Colors To Wear

Attack Mode

Red is for the aggressor.

Red is a call to action. British researchers linked the color to high levels of aggression in a 2006 study of Olympic martial artists. "In many male primates, fish, and birds, redness of the skin correlates with testosterone," says study coauthor Robert Barton, Ph.D. "Red triggers an unconscious appraisal of the opponent as more dominant."

How to wield the color wisely? "Temper it with neutral colors," saysMen's Healthfashion director Brian Boyé. Another, more subtle option: Choose a red accessory as a reminder of your dominance.

Cooling Trend

Set yourself to stun.

Blue works well anywhere, from a boardroom to a barbecue. But it's not just a laid-back utility infielder, according to researchers at the University of Utah. Color-sensing structures in her eyes preferentially pick out the hue and forward the info on a more direct path to her brain.

Choose a blue that matches the formality of your event. The more buttoned up, the darker the hue. "It's the foundation of many key looks," says Boyé. Accessorizing properly will accentuate the effect. "Brown dress shoes, rather than black, will help a navy suit really pop from afar. It's how the Italians do it, after all.

Peace Time

Perfect the chill-out.

Pastels can moderate aggressive behavior, even in prison inmates, according to a seminal 1979 study done at the Institute for Biosocial Research, in Tacoma, Washington. So think what they'll do for you. "They're perfect for mediating situations or making a good first impression," says fashion expert Laura Siebold. "Just make sure you don't look like a bouquet."

Wear pastels to casual outdoor events or use them to take the edge off a more somber suit ensemble. Even subtle pastel accents make a difference.

Gray Areas

Project mystery, not misery.

A Cornell University study found that professional teams with predominantly black uniforms were perceived to be more aggressive than teams wearing lighter colors; they were also penalized more. "It makes you look slick," says Joe Lupo, co-owner of Visual Therapy, an image-and-style consulting service. "And sometimes that's not the best impression to give."

A dark gray suit might help silence the penalty whistles. Pair it with a colorful shirt. "You have to warm it up," says Foley. Save your darkest colors for nighttime, when they'll blend better with surroundings.

Skin Game

Blend in to stand out.

Shade-savvy dressers make sure each piece of clothing not only matches its neighbors but also complements the body palette nature gave them. "Color reflects against your skin, and a differentiated look will prevent you from appearing washed out," says Julie Foley, an image consultant in Boston.

Foley adds another wrinkle: eye color. Green and blue tones complement lighter eye colors; browns and blacks, darker eyes. Let your skin tone determine the intensity—the lighter your skin, the paler the palette of your shirts. Use pants and jackets as a frame; contrast them with your hair and shirt colors for maximum effect.

Men's Health