Red is full of emotion. It is the most active of all colors. It is the color of fire. Speed is the energy of fire. Its time is in the absolute present, with no future or past. Likewise, red symbolizes immediateness, vitality, assertiveness and strength. It also means transformation. When red energy dominates, nothing will remain the same. Just as fire will melt and transform tough steel into every form required, red symbolizes action and results. This is the energy we are tapping into when we use if for our clothes. It has its negative side, it can appear overpowering and aggressively dominant. We need to take care when applying red to our dress, and make sure we are on its positive side.
There are various shades of primal red: these are orange-red, pure-red and a bluish-red. Not all shades suit everybody. A person who has very dark hair will look exceptional wearing pure or bluish red. Ash blonds and brunettes will also look very good in these hues, but need them to be slightly softened, otherwise they will be too overpowering. Redheads and those with reddish highlights in their hair, or blonds who have golden highlights and probably freckles, will look far better wearing orange red. This matches their own warm complexions.
For business, too much red could be over-dominant. However, accents can be very effective for signalizing assertiveness and making you feel more energetic. This can be added by way of ties, belts, scarves, T-shirts or pullovers. Since this hue likes to be all dominant, it looks better when worn with only one other color.Black is its friend, since they are both dominant colors. When wearing these colors, you will express both dominance and focused energy. Dark blue and red are very powerful for business. Blue expresses trust and reliability, red action and performance. Men could wear a red tie with a white, gray, or blue shirt in combination with a suit. Women could wear a pullover or jacket in this vibrant color, or even just as a powerful accent in jewelry or scarves.
For all other occasions, you can enjoy the freedom of wearing as much of this color as you feel comfortable with. If you hardly ever wear it, add something to your wardrobe. Try wearing the color at home during your spare time: a red T-shirt or training suit. Wear it consciously, as an energetic reminder to achieve a goal or task on any particular day. Let red keep you on track and make you feel vitally alive.
