Dress for Success in the New Year

What do you know about Feng shui? According to Merriam-Webster, it is an ancient system that guides people in how to balance colors and arrange décor. Meaning “wind-water,” the Chinese art form is thought to invite harmony into the lives of those who use Feng shui. It also invites health and happiness, which are great traits to hope for in the year ahead.

The dawning of the New Year is a cause for celebration. Around the world, people get together to throw parties and host events. Getting dressed up is important on such a night. But pulling out sequins and putting on tuxedos may be overdoing it. Consulting the ancient philosophical system of Feng shui can offer valuable insight into planning your New Year’s apparel.

What to Wear for New Year’s Eve 2014

According to the Chinese calendar, 2014 is the year of the Wood Horse. Therefore, dressing in harmony with the energy of the New Year is appropriate. Colors that compliment wood elements include all shades of green and brown.

Wear Green and Brown

Whatever your plans are for the New Year, be sure to wear some green and brown. If these aren’t your colors, or if you already have your outfit planned, you can add accessories with these shades. Jewelry, belts, or scarfs may be the perfect accent to bring you health, happiness, and success in 2014. But don’t feel limited to green and brown; there are many shades you can wear that are dynamic enough for this extraordinary holiday. For instance, an About.com article recommends trying, “… green jade, agate, green tourmaline and malachite.”

Blue and Black Too

In addition, it is also good luck to wear blue and black because these colors represent water elements. Water is known to support wood, as these elements are necessary for its growth and strength. Therefore, dress up your New Year’s apparel with accents like turquoise, aquamarine, moonstone, black obsidian, black tourmaline, black onyx and more.

According to Feng shui, it is also advisable to avoid colors that signify fire and metal, like whites, grays, purples, oranges, and reds.

Prepare for a fun night this New Year’s Eve. Be sure to dress for happiness, health, and success in the year ahead. Wear shades of green, brown, black, and blue. According to Feng shui, this harmony may suit you.

Read more Segmation blog posts about Holiday Colors:

The Stories Behind Holiday Colors

Green Represents Saint Patrick’s Day

Communicate Love with Colorful Roses on Valentine’s Day

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Blue is for Boys, Pink is for Girls

Many expecting parents are going with a new trend; they are painting nurseries neutral colors. Are people trying to get away from common childhood stereotypes? Whoever said blue is for boys and pink is for girls?

Even though it is true today, color has not always perceived this way. Before the middle of the 20^th century, children were not assigned gender specific colors. In fact, there is a lot of debate about the masculinity of the color pink; how some of the world’s most honorable men wore dresses; and what colors really attribute to males and females.

Is the pendulum swinging back to center? Are neutral-colored parents taking a stance against societal norms? Or is this saying true: blue is for boys and pink is for girls?

The Masculine Color Pink

Pink can be seen in the men’s sections of most clothing stores – even if it is not always referred to as pink. Some men opt to call it, “salmon.” Regardless of title, the point is this: a lot of men look good in this color.

Back in the day, pink was not seen as a “dainty” color or overly feminine, as it is today. Actually, during World War II this color was used in military combat – and there is nothing feminine about war.  At one point, the British painted an entire militia of warships pink. They thought this hue would blend in at dusk. The tactic was used to confuse the Germans. Did it work?

Honorable Men Wore Dresses

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was two and a half years old, he was pictured wearing a long white dress with shiny black shoes and long curly hair. His mother was not mistaken about his gender – this look was appropriate for boys in the late 19^th century. In fact, during this era, it was appropriate for boys to wear dresses until the age of seven. White cotton dresses went well with white cloth diapers. They were functional and easy to clean.

Who’s Whose Color?

It was not until the middle of the 1900’s that blue and pink were attributed to boys and girls. Even then, it was said that pink was for boys and blue was for girls. This was stated in an article printed in the trade publication, Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department, in June of 1918.  

All this changed, however, in the 1940’s. After World War II, boys began dressing like their fathers, and girls like their mothers.

Gender specific colors go to show how inseparable colors are to the human psyche. Much of a person’s identity comes from the apparel he or she dons. Many children learn about their genders by the colors they wear and play with. But will blue always be for boys? And will pink forever be a girl’s color? Or will the pendulum swing again?

Image Credit: JEONGMEE YOON / BARCROFT

Color Blocking Makes for Artful Fashion

Art’s influence on fashion is practically undeniable, especially when you consider particular trends in the clothing industry. For example, color blocking is among the most popular current fashion trends. Color blocking is nothing more than art adapted to fit the human body in the form of certain clothing/color combinations.

Color blocking in fashion is simply the practice of wearing blocks of color. These colors are typically very bold and bright, and oftentimes clashing. While this may sound distasteful, it has been seen on the runway in recent fashion shows and can be quite attractive. So how does someone color block his or her clothing practically?

Guidelines for Fashionable Color Blocking

Clash on Purpose – We are told throughout our lives to wear colors that compliment one another and do not clash. With color blocking, those rules get utterly thrown out the window. When you color block, you are encouraged to wear shades that are traditionally unacceptable, such as red and pink. In fact, the more clash you can achieve with your outfit, the more fashionable you will appear.

Opt for Basic Accessories – If you are going to color block your clothing, do not do the same with your accessories. Shoes, jewelry, handbags, and the like should be restricted to neutral tones. Remember, you can’t go wrong with grey, the current top trend in neutral shades.

Be Bold – Do not shy away from bold, loud colors. Such tones are at the heart of color blocking, so let yourself be free in your choices of these shades.

Wear No More than Three Tones – One of the only unofficial restrictions you have in color blocking is the number of tones you can appropriately wear at one time. A good rule of thumb is to combine only two or three colors per outfit. That way, you will be fashionable but not overwhelming.

There is no doubt that art and fashion go hand in hand – just ask the designers who are creating this season’s array of color-blocked ensembles. Don’t be afraid to unleash your inner artist as you color block your way into late summer. What shades will you choose?

http://fashiondujourdaily.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/color-blocking-101-what-how/

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