Wearing This Color Makes the Best First Impression

Not unlike with the first day of school, choosing what you should wear to a job interview or on the first day at a new job can seem like one of the most difficult decisions you’ve ever had to make. Well according to Business Insider's "What Your Clothes Say About You" video, it's a good thing you're paying attention. As superficial as it may sound, what you wear to work determines how your co-workers (and boss) will perceive you. So the answer to the crucial question of "what the heck should I wear?" (which is often asked in the wee hours of the morning, if you’re like me) can pretty much be summed up in three words: just wear blue.

Of course there are other important cues to take when preparing for such an occasion: dress on the conservative side, opt for a blazer if it’s appropriate, and don’t wear anything ripped, stained, or low-cut — unless that’s the dress code. But believe it or not, the colors you choose to wear have a huge effect on those around you. (Please purge that scene from the Devil Wears Prada at this time.)

This is where blue comes in. Although black is empowering and red is provocative, the cooler hue might be the easiest way to give a great first impression — in any situation. No matter what your style is, even if you’re a die-hard wear-black-all-day-every-day kind of person, incorporating the shade into your outfit could be a game changer. Here are a few reasons why blue is, psychologically speaking, the best color to wear when it comes to impressing your co-workers, or anyone, for the first time :

1. It’s calming

In a piece for the Huffington Post, psychologist Leslie Harrington, executive director of The Color Association of The United States, explains that blue has a calming effect on its viewers. She says it can also lower blood pressure and “create relaxation.” Apparently, this has to do with color association, and that unlike with red — which makes us think of fire and danger — we feel tranquil when we see shades of blue.

2. It makes you seem trustworthy

According to Business Insider, wearing blue to a job interview suggests you are both confident and trustworthy. Lisa Johnson Mandell, of AOL Jobs, claims that navy blue in particular “inspires confidence.” Harrington also mentions that the color is often associated with dependability and strength, and suggests wearing the color if you want to make a good first impression.

3. It promotes creativity

Even if you’re getting paid to fill out Excel documents in a cubicle all day, creativity is still a great quality to encourage. According to Science Daily, a study at the University of British Columbia backs up the theory that blue promotes creativity. The study’s author, Juliet Zhu, of UBC's Sauder School of Business, says that despite its association with tranquility, it also makes “people feel safe about being creative and exploratory.”

With psychology on it's side, blue seems to be the most accepted and positive color to wear — at least when it comes to first impressions. I’m not saying you should change you’re entire wardrobe, but when in doubt, remember: just wear blue.