Pablo Picasso once said that “colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions”. We think it’s so true. Different colours have an impact on our moods and how we feel. Take red. The vibrant hue is bright and bold, but it can also be overpowering, triggering stress and anxiety. In the same way, a more relaxing colour, like blue, could help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
If you’re feeling stressed at work, you can try incorporating any of these five colours into your work outfits.
From pastels to deeper tones, blue is tranquil and calming. Art philosopher Denis Dutton, in his book The Art Instinct (2009), noted that blue is a universal colour well-liked by many due to its association with how peaceful the skies and seas look and feel. That’s why we think blue should be a go-to colour in every achiever woman’s work wardrobe.
Style tip: For professional appeal, mix blue with black.
Wear to the office: ROTATE Thora printed maxi dress, $376
Shrug a blazer over to add a formal spin to it, and lose the blazer for after-work drinks.
Work from home in: ZALORA BASICS Lounge Lace Trim Jersey Long Pants, $24.90
The great thing about WFH is that people can only see the top half of your body during video calls, so wear comfy pants to make your WFH experience better.
Symbolising growth, nature and lush greenery, green can help boost your creativity and help you feel more relaxed at work. Psychologist Stephanie Lichtenfeld and her team reported in their 2012 study Green Facilitates Creative Performance, that this colourway can “open (mental) processing required to do well on creativity tasks”.
Style tip: Complement this earthy shade with neutral tones, such as brown, beige and white.
Wear to the office: Maison Margiela chain-link print midi dress, $4,131
Pair this with a pair of heeled pumps or even boots for added confidence.
Work form home in: Uniqlo Joy Of Print Short Sleeve Set, $29.90
You can’t wear shorts to the office, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear shorts while working at home! If your office doesn’t have a rule for you to turn on your video camera while in a meeting, then this is one comfy outfit you’d want to hustle in.
Although pink is often associated with love and femininity, it can also invoke serenity and peace. In his book, Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave (2013), American author Adam Alter writes that angry prisoners in a U.S. Navy detention centre became calm after spending 15 minutes in a cell painted pink.
Style tip: Bring some gravitas to this soft, girly shade by opting for a suit.
Wear to the office: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Duchesse silk-satin blazer, US$3,634.88 ($4,967)
Work from home in: Uniqlo Ultra Stretch AIRism Short Sleeve Dress, $29.90
Wearing a dress is super convenient because you don’t have to think about how to match your outfit in case your boss calls for a last-minute meeting. Plus, it’s an AIRism piece, so you can keep cool even when it’s sweltering hot.
Think of white and clean slates and new beginnings come to mind. White also represents quiet, tranquility and peace. Wearing it can help you clear your mind, and help you think more clearly at work.
Style tip: Think monochromatic when it comes to wearing white.
Wear to the office: Thom Browne Cotton Oxford shirt dress, US$484.44 ($661)
You can’t go wrong with a white shirt dress. This is great for client meetings, lunch get-togethers or even a brunch networking event!
Work from home in: Love, Bonito Heloise Camisole Top in Chamomile Dream, $29.90
Keep cool without blasting the aircon with this camisole top from Love, Bonito’s newly-launched Intimates collection.
Yellow is often associated with happiness but it can go even deeper than that. American colour specialist Leatrice Eiseman told CNN that “sometimes people who are very metaphysical will see enlightenment” when they’re staring at this cheery shade. Bright, vibrant and optimistic, yellow stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural stress reliever.
Style tip: Go for contrast and pair yellow with black, white or grey to allow the colour to pop.
Wear to the office: THE ROW Arcadia ponte top, US$903.97 ($1,234)
This versatile top can be paired with a skirt, jeans, tailored pants… just about everything. Plus, it can keep you warm in a cold office!
Work from home in: Zara Ruffled T-shirt TRF, $14.90
Just because you’re at home, it doesn’t mean you can’t dress up. This ruffled detail will make it seem like you put extra effort in dressing up.