Why I rarely wear Black Clothes

Over the last five years or so I’ve deliberately reduced the amount of black in my wardrobe and you’ll never find me wearing black at funerals, for in-person client work or space clearing ceremonies.

So why is that?

Black absorbs

Scientifically we know black absorbs heat and that areas of very dark coloured rock or soil actively contribute to global warming by collecting and storing heat. That’s why some mountains which have lost their snow cover are being painted white to keep the summits cooler and encourage falling snow to accumulate.

Black absorbs light and creates gloom. Even something as nondescript as a shelf of black files can reduce light levels in an otherwise bright space – as my Interiors Therapy client discovered last week when reducing the number of black files and consigning the remainder to a low shelf took her office (and mood) from dreary to delicious.

Those are great reasons to be aware of the impact of black, but that’s not why I choose other colours.

Black absorbs emotion and energy. 

When I’m supporting a client with Interiors Therapy, I don’t want to inadvertently pick up any residual sadness, trauma, pain, anger or any of the other challenging emotions they have been living with. My intention is to have their heartache leave with the stuff so they (and I) come away with positive energy intact.

The same goes for space clearing ceremonies. These are uplifting and are performed to flush out any residual negativity in a home or other building after decluttering, illness, a traumatic situation or the end of a relationship. Having a window open is vital to let the nasty, sticky energy escape and we want to welcome bright, new, joyful energy into a space, but it’s not unheard of for some of the foul stuff to attach itself to anything which it finds attractive or can be absorbed into. Black is especially enticing to low energy, so if my client happens to be wearing black, I’ll ask them to change into something brighter.

Which brings me to the air of sadness currently enveloping the entire country following the death of our amazing Queen Elizabeth II.

Image: Buckingham Palace

Black is a traditional mourning colour in the West, although you won’t find it routinely worn in areas of the world which have been working closely with energy for thousands of years – they know better. So instead you’ll find mourning clothes are white to repel any marauding negativity which might be wafting about looking for a home.

With black comes a heaviness of heart, which may ‘feel appropriate’ in the circumstances, but does mean the wearers are likely to be absorbing dangerous levels of sadness and negativity which could lead to increased anxiety, depression and overwhelm. I suspect we’ll see a noticeable increase in these diagnoses in the coming year.

For me, I choose to wear colours which repel intense grief. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel the sadness and emotion, but I prefer it doesn’t stay with me. At the funeral of a very vibrant lady a couple of weeks ago, I wore hot pink (her request was that everyone rocked up in pink!) and whilst I cried buckets, my lasting memory is the celebration of her life and having been blessed to know her.

So mourn in whatever way works for you – and I know even my most anti-monarchist acquaintances are experiencing sadness – but take steps to protect your emotional wellbeing and please give yourself the option not to wear top-to-toe black, or any black at all if you can avoid it. You’ll show your respect just as honestly if you add in some colour and you will feel better for it afterwards.

Suzanne Roynon is an Interiors Therapy Expert, Author and Feng Shui Consultant who believes the Royal Family are an asset to the country and Commonwealth, and thinks anyone who worked 364 days a year for over 70 years and until they were 96 years of age deserves the outpouring of love and respect a hundredfold.