The Best Colours to Wear to Work (and Why They Matter)
How colour shapes your confidence, presence, and professional impact
Have you ever walked into work feeling instantly more confident, simply because of what you were wearing?
Maybe it was a crisp white shirt that made you feel sharp and organised. Or a deep navy dress that felt calm and reliable. Or a bold red lipstick that suddenly gave you the courage to speak up in a meeting.
That’s the quiet power of colour.
So often, we get dressed on autopilot. We reach for the same neutrals, the same “safe” shades, without thinking about how colour could actually support us throughout the day. But colour psychology, the study of how colour influences our mood and behaviour, tells a different story. The colours you choose can shape how others perceive you, and perhaps more importantly, how you feel about yourself.
In the workplace, this becomes a superpower.
Why Colour Matters More Than You Think
Before I trained in colour psychology, I thought wearing colour was just about personal taste. But once you understand what each shade communicates, you realise you’ve been carrying around a secret toolkit, you just hadn’t been using it.
Colour can calm you before a stressful presentation, soften your energy in a tough conversation, or give you the spark you need on a sluggish Monday morning. It can make you look more trustworthy, more creative, more focused… all without saying a word.
Think of colour as your daily assistant: subtle, silent, but incredibly influential.
The Colours That Work Hardest for You at Work
Below are the colours I see clients respond to most strongly, the ones that shift energy, build confidence, and communicate exactly what you want others to feel.
I’ve woven in insights from your Colour Psychology Guide to help bring each shade to life.
Blue: Calm, Trustworthy, Focused
Whenever someone tells me they’re nervous about an interview, I always suggest wearing blue. There’s a reason almost every corporate logo leans into navy: it’s the colour of reliability. Blue slows the heartbeat, steadies the mind, and creates an atmosphere of trust.
Clients tell me that on days filled with meetings, blue helps them stay centred. It’s the colour that says, “You can rely on me.”
Black: Sophistication with a Side of Strength
Black has a presence. The moment you put it on, you feel sharper, like your posture naturally straightens. It’s the colour I see women reach for when they want to be taken seriously or hold firm in a negotiation.
But it’s also a colour of elegance and simplicity. Worn well, it’s less “intimidating” and more “uncompromisingly confident.”
Grey: Quiet, Balanced, Thoughtful
Grey is your steady friend. It doesn’t shout; it doesn’t demand attention and that’s exactly its charm. When you need to strike a neutral tone or lead a discussion without overpowering others, grey helps create a level playing field.
On days that require problem-solving or tact, grey brings the emotional temperature down and the professionalism up.
White: Clarity and Fresh Starts
There’s something almost symbolic about white at work. It creates space. It sharpens the mind. I often recommend white when clients start new roles or begin big projects, it feels like a clean slate.
White tells the room that you’re organised, intentional, and ready for whatever comes next.
Green: Calm, Balanced, Grounded Energy
Whenever a client feels overwhelmed, I encourage them to try green. There’s a reason it’s associated with healing and renewal, it brings everything back into harmony.
Green is lovely for days filled with collaboration, coaching, or big-picture thinking. It softens your presence while still feeling confident and capable.
Brown:Warm, Approachable, Dependable
Brown has such a comforting quality to it: it’s the colour equivalent of a warm cup of coffee. It makes you feel grounded, relatable, and steady.
Clients tell me they wear brown on days when they want people to open up to them. It’s an incredibly human, reassuring colour.
Pink: Friendly, Supportive, Open
Pink is a soft power colour. It communicates warmth and approachability, but it also hints at creativity and playfulness.
Wearing pink shifts the room’s energy. Around pink people soften, conversations feel easier, and connection comes naturally.
Bolder pinks add confidence; softer pinks soothe the mood. Both have their place.
Yellow: Optimism and Creative Spark
You don’t need to wear head-to-toe yellow to feel its effect, even just a pop of it (a scarf, earrings, a blouse) can brighten your energy.
Yellow is wonderful for brainstorming days or moments when you want to spark engagement. It’s the colour of new ideas, fresh thinking, and enthusiasm.
Even clients who say they “don’t wear yellow” end up loving it in small doses.
Orange: Sociable, Energetic and Approachable
Orange brings an immediate lift to the room. It’s energetic, warm, and wonderfully human.
Think of it as the extrovert of the colour world, perfect for team-building days, client relationships, or situations where you want to be seen as dynamic and engaging.
It’s also a great “Monday morning” colour, it is the visual equivalent of a pep talk.
Red: Confidence, Visibility, Impact
Red has one job: to be noticed.
It quickens the heartbeat and captures attention instantly.
Clients often tell me they save red for big days — pitches, presentations, or moments when they want their voice to carry further and hold the room.
Red says, “I’m here, and I’m ready.”
Purple: Creativity, Depth, and Strategic Thinking
Purple is quietly luxurious - it carries a sense of wisdom and originality.
I see clients choose purple on days when they need to think creatively or communicate complex ideas. It has a beautifully introspective quality, encouraging deeper thought and innovative solutions.
If you want to look imaginative and sophisticated, purple is a perfect choice.
Choosing the Right Colour for the Day Ahead
A little trick I teach my clients:
Before choosing your outfit, ask: “What energy do I need to bring into the room today?”
Your wardrobe becomes a toolbox:
Need calm? Choose blue or green.
Need confidence? Red or black.
Need warmth? Pink, brown, or orange.
Need clarity? White.
Need balance? Grey.
Need a creative spark? Yellow or purple.
When you begin to dress with intention, you stop fighting your wardrobe and start letting it support you.
Want to Discover Your Power Colours?
Everyone has certain colours that make them light up, shades that flatter your undertone, enhance your natural features, and make you feel instantly more “you.”
If you’d like to learn which colours empower you the most (and which to avoid), I’d love to guide you.
👉 Book a Colour Analysis or Personal Styling Session with colourbella
and step into a work wardrobe that feels confident, authentic and effortless.