Why Men Deserve Colour Too
ALTHOUGH my main client base as a personal stylist specialising in seasonal colour analysis is mid-life women who’ve undergone stresses or life-changes and lost their confidence and sense of self, I absolutely love doing colour analysis on men too. Why?
Because they deserve colour in their lives! And men also go through many of the same stresses and life-changes as women, albeit in different ways, at different times of their lives, and often with different motivations.
The ways they’re using colour after colour analysis is perhaps a little bit less about the glow-factor in terms of their complexions, and it’s more to do with the way colour impacts their confidence and identity.
My male clients:
Use colour to boost their mood psychologically. And in particular when they’re client-facing, struggling to hit the gym, or lacking motivation after a tough few days. My partner Russ, a men’s confidence and transformational coach, uses it in this way, and he encourages his clients to do the same. See what difference a motivating colour such as red or orange can make on a grey, overcast day. Or how emotionally balanced you can feel in green.
Use colour consciously at work, creating a colour-persona for themselves that they can stick to - this is great if they’re starting a new business where they are on show and creating a certain brand, and it’s also beneficial for those with ADHD or neurodivergence traits, whereby they’re keen to be able to repeat a successful look, and make sure all their colours coordinate well without too much thought.
Really like to engage with colour and have become confident enough to wear it in a way that is effective and appropriate for them and their lifestyles.
Russ in his Spring colour palette
Sadly, men’s choice of colour in the shops can be woefully limited. Grey, blue, or black pretty much sums it up. And boys and men are taught to reject colour very early on in their lives, even if they have a natural affinity for it. Raising a boy, in my experience, is no different to raising a girl - both are equally enthusiastic about colour until they get older and that wider societal influence kicks in.
It IS possible to find and seek out colour brands for men. Some do it brilliantly such as Colourful Standard (www.colourfulstandard.com), with their impressive merino and hoodies. And although they’re mostly earthy colours - so great for Autumns and Summers - Two Thirds (www.twothirds.com) and Seasalt (www.seasaltcornwall.com) have a few suggestions in colour. I love the bravery of Superdry in terms of their men’s colour offering in sweatshirts and tees, and in the UK Next is now such a behemoth of brands, it’s a good place to search by colour, if you’re after, say a green polo-shirt or turquoise top.
If you think your man might be into knowing his best colours, or you’re a man who wishes to find your seasonal colour palette yourself, but you don’t fancy a 1hour plus sit-down with me, send me your photos and I’ll return your full seasonal colour report within 3 days.
Here’s to more colour in all our lives.
Colourfully, Jenny