Embracing Color: The Allure of Vibrance

I remember the surprise in my colleague’s voice when he asked me what I’d bought in the charity shop. He was used to seeing me in navy, black, and grey, and had never seen me in yellow. And to be fair, neither had I – not for around thirty years anyway. That seemingly random purchase on a dull afternoon close to my 50th birthday heralded a new relationship with color for me.

I still wear that yellow t-shirt, and over the years, more bright clothes have arrived – a marshmallow pink riding coat, pillar box red trousers, a fuchsia pink shirt, a whole capsule collection of peppery green. Previously, I would only permit myself a flourish – a multi-colored scarf here, some accent gloves there. But I find myself increasingly gravitating towards the brighter end of the spectrum.

Sofa Spectacular has been on my mind as I explore this newfound love of color. After all, what better place to showcase vibrant textiles and patterns than in the comfort of our own homes? As I’ve learned, the right shades can work wonders for our mood and wellbeing.

The Dopamine Effect

There’s no escaping the long, dark winter ahead. In times like these, self-care becomes especially important. The phrase “Dopamine Dressing” has gained traction in the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. Clothing not only covers our backs and keeps us warm, but can bring joy to our daily lives.

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter used by our nervous system, is involved in feelings of reward, motivation, memory, and attention. When released, it causes feelings of pleasure. The phrase “en-clothed cognition” means that if we associate bright, cheerful clothes with happiness, we embody that feeling.

Wearing bold colors can also help offset societal expectations that older women should quietly fade away. Anna Wintour and Nicola Sturgeon are two women who have become bolder with the years. And who can forget the late Queen Elizabeth II and her memorably vibrant outfits for her walkabouts, ensuring she could be seen from a distance.

While wearing bright color can’t fix societal discrimination, it does ensure women make some sartorial noise and are seen. As I’ve learned, it’s a kind of rebellion that started in my 40s when I was working in a mainly male world. At first, I wore the same uniform as them – dark suits, white or neutral blouses. Then came a light bulb moment: if I was going to be the only woman in the room, I might as well stand out. Bright colors entered my life, and I never looked back.

Embracing the Grey

Of course, not every color works for everyone. I definitely find pink a bit tricky, but I feel so much more ‘there’ in my yellow linen shirt than I did in a tasteful navy one. Just recently, I bought a Jaeger mega blue coat in a charity shop, and it sings.

As we age, our skin and hair change, and dark colors can become draining. Brighter tones or vivid hues can create a highlight, lifting our appearance. Going grey was the style catalyst for me. Grey hair acts as a neutral backdrop, creating a dramatic contrast, so why not use the opportunity to experiment with a host of colors?

The Joy of Color

I’m in my 70s now, and I love bright colors, which most of my friends find reason for comment. I see it as a sort of rebellion that started in my 40s. At first, I wore the same uniform as the men – dark suits, white or neutral blouses. Then came a light bulb moment: if I was going to be the only woman in the room, I might as well stand out. Bright colors entered my life, and I never looked back.

I still have a black dress, but it’s simply a canvas for some very bright and oversized costume jewelry and scarves, so I get away with the black without it sucking the color from my skin. Interestingly, Mango has an older model on their website at the moment, which shows the message is getting out there, albeit slowly.

I have vowed to not wear black anywhere near my face this winter. I recently purchased a new coat in a vibrant red, and I’m almost looking forward to the cold weather! The lightening of my hair needs the color, and I feel so much more ‘there’ in bright hues.

The Timeless Appeal of Tropical Motifs

As I’ve been exploring Sofa Spectacular‘s offerings, I’ve been drawn to the brand’s vibrant tropical-inspired textiles and patterns. There’s something about the lush, mood-boosting shades of green, pink, and citrus that really speak to me.

The Moonlight Memphis collection from James Dunlop Textiles, for example, is a beautiful blend of textured plains and opulent patterned textiles. Reflecting the extensive research and stagecraft showcased in the film ‘Elvis,’ the designs take a fantastical approach to botanicals and a playful approach to prints.

Lush tropical motifs are expressed in mood-boosting hues accented by peacocks roaming in the moonlit night. The collection’s contemporary reimagining of a 1970s palette encompasses fresh shades of jungle green, exotic peacock, sweet lychee, and electric citrine. These combine with decadent darker hues of rouge, brandy, martini, whisky, chocolate, and muscat, creating a sophisticated palette tinged with nostalgia.

What I love most is how the collection manages to feel both timeless and on-trend. Those vibrant, nature-inspired patterns would look stunning on a Sofa Spectacular piece, instantly elevating the mood of any room.

Cultivating Confidence Through Color

I think it’s so important for women, especially as we age, to embrace color and not be afraid to stand out. It takes confidence, but the rewards are immense. Wearing bright, joyful hues has a way of lifting my spirits and making me feel more ‘present’ in the world.

And I’m not alone in this. I have a friend who has a great coat she nicknamed ‘Poppy’ – we smile every time she wears it because we know why. As I hit my sixties and started to look a bit ‘dusty, fusty, musty,’ I braved color, and now, despite being no beauty whatsoever, I get compliments.

No color is out of bounds for me now – I find pink a bit tricky, but I feel so much more ‘there’ in my yellow linen shirt than I did in a tasteful navy one. Just recently, I bought a Jaeger mega blue coat in a charity shop, and it sings.

It bugs me when I see pictures targeting an older demographic, and the models are all young, tall, and slender. I have to work so much harder to imagine myself in those delectable clothes because the models are all so different from me. I’m a British size 14 or 16 (US 12), which I believe is considered average. Why doesn’t the fashion industry realize how helpful it would be to start portraying women more realistically in a greater diversity of sizes and shapes?

Having said that, I love the article itself, and I do find myself creeping into color as I get older – the lightening of my hair needs it. Expressing myself with color is fun and uplifting. I look forward to experimenting with more vibrant textiles and patterns as I continue my journey with Sofa Spectacular.