Color Concepts

As if worrying whether you spell all the names correctly isn’t enough to think about, the color t-shirt you choose is just as important. The t-shirt color you wear sends an impression to those around you about who you are. Okay, maybe these messages aren’t so straightforward–as in wearing a pink t-shirt means you really like cake–but messages are sent to others’ subconscious where they will unknowingly develop a judgment of you.

So now that I have your attention and got you contemplating what your off-black (yes, I consider this a color!) tee from high school is saying about you, let me offer a little insight.

WHITE: The staple of all t-shirt colors. It is a popular choice, be it for fashion or it’s economical factors (white shirts typically run a little cheaper than colored ones). White symbolizes purity, innocence, sterility and light. So if you’re in some deep trouble with a loved one, this may be the color you want to swing for a few days to soften them a bit. White is the choice for good guys. Also, white goes with everything, which is a plus. The down side? It is difficult to wear since it shows dirt so easily.

BLACK: Can you say mysterious? This color signifies a variety of things. It is often viewed as being modern, stylish and timeless. People often opt for black because of the slimming effects of the color. Fashion aside, the color symbolizes strength, authority, but also submission and evilness. It can be overpowering while giving the impression of aloofness.

RED: “Hey! Look at me!” Red is definitely attention getting. It attracts the eye and even effects the body by increasing a person’s heart rate. Unlike black, red does not offer a slimming effect and sometimes can make a person appear heavier. (So if you’re trying to lose a few you may want to avoid this color!) Red is intense and may not be the color you want to wear when confronting your boss about getting a raise or trying to negotiate with your professor to extend your term paper deadline.

BLUE: The Switzerland of colors–complete neutrality. Peaceful, trusting, cool, dependable, and caring. Blue has a universal appeal, and designers often fall back on this color when working with clients such as banks and large corporations to reinforce that the company is dependable and trustworthy (ahem…. BlueCotton…). This color tends to increase productivity and help people perform better. The hue of blue can also have a large impact; navy is loyal, aqua is hip, light blue is serene, electric is fun.

GREEN: Easy on the eyes, the color green has been known to make vision clearer. It symbolizes earth and nature, and also wealth and prosperity. (Perhaps avoid this color on the first date if you don’t plan on picking up the tab.)

YELLOW: Err on the side of caution with this one… yellow is believed to be viewed as an optimistic color, but too much and it can be overwhelming. While it speeds up your metabolism and improves concentration, it also has the tendency to prompt people to lose their tempers and make babies cry. This is a color in which you need to consider the audience and occasion you want to wear your t-shirt when deciding if yellow is appropriate.

PINK: Ultra feminine. This color is associated with romance, love, marriage and anything considering feminine ideals and matters. (Probably why it is abundantly used for breast cancer awareness, since females are predominately the victim.) It can also be tranquilizing to where you may want to avoid this color if you’re going to be in a competitive situation–so you may want to reconsider that pink shirt for intramural sport. Oh yeah, and hot pink is punk!

BROWN: Au naturale. Brown speaks of nature and earthiness. It is warm, genuine and masculine. This is a great color to choose for family reunion shirts, as it gives off a home-style vibe.

PURPLE: The color of royalty. It is pure sophistication, wealth, luxury, and spirituality. This color is not as popular as many above when t-shirt colors are chosen. Perhaps it’s rareness portrays it as being artificial – or it isn’t seen as the neutral color it actually is. Many guys I know do not wear purple because they see it as “feminine” (though I have seen these same fellas sporting a pink shirt on occasion?)

So what message are you trying to give with your t-shirt? How do you want people to see you? With your newfound knowledge of color psychology, you now can make a conscious choice when designing your t-shirt.