Building a brand is not just about creating a fancy logo or a catchy tagline. Color and clothing choices can play a significant role in shaping your brand identity. It is a comprehensive process that involves creating your unique identity, and like it or not, that external identity is the sum of all the experiences and perceptions that people have about you. Fortunately, in this month’s “Hear from the Expert” interview, we have some great tips on how to develop a style that shines.
How Color can Enhance your Brand Identity
Color plays a crucial role in creating a memorable brand identity, evokes emotions and conveys messages, and can influence your perception and behavior. It helps in creating brand recognition and differentiation. Think about iconic brands like Coca-Cola and their use of red, or Facebook and their use of blue. These brands have successfully associated themselves with specific colors that have become synonymous with their brand identity. By strategically incorporating these colors into your branding materials, website, and even your outfit choices, you too can create a cohesive and impactful brand image.
Jon Meadows, Headshot Photographer and Facial Expression Coach, High-End Headshots, highendheadshots.com notes, “Jewel-tone clothes really make a statement. They are vibrant and go along with a brand that’s bold. A man who’s a leader and wearing a tie is probably wearing a jewel-tone tie. A woman who’s a leader might show that with a bold blouse in jewel tones.”
Last week we talked about what role Headshots play in your overall brand identity. So too does the color you choose for your Headshot background – are you an all-business white, or a creative-and-fun orange?
“One fun aspect of my photography is choosing backgrounds from my collection of painted canvasses. My most popular backdrop for women is probably my light pink. I think it brings out a feminine energy. Depending on the facial expression, it can emphasize the softer side of the subject – or it can emphasize boss lady vibes. It goes well with a happier expression, or a more confident executive vibe” - Jon Meadows.
Choosing the Right Colors for your Brand
When choosing colors for your brand, it's essential to consider a few factors, such as the industry you operate in and the message you want to convey.
Your clothing choices reflect your personality and values, giving potential customers or employers an immediate impression of who you are and what your brand stands for. Whether it's a professional suit or a casual and trendy ensemble, every outfit can make a statement.
Dressing for Success
First impressions matter. Clothing conveys your brand message – and choosing the colors that work best for you can be the difference, this is why we connected with House of Colour Loudon expert Lauren Siglerto share a bit of wisdom on getting it right.
How can House of Colour help someone build a wardrobe that represents my authentic self?
1. House of Colour offers two signature services - personal color analysis and personal style analysis- that help you build a customized, sustainable wardrobe that looks great and is authentic to you. In color analysis, you discover the best spectrum of colors for your skin's undertone and in doing so, learn your best shades for clothing, hair, makeup, jewelry and more. In style analysis, you'll learn to identify the pieces that work with your body architecture, your personality, and your lifestyle so that you can build a closet full of pieces that all work together and that you'll actually wear.
What is the analysis behind finding the colors that make a personal brand stand out, and help someone look and feel confident?
2. What you wear can really help you control the person that you want to present to others, and in turn can work hand in hand with your own personal branding. We are offered so many options, choices, and frankly opinions about what are "must-haves' in fashion - and so little of it is actually tailored to what makes you look and feel your best. Starting out in the morning in your best colors, fits and styles can have a huge impact on the rest of your day - the better you feel, the better you can achieve!
How can color, and clothes, help you build your brand?
3. So much of what we present to others is on social media or on websites, and if the pictures you're presenting to others are of you in your best colors - then putting those colors around you on your website or social media pages can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic you're presenting! It is definitely worth knowing your best colors so you can put them around you - in person or on the web!
Can a color consultant provide guidance on how to create a cohesive design that reflects your personal style?
4. There are so many things that makes these services so invaluable - but what really sticks out to me is how often I hear clients saying that they really are able to now honor what works for them, and admire what is best for someone else. It's so empowering to be able to take the time to learn the tools and the feelings we want in our own wardrobe instead of letting others dictate what you wear. A closet full of things we actually wear, and wear with confidence and joy only permeates into all parts of our lives.
Color and clothing choices do play a role in building a strong and recognizable brand. Understanding the psychology of color and leveraging it in your branding materials, website, and even your outfit choices can help create a cohesive and impactful brand image.
As we heard from our experts today, it’s important to know that the right color will help you stand out, but it doesn't mean it will necessarily make you look better.
So, whether you're revamping your brand or building it from scratch, don't underestimate the power of color and clothing. And get a little help, from color experts like Lauren and Jon- harnessing their influence can help you embrace the power of color and build a brand that leaves a lasting impact.
