I’m wearing a bright yellow sweater today. Yesterday, I chose a green dress with flowers instead of the same dress in black.
I’m doing my part to support this vital cause—because color matters!
Color literally gives us energy. Studies in color psychology show that vibrant hues can boost mood, increase alertness, and even impact how energized we feel.
So yes, this yellow sweater is science-backed joy. 🌼💛
I try to keep my Substack colorful—and to write about color and other underrated sources of energy.
You might be interested in this article in the NYT fashion section, where the passion (well, it's too dull to be passionate -- more like an unthinking mantra) for neutrals holds sway -- free link:
"Does Wearing Bright Colors Make Me Look Like a Tourist?
In a sea of Parisians dressed in black, wearing color can feel like a neon sign announcing your vacation. Our critic gives advice for blending in abroad — and a few exceptions to the rule."
I can't comprehend it. It's bad enough to paint the house white with black trim. But the dark slate gray houses look like they belong in a horror movie.
Interesting contrast to the Impressionists. Monet avoided using black in his art & instead used dark blues & purples. Capturing the interplay of light with the environment was diminished by using black or grey.
Vulgar? Drab, perhaps (though there is historical precedent for the use of black, and it can come across as bold), but the use of the word "vulgar" makes no sense here whatsoever. Misuse of color can also come off as tacky and cheap.
I agree with the last line. All, I mean ALL new apartment and business construction in my metropolis (Phoenix) are black/white/gray. Every renovated kitchen, the same. My theory? We are in a state of muted depression, perhaps fall-out from COVID. Metaphorically, we are divided; all is black or white. Economically, who has budget for ornamentation? To top it off, Pantone's Color of the Year...BROWN! Ugh.
There was a Simpson episode where they put the kids into gray uniforms to make them more docile and controllable. And it worked, until it rained and the uniform dye became rainbow colored.
In Europe, the grey fashion is 20 years old, predating both COVID and the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. It’s hideous but appears to be passing. Thankfully!
It is the U.S. too - has been around for the past 20 or so years; I've read a few think pieces about this. The longevity of grey trend in decor is astonished decorators, who previously thought trends shifted every 5 - 10 years.
I am a colorist -an art dealer and color was the impetus which started my journey…yet I find myself now painting walls white…
Or dark dark brown/charcoal. This article makes me rethink the importance of color into my life. My daily comings and goings/experiences. The psychology of it matters.
Yes. Let’s bring color back (and not just the Sherwin William’s trend of the year(s))
You can use the neutral backgrounds to accentuate the colors used in furniture and decorative objects. I don't think the problem is neutral tones, just when they're used in excess.
Agree. I use the neutrals so I can pop the art color. But. I also am realizing my clothes/cars are often neutral…just this exercise makes me think about every day interactions (food especially!) and the important color element which hasn’t been so front of mind
It's also interesting that colorless places like Greenland, Iceland, and desert regions people often choose bright colors to paint their homes. I suppose to bring some color into their lives.
Because as Kandinsky said, “Colour is a power which directly influences the soul. Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand which plays, touching one key or another to cause vibration in the soul.”
Another major reason for this is the lack of children in our society.
Consider the shift from classic McDonalds to our modern McDonalds. They've removed the vibrant colors, and many have gotten rid of the playgrounds entirely (like my local McDonalds).
It's no longer profitable to cater to children. We need to inspire a love for the family in our culture again.
Sharp observation. I wonder what is the psychological impact to people of the 'everything is grey' attitude. General depression? And is it on purpose, to control the people? My impression is that everyone is so colorless, so dim, so easy to control.
I see it as an attack and rejection of the divine beauty of our world. The Lord of creation showed all His glory in the beauty of nature that surrounds us. Sumptuous colors and shades everywhere!
Neutrals can also be beautiful. I love the visual poetry found in many of the classic black & white movies. Shades of taupe and greys have always appealed to me. The deliberate stripping away of anything but neutral is however, wrong. It echoes some of the themes of how culture was in the novel 1984. No variance and exultation of beauty allowed. It diminishes our souls. Plato and Kant are wrong.
That’s a thoughtful comment. And big farming is doing the same to nature. Where are the colourful wildflowers, trees and birds? All is brown, grey and (very controlled) green. Nobody can ‘consider the lilies in the fields’ anymore, as there aren’t any left.
As a Southerner I LOVE color! My spring and summer clothes are all colorful. I got a new RED car a year ago, although I had to look hard for one. Our bedroom is blue, our kitchen is green and our sunroom is red. Our house outside is red brick with dark green shutters. Just thinking of Rainbow Row in Charleston makes me happy!
Interesting article! Like a lot of people raised in the West, I find intense colour a bit overwhelming — it can too feel loud or chaotic. From afar, beautiful festivals like Holi and Diwali seem intimidating to me — so vibrant, like they invite a level of emotional openness that I wasn’t raised with. And yet, they are packed with so much joy, meaning and cultural rhythm.
I’m still unpacking how I respond to colour — but it makes me wonder: what are we losing by taming the sensory as much as we do?
Bring back color!!!
I’m wearing a bright yellow sweater today. Yesterday, I chose a green dress with flowers instead of the same dress in black.
I’m doing my part to support this vital cause—because color matters!
Color literally gives us energy. Studies in color psychology show that vibrant hues can boost mood, increase alertness, and even impact how energized we feel.
So yes, this yellow sweater is science-backed joy. 🌼💛
I try to keep my Substack colorful—and to write about color and other underrated sources of energy.
So true! And I have heard one doctor recommending to wear green for healing! Color does matter.
Katya, I'm with you!
You might be interested in this article in the NYT fashion section, where the passion (well, it's too dull to be passionate -- more like an unthinking mantra) for neutrals holds sway -- free link:
"Does Wearing Bright Colors Make Me Look Like a Tourist?
In a sea of Parisians dressed in black, wearing color can feel like a neon sign announcing your vacation. Our critic gives advice for blending in abroad — and a few exceptions to the rule."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/fashion/tourist-clothes-colors.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-k4.O5fe.SWBQBu9LBM_c&smid=url-share
My wife and I were remarking on the vulgar trend of painting your house black or dark grey.
Even the accessories and toys for babies is down to grey and black.
Every day I see a new line of truck and car that are completely blacked out.
I can't comprehend it. It's bad enough to paint the house white with black trim. But the dark slate gray houses look like they belong in a horror movie.
Interesting contrast to the Impressionists. Monet avoided using black in his art & instead used dark blues & purples. Capturing the interplay of light with the environment was diminished by using black or grey.
Vulgar? Drab, perhaps (though there is historical precedent for the use of black, and it can come across as bold), but the use of the word "vulgar" makes no sense here whatsoever. Misuse of color can also come off as tacky and cheap.
It’s offensive and lazy. Vulgar.
I agree with the last line. All, I mean ALL new apartment and business construction in my metropolis (Phoenix) are black/white/gray. Every renovated kitchen, the same. My theory? We are in a state of muted depression, perhaps fall-out from COVID. Metaphorically, we are divided; all is black or white. Economically, who has budget for ornamentation? To top it off, Pantone's Color of the Year...BROWN! Ugh.
There was a Simpson episode where they put the kids into gray uniforms to make them more docile and controllable. And it worked, until it rained and the uniform dye became rainbow colored.
Wow. So prescient! And sad.
In Europe, the grey fashion is 20 years old, predating both COVID and the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. It’s hideous but appears to be passing. Thankfully!
It is the U.S. too - has been around for the past 20 or so years; I've read a few think pieces about this. The longevity of grey trend in decor is astonished decorators, who previously thought trends shifted every 5 - 10 years.
Horrible
Yes! I’m about to do my dissertation on this exact issue!
Stop stripping colour to appeal to the masses! 🌈
Will we be able to read it?
Absolutely will share it, probably I’m a more accessible format on here as soon as I have permission from the Uni to do so.
Only about to start the research process though so it will be a while before anything is posted. 🧡
I am a colorist -an art dealer and color was the impetus which started my journey…yet I find myself now painting walls white…
Or dark dark brown/charcoal. This article makes me rethink the importance of color into my life. My daily comings and goings/experiences. The psychology of it matters.
Yes. Let’s bring color back (and not just the Sherwin William’s trend of the year(s))
You can use the neutral backgrounds to accentuate the colors used in furniture and decorative objects. I don't think the problem is neutral tones, just when they're used in excess.
Agree. I use the neutrals so I can pop the art color. But. I also am realizing my clothes/cars are often neutral…just this exercise makes me think about every day interactions (food especially!) and the important color element which hasn’t been so front of mind
It's also interesting that colorless places like Greenland, Iceland, and desert regions people often choose bright colors to paint their homes. I suppose to bring some color into their lives.
Good point.
Because as Kandinsky said, “Colour is a power which directly influences the soul. Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand which plays, touching one key or another to cause vibration in the soul.”
Love this quote
Another major reason for this is the lack of children in our society.
Consider the shift from classic McDonalds to our modern McDonalds. They've removed the vibrant colors, and many have gotten rid of the playgrounds entirely (like my local McDonalds).
It's no longer profitable to cater to children. We need to inspire a love for the family in our culture again.
I suspect that in McDonald's case, they also wanted to appeal to more "adults" to increase business.
To be honest, I had never even noticed this shift, but it makes total sense, and there's something so lovely about a pop of color. Excellent post.
"But history offers plenty of counterexamples — times where color and form worked together to overwhelm, inspire, and elevate" - thank goodness! ❤️😊🦋
Wonderful piece of work, Thank you.
Sharp observation. I wonder what is the psychological impact to people of the 'everything is grey' attitude. General depression? And is it on purpose, to control the people? My impression is that everyone is so colorless, so dim, so easy to control.
I see it as an attack and rejection of the divine beauty of our world. The Lord of creation showed all His glory in the beauty of nature that surrounds us. Sumptuous colors and shades everywhere!
Neutrals can also be beautiful. I love the visual poetry found in many of the classic black & white movies. Shades of taupe and greys have always appealed to me. The deliberate stripping away of anything but neutral is however, wrong. It echoes some of the themes of how culture was in the novel 1984. No variance and exultation of beauty allowed. It diminishes our souls. Plato and Kant are wrong.
That’s a thoughtful comment. And big farming is doing the same to nature. Where are the colourful wildflowers, trees and birds? All is brown, grey and (very controlled) green. Nobody can ‘consider the lilies in the fields’ anymore, as there aren’t any left.
As a Southerner I LOVE color! My spring and summer clothes are all colorful. I got a new RED car a year ago, although I had to look hard for one. Our bedroom is blue, our kitchen is green and our sunroom is red. Our house outside is red brick with dark green shutters. Just thinking of Rainbow Row in Charleston makes me happy!
This was a very insightful and interesting read, rather eye-opening in the realm of an emerging colourless world.
Interesting article! Like a lot of people raised in the West, I find intense colour a bit overwhelming — it can too feel loud or chaotic. From afar, beautiful festivals like Holi and Diwali seem intimidating to me — so vibrant, like they invite a level of emotional openness that I wasn’t raised with. And yet, they are packed with so much joy, meaning and cultural rhythm.
I’m still unpacking how I respond to colour — but it makes me wonder: what are we losing by taming the sensory as much as we do?