seventies who offered me a superb piece of wisdom. She said: ‘We all spend our twenties and thirties trying so hard to be perfect because we are so worried about what people will think of us. Then we get into our forties and fifties, and we finally start to be free because we decide that we don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of us. But you won’t be completely free until you reach your sixties and seventies when you finally realize this liberating truth—nobody was ever thinking of you, anyhow.‘ They aren’t. They weren’t. They never were.”
So, your desire to wear colorful outfits is the only permission and approval you need to go for it.
3. I want to wear colorful clothes, but I don’t have any.
The solution is simple: invest time and money in buying a few vibrant pieces. Nowadays, you don’t even need to visit a shopping mall to find them—online stores offer a wide range of outfits for different budgets. One of my favorites is SHEIN. Yes, it’s made in China, just like iPhones and certain items from brands like Prada, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Coach, and many others. If you know what you’re looking for and take some time to browse, you can find good-quality clothes on their website. I also buy clothes and shoes on Amazon.
Last Thanksgiving, I discovered Ann Taylor, a store that offers elegant clothes in a variety of colors, including yellow, green, and fuchsia. On Black Friday, I purchased one of my favorite coats from there, drawn to its vibrant fuchsia color and the beautiful tweed fabric.
With all the shopping options available today, it’s easier than ever to invest time in choosing colorful clothes instead of staying stuck in the mindset of “I want to wear colorful clothes, but I don’t have any.” If you truly want something, take the first step, and you can make it happen.
The benefits of color (often referred to as color therapy) have been recognized since Ancient Egypt, and wearing colorful clothing is a direct way to apply this. When you wear a vibrant dress or a blouse with a colorful skirt, you share the joy of color with others.
It’s a mutual exchange of positive energy—you both receive and give good vibes.
4. I love colorful outfits on other people, but I can’t see myself wearing them.
Focus on the positive part of this statement: “You love colorful outfits!” That’s all the permission and motivation you need to start adding color to your wardrobe.
Begin with small steps. Browse Pinterest for colorful outfit ideas, pick one you like, and try it on at home, where you feel comfortable and protected from others’ opinions. Look at your reflection in the mirror often to get used to seeing yourself in a colorful outfit. Be kind to yourself as you adjust. Depending on your current wardrobe’s color scheme, it may take some time to get used to the new look. Keep trying—this is how you train your mind to embrace the change. Repeat this process for several days.
The next step is to go to a small place, like the grocery store, wearing your new outfit. Keep doing this until you feel at ease. The final step is wearing your colorful outfit when you meet up with good friends.
Unless you try, how will you know?
Unless you try wearing a colorful outfit, how will you see yourself in it?
5. I love colors, but I feel uncomfortable wearing colorful clothes.
Feeling comfortable in your personal style is something that comes with repetition, not something you’re born with.
It’s built through experience. For example, if you feel at ease wearing jeans, yoga pants, and knit shirts, ask yourself: “How many times have I worn these?” If the answer is more than twice a week for several years, it’s clear that you’ve grown comfortable in them.
Now, think about how often you wear a vibrant dress or a colorful shirt. If you only wear them on special occasions or when going to a party, that could explain the discomfort. But isn’t life itself a special occasion? We only live once, so why not embrace colors and creative choices to celebrate being alive?
Practice wearing colorful clothes more often, not just on special days. The more you wear them, the more you’ll shift your mindset toward abundance, joy, and happiness.
Colorful outfits infuse confidence
Wearing colorful outfits can have a powerful healing effect, boosting your confidence and self-esteem.
When used intentionally, colorful clothing can become a magic tool for nurturing self-love and cultivating those essential qualities within yourself.
Confidence is born when you take action despite resistance from old habits or push yourself to do something you once thought impossible
Don’t wait for the “right moment” when you feel ready to wear a colorful outfit. Make it happen now. Waiting for Monday or a new month to begin a fresh chapter is just a procrastination tactic. The best time to try something new, like wearing a colorful dress, is now. Colors like yellow, pink, green, orange, red, and purple are vibrant and ready to bring you joy and optimism. When you wear them, you’ll feel different—more inspired, energetic, and beautiful.
For me, embracing colorful outfits was part of my healing journey after my divorce. At the time, it felt confusing, but looking back, it makes perfect sense. Despite my uncertainty, I decided to continue experimenting with color, and over time, that uncertainty was replaced by joy, confidence, and bravery.
I’m here to support you, answer your questions, and talk about how wearing colorful clothes can transform your life. You’re not alone in your desire to wear a colorful dress!
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