Fashion
YOU STAND OUT WITH GREEN
I once had a black T-shirt with a print of white skulls. I had all sorts of Alexander McQueen thoughts about that shirt – you know, because of that famous scarf of his that Kate Moss always wears so ultra-cool while strutting the streets – but styling-wise, that shirt never really came to life. No matter what I combined it with, it never had that nice edgy touch that I saw in it. It was, honestly, Sjaan from the Jordaan, so it disappeared to the back of the closet.
Until one day I saw a girl wearing it combined with jeans and bright green suspenders. I had tried those jeans too – tacky – but not those green suspenders, and it was precisely those that made the shirt look completely different. Cooler, more exciting, eye-catching, outstanding. And totally Alexander McQueen.
Oprah Winfrey's cuddle medium and ‘cosmic coach’ Dougall Fraser knows why. He claims that if you want to stand out, green is the color to achieve this. According to him, green is an incredibly powerful color that guarantees you will be the center of attention. Party? A green dress ensures that all the spotlights are on you. And people who think ‘green’ – writers, actors, artists – according to Fraser, receive heaps of positive attention. (Note to self: don't think in gray thunderclouds, but in basil, grass, and emerald.)
“Even a borrowed mint green accessory, in the form of a bag, looks particularly schön and updates my otherwise standard uniform of black jeans and gray sweater.”
We test it. First, in front of the mirror – saying goodbye to black, gray, and dark blue is not easy. An army green jacket from my boyfriend's closet is not an instant hit, until I grab one in a moss green shade: wow, I’m almost glowing. My eyes seem darker, my skin more golden. It looks unexpectedly good. A pine green sweater does the same for me – too bad about that ridiculous model, get rid of it. And even a little scarf in emerald green with pink brightens my face enormously. Even a borrowed mint green accessory, in the form of a bag, looks particularly schön and updates my otherwise standard uniform of black jeans and gray sweater. Outside, I receive many compliments; not so much about my green things, but about how fantastic I look, especially with that green right under my face. Maybe it’s because I’m wearing something colorful for once, but no: a red scarf and light blue striped blouse go unnoticed. No applause. Too bad, guys. Very unfortunate.
May is also astonished by the power of green: she recently wore an army green dress, after which she was almost jumped by various gentlemen, one of whom even wanted to borrow the dress to put on his own wife. But I don’t know if that says anything: you’d have to be crazy not to be totally enchanted by such a sexy soldier. Sandy-haired May at your service. Yes indeed.
Funny, when you think of standing out, you think of red. And when you think of green, you think of the old adage ‘don't do green’. And ‘green costs money’. Or ‘red and green is farmer's decorum’ (hi Greenwheels). But I think Dougall Fraser is right and that I need to immediately look for more green for my wardrobe. And you should too. Don’t give up after one green miss: there are a million shades – from olive to lime and from bottle green to pistachio and mint – and not every color looks equally good on everyone. But once you find your shade, it could be a huge hit.
Written by Kalinka Hählen
