Color and Fashion
A colorful world is a world of meaning because people have always used color as symbols. Here are some of the ways fashion and color have connected.
Red
The Aztecs of Mexico taught the Spanish how to make red dye by crushing insects called cochineals. Deep red looks bold, while pale red—pink—looks gentle. In the U.S., pink is now associated with girls, though before the 1920s it was considered a boy's color.
Yellow
Cheerful sunny yellow gets noticed. In ancient Rome, yellow was the most popular wedding color. Yellow is sometimes worn for safety reasons: raincoats today may be bright yellow so that the wearer can be seen easily in the rain.
Blue
Blue is the most common color—especially since blue jeans are everywhere! Blue has a calming effect. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. For this same reason, U.S. police officers traditionally wear blue.
Orange
Brilliant tropical orange may be the most attention-getting color. Like yellow, it can be used for safety—evening joggers and hunters in the woods may wear orange tops. Orange can be mixed with pink to make peach, a lively color that is popular in warm weather.
Green
Green is the easiest color on the eye. Hospital uniforms may be green because the color relaxes patients. Green is also associated with nature; leprechauns are said to dress in green, and brides in Europe in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility.
Purple
Purple has