October is a special time of year with its crisp air and beautiful autumn leaves. As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, orange takes center stage, symbolizing warmth, happiness, and excitement.
Interestingly, orange is the only color on the spectrum whose name was taken from an object – the orange. The word “orange” comes from the Old French word “orenge,” which is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word “naranga,” which also means “orange.”
The color orange conjures vivid sunsets, fire, citrus fruits, marmalade, Halloween, 1970s aesthetics, and more. While orange can be overwhelming, it can energize your well-being when correctly applied.
“Orange is the happiest color. – Frank Sinatra
The History of Orange
Historically, orange carries varied meanings in different parts of the world. In the West, it was considered a sign of fertility and abundance due to its likeness to the color of the robes of the Roman Goddess Pomona.
In the East, it’s a prominent color in many religions, frequently donned by monks as a symbol of transformation, thought to represent knowledge, learning, and divinity. For them, orange symbolizes the spiritual fire within.
Orange was synthesized for the first time during the 19th century in 1808 and was quickly adopted by Pre-Raphaelite painters and Impressionists, who used it to replicate the effects of natural light. Monet, Gaugin, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec all incorporated orange into their works of art.
In the 20th century, orange gained widespread popularity in the 1970s in both fashion and home decor, appearing in furniture, carpets, and wallpaper. Then the color was codified in feelings of youth, freedom, and optimism during the post-hippie movement.
Today, one of the most notable brands to use orange is Home Depot, which appeals to customers by suggesting feelings of productivity and positivity. The kid’s channel Nickelodeon is another example, except this time, orange conveys a fun and playful attitude.
“Orange strengthens your emotional body, encouraging a general feeling of joy, well-being, and cheerfulness.” – Tae Yun Kim
How to Incorporate Orange into Your Life
Incorporating the color orange into your wardrobe, home decor, and personal style can help you access the energy of the season and CELEBRATE THE FRESH BEGINNINGS that October brings.
Your Personal Style
Regarding your wardrobe, you can add hints of orange with accessories such as scarves, hats, and handbags. Or, if you’re feeling bold, try wearing an orange dress, blouse, or shoes.
You can add warm orange lip colors and eyeshadows in your beauty routine and even get creatives with a unique orange-tinted hair color
Some tips when wearing orange:
- If you have olive or dark skin, choose vibrant shades of orange.
- If you’re a little pale, opt for more muted shades like coral or peach.
The safest orange wardrobe combinations will always be with neutral tones – white, cream and beige, or black, navy and grey. If you’re unsure, just hold the item up to your face. If your eyes pop and your face looks brighter, it’s a keeper. If not, try another shade.
Your Home
Orange is known for its vibrancy and EXUDES ENERGY AND WARMTH. As such, it’s a great complementary color to blue. In terms of your living space, shades of orange such as melon, peach, and salmon can create a calm, serene atmosphere, while darker hues like persimmon and burnt orange are better for accenting.
Easily add orange to your home with pillows, curtains, or candles. Not only can the color orange be used to express personal style, but it’s also a wonderful color that embraces the beauty of the autumn season.
Harness the Power of Orange through Color Theory
By incorporating orange into your life, you can savor this special time of year, letting it BRING YOU JOY AND HAPPINESS. Are you interested in learning how to wear orange or in the world of color and its impact?
Then join the ByFERIAL Image and Color Institute and discover how color can transform your life! Our training programs provide a comprehensive and detailed exploration of color and personal styling. Sign up today to unlock the secrets of color!
