In a study conducted by the University of Durham it is suggested that the British may have won the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, in part, due to their red uniforms. Research has proven that men are seen to be more aggressive and dominant when they don the colour red. Napoleon’s forces, clad mostly in blue and grey during that battle, would not have felt as empowered.
In 2004, data collected after the Olympic games in Athens, Greece showed that boxing, wrestling and taekwondo competitors had a higher chance of winning matches if they wore red clothing and/or protective gear. The victor in each of those events is determined by a judge and often those judges are male. Was colour subconsciously playing a role in their decision making? The research seems to suggest that, for some, this is the case. Red carries with it certain powers.
University of Durham anthropologist Diana Wiedemann says, “the implications of our research are that people may wish to think carefully about wearing red in social situations and perhaps important meetings, such as job interviews. Being perceived as aggressive or dominant may be an advantage in some circumstances but a disadvantage in others, for example where teamwork or trustworthiness is important.” Whatever the occasion, think carefully about the colours you wear and the impact they may have.