Colour Theory in Fashion: The Science Behind Style, Emotion, and Mood
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The Physical Science of Colour: Melanin, Undertones and Overtones
Understanding Colours in Fashion: It's Not Just About Looks
Fashion Colour Tips: Dopamine Dressing and Colour Confidence
How to Colour-Match Clothes to Your Mood and Energy
The Colour Theory Psychology Behind Emotional Dressing
Emotional Colour Associations and Childhood Influences
How Colour Influences the Way People Feel: The Power of Perception
Final Thoughts: Why Colour is the Cornerstone of Personal Style
Stephanie Rumble, the voice behind the Style for Life podcast and a leading fashion stylist in New Zealand, dives deep into the emotional, psychological, and scientific aspects of colour in this powerful episode. Unlike service-focused episodes, this podcast is rich in theory and introspection. Stephanie shares decades of styling experience, blending practical examples with the science of how colour affects our mood, how we see ourselves, and why certain colours resonate more than others.
This article unpacks the key themes from her episode titled Does Understanding Your Colours Really Matter?, offering a comprehensive look at how colour theory in fashion goes far beyond appearance. It becomes a pathway to personal power, self-expression, and emotional well-being.
The Physical Science of Colour: Melanin, Undertones and Overtones
When it comes to the science of colour, there’s more going on beneath the surface than most realise. Stephanie begins by explaining the impact of melanin on our skin tone and how that influences the colours that suit us. Understanding the biology behind colour perception can help you decode why certain colours energise you, while others drain or dull your appearance.
"The undertone is what we as colour analysts use to determine which, which colours work best for you or which tones of colours work best for you." ~ Stephanie Rumble
Two essential terms are key:
Undertone: The muted colour beneath your skin surface. It can be warm, cool, or neutral and determines what shades enhance your appearance.
Overtone: The combination of your hair, eye, and skin colour. It contributes to your visible look but doesn’t always match your undertone.
As Stephanie explains, identifying your undertone isn’t always easy. A person may have fair skin but a warm undertone, or darker skin with a cool undertone. This is where color analysis becomes essential. If you're curious about what colours truly bring you to life, a professional colour consultation can be a powerful first step.
Key signs you’re wearing the wrong colours:
Your skin looks dull, grey, or tired
You notice increased shadows or dark circles
People compliment your clothes instead of how you look in them
These signs can be subtle but are significant. When colour is mismatched, it can create dissonance in how you appear and how others perceive you. On the other hand, wearing colours that align with your undertone can create a more radiant, harmonious look that makes you feel polished and energised. With expert guidance like Stephanie’s, you learn how to decode your colouring and step confidently into your best hues.
Understanding Colours in Fashion: It's Not Just About Looks
One of the biggest insights in this episode is how wearing the right colours goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about understanding colours in fashion as a form of self-expression and personal identity. Colour becomes a tool for storytelling, communicating who you are, how you feel, and how you want to be seen.
Some people feel emotionally or culturally attached to specific colours. Others avoid colours due to past associations (e.g. school uniforms or awkward childhood experiences). Stephanie encourages us to examine where our colour biases come from and how we can challenge them.
"The trauma of wearing that school uniform lives a long life." ~ Stephanie Rumble
This self-reflection and sense of identity are at the heart of many of Stephanie’s programmes, including her personal styling services designed to help clients look and feel aligned with who they are.
Questions to ask yourself:
Do I avoid colours that remind me of the past?
Do I wear colours based on safety rather than self-expression?
Have I received compliments on certain colours that I always ignore?
"I really feel like self-expression comes through wearing the colours that, that reflect your personality." ~ Stephanie Rumble
Answering these questions gives you deeper insight into your relationship with colour. The goal isn't to follow rules but to build a wardrobe that aligns with your personality, values, and lived experience. When you understand your colour history, you can start curating your wardrobe with greater purpose and emotional clarity.
Fashion Colour Tips: Dopamine Dressing and Colour Confidence
Fashion colour tips aren’t just about which hues suit you. They’re about how colour makes you feel. Stephanie introduces the concept of dopamine dressing – wearing colours that make you feel happy, alive, or more like yourself.
Based on colour psychology theories from Carl Jung, different colours evoke different emotional responses:
Cool blue: Calm, introverted, professional
Sunshine yellow: Positive, outgoing, high energy
Fiery red: Bold, passionate, attention-grabbing
Earth green: Grounded, stable, natural
Each colour carries emotional weight, and your reactions to them can be deeply personal. When you learn how to align your mood with your outfit, you start dressing in a way that supports your emotional well-being.
Tips for building confidence with colour:
Start with accessories in a new shade
Use prints to ease into brighter palettes
Combine colours from the same family to create harmony
Don't be afraid to explore. Confidence with colour is like a muscle – the more you flex it, the stronger it becomes. With guidance from experts like Stephanie, experimenting becomes easier, and your wardrobe becomes more reflective of your inner vibrance.
How to Colour-Match Clothes to Your Mood and Energy
Knowing how to colour-match clothes is both an art and a science. Stephanie explains that not all yellows, blues, or reds are created equal. It’s not about the colour itself, but the shade, brightness, and saturation. Getting this right helps you create more cohesive and expressive outfits that feel authentically you.
Here’s how you can start making better choices, basic rules for colour matching:
Warm undertone: Opt for mustard yellow, terracotta, warm olive, or coral
Cool undertone: Choose icy blue, plum, soft pink, or mint
Neutral undertone: You can often wear shades from both families
Once you know your palette, you can experiment with layering, colour-blocking, or combinations from the colour wheel for clothes such as:
Blue + orange
Purple + yellow
Red + green
These pairings are based on principles of the fashion colour wheel and create contrast and harmony when styled correctly. Used strategically, they allow you to play with impact and intention. Colour becomes a visual language you use to communicate how you feel.
The Colour Theory Psychology Behind Emotional Dressing
Colour theory psychology is central to this podcast. Colour affects not just how others see you, but how you feel about yourself. Your colour choices influence your mindset, emotional state, and even your confidence levels throughout the day.
Stephanie explains how certain colours can either amplify or soften emotional states:
Red may increase perceived redness if you flush easily – unless it’s the right red for you
Grey often feels emotionally dull, especially in winter climates
Orange can signify creativity but may feel too loud if it doesn’t align with your personality
"I have so many people that say to me, Ooh, I couldn't wear red. It makes me look redder. The right red won't make you look redder." ~ Stephanie Rumble
This is where the idea of mood colour comes in. What you wear can influence how you show up – whether you feel confident, grounded, calm, or bold. The colours you choose become part of your emotional toolkit.
Consider these mood-based styling prompts:
Feeling low? Try light green or soft pink for emotional uplift
Big presentation? Choose light blue for calm and authority
First date? Use red in a way that feels empowering, not overwhelming
When aligned correctly, colour can be a regulating force in your emotional world, subtly influencing the way you experience your day and how others experience you. With a little practice, this approach transforms your wardrobe into a powerful self-care tool.
Emotional Colour Associations and Childhood Influences
The podcast also explores the concept of emotional colour memories – how past experiences with colour shape our present-day preferences. These associations can be powerful and subconscious, influencing how we shop and dress without even realising it.
Stephanie gives examples of clients avoiding green due to school uniforms, or yellow because it “makes them look sick.” These perceptions often linger long after the reason fades.
To break free from these outdated associations:
Acknowledge the emotional baggage you attach to certain colours
Re-test those colours in the right shade and setting
Look at how the colour makes you feel now, not how it used to
Colour can be a healing tool as well as a styling one. Revisiting previously avoided shades with fresh perspective can unlock new confidence and redefine your identity in the most affirming way.
This is where colour fashion trends can sometimes clash with personal truth. Trends are fleeting. Your personal colour palette doesn't just help you get dressed — it helps you feel aligned with who you are. Taking the time to understand what colours truly suit you can bring lasting confidence and clarity to your personal style.
How Colour Influences the Way People Feel: The Power of Perception
Wearing the right colours not only boosts your self-confidence – it also changes how others perceive you. You want the compliment to reflect you – not just your clothing.
As Stephanie notes, the difference between "you look amazing" and "I love your dress" is significant.
This distinction is part of how colour influences the way people feel, both as wearers and observers. The colours you choose can either invite connection or create distance. They can signal warmth or assert power. They can elevate or diminish.
Colour Sends Social Signals:
Black = sophisticated or reserved
Red = attention-grabbing or passionate
Navy = professional and trustworthy
Pastels = soft and approachable
"The most commonly worn colour other than black is blue." ~ Stephanie Rumble
Learning to read and use these cues gives you a social advantage. It helps you tailor your look not only for yourself but for the setting you're in, whether it's a job interview, a date, or a public speaking event. When done well, it becomes an intuitive and strategic extension of your personal brand.
Final Thoughts: Why Colour is the Cornerstone of Personal Style
Stephanie Rumble makes one thing very clear in this episode: colour theory in fashion is not just about vanity – it's a foundational pillar of personal style, self-awareness, and emotional well-being.
By learning how to navigate your undertones, understanding your emotional responses, and breaking free from outdated colour beliefs, you can:
Build a wardrobe that enhances your natural beauty
Choose outfits that reflect your mood and identity
Step into the world with more confidence and colour clarity
This podcast episode is a call to reconnect with colour as both a scientific tool and a soulful expression. When used mindfully, colour becomes more than just something you wear – it becomes a language of authenticity.
And most importantly? You stop letting fashion trends define you and start letting colour empower you. Because at the end of the day, colour is not just what you wear – it’s how you show up in the world.
To explore this journey further, consider working with Stephanie through her styling consultations, which are tailored to help you discover your colour palette, boost confidence, and express your personality through wardrobe choices. Stephanie also offers workplace education sessions focused on professional development, communication, and leadership presence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is colour theory in fashion?
Colour theory in fashion refers to the application of colour science, psychology, and personal aesthetics to clothing and styling choices. It explores how different colours interact with each other, how they affect perception and mood, and how they enhance or diminish personal features like skin tone, hair, and eye colour.
How do undertones and overtones affect what colours suit you?
Undertones are the subtle hues beneath your skin that influence which colours flatter you. Overtones are the visible colouring of your hair, eyes, and skin. Understanding the interplay between both can help determine the shades that enhance your natural look and bring balance to your overall appearance.
What is dopamine dressing and why does it matter?
Dopamine dressing is the idea of wearing colours that lift your mood or evoke positive emotions. By choosing shades that resonate with your personality and emotional state, you can feel more energised and expressive. This concept draws on colour psychology and is increasingly used to promote confidence and mental wellbeing through fashion.
How do I know if I’m wearing the wrong colours?
Signs include looking tired or washed out, getting compliments on your outfit rather than your appearance, or noticing unwanted shadows or dark circles. If your clothes seem to dull your natural features, it may be time to explore a colour consultation to understand your best palette.
Can colour really influence how others perceive me?
Absolutely. Colours send subtle social signals and can influence perceptions of approachability, professionalism, confidence, and even leadership. For example, navy communicates trust, while red conveys boldness. Choosing colours strategically helps shape the impression you leave.
How can I start experimenting with colour if I’m unsure?
Start with accessories or prints in new colours before moving to larger garments. You can also try layering or colour-blocking within your comfort zone. Working with a stylist like Stephanie Rumble can help you experiment safely and build confidence with colour.
Is it possible to have emotional baggage linked to certain colours?
Yes. Many people have subconscious associations with colours tied to childhood, school uniforms, or past events. These emotional colour memories can influence your preferences today. Exploring them helps you redefine your relationship with colour in a more empowering way.
Do I need a professional to discover my best colours?
While you can learn the basics of colour theory, a professional stylist can provide a personalised analysis based on your undertone, overtone, and lifestyle. Services like Stephanie’s colour consultations offer in-depth insight that can be hard to uncover on your own.
How does colour affect mood and mental state?
Different colours stimulate different emotional responses. Cool tones may feel calming, while warm tones energise. By aligning your outfit with your emotional needs, you can subtly influence how you feel throughout the day.
Are colour trends important if I know what suits me?
Trends can offer inspiration, but your personal colour palette should guide your choices. Understanding what works for you helps you resist trend-driven purchases and build a wardrobe that’s timeless, expressive, and aligned with your identity.
