After years of wearing black Rowena Becker decided to see just how much of an impact colours have on how we are perceived
WORDS: ASHLEIGH PAGE. PHOTOGRAPHER: ANNE-MARIE BICKERTON. HAIR AND MAKE-UP: SHERRIE WARWICK AND LIZ KITCHINER. STYLING: HARRIET DAVEY. DRESS, £175, KAREN MILLEN. SHOES, £30, RIVER ISLAND
For years, I shied away from wearing different colours, preferring to blend into the background rather than stand out. As a busy working mum, wearing black and neutral colours has always seemed so much easier. But when I started my blog, My Balancing Act, about balancing life as a working mum, I realised I needed to be braver, and the blog helped me to feel more confident. Now, in my 40s, I’m ready to embrace a more vibrant look, and according to experts, red is the colour to wear. Research suggests that wearing red makes you 70% more attractive, so I thought I would give it a go. On a mission to find out how I’m perceived in different colours and if red really does have an impact on how I look, I added a rainbow of shades to my wardrobe and asked a panel of strangers for their brutal honesty. Here’s how I got on…
BLACK DRESS
Lindsay Edwards, 39, is a personal stylist (lindsayedwardsstylist.com) who lives in Bedfordshire: ‘The first thing I notice is how serious Rowena looks. She has a golden skin tone, hazel eyes, and brown hair with caramel and honey-toned highlights. With this in mind, the most flattering colours for Rowena to wear will be those that share the same overall quality as her colouring – warm.’
Lanre Bianeyin, 50, is an artist who lives in Surrey: ‘The harsh colour makes her look a bit dull. In a room full of people she’d blend into the background.’
Darren Whelan, 43, is an electrician from Kent: ‘Bland and boring – those are my first thoughts. She just looks dull and unexciting, which makes me wonder, is this reflective of her personality?’
Rowena, 44, from West Sussex, says: ‘I feel comfortable and sophisticated in this and as though people will take me seriously. It’s too safe though – I need to step out of my comfort zone.’
BURNT-ORANGE DRESS
LINDSAY: ‘She looks the epitome of class. This shade harmonises seamlessly with her colouring. This enables her own features to subtly steal the show, as they’re not being overshadowed. She looks honest and intelligent.’
LANRE: ‘Rowena looks incredible and quite business-y. Her make-up looks amazing and even
