Wearing bright colours
I LOVE bright colours — reds, pinks, orange, blues.
So I was surprised to find that not all Christian women believe that we should wear bright colours. Why, because some think it draws to much attention to ourselves and makes us noticed in a crowd. We should be only remembered for our smile and kindness and not the colour of our clothes.
I struggle with this — I don't wear red to be noticed or to draw attention to myself — I wear red because it is a happy colour and it makes others happy. Many people will compliment me when I wear red and tell me that it brightens up their day. I wore a hot pink (modest) skirt to work the other day and everyone loved it— because it was alive and joyful.
Too many people wear black, particularly in winter — I wear black, but always mix it with something bright. We live in a dark world, we need colour to brighten it up, to cheer others up, to bring joy — this is why I wear colour. It has nothing to do with attention-seeking at all.
Colour lifts our mood and that is good for our health and well being. However, not everyone loves bright colours and much prefer to wear dark or muted colours and not be noticed. If you are one of those people but would love to wear bright colours, here are a few tips:
* Go shopping and find one or two things (tops are best) that are bright and will go with the skirts or pants you already own. A bright top always goes well with a black skirt.
* Wear the new clothes around the house just your family or while you're alone. You may feel self-conscious, but the feeling will pass once you begin to get used to it.
* Wear it in public under a jacket, cardigan or a vest. You will feel a little self-conscious at first, but if you wear a comfortable darker coloured jacket over it so that only some of it is visible you can still cling to your darker wardrobe and slowly transition. After a while, slowly expose more of your bright clothing in public, no more than you're comfortable with but build up slowly.
* If you are really nervous, try adding bright scarves to your darker clothes.
* Lose the jacket and go out wearing your bright clothes fully exposed once you're comfortable.
* Enjoy your new found freedom of having broken out of your shell of dark colours!
It may take some time to wear hot pink or a red dress, but do try to swap the muted colours for bright colours from time to time and I am sure you will find joy in the brighter colours.
Bright colours will brighten up your day. They aren't about making other people notice you, its about making others and yourself happy with something cheery and pretty.
For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Proverbs 31: 21-22)
My husband always said I look good in red.
ReplyDeleteI'm 60 and I still wear it occasionally.
Like you, I love color and always try to cheer up my home, gardens and person with color. Not to attract attention, but to cheer up myself or anyone else who needs a smile.
We were in the process of looking for a new used auto. I found a red SUV and drove it to my husband's work so he could check it out. He said, "You still look good in red." We bought it. Go figure!
Your posts always make me smile, too! Keep up the good work, Joy. And thank you!
~ Gwen/USA
I am thinking of getting a red car next time - I would be able to find it in a car park!!!
DeleteI Love red. I wear it a lot and when I get complements from my sisters at church I always tell them that "red is a lady's best neutral." Every lady has a shade of red that magnifies her beauty. Jesus created the beautiful color, He must love it too.
ReplyDeleteGod has created wonderful colours and we should embrace it :)) agree, most reds suit me (and my kitchen!!!)
DeleteColours are great!!!! Just did a spring clean of my wardrobe this morning, and was smiling to see all the colours I have! They always cheer people up. Black is too drab!!!
ReplyDeleteI do wear black but I tend to add colour to it or a very bright scarf to give it a lift. Colour is wonderful :)
DeleteI adore my black and solid colours. I'm more likely to inject a bit of fun colour with accessories, and I agree...it makes you happy! Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteI do wear black in winter and love to team it up with bright colours such as red. Black goes with everything which is one of the reasons why I like it!!
DeleteI LOVE bright colors!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear of other women who love bright colours :)
DeleteI had never heard of people saying you shouldn't wear bright colors because it could attract attention. It always comes down to the heart attitude. If someone were doing that to get attention then that could be detrimental. It is also possible to wear a blouse because you like it and enjoy it and I believe that is not wrong. Interesting post!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Patty
Over the years I have read a number of blogs where women avoid bright colours because they think it attracted far too much attention and we should not be attracting any form of attention. I have even heard it from non-Christians too as they hate standing out in a crowd. I don't think wearing colour is an issue - however any woman who sets out to attract attention (no matter what she is wearing) is heading down the wrong street as far as I am concerned.
DeleteMy apologies, but I wasn't sure of your point on blouses - I wear blouses often, there is nothing wrong with a modest blouse - I like the change from t-shirts which can look a little informal.
This post brings to minds the Words of the Lord Jesus:
ReplyDelete"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Luke 12:27-28)
While Jesus was teaching the people not to worry about the things God would obviously provide for them, I think there's something that can be drawn from that verse in relation to colourful clothing. Take a look around at the flowers God has created for HIS pleasure ("for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created" - Revelations 4:11). The flowers are arrayed in magnificent colours! Bright blues, reds, purples, pinks, yellows, oranges...! If God could so clothe the flowers for His pleasure, then why would He mind if we clothed ourselves in beautiful colours, too?!? And - Solomon in all his glory & splendour was considered to not be clothed as beautifully as the flowers of the field. Amazing! :) I'll go on wearing my reds, pinks, yellows, blues, oranges, purples - with joy!!!
You are so right God created such a beautiful world full of colour and not just one shade of blue thousands of shades of blue and green and yellow eyes and every other colour. We all should wear bright colours really does create so much joy and pleasure not just for the wearer but for others to look at.
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