Red vs blue: tie color matters
The tie is the symbol of formality, of the world of politics and business, so much so that Guglielmo Battistoni, founder of the homonymous tailor's shop, affirmed that the width of the ties follows the economic cycle, either expansive or recessive. And although for some time there has been a tendency to make men's clothing less and less formal, first of all eliminating the male accessory par excellence, the stoics of the business look and the new dandies confirm its importance.
But do you know how important is the color of the tie you choose to wear?
Whether you opt for a solid color or a pattern (discreet for the office), the color of the tie has a silent yet very strong impact from a psychological point of view both on the wearer and on others. In politics as well as in business, there are two main colors of ties: red and blue. Of course, there are those who wear bright colors or unusual patterns, but they are mostly eclectic characters or sometimes heedless of their own choices. In some cases, real outsiders. But few world leaders or CEOs want to be seen as such. The best examples are the former US president, Barack Obama, and the current president, Donald Trump. On the day of his inauguration, which took place on January 20, President Trump wore a red tie combined with a dark suit, while outgoing President Obama wore a blue tie. Their wives, on the other hand, wore the opposite: Michelle in a burgundy red dress and Melania in a soft powder blue. And so it was throughout Trump's election campaign as well as for the first days as President of Obama: a continuous alternation of red and blue ties.
What is behind this choice and what is the meaning of these colors?
THE RED.
It is a warm and positive color that expresses strength and energy, giving self-esteem and confidence to the wearer. It is associated with ambition and determination and denotes an attitude of leadership. Furthermore, it is the color of physicality, movement and action. It is no coincidence that it is the color that pushes consumers the most to purchase and, therefore, is used most in advertising. Furthermore, being a very evident color, red draws attention to itself and captures attention. It is no coincidence that the warning signs are red! And just like for warning signs, attention must be paid to the use made of this color because it could send a message of aggression, arrogance or desire to abuse. Returning to the example of the US president, the red tie was often worn during press conferences to talk to the nation about military interventions, very clear-cut positions or to invite the people to follow the ideas and choices of its leader. The color tone also has its importance: the darker the red becomes, the more it loses its energy charge to give way to reflexivity and controlled determination.
THE BLUE.
It is the color of trust, loyalty and responsibility. The association with the sky and the sea make it the ideal color to reduce stress and give a sense of calm and tranquility. Facilitates communication and the establishment of relationships based on honesty and clarity. In many circumstances, the blue tie is worn by politicians to give reassuring messages and gain the trust of the audience. As with red, however, blue can also send signals that contrast with the reassuring characteristics described above. Blue, in fact, risks making it appear too rigid, conservative and predictable. In some cases, the coldness of the color is even perceived as the coldness of the wearer, making him too detached from the interlocutor. Again, the hue can make the difference: while a light blue is associated with freedom of spirit, harmony and lightness, darker tones suggest extreme rigidity, self-control and repression of emotions.
3 STYLE TIPS ABOUT TIE
• Always prefer natural fabrics. The best choice is always silk, followed by cashmere, wool, cotton and linen.
• The best knot is the four-in-hand or simple knot, suitable for any type of tie and neck.
• Are you wearing a suit and unsure whether to wear a tie as well? Wear it! The outfit will be complete and the tie will be the link between the shirt and the jacket.
