I attended an event recently where I noticed a woman wearing such a striking shade of blue I had to compliment her on it. Her response: “It’s my POWER COLOR!” I began to wonder–what exactly is a power color? What is mine? What might yours be?

The URBAN DICTIONARY defines ‘Power Color’ as: “The color a person looks the best in. You can easily notice a power color when it looks great with their complexion or they tend to wear it a lot. This color usually makes the person glow and, generally speaking, the person gets a lot of compliments when they wear that color.”

Truth be told, I always thought RED was the prevailing power color. Even in Quintessential Style (page 31), when we talk about sending messages with color, red has traditionally been perceived as an adrenaline stimulant symbolizing energy, strength, passion, desire, danger, and rebellion.

My co-author, Janna Beatty understands the very complex psychology of color. With over 35 years of experience in image consulting, she certainly knows a few things about the myriad of meanings behind the colors we wear. She says: “There is both an aesthetic element to color (how appealing it is to your eye) and a psychological element to color (how you feel when you see/wear the color). Each person has her own personal orientation to color. Each perspective differs from one to another.”

Maybe you had a bad experience with Pepto-Bismol, so you hate pink. Or, your mother told you that redheads should never wear red. Or you may have heard phrases like, “It’s very hard to wear yellow.” In essence, we have all been ‘colored’ by our own personal interpretations and life experiences.

But can you remember back to a time when you felt absolutely wonderful when you wore a certain color? Your power color can be any shade that makes you FEEL strong, beautiful, and confident.

“Once you introduce a person to their true colors, it opens up an entirely new realm for them.”   … Janna Beatty

Of course, all of this has to to with the very familiar phrase we use in Q Style called Dressing with Intention (p. 12), which simply means “defining the way you ultimately want to be perceived and following that lead by dressing accordingly.” What do you want the colors you wear to communicate?

I have a wonderful friend who is gracious, joyful, and full of light. Her style and personality are perfectly reflected in the colors she wears. She calls them her happy colors. She knows exactly what colors make her look and feel her best. Those colors are ‘Quintessentially HER.’

What colors help you feel energized, happy, confident, powerful? Have you ever thought about it? Please send us your comments below.

“We all have innate and diverse characteristics. When we align our best colors with our natural beauty and personality to bring out our true essence, that’s QUINTESSENTIAL STYLE.”

Read more about Sending Messages with Color in Quintessential Style: Cultivate and Communicate Your Signature Style.