Fashion has always been about expression. But lately, color feels different. Instead of simply punctuating outfits, bold hues are carrying emotional weight. Electric blues, fiery reds, and joyful yellows are appearing in wardrobes not just as trends but as tools. For many Black women, color is becoming a quiet language. Beyond communicating mood, intention, and presence before a single word is spoken, it shifts how we feel.
According to fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell, the power of color isn’t just symbolic, it’s physiological. “When faced with long-wavelength colours like red, orange and yellow, our autonomic nervous system becomes stimulated,” Forbes-Bell tells ESSENCE. “Your sympathetic nervous system becomes activated, which can make you feel more sociable, extroverted, and energetic.” In other words, the colors we wear can influence how our bodies respond to the world around us.
More on this phenomenon below.
The Science Behind Dressing in Color
Color psychology suggests that different hues can influence both our internal state and how others perceive us. Long-wavelength colors such as red, orange, and yellow tend to activate energy in the body, often prompting feelings of confidence or excitement. On the other hand, cooler tones operate differently. “Short-wavelength colours like blue, purple and indigo activate the parasympathetic system,” says Forbes-Bell. “That tells the body to relax, which can make you feel more pensive, calm, and even more creative.”
These subtle physiological shifts help explain why certain outfits can change the way a day feels. A cobalt blazer might project authority during a meeting, while lavender or deep indigo can soften the emotional tone of an otherwise stressful afternoon. This psychology extends beyond how we feel, too. “Studies have shown that the brightness of your clothing can be more important than facial expressions when people judge your capabilities,” Forbes-Bell notes. In other words, color can influence perception before we even speak.
Why Color Can Be Empowering
For Black women navigating spaces where visibility and scrutiny often coexist, color can function as more than style, it can be a form of agency. Workplace bias and imposter syndrome disproportionately affect Black women, often forcing them to question their abilities despite clear accomplishments. Forbes-Bell says clothing can help counter that internal narrative.
“It’s possible to style yourself in a way that essentially tricks you into feeling more confident,” says Forbes-Bell. One explanation comes from Ecological Valence Theory, which suggests that our emotional responses to color are shaped by the associations we’ve built over time.
“When people think of red, they often think of fire,” Forbes-Bell explains. “When we wear that colour, we embody the emotions we associate with it—incandescent, blazing, consuming. Coincidentally, those are also traits we use to describe powerful people.” The result is a subtle psychological shift: wearing bold color can reinforce the feelings we want to project.
Why So Many People Default to Black
Despite the benefits of wearing color, many people still hesitate to wear it. The most common explanation? They believe bright colors “don’t suit them.” Psychologically, that hesitation often stems from a desire for safety. “Black clothing can feel less individualising,” says Forbes-Bell. “For many people, wearing black gives them a heightened sense of security because it doesn’t rock the boat or stand out from the crowd.”
Blending in can provide a sense of social protection, especially in environments where standing out feels risky. But that safety can come at the expense of self-expression.
A Simple Way to Start Wearing More Color
For anyone curious about incorporating bold shades but unsure where to begin, Forbes-Bell suggests starting small. “Experimenting with colourful accessories is always a great first step,” she says. “Studies in natural settings found that accessories elicit positive external responses and allow the wearer to express their identity.”
A vibrant handbag, cobalt earrings, or a bright silk scarf can introduce color without feeling overwhelming. Accessories also allow experimentation. One day’s mood might call for fiery red; another might lean toward calming lavender.
Dressing With Intention
Ultimately, the most powerful aspect of color isn’t the trend cycle—it’s the relationship we build with it. “We often think of our clothes as possessions separate from ourselves,” says Forbes-Bell. “But in reality they act as a second skin.” The way we dress shapes how we think, feel, and interact with the world. Color, in particular, adds an emotional dimension to that daily ritual.
“The most crucial power your clothes have,” she explains, “is helping you lean into who you truly are.” Which means choosing color isn’t just about fashion. Sometimes it’s about claiming space, shifting energy, or reminding yourself—before the world does—exactly who you are.