An expert in color psychology shares the 6 best shades to wear to make a good first impression on a date

Cheyenne LentzApr 24, 2024, 23:43 IST

Red can be a power color on dates. Claudia K / Shutterstock

We asked a color-psychology expert to share the benefits of wearing certain colors on a first date.
The expert said magenta and dark shades of green can help boost your confidence.

Color is everywhere and it has power.

It can impact whether or not someone buys a product and it can affect how others perceive you. So, if you're looking to make a great first impression on a date, you may want to choose your outfit carefully.

Business Insider spoke with Michelle Lewis, a color-psychology expert and the founder of The Color Cure, about her thoughts on the positive benefits of wearing certain colors on a first date.

Here's what she said.

Darker shades of green can help you exude confidence.

A darker green is the way to go for a first date, said Lewis. Creative Lab/Shutterstock

If you're hoping to show confidence on a date, green may be the way to go, according to Lewis.

"This color is wonderfully symbolic of growth, stability, and a strong sense of self-identity," she told BI. Green can also signify a stable, calming presence, which may be of benefit to you on a date.

When it comes to choosing the right shade of green, Lewis recommended going for deeper hues. If the green is too light (think: pea soup), your date may feel ill at ease.

"You want to symbolize the good side of green for a first impression," she said.

If you're hoping to show confidence on a date, green may be the way to go, according to Lewis.

This color is wonderfully symbolic of growth, stability, and a strong sense of self-identity, she told BI. Green can also signify a stable, calming presence, which may be of benefit to you on a date.

When it comes to choosing the right shade of green, Lewis recommended going for deeper hues. If the green is too light (think: pea soup), your date may feel ill at ease.

You want to symbolize the good side of green for a first impression, she said.

Wearing blue might help you seem trustworthy.

Try to keep your blues light or vibrant. Streetstyleshooters/Getty Images

Blue is often considered the world's favorite color, so it's always a safe bet to wear on a first encounter.

If that's not enough to convince you, Lewis said, blue has associations with trustworthiness. After all, it's a popular choice for many global brands, like LinkedIn and Walmart, and the color of many police uniforms.

Blue is also good for calming a stressful situation, she said. Be aware, however, that deep shades of blue can be more mentally stimulating — not necessarily first-date material.

Dark blue "can help trust build quickly, but it can also keep things too cerebral," Lewis told BI. "I'd recommend pairing it with a bit of red to give a great balance."

Blue is often considered the world's favorite color, so it's always a safe bet to wear on a first encounter.

Blue is also good for calming a stressful situation, she said. Be aware, however, that deep shades of blue can be more mentally stimulating — not necessarily first-date material.

Dark blue can help trust build quickly, but it can also keep things too cerebral, Lewis told BI. I'd recommend pairing it with a bit of red to give a great balance.

Purple is considered to be the color of connection and relationships.

Wearing purple may help you seem open to new connections. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Lewis told BI she suggests you wear purple if you want "to signal your openness to a new relationship" or a deep one.

Purple is a positive wardrobe choice for a first date, she said, as it is considered to be the color of relationships and connection.

This color can help to facilitate a quick connection with new people, Lewis added.

Lewis told BI she suggests you wear purple if you want to signal your openness to a new relationship or a deep one.

Purple is a positive wardrobe choice for a first date, she said, as it is considered to be the color of relationships and connection.

This color can help to facilitate a quick connection with new people, Lewis added.

Wearing red might help you feel more attractive.

Red is certainly a powerful color to wear. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Red is always a powerful wardrobe choice and "obviously a great choice on a first date," Lewis said.

Wearing red on a first date can help to hold someone's attention and keep things highly energized, according to Lewis. Plus, some studies have suggested that, in some cases, red can make you feel — or be perceived as — more attractive.

"Whether it's red lipstick, a dress, or even shoes, a pop of red will get" your date's attention, she added.

Red is always a powerful wardrobe choice and obviously a great choice on a first date, Lewis said.

Whether it's red lipstick, a dress, or even shoes, a pop of red will get your date's attention, she added.

Incorporating magenta into your outfit can spark conversation.

Magenta is fun and vibrant. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Magenta is a bold color choice that can pay off on a date.

"Magenta is known to spark conversation and encourage people to take bolder action, so for a first date, this may help encourage a great outing," Lewis told BI.

If you're needing a bit of an energy boost on a first date, she said, this hue is also known to make people feel confident and courageous.

Magenta is a bold color choice that can pay off on a date.

Magenta is known to spark conversation and encourage people to take bolder action, so for a first date, this may help encourage a great outing, Lewis told BI.

If you're needing a bit of an energy boost on a first date, she said, this hue is also known to make people feel confident and courageous.

Lighter shades of pink can give off a soft and playful impression.

Light pink can help indicate you're playful. SolStock/Getty Images

If you want to make a softer, more playful impression, wear a lighter pink, Lewis said.

Lighter shades of pink indicate that you're someone who is not overly serious. Pink hues also show that you're ready for a fun time, highlighting the softer side of your personality.

"It also encourages hugging and touching," she told BI.