DRESS TO FEEL CLEVER

WhaT we wear can affect our mood. Colour psychologist anGeLa WrIGhT tells you the best shade to keep you sharp . . . SUMMER’S a time for relaxing, but as the end of the academic year looms, life seems to revolve around being tested.

For parents or grandparents providing vital support to children facing exam stress, early summer is a challenging time and it’s important to feel sharp and focused.

It is no coincidence that shirts with a fine stripe are popular for work wear — simple stripes help the mind think clearly. They will sustain the clarity you need far more effectively than complicated prints.

So, what colour? Blue is number one for sharpening the intellect. Opt for lively warm tones from sky blue tints to bright cobalt.

Try this: it might sound weird — but trust me, it works. When considering any garment, don’t just peer at yourself in the mirror and try to decide how it looks. It’s incredibly difficult to see ourselves objectively. Instead try closing your eyes and tuning into how you feel in this colour.

Colour is energy and you might be amazed at how easy it becomes, with practice, to feel it. Trust your intuition.

If you want to add a second colour, yellow provides the perfect balance for blue, and has the added benefit of lifting your spirits, but any contrasting colour will do the trick.