We wear color for three basic reasons – first, obviously, to add color to our outfit and escape the monotony of being consistently monochrome. Second, for the sake of fashion: to tell people we are hip to the latest trends and seasonal color norms. Finally, as we told you earlier, the colors you wear say a lot about the man behind the garment.
So what about green? Of course, we all associate green (which derives from the Old English word for “to grow”) with the environment, nature, trees; maybe even Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Great Gatsby if you still remember your high school English classes. But as the centerpiece of an outfit, a green shirt can send a lot of very powerful messages.
According to the philosopher Albert Schweitzer, “an optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere.” Wearing a green dress shirt reveals a sense of commitment and dedication, as well as a laidback and relaxed personality – keep that in mind, guys, if you’re thinking about proposing for marriage.
Green also projects a sense of conservatism, and gives an impression of wealth, which leads us to wonder if dark green isn’t the color most favored by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
Some vision studies have also found that green is one of the easiest colors for the human eye to recognize. This might seem a little counter-intuitive since there are so many color blind guys who can’t distinguish between the almost infinite number of shades green comes in. You might only be able to think of yellow green and blue green, but we’re happy to enumerate plenty of other varieties – sea green, forest green, asparagus, bright green, emerald, grass green, olive, chartreuse and celadon (that’s nearly ten in case you weren’t keeping track on your fingers).
Darker shades like olive and forest green are perfect for men of all complexions. Its versatility works well for both dark and fair skinned men. In general though, the brighter the shade, the better it’s paired with lighter colored pants. White pants with mint green are a great combo for a classic preppy look. Tan, off-white or cream pants will look a bit more casual and earthy though.
Green may be complimentary with red, but you can’t wear it without people noticing how Christmassy you look. Another important tip: avoid wearing green together with a pair of dark brown pants, or you’ll be mistaken for a walking tree (or worst, a bonsai plant if you’re stout or short or both).
The next time you rummage through your closet for a dressed-to-kill fashion statement, consider the messages you want to send to people around you. If you think the only good time to wear green is on St. Patrick’s Day, you might want to reconsider.
Tags: Advice, Psychology, Red Shirt, Shirt Color, What Your Shirt Color Says About You
