A yellow T-shirt with plastic rhinestones on the neckline, yellow capris adorned with pink butterflies, and yellow bobby socks to compliment my Hello Kitty mary janes. This was my most-worn outfit in second grade. I loved this monochromatic fit because, in a way that I couldn’t identify at age 8, it made me feel like myself. Psychology tells us that color preferences are rooted in emotional response and association. I’ve always had yellow in my life. My house back home is painted yellow, and, according to my friends, it makes it feel like a more welcoming and friendly space. Yellow and blue were my elementary school colors, and pasta has always been my favorite food (that counts as yellow, right?). Psychologists say, “Having yellow as your favorite color says that you enjoy sharing with others, but are eager to emphasize your individuality.” That “if your favorite color is yellow, you are likely very energetic and happy.” My classmates in second grade probably would’ve said it meant I was annoying and talked too much. Once I started to feel people perceiving me as too big of a personality, the yellow had to go. 

It’s not like I never wore yellow over the next 10 years of my life, but it was a color I was hesitant to have or wear too much of. I would thrift some yellow pieces here and there, and eventually, at some point in college when I felt I was in a more accepting place, physically and mentally, I went for it again. I wore my yellow shorts, earrings, and Vans (not altogether; I do understand coordination better than when I was 8). When I felt noticed for wearing something bright, it was never bad. I like the way wearing yellow makes me feel, and of course how it looks. I don’t really get the “these colors look best on this type of person” rules. I know certain colors complement skin tones or hair color, but it’s about the energy someone brings to the clothing and colors that determine if they can “pull it off.” So for me, I felt my positive, spirited energy made it work. My collection grew as I obtained wardrobe basics and statement pieces, which both made any outfit a little more special to me. 

Last winter, after a year and a half of experiencing actual seasons, I finally invested in a solid winter coat. I decided to go bold and get a yellow puffy jacket. It matches with nothing, and yet, has to match with everything. This jacket probably got people to start recognizing me for wearing yellow, and as I’ve been wearing even more pieces this year, I’ve been so flattered when people tell me “I thought that was you from across the street, I saw the yellow and I knew.” It’s also made me more comfortable to try pieces I would never have worn before. A friend started knitting bucket hats, so I decided to ask for one in yellow. Other than my mom telling me I should wear more hats, I had no personal courage about wearing this particular item. As cute as it was, I didn’t know if I could make it work. But when she finished it and gave it to me, in all its yellow glory, I was so excited to wear it. It paid off: I felt so cute, and people were complimenting it throughout the whole day. It’s not an everyday item, but it’s not off-limits or too “out there,” like it might have seemed to me a year ago. 

It’s exciting to have received such kind responses from my styling of this color, but I think it comes down more to the cycle of confidence. When I could tell myself it’s okay to wear what I liked, regardless of how people may judge it, I wore it with confidence, and therefore people responded positively. That, in turn, helped me accept the fact that my personality could match my outfits, and I wasn’t going to be accused of seeking attention just because I had high energy. I’m not trying to be the “quirky yellow girl,” but I’m also trying not to overthink if people really assume that or not about me. Yes, wearing a bright yellow coat or hat is bound to catch the eye, but again, I can’t control how people are going to judge or perceive me. If I’m associated with yellow, I know to me that’s a good thing, and I really don’t mind at all.