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After my divorce twenty years ago I signed up for a dating app. Every day the app’s algorithm would cough up a series of profile photos it thought I’d like. (“Like you, he has a cat.” “Like you, he doesn’t smoke.” Wow. They found my soulmate!) I’d look at each one for no more than two seconds before deciding, Nope. No. NOPE. Not that one. Not that guy either. Nope. Hmm, maaaaybe I’ll peek at this guy’s profile… I couldn’t articulate why I did or didn’t click on someone. My brain had its reasons, based on what it recalled of people I’d liked or not liked from my past. Our brains make an instant judgment on meeting someone: “Are they safe?” “Are they my kind of person?” This is why I ask every color analysis client two questions: 1. What is the image of yourself you want to convey to others? The most frequent answers are: approachable, credible, competent, put together. 2. What is the image of yourself you want to convey to yourself? This gives many pause. Most frequent answers: Confident, put together, OK with myself. When I follow up by asking them to grade themselves on how they’re doing in this regard, few grade themselves higher than a B-. [Ouch!]
The power of a personal palette is that you begin to understand how to work with your best colors, lines and style more intentionally, so that your appearance comes closer to matching the image you want to convey for a particular situation–or to yourself. It’s about dressing thoughtfully, even when you’re heading to Trader Joe’s. Or just staying home. Of course, first impressions are just that. Once we get to know someone our opinions may well change. However, we want the first impression to be positive enough they’ll give us that opportunity. Few people are magazine-cover beautiful, but in every one of my clients I see an authentic beauty shining through that has nothing to do with fashion or perfection. My goal is for them to see and feel it for themselves. The Symbolism of Color. I created a handout for my color classes a few years ago on harnessing the power of color. Email me if you’d like a copy. Joy@colorstylePDX.com
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Joy Overstreet, Color & Image Consultant
