What do women associate with different colours on a man?

Although a man may not realise, research has shown that depending on the colour they are wearing, they are perceived in different ways by the opposite sex. For example, a man dressed in red gives off the impression that they are powerful and a man in black is seen as confident. Together with Charles Tyrwhitt, a shirt retailer on Jermyn Street, we take a look at what the different colours mean from a woman’s perspective and which ones to avoid.

Decoding the colours

If men are looking to impress, they should consider one of the following colours, here’s what they mean…

The power of red

When we see red in branding and advertising, it is often associated with love and passion – it’s similar when we see someone wearing red clothing. It is thought that the attraction to red comes from our biological roots – many animals such as baboons are attracted to the opposite sex if they display bright colours. To wear this on a first date might be slightly overpowering, however it does give off some vibes that a woman might be interested in.

When research was conducted, it was found that women associated red clothing on a man with power and high social status. Research found that wearing red can actually boost the wearers own confidence, which will be a good thing during a first date for women who are looking for a man with some self-assurance. A red shirt can indicate good health and financially stability, two more things a woman may have on their checklist when looking for a new partner.

Compared to other shirt colours, how did red score? It was found to be more attractive than blue or green. This perception was a global consensus – wherever a man goes in a red shirt, they should expect to get a similar reception.

Unfortunate for a man in red, the colour did not make them appear kind or sociable.

Men in black

Once a colour that was kept in the wardrobe for mourning or something morbid, black hasn’t always been a popular fashion choice. But now, it’s had a new lease of life and is worn by many fashionable individuals. Similar to red, black can be perceived as the colour of self-assurance – 56% of women said that it inspired confidence. Other comments included that the colour black made the wearer appear more intelligent and sexy – perfect for a first date!

When dressing for a formal event, many people choose black as it oozes elegance. Too much black can be overpowering though, so if you’re shopping with your other half encourage them not to pair a black shirt with a black jacket, pants and shoes too.

Traditional white

During the research, white was selected as a popular choice that women like to see a man in. It was perceived to be the least arrogant colour and instead gave off the impression that the wearer was full of optimism! A white shirt is a classic look for men when they are choosing an outfit for a formal event. However, during research, it was the definitive white t-shirt and jeans combo that caught women’s eyes and was perceived to be the more attractive look for a man.

Which colours should men avoid?

Men should avoid some colours if they’re looking to attract a woman. In many surveys revolving around the attractiveness of colour, orange and brown consistently performed poorly. They often are perceived as quite boring, drab colours although a bright orange shirt could brighten up an outfit nicely on a summer’s day.

One colour that was not a favourite with women was pink. Only 5% of people thought that intelligent people would wear this colour!

Further tips

Some further fashion tips include:

Many men look great in a colour that matches their eyes. If you have green eyes perhaps opt for a moss green shirt- a popular colour this season
Avoid wearing dark colours if you have a light complexion, this can really draw your skin tone out and make you appear paler
If you have dark hair, opt for bright colours as these are likely to complement you more