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Fashion Feng Shui
Qi and Your Wardrobe

By Tolly Moseley

What do each of these very different clothing items have in common?

• A lucky pair of turquoise underwear
• Andy Warhol-print boots
• An antique brooch

Answer: They each have positive vibes that can attract good things your way--at least according to the ancient art of feng shui! Below are instructions for using feng shui to land a job, boost your energy and earn limitless riches--or, most likely, make your life a little more colorful!

Feng shui is more than just a decorating technique!

The trendiness of feng shui home decor belies its historical roots, which date back thousands of years (check out http://www.qi-whiz.com/research/hLuopan.html for a fun illustrated history). For centuries, Chinese philosophy has maintained principles of architecture and interior space arrangement that cultivate harmony, prosperity, and health. The underlying principle is that each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with which you resonate on a subconscious level. Think about an unmade bed as a metaphor for your mind: tangled and undone. I don’t know about you, but when I leave the house after making my bed, I feel a little more like Martha: effortlessly tidy and calm amidst a hectic schedule.

But once you leave the house, is zen-like serenity, portable? As a matter of fact, feng shui has been getting a lot of attention lately from fashion devotees. That’s because ancient Chinese feng shui texts include maps of “guas,” zones of the body that correspond to specific energies. By donning certain fabrics, patterns, and colors that are in synch with these zones, your outfits can theoretically enhance responses to certain life situations. And you know what? After experimenting on myself a little, I noticed that some feng shui principles worked for me. Here is what I found out.

Don't Wear Black for Down Time
Everyone needs comfy clothes. While physical comfort is fairly simple (fabrics like cotton and knit feel good on almost everybody), emotional comfort is a different story. If you want to be more relaxed, try wearing colors on the weekends. According to Carol Meltzer, author of Feng Shui Chic (Fireside, 2003), colorful “play-clothes” denote good health more so than blacks or grays, and have the potential to rev us up or reduce stress. For instance, “sage green worn close to your heart can help relieve anxiety,” she explains.

My experience: Between lazing around the apartment in ugly sweatpants one day, and wearing cute cropped raspberry yoga pants with fluffy slippers the next, I felt my unwinding time wearing the comparatively more attractive outfit to be more…deliberate.

Dare to be Different to Get a Job
Go for warm sunny colors for your job interview. “Yellow represents sun energy, which helps put you in the spotlight,” says Meltzer, while “red or pink colors are like a little shot of energy.” Meltzer also recommends wearing clear quartz or crystal jewelry to sharpen intuition, since transparent stones are associated with clarity.

My experience:On my last successful job interview, I wore nice slacks, an artsy yellow top and red pumps. On an unsuccessful job interview before that one, I wore a black button-down shirt and black pants (trés boring). The difference? The daring outfit made me more memorable. Plus, whenever I wear my painful (but awesome) red pumps I always get compliments. So despite the pain, I always think a pair of classy, colorful “work” shoes are a sound investment.

Be Thoughtful About What You Wear to the Gym.
Feng shui practioners would say that what you wear to the gym can even effect your workout! So ditch the baggy shorts and black ripped T-shirts and put on some bright colors. Because although black is slimming, colors are energetic. “While blue represents a ‘sky’s the limit’ attitude, pastel colors like yellow balances out the blue and encourages a positive outlook,” notes Meltzer. Needless to say anything “parachute-like” on your body interferes with your ability to focus (the puffiness, the funny noises) and goes against feng shui work-out choices.

My experience: Ultimately I want more energy during my workouts. Although other factors like the time of day, what I’ve eaten, and my company tend to affect my stamina, I always seem to feel frumpy and dumb whenever I wear baggy shorts. And that mindset defeats the whole point of exercising! In contrast, the outfits that motivate me the most are usually combinations of black and another color, like bright blue, in stretchy lightweight fabrics.

Happiness is only a T-shirt Away
Ah, if true bliss were only as simple as your outfit. But there are a few rules offerend by feng shui practioners that can at least ease the way. Unfortunately for those of us who love black, it really is bad feng shui. Like funerals, head-to-toe black outfits denote mourning. Additionally, Meltzer explains that “neutrals encourage you to nurture yourself,” while “gold jewelry represents a new outlook on life.” Warm, spicy scents with vanilla notes usually remind us of nourishment and comfort, so apply these for a mood boost. And to help heal post-break up emotions, coquettish scents like jasmine remind us of our alluring wiles (as does a shameless red lipstick or Victoria’s Secret neglegé).

My experience: While red can be too intense and yellow too cheerful, purples and deep rose colors do seem to enliven me when I need emotional care. And there's nothing like lingerie to give me a boost.

When it comes to fashion, feng shui principles are basically very simple. Use black seldom and shrewdly, colors liberally, and particular jewels/scents that give you a little extra “something.” Most importantly, wear your clothes with confidence and a big smile. You can't go wrong with a little attitude!