How fabric colours shape mood, confidence, and self-perception

There's more going on than just “looking good” when we choose what to wear. Research shows that our clothes - especially colour, fit, texture, and overall presentation - have real psychological effects. Here are key findings, and how silk slides into that picture.

A study among university students found that wearing certain colours corresponded with higher self-esteem and more positive emotions. Sapienza Editorial Journals. Colours are broadly grouped into “warm” (reds, oranges, yellows) and “cool” (blues, greens, purples) categories, each having different effects: warm colours tend to energise, stimulate, attract attention; cool colours calm, soothe, increase feelings of peace or trust. 

“Dopamine dressing” is a growing trend: wearing colours that make you feel good, more confident, happier. Using bright, warm colours when you need a lift, calmer shades when you need grounding.

But it isn’t only about colour. The way clothes feel on our skin, how they move when we walk, even the way they reflect light all contribute to how confident we feel. That’s why fabrics matter just as much as shade.

Silk as a powerful tool in presentation

Silk ticks many of the boxes that research suggests are beneficial. It’s not just about colour, but also about texture, how the garment moves, and how it interacts with light and body.

• Silk often has a natural sheen that enhances the colour - making colours look more vivid, richer. That can amplify the mood effects of whatever colour you choose.
• Silk is smooth, soft, with low friction. Wearing silk tends to feel luxurious and comfortable, which supports better posture, more relaxed movement, less adjusting/fussing. Feeling physically comfortable helps you feel mentally confident.
• Silk drapes and flows. When clothing moves well, it can enhance how you present yourself - more graceful, elegant presence. This contributes to self-esteem.

That’s why at Paradisefold, we design with silk at the heart - pieces that don’t just look beautiful, but make you feel empowered, grounded, and confident every time you wear them.