Many of us spend our lives in black, brown, navy, white and grey, but by choosing safe shades instead of a brighter wardrobe, we could be missing out on the health benefits implicit in color.

生活中的很多人喜欢穿着黑色，棕色，深蓝色，白色和灰色的衣服，如果我们总选择低沉颜色而不尝试更亮丽的服装，可能会错失亮色可能带来的一些健康有利因素。

Jules Standish, author of How Not To Wear Black, is a style and color consultant for women afraid of standing out, and she believes that changing your shopping habits can boost your well-being and self-esteem. ‘Research shows that colors can have a psychological effect,’ she says. ‘When we look at certain colors it triggers neurological responses in the brain, and causes the hypothalamus gland to release hormones.

尤勒斯·斯坦迪什（Jules Standish）是《如何避免低沉着装》（How Not To Wear Black）一书的作者，同时为羞于表现自己的女性做服装品位和衣色顾问。她相信改变购物习惯就能增加自己的幸福感并增强自尊心。“研究发现颜色有心理作用，”她说，“我们对某一种颜色的注视会触发神经系统对大脑作出反馈，促使下丘脑腺释放激素。

‘Looking at warm, bright colors, such as red or pink, releases dopamine — known as the “feel-good hormone” — which can improve our mood, heighten the attention span and even boost our sex drive.

“看到暖色和明亮的颜色，如红色或粉红色，人体会释放多巴胺——人们所熟知的‘令人感觉良好的激素’——该激素可以提升心情，延长注意力时间，甚至有助于提高性欲。

‘Cool blues, on the other hand, have been linked to the release of oxytocin, making you feel of calm.’ Here, Jules gives her verdict on the clashing colors that couldn’t be more suited.

“相较于此，冷色系的蓝色则与释放后叶催产素有关，这种激素会让你有沉静感。”接下来，尤勒斯将提供一些对衣着颜色的独到见解：人们觉得突兀但却是再适合不过的颜色搭配。

‘Red and green should never be seen’ couldn’t be more wrong. In small doses, they work superbly well together.

“红与绿搭配不能见人”的想法是大错特错的，这两种颜色适当搭配会有意想不到的效果。

Our brains associate colors with temperature, so scarlet is at the hottest end of the color spectrum. Scarlet and burgundy are both universally flattering and suit almost every skin tone and hair color.

我们的大脑会将颜色和温度联系在一起，所以深红色在色系中处于最热那一端。深红色和紫红色都是普遍讨人喜欢的颜色，而且基本上适合所有人的肤色和发色。

Bright red also triggers the pituitary and adrenal glands, which can lead to increased metabolism and weight loss, so it’s great for a dieter. Pairing red with an equal amount of a darker shade, like burgundy, tones down flamboyance.

鲜红色也会促使脑垂体腺和肾上腺释放激素，这种激素的作用是加速新陈代谢从而减轻体重，尤其适合节食者。将红色与等量的较深颜色搭配有助于降低艳丽感，如紫红色。

This combination is often thought garish, but here the cyan, or bright blue, helps to tone down the purple.

但人们会觉得这种搭配过于艳丽，此时辅以青色或天蓝色可让紫色有柔和感。

Bright blue suits most skin tones and helps to brighten the complexion. It’s proven that, if you suffer from stress, wearing blue can help as it stimulates the release of the calming hormone oxytocin.

天蓝色会让皮肤显得亮白，适合大多数人的肤色。实验证明，蓝色有助于人体产生有镇静作用的后叶催产素，如果你压力过大，穿蓝色衣服可缓解压力。

Ordinarily, yellows and greens would not be worn together, but toning it down and pairing mustard with khaki is flattering. These earthy shades have golden undertones that illuminate greying, older skin.

一般而言，黄色系和绿色系不应该搭配在一起。但尝试一下又何妨？暗黄色搭配卡布其色会有吸引人的效果，这种土质朴素的颜色可以让灰白的老皮肤显得年轻。

Khaki is a flattering alternative to black for those of a certain age. And if mustard is still too bold for you, add gold accessories instead.

卡其色对于那些上了年纪的人来说是黑色的最佳替代色之一，但如果有人觉得暗黄色的服装显得太突兀，可以加一些金色配饰。

The phrase ‘pretty in pink’ really does work for all women, particularly those entering the menopause, as pink is associated with youth and femininity.

“红粉佳人”这句经典用语适用于所有女性，尤其是步入更年期的女性，因为粉红色会显现女性气质和年轻气质。

Research also suggests that men prefer women in pink, as it’s the closest color to skin.

研究还传达一种观点：男性更喜欢穿粉红色衣服的女性，因为这个颜色与皮肤颜色最相近。

The flattering shade of cobalt blue complements the pink and is suited to most skin tones, drawing attention away from dark circles under the eyes.

讨人喜欢的深蓝色与粉红色有互补性，同样适合大多数人的肤质，还可让人忽视你的黑眼圈。

Purple is a calming color — its pacifying effect makes it one of the best shades to wear when feeling overwrought. Research has found that we associate yellow with joy, so wearing it can boost your mood.

紫色是令人镇静的颜色——这种安抚人心的颜色最适合神经紧绷的人。研究还发现人类会将黄色与快乐联系在一起，所以黄色衣服可以提升心情。

Like fuchsia, pale pink is a feminine and youthful color, but it is more wearable than its brighter counterpart. Add touches of burgundy to make it more elegant.

淡粉色如同紫红色般充满女性气质和青春气息，但又比其更亮丽的粉红色更适合穿着。若加上紫红色的触感可更显优雅。

Pale pink can be worn well into your 60s, and works for those who don’t feel comfortable in attention-grabbing shades. A silk blouse with a burgundy leather skirt softens the outfit.

淡粉色的衣服可以一直穿到60岁，也适合那些不喜欢鲜亮颜色的人。一件丝质衬衫搭配一条紫红色皮革裙子，会让整个人充满柔和感。

（翻译：佳木China 编辑：Julie）