Dressing for Success: Why Choose Blue

If you had asked Yves Klein what “blue” was, he would have answered: “my obsession”. The famous painter spent a large part of his artistic life trying to recreate a pure blue , which never lost its brilliance. After years, Klein found exactly what he was looking for: a nuance capable of transmitting the eternal , giving the viewer a state of peace and well-being.

Yves is not the only one to have made blue a reason to exist: think of Giorgio Armani who, in addition to always and only dressing in this shade, has created an entire monochromatic collection (Fall/Winter, 2022-2023). But what makes this color so special?

Blue: etymology of a “perfect” color

Blue has always fascinated humanity because it is present in nature in the form of sky and sea, symbols of infinity and depth but also of the unknown and divine. Etymologically, the term derives from the Latin “blăvus” , meaning “faded”. The Italian word , however, comes from an adaptation of the French “bleu” whose root “bhle” meant in ancient times “color of light”.

From a historical point of view , however, blue was considered a precious color and was reserved for the higher social classes , being difficult to obtain and requiring a very expensive production process. The first traces appeared in the civilizations of the Egyptians and Sumerians who exploited it in the field of arts by extracting it from the very rare lapis lazuli. For the same reason, the tombs of the pharaohs were filled with it so as to immediately communicate pomp and luxury. The extract of lapis lazuli was later used also by Michelangelo to paint the skies of the Sistine Chapel and by Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua.

In the 19th century it became the symbolic color of the aristocracy. It is no coincidence that nobles were called "blue-blooded" . Their diaphanous complexion, from which their veins could be seen, distinguished them from humble field workers who tended to have tanned skin.

Today, blue is chosen by politicians and first ladies. Both Michelle Obama and Melania Trump preferred it during the inauguration ceremonies of their respective husbands, but Lady Diana and the English royals also made extensive use of it. Hence, this reputation as the color chosen by the upper classes that persists over time.

Color Psychology: What Science Says About Blue

“Color Psychology” helps us understand the impact that colors have on the external environment, especially on the people we choose to interact with. For this reason, it is important to understand what we want to communicate and, above all, to whom.

From a neuroscientific point of view, blue stimulates the production of hormones linked to calm and tranquility such as serotonin combined with the sensation of relaxation transmitted by oxytocin. This implies that wearing this color or being surrounded by shades of blue can help reduce stress and anxiety. For these reasons it is widely used to convey trust and professionalism especially in the business environment . This can positively direct people's decisions by instilling a feeling of reliability. The result is that interlocutors are more inclined towards thoughtful and rational choices towards us. Blue , therefore, is a "state of mind" .

Furthermore, those who choose to dress in blue demonstrate firmness: these are people with a great open mind and capable of thinking “outside the box ”. They are intuitive and have a strong sense of humor.

Two results, one color

Those who say that clothes don't make the man are lying! It's a question of framing , that is, being able to interpret the context and the range of action in which we are going to move. We must rely on our emotional intelligence to understand what area we are in. For example, for some professions a more rigid and formal dress code is required.

Power dressing is just that: having a winning style on every occasion and blue is always a great calling card . Some “it-girls” have chosen it as their favorite color because they believe that “blue is the new black” : it is the best antagonist to black but it does not make us appear gloomy.

As anticipated, it is a nuance that activates eleven tranquilizers in our brain, therefore it allows us to obtain two results in one go: transmit immediate confidence in those around us and make us calm during the conversation . For this reason, blue is the color of personal and professional success.

All that glitters is not blue

While on the one hand wearing blue is always a good idea, on the other hand we must understand that there is no ideal shade that suits everyone. Furthermore, each of its variations aims to produce a certain type of effect. The rule is to be able to identify what enhances us and what message we want to send, creating a mix between these two variables. To make your task easier, below you will find the most used nuances and what they represent:

• Midnight blue: this is the shade selected by Armani in the fashion show we were referring to. It is a very dark color, so much so that it is perceived as refined, ethereal and almost “unattainable” in a good sense. It is suitable for gala evenings, in fact it recalls the image of the night sky. It is also widely used in interior design for its association with calm;
• Navy Blue: known as marine blue, it is one of the deepest shades of blue. The term “navy” was chosen to recall the British Navy, which has used this tone for uniforms for more than 250 years. In fashion, it is the color of choice for formal suits such as suits, linked to business contexts;
• Denim blue: this is the color of jeans fabrics. Originally used for work clothes, this fabric is now the symbol of casual clothing;
• Electric blue: it is a cheerful and charged shade. Its incisiveness makes it perfect to take center stage and be memorable;
• Royal blue: it is more enveloping and brighter than the blues seen previously. It resembles a sort of vibrant light blue and is the color chosen by the British royal family. Currently it is also chosen as a bold variant for formal ceremonies. It is very similar to electric blue;
• Savoy Blue: it is linked to the Italian dynasty of Savoy. It is said that this color was chosen as an act of devotion to the Madonna. No less important is the color of our Maglia Azzurra, the uniform of the Italian national soccer team;
• Cobalt blue: it takes its name from the mineral from which it is extracted, namely cobalt. We find it more used in the creation of pieces of art since it lends itself well to decorative objects.

Armocromia: what's your blue?

We all know how popular color harmony has become in recent years precisely because of its ability to enhance individuals through an analysis of the person's complexion and colors.

Given the wide choice of blues currently available in clothing, relying on color harmony can be an excellent solution to start creating your own outfit . Let's see together which is the right blue according to the season:

• Winter Bright or Winter True: they want strong shades like electric blue or cobalt;
• Winter Deep or Winter Cool: being the subgroups that adapt best to blue, they can afford to play with almost all shades;
• Summer True or Summer Soft: you need to focus on shades that are not too warm, such as navy;
• Summer Light: you should opt for dusty shades, closer to blue;
• Summer Cool and Bright: they look fantastic with Royal blue;
• Spring True: they find their maximum expression in royal blue;
• Spring Warm: should go on the blue that is closest to purple/lilac;
• Spring Light: denim blue tones are indicated;
• Autumn: this is the season that definitely has great difficulty in hitting the right blue. If you really don't want to give up the "perfect color" it is advisable to opt for very dark tones, choose patterns that have nuances in the palette or dedicate it exclusively to accessories.

Express yourself in blue with T-Switch

Do you know what the hardest thing to do when wearing blue is? Finding the right footwear to match! This is because some shades of blue can be dull if combined poorly with accessories. Even comfortable black can sometimes be the wrong choice.

With T-Switch this problem does not exist! Our T-Kits allow you to create many different combinations, starting from a basic white sneaker that, needless to say, already looks perfect with blue.

How to match the T-Switch in the blue variants

No matter what your destination, wearing our T-Switches means wearing success on your feet . The different shades of blue that we offer will help you stand out in style. Below you will find some outfit ideas to copy right away:

• T-Blue : the strap and tongue in absolute blue are an excellent choice for those who want to convey elegance and refinement. They are perfect with navy but also with cobalt blue . The outfit combinations with this combo can be multiple . Men can use them under a tailored suit for a casual-chic look. Paired with a splendid 24-hour bag or a laptop backpack they will communicate the image of a determined, creative person who pays attention to details. For women we suggest opting for a deep blue suit . The outfit can be completed with gold or silver jewels (depending on your season) and a medium bag or clutch bag depending on the context. T-Blue are also perfect combined with neutral shades such as white and gray , or with brighter colors for a more daring look;
• T-Jeans : as we said before, the Spring Light season cannot go with particularly dark blues. We suggest using a denim strap and tongue both in total jeans outfits and in casual or urban ones . The denim detail of the shoe will certainly not go unnoticed under a pair of cargos and a polo shirt for men. For women , however, it is preferable with a minimal and relaxed style , for which the shoe becomes the focal point of the look;
• T-Azure : for the most eccentric and warm blues, especially those intended for the Summer or Winter Cool seasons, this solution is truly perfect. Wearing them will make you feel like you're immediately on holiday, recalling the colour of the sea in the Caribbean islands. We can see this sneaker very well in the hall of a luxury resort, where a man can wear them under a pair of tailored blue Bermuda shorts , with a light linen shirt, while a woman can show them off under a long pleated skirt and a coordinated top that recalls the carefree nature of summer days.

In conclusion, blue is a win-win color : it communicates class, style, personality and allows you, at the same time, to appear reliable and confident in work contexts. With T-Switch, then, you will have the advantage of deciding day by day which shade of blue to interpret by combining comfort, quality and style.

Article by Alessia Capo