In the morning, choosing clothing is often a question of weather, desire… or habit. However, some psychologists believe that our clothing preferences can also send subtle messages to those around us. For several months, several media have been interested in a very particular color: white. According to color psychology, this shade is spontaneously associated with qualities such as sincerity, peace or even altruism. But does it really reflect the personality of the wearer?
Why white spontaneously evokes kindness
In many cultures, white has long been associated with positive symbols. It recalls purity, renewal or even transparency. We find it in wedding dresses, formal wear, but also in the white coats of health professionals, which have long inspired seriousness and confidence.
The work Color psychology: how colors affect feelings and reasonpublished by Gustavo Gili editions and cited by Infobaethus describes white as the color of peace, honesty and openness to others.
TyC Sports also presents it as a neutral color that inspires calm and balance, while Men’s Health Spain recalls that it is often used to symbolize a new beginning.
For the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, white also represented the color of possibilities, that of a still blank page. A symbolism which explains why this shade is frequently associated with positive intentions.
What Your Preference for White Might Reveal
According to specialists cited by these media, people who regularly wear white often seek a peaceful environment and simple relationships, far from tensions and conflicts.
This preference could also reflect a taste for transparency, consistency between what we think and what we show, as well as a desire to create a climate of trust with others.
Psychologist Veronica Rossi, interviewed by Infobaebelieves that this clothing choice is sometimes observed in people naturally oriented towards human relations and cooperation. TyC Sports
also evokes empathetic, peaceful and sometimes perfectionist profiles.
White is also very present in the world of yoga, meditation and certain mindfulness practices. For those who appreciate it, this color would help create a feeling of inner calm and promote a more serene attitude on a daily basis.
A color that especially influences the gaze of others
Should we conclude that people who like white are necessarily nicer? Not really.
Researchers point out that color psychology does not allow us to draw a reliable portrait of personality. On the other hand, it shows that certain colors modify the way we are perceived.
A study published in
JAMA Network Open showed that patients placed more trust in doctors wearing a white coat than in those dressed more casually.
Another illustration with the work of psychologists Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky on the concept of “enclothed cognition”. According to them, clothes do not only affect the image reflected to others: they can also influence our own behavior, depending on the symbolism we attribute to them.
A preference, not a personality test
Liking to dress in white does not mean that you are more generous or more honest than others. This color simply conveys positive values deeply anchored in our collective imagination.
In practice, wearing white can give the impression of reliability, softness or openness. But kindness is obviously not just about a wardrobe. As specialists point out, color psychology offers interesting insights into our perceptions… without ever allowing us to judge a person’s personality based on the color of their clothes.