Picture this: You’re about to meet your partner’s parents for the first time and want to make a positive impression. Or maybe you have a high-stakes work meeting where building trust is crucial. Perhaps you’re reconnecting with an old friend after a falling out and hope to smooth things over. In each of these moments, the goal is the same—come across as likable, approachable, and someone others want to be around.
According to American color psychology specialist Michelle Lewis, the colors you wear can play a surprisingly powerful role in shaping how others perceive you. As she explained to Parade, color is one of the first things our brains register about a person. The shades you choose for your clothes, accessories, or even makeup can influence the first impression you make—sometimes before you even say a word.
So, which color should you reach for if you want to seem more friendly and open? Lewis points to orange as the top choice. She describes orange as sitting at the intersection of red (associated with passion) and yellow (linked to optimism), making it a color that signals warmth, accessibility, and friendliness. Wearing orange, she says, sends a message that you’re trustworthy and welcoming—almost like wearing a sign that says, “You’ll feel good around me.”
Other colors can also help you appear approachable, though perhaps not as strongly as orange. Lewis notes that green, blue, and violet are generally seen as inviting, but they don’t have quite the same impact. If you want to maximize your chances of being seen as likable, orange is your best bet.
But what about colors to avoid when you want to make a good impression? Lewis cautions against three in particular. Black, while sophisticated and powerful, can come off as intimidating and create a sense of distance. Red, though attention-grabbing, is more about power than warmth and doesn’t necessarily foster connection. Gray, meanwhile, can make you blend into the background and seem less memorable or approachable.
Choosing what to wear isn’t just about style—it’s also about the subtle psychological signals you send. Next time you’re preparing for an important social or professional encounter, consider reaching for orange or another welcoming shade. The right color might just help you break the ice and leave a lasting, positive impression.
Source: Parade
