Research conducted in France claims that the colour of your clothes can determine how well you do professionally.
In the study, waitresses from five different restaurants were dressed in white, black, red, blue, green, and yellow t-shirts and asked to record the amount the received in tips over a six week period
The results showed that the waitresses dressed in red received 15% to 26% more than their less-powerfully dressed counterparts from male diners, while the colour seemed to have little or no effect on the tips given by female diners.
From these findings the researchers concluded that it would be in a waitress’s best interest to wear red clothes to work as the effect on male diners was evidently positive, while the effect on female diners was not negative.
The question, however, is whether these findings can be related to the business world. And the answer is of course yes.
Wearing bold colours in a work setting sets you apart from the rest, gives the impression that you’re a risk taker and ensures that you get noticed – after all it’s very easy to blend in with the multitude of navy, charcoal and black suits that clog up the corridors on a daily basis.
Bold colours, like reds and oranges, can also help give you that extra boost in confidence when you really need it as they are both colours that command respect and grab attention.
Staff Training is a South African soft skills training company. Contact us at info@StaffTraining.co.za for more information on any of our +30 training workshops or call (021) 839 3021.
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