There are those of us who love to stand out from the crowd and others who prefer to blend in and that’s fine we are all individuals, everyone is different. During a recent chat with friends a few of them admitted they didn’t feel comfortable wearing bright colours, this got me thinking: can we be afraid to wear colour? And if so, why is that?   

Is it a seasonal thing?   

Does it depend on the time of year? In winter we naturally cover up, cold weather, dark nights, naturally drawing us towards darker clothes. In Summer, do the warm, bright days make us feel happier? Do we naturally wear brighter, vibrant colours?

But surely wearing a bit of colour during those dark bleak winter months may help to lift our mood, making us feel better?

Confidence? 

Is is down to a lack of confidence? Are we worried that wearing a bolder colour will draw attention to us, make us stand out, feel self conscious? Is it easier to stick to blacks and greys, to blend into the background?

Part of the crowd?

It’s natural to want to feel accepted and fit in with our friends and colleagues, do we worry that by making a statement and ‘standing out’ will make us more of an outsider, will we be criticised by others for looking different?   

An age thing?

As we grow older do we become less bothered and worried about what others think of us? Do we become more daring and comfortable with our style, making it easier to step out of our comfort zone? The amazing documentary and blog, ‘Advanced Style’ says it all: women and men of a certain age embracing life wearing exactly what they want, often in bright bold colours and looking fantastic. 

I have always embraced colour, but the younger me tended to add it as more of an accessory. I now feel that the older I get the more colour I love to wear. Not only with my clothes but also with my hair, which has been blue, bright pink and now purple, so for me I think it is definitely an age thing. Maybe subconsciously I am saying to the world, I know I am now in my 50’s but I am still here, look at me! Don’t get me wrong I am in no way an exhibitionist, but I do enjoy looking a bit different. Maybe this comes from many years of wearing a uniform, being unable to embrace my own individual style. 

If you want to step out of your comfort zone by adding a bit of colour to your wardrobe why not start off slowly by adding a few small additions, a funky broach, a red hat, yellow scarf or bright pink earrings, see how you feel, you never know where it may lead, you may end up like me with purple hair!!!!