How to choose the perfect shirt colour
Left, bright colours like red can be neutralised with a dark coat. Right, a white shirt can fit all occasions formal or casual. Photo by Michael Kakumirizi
Because first impressions matter, the colour of clothes you wear could mean something to those that meet you. You might be thought sad and melancholic if you wore very dark clothes all the time, because colours are reflections of how we feel inside.
As men, most of us have a pretty limited rotation when it comes to the colours we wear.
White and light blue are staple at the office, even the few who tune up the mundane wardrobe with a pop of colour, do have something black, white or navy because these are very acceptable.
But what do you wear where? Felix Ojok, a designer at Yoyeta Clothing, says, “shirts have to be calm and not shouting, save the bright yellow, neon colours in purple and orange for after office hours.
Offices appeal to cream, black, white, blue and navy shades.” He resonates the men I met along Jinja road among whom neutrals like black and white were most prioritised. Twelve among the 16 chose black and white.
However, Guy Zziwa, a stylist at DEG Fashions, says white and blue are his go to colours for formal events, “but for work purposes I do all sorts of pink, light green, off white, red and purple,” he says.
He says grey and black are safety colours which he wears whenever he is looking for a day-to-night outfit without time to get home and change.
Neutrals do serve well for offices and dinners because while black portrays greater confidence and intelligence at job interviews, it can have its way for first dates, weddings and funerals.
Ojok says, “a man who wants to stand out will wear coloured shirts in bright yellow shades, blue peach, or light green (emerald)”.
These have you glow at the beach in the midday sun or have you attracting the ladies to your table close by the counter at a bar. Just remember their place is not the board room or a first date.
Desist from brown shirts unless it is a theme colour or you are riding down to the countryside where driving or walking a dusty road would turn your white/cream shirt brown.
They both recommend that for an excuse to wear brown, let it be in stripes or one can team brown with blue denims or khaki on a lazy day. To neutralise the bright colours during office hours, tone them down with a sweater, cardigan or dark blazer.
