You Might Be Sending The Wrong Message If You Wear These Colors Fairly Often

Your wardrobe's color palette can indicate so much more than your sense of style. Across many cultures, contexts, and schools of thought, humans have found meaning in different colors, so the particular shades you wear can send subtle messages, whether intentionally or not. According to Dr. Stefanie Mazer, a psychologist based in Palm Beach, Florida, subdued hues in particular can reflect the wearer's personality.

"According to Naz Kaya and Helen H. Epps (2004), light tan, beige, and pale pink are soft, muted shades that don't stand out much," she tells Glam exclusively. "Because they blend in, they can make it seem like the person wearing them wants to stay in the background. Wearing mostly pale or neutral tones can give off the impression of being reserved or hesitant. It doesn't always reflect true confidence, but people may read these colors that way." While that might be bad news for those whose closets are filled to the brim with neutrals because they're mastering minimalist dressing, there are a few muted tones that Dr. Mazer points to as being particularly indicative of a person with a passive personality.

For starters, she notes that gray or charcoal shades "are neutral, low-chroma tones, and when worn often, they may be perceived as playing it safe or trying to blend in." By the same token, she says that pastel blues can "share the softness of pale tones and can be read as gentle or passive rather than assertive." Finally, Dr. Mazer shares that "washed-out greens" such as mint and pale celadon "may not project strength, especially in contrast to stronger, more saturated greens." The good news is, if you don't feel that these shades represent who you are, there are a few hues that convey the opposite (and we've got plenty of tips for infusing more color into your wardrobe).

Minimalist shades don't have to totally disappear from your rotations if you're not trying to come across as passive, but you might want to introduce some stronger colors to make your neutral wardrobe more interesting. Dr. Stefanie Mazer explains that "bold colors like red or blue grab attention, so they are often linked with confidence and energy." With blue in particular, make sure you're reaching for saturated tones like cobalt and midnight, as pastels will put you right back at square one.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mazer reveals that red "carries a sense of strength" because it's a natural head-turner. "People often connect it with assertiveness, passion, and authority," she tells Glam exclusively. "It may give the impression of someone unafraid to be noticed." Vibrant shades of orange can achieve a similar effect. "Orange gives off energy and warmth at the same time. It blends the confidence of red with the positivity of yellow, which makes it feel both bold and inviting," Dr. Mazer says. "This shade is often tied to optimism and a lively personality."

It might come as a surprise, but black also conveys a stronger personality, even though it's not bright or vibrant. "Black has been associated with elegance and control," Dr. Mazer observes. "It carries weight and seriousness, which is why it may show up in leadership, fashion, and performance. Worn often, it can create a steady and powerful image." If you love beauty more than fashion, you can channel these color choices in your makeup by recreating easy black eyeshadow looks that anyone can master. And if you want to go all out with any of these shades, here's our guide to putting together the perfect monochromatic outfit.