We all know that our clothes play a very important role in how people perceive us. However, while you probably know not to wear a mini-dress to a job interview at a law firm, you may not have considered what the colors of your clothes could mean for a job interview or even in terms of how you are perceived on a daily basis. There are some surprising connotations – both positive and negative – for some popular “work colors” that can actually undermine your professionalism. Here are a few examples:

Blue and gray are great for focus

Blue and gray are actually the most popular job interview colors, according to employers. This is because they are not distracting (avoid turquoise and edge toward the darker blues) but do help you project an image of calm, stable control. Color experts also believe blue can make you seem more trustworthy, which is always desirable during a job interview and after.
 

You can wear too much black

While the “little black dress” and the “sharp black suit” do help you appear commanding, in control and representative of authority, did you know that black also connotes drama for many people? If you overdo on it, you could actually be subconsciously implying that there is a little more drama to you than meets the eye. Avoid this by accenting with this popular color (an unusual touch) rather than drenching yourself in it.
 

Red and white aren’t just for tablecloths

While both red and white should be used in moderation to avoid projecting too much aggression or simplicity, respectively, these are great accent colors because they represent things to interviewers such as energy, precision and positivity.

Ultimately, whether you are going to a job interview or going into work for the tenth year, it pays to think about what your clothes might be “saying” behind your back.