The Color That Promotes Attraction

The connection between love and color is strong. That’s why people tend to associate certain colors with love and intimacy. What colors symbolize love to you? If you’re like most people, your answer will be “red,” although some will say “white,” which can represent commitment (think bridal gowns).

What is “The Red Effect”?

There really is something to red being connected with love and intimacy. In fact, there is a phenomenon psychologists refer to as “the red effect.” The red effect happens when one wears the color red, whether in cosmetics or clothing, and is perceived as more attractive.

Psychology Today’s Marisa T. Cohen, Ph.D., discussed the red effect in her article Color and Intimacy. In it, she mentioned a series of five experiments that were conducted in 2008 that explored the red effect in detail:

“In one, men were asked to rate whether a photo of a female presented on a red or white background was more attractive. Additional experiments altered the color of the woman’s shirt and examined factors other than attraction, such as the male’s intentions regarding their likelihood to date the woman. Results showed that not only did men rate a woman in red as more attractive, but they were also more likely to want to date and spend money on her,” stated Color and Intimacy.

Read about an additional study done by Dr. Cohen here.

What Other Colors Promote Feelings of Love and Attraction?

Clearly, the color red causes feelings of attraction in some. Black is also viewed by many as a “sexy” color. But are there are other hues that promote amor? Absolutely, but they vary from person to person. What color one person associates with love will be totally different from that of another.

Most people are unaware of what colors elicit feelings of love and attraction in them. This all happens on a subconscious level, and many different cultural and media-related factors contribute to our emotional responses to color.

The Best Color to Wear on a Date

If you don’t know what colors facilitate feelings of attraction in others, yet you want to make a great first impression on a date, what should you wear? The answer is simple: whatever color makes you feel most confident. Confidence can make you more attractive than just about any shade.

What color makes you feel most attractive to your date or mate? What color makes you feel most attracted to your significant other? Share with us in the space below.