Why are you wearing black? Students questioned (2024)

Walking around the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) campus, you detect certain patterns in the style of Danish clothing.

No. You are not trapped in an old black and white movie. Neither are you suddenly seeing the world through the eyes of a dog.

Danes wear a lot of black, as one commenter from Singapore previously reported on the University Post. At the main campus for the Faculty of Humanities, Danish students were kind enough to shed some more light on this question.

Danish students’ defence

Hannah: ”I wear black too often, even my friends tell me I wear it too much. I really like the color: it is simple, classic, it goes with everything and it feels like me. I don’t know why we wear it so much, maybe we are too boring.”

Why are you wearing black? Students questioned (1)

Hannah: Maybe we are too boring. Photo: Yifan Liu

Emily: ”I wear black five times a week. It makes me look thin and it is very easy to combine. It is not something I think about much, but I think we like it so much because it is an easy colour and it doesn’t make you stand out from the rest.”

Why are you wearing black? Students questioned (2)

Emily: It doesn’t make you stand our from the rest. Photo: Yifan Liu

Sophie: ”I wear black almost everyday and I wear it because I like it and it makes me feel comfortable. I don’t really know why we wear it so much, but maybe it is because we don’t like to stand out. In London for example they wear a lot of bright colors. Here people just try to blend in, they just follow the fashion.”

Why are you wearing black? Students questioned (3)

Sophie: Here people just try to blend in, they just follow the fashion. Photo: Yifan Liu

Oskar: ”I don’t put too much thought into it. I wear black every week a couple of times because it is easy and it doesn’t get messy, stains are very difficult to see in dark clothes. I have no clue why we wear it so much; I think it is because it is a neutral and easy color, even though it is pretty sad.”

Why are you wearing black? Students questioned (4)

Oskar: Stains are difficult to see on dark clothes. Photo: Yifan Liu

It all seems very egalitarian, in which the most important thing is a minimal and simplistic style. Black is a practical colour that helps Danes blend in with each other. And it is classy and fashionable. As Christian Dior once said:

“‘You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion.”

But international students wonder

Such observations require comment from non-Danish students.

English student Jack: Can you imagine everyone wearing red? It would be like McDonald’s all over the place: everybody would be either hungry or angry.

Isa, a rhetoric student from Germany has a slightly different interpretation: ”It is not common in Germany to wear that much black. In my home university people wear more colorful things. Here, it is easy to notice the tourists: they are the ones not wearing black. I think it is because of the depressing weather they have here, but black also makes them appear fashionable. Everyone dresses so nicely here,” she says.

Jack, is a student of quantum physics student from England.

“Wearing black helps you not to stand out and get on with your day. You are not affected or aggravated seeing everyone dressed in black; that is the whole point of wearing this colour. Can you imagine everyone wearing red? It would be like McDonald’s all over the place: everybody would be either hungry or angry.”

Hannah, biology student from Northern Ireland, is more charitable about the Danish all-in-black style.

”I think it is because of their minimalistic and simplistic style that you can see in the architecture and general way of life. A simple lifestyle, but still stylish.”

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

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Why are you wearing black? Students questioned (2024)

FAQs

Why do people like wearing black so much? ›

When selecting clothing items to wear, many individuals gravitate toward black. Often, black is perceived as a sleek and flattering color that not only minimizes the effort involved in selecting outfits, but, also minimizes the perception of the mass of the body.

What does wearing black all the time say about you? ›

Those who often go for "all black," that is, wear all black, are subconsciously trying to protect themselves from feelings they think they can't control. It is not uncommon for them to become easily overwrought and may struggle to overcome anxiety and focus on their daily tasks.

What does wearing all black symbolize? ›

Research in colour psychology suggests that those who wear all black find a sense of 'togetherness and certainty'. A survey states: ”Throughout all our survey black came first or second in most 'good' traits (for example – confidence, intelligence, and sexiness) and barely figured in the bad traits.”

How to argue against dress code? ›

To protest biased dress code policies, you can write the language of the policy or words that teachers or administrators said to you when explaining why your clothing violated the dress code. If the language used by the school is inflammatory or gender biased, your clothing becomes a protest statement.

Does wearing black make a difference? ›

Truly, black fabric feels hotter because it absorbs heat from both the sun and your skin. White fabric, on the other hand, could reflect that heat back to you. The best path to staying cool in the sun is to choose loose-fitting UPF clothing that wicks the heat away.

Does black draw attention? ›

...But in the end, recall this small bit of advice: when wearing black, people notice you in a much more powerful light, and yes, studies conclude this theory. Black is a color that draws attention. You would think it would do the opposite, right? You would think wearing a brightly-colored shirt draws more attention.

Is it acceptable to wear All black? ›

Wearing all black might seem daunting since black can sometimes be seen as boring or “gothic.” However, black is usually considered a chic, fashion-forward color for both masculine and feminine outfits, and wearing all black is a great way to make a statement.

What is the most attractive color to wear? ›

Thus, the most attractive color is blue, the second most preferred is red, followed by green, while yellow was found to be the least preferred color (Figure 1).

How does black make you feel? ›

In color psychology, black's color meaning is symbolic of mystery, power, elegance, and sophistication. In contrast, the color meaning can also evoke emotions such as sadness and anger. Many fashion retailers have used black in their logos. Black is also a popular color for text as it's an easy color to read.

Does wearing black affect your mood? ›

Apparently wearing black can also affect your mood by making you sadder and less motivated. Yes, there are heaps of benefits to dressing in black. It tends to be slimming, it's a way of showing respect at a funeral and, if you're planning to commit a burglary at night, it's a great way of doing so undetected.

Why do girls wear all black? ›

Wearing all black is more than just a sartorial choice. There's a very certain kind of person to whom an entirely black wardrobe appeals, and they tend to be driven, honest, self-empowering and unapologetic about it all. Even color perception surveys affirm that wearing all black makes you look as badass as you feel.

Are dress codes body shaming? ›

Fervent dress-coding is not only sexist; it also reinforces an already-prevalent body shaming culture, kick-starting the phenomenon at an early age.

How do dress codes affect students? ›

Finally, schools that enforce strict dress codes are associated with statistically significant, higher rates of exclusionary discipline—that is, punishments that remove students from the classroom, such as in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsions.

Why are school dress codes so strict? ›

While students have sought out avenues for free expression and individuality through their attire, many schools have instituted these policies in an effort to minimize classroom distractions, reduce emphasis on students' socioeconomic disparities and keep schools safe.

Does wearing black make you cooler? ›

Black does absorb heat from the sun at a faster pace than white, but black also absorbs the heat from your body as well. Throw a little wind into the mix and black is the better choice for wicking away the heat away from your core.

Is it better to wear black or white? ›

1. Wear White. A white object is white because it reflects white light, and white light is a combination of all the visible colors. This means that a white shirt (or pants) will reflect most of the light and not get hot.

Which day to wear black clothes? ›

Yes, Black is the color seen on Saturday. Black is associated with Saturn and Shani. It's also considered an auspicious color for those born on that day because it means excellence, dignity, and strength. Thus you can wear black dress colour according to the day.

What emotion goes with black? ›

Here's a quick rundown of what each of the major colors represents and the feelings it evokes. Black: Represents sophistication, quality, seriousness; also fear, sadness, and mourning.

What is the most welcoming color? ›

Yellow. Yellow symbolizes happiness and warmth in almost all cultures. It's the color that grabs users' attention more than any other color. McDonald's and IKEA both use yellow in their branding to give off the feeling of friendliness and positivity.

What does black make people think? ›

For example, some common associations with the color black is associated include: Authority. Elegance. Formality.

Is wearing black on black OK? ›

Wearing black on black is perhaps the chicest outfit combination known to the fashion world. French women are heralded for it, street-style bloggers have mastered it, and we are dying to know how not to look drab in it.

What does a black shirt represent? ›

a member of a fascist organization, especially the Italian Fascist militia, wearing a black shirt as part of the uniform.

What color attracts men? ›

Scientists have revealed that wearing the colour red will make you more attractive to the opposite sex. Studies reveal that red is the most attractive colour to both men and women but, curiously, the two genders are attracted to the same colour for different reasons.

What is the most uncomfortable color to look at? ›

Pantone 448 C is a colour in the Pantone colour system. Described as a drab dark brown and informally dubbed the "ugliest colour in the world", it was selected in 2012 as the colour for plain tobacco and cigarette packaging in Australia, after market researchers determined that it was the least attractive colour.

What is a girls favorite color? ›

Most scientific studies report that both boys and girls prefer primary colors, chief among them blue. Yet when it comes to pink, girls in the U.S. and Great Britain choose the color significantly more often than their male peers. In fact, you can see girls as young as 2 starting to prefer pink over other colors.

Is black a positive or negative color? ›

It's also practical, rarely fades in modern fabrics and goes with everything – in fashion, black is not a negative but a neutral.

How does black make you hotter? ›

Certain colors absorb and trap the sunlight more than others. Light-colored clothing easily reflects the sunlight, while dark clothes have trouble reflecting the sun's rays. Because of that, the dark-colored clothing traps the heat from the sun. This then makes you feel much hotter.

Why does black make you look good? ›

One reason dark colours have this effect is that they draw the eye away from the body to the head, hands and feet, making you appear taller and slimmer. They also help hide any bumps or bulges. By contrast, lighter colours emphasise your contours, as these are more likely to produce shadows in light-coloured clothing.

What is the power of the color black? ›

It is associated with strength, authority, and power. Black lends an air of authority and intelligence to those who wear it. It symbolizes prestige, formality, and importance. With so many associations, it will come as no surprise that the color black has a profound effect on the psyche.

Does wearing black make you look younger? ›

Black does wonders for trimming a figure and is appropriate for almost every occasion, but as women get older, their skin tends to become paler—and wearing black can create a harsh contrast that emphasizes wrinkles and calls attention to dark shadows under the chin and around the eyes.

What color represents insecurity? ›

According to theory behind color, red is associated with violence and yellow is associated with insecurity. These colors make us move faster which inherently allows fast-food to be that much more convenient.

Do girls look good in black? ›

Black Is The Perfect Color For All Looks

So whether you want to dress gothic, chic, rock inspired or like a princess, black will never disappoint you.

Do dress codes lower self-esteem? ›

Not only does policing what women wear fail to keep them safe, dress codes can also affect their self-esteem.

Is it degrading for a girl to wear revealing clothes? ›

It is not inherently degrading. Women and men should wear whatever they please without judgement, as long as it is not lewd or insulting to others. However, wearing revealing clothes increases the chance that others will act in a degrading way toward her.

How do you tell someone they are violating dress code? ›

With either your dress code policy or pictorial examples in front of you, say something along the lines of:
  1. “Some of your clothing choices are inappropriate for the office. ...
  2. “I would appreciate you dressing more modestly/professionally in the office. ...
  3. “I think your appearance in the office could be much more professional.

Why do dress codes exist? ›

Dress codes are typically implemented by school districts and employers to promote learning, safety, and image.

How many schools in America have dress codes? ›

Nearly all – about 93% – of the nation's schools have some kind of dress code policy, with about half of all schools enforcing a strict dress code, and about 1 in 5 schools requiring uniforms, the Government Accountability Office found in a report late last year.

How does dress code affect behavior? ›

Studies have found that people tend to be less open and find it more difficult to relax when they wear formal clothes. On the other hand, a casual and relaxed dress code at work helps us become more friendly and creative.

What is unacceptable dress code in school? ›

Clothing that is controversial or degrades any culture, gender, religion, or ethnic values are not acceptable. Clothing that does not fit, that is excessively tight, loose, or revealing will not be allowed. Note: Any class time missed due to dress code violations will be unexcused.

How does dress code violate the First Amendment? ›

A dress code policy prohibiting the depiction of violence on clothing will not unilaterally violate a student's First Amendment rights, but rather, it is how the policy is applied that may raise issues under the First Amendment.

How does wearing black affect your mood? ›

Apparently wearing black can also affect your mood by making you sadder and less motivated. Yes, there are heaps of benefits to dressing in black. It tends to be slimming, it's a way of showing respect at a funeral and, if you're planning to commit a burglary at night, it's a great way of doing so undetected.

Is wearing all black classy? ›

Wearing all black might seem daunting since black can sometimes be seen as boring or “gothic.” However, black is usually considered a chic, fashion-forward color for both masculine and feminine outfits, and wearing all black is a great way to make a statement.

Why does my daughter wear black? ›

It's a counterculture statement; sometimes Goth. It's considered cool & edgy especially at a time when adolescents are trying to self-differentiate from their parents. Dressing in black is also an urban thing (among adults too).

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