Quiz: How Colour Savvy Are You?

Maybe you have a favourite colour that takes you to that happy place. Perhaps people tell you that you look great in a particular shade. Or, alternatively, you might be one of those rare types that embraces every imaginable chromatic hue, but still seems to attract compliments for being so well put-together and colour-coordinated. Okay, so if you belong to the latter group, then we’re pretty jealous, but we won’t hold that against you. Probably.

Whatever the case may be, we live in a world of colour, the multitude of which should surely be celebrated and enjoyed for the visual feast that it provides. But life is never quite that simple, is it? Instead, we’re continually told that only certain colours are supposedly en vogue this season, while garments of other colours are condemned to the back of the wardrobe. What happened? Did purple embarrass themselves at a party? Did green forget to send us a birthday present?

Fashion experts have already pronounced the key colours of the year, among them colour tones as varied as vibrant oranges and deep reds, warm neutrals, jewel tones, ‘digital lavender’ and verdigris. Yes, all at once apparently. Meanwhile, the renowned Pantone Color Institute – the leading authority on all shades bright and beautiful – has been more decisive, announcing Viva Magenta as its definitive Pantone Color of the Year.

Despite the underlying absurdity of a colour going in or out of fashion, we are all influenced by these trends and proclamations to varying degrees. More than that, we are all also exposed to cultural, societal or even religious influences that might impact our perception of particular colours.

Regardless of whether this dizzying proliferation of colour leaves you breathless with excitement or dazed and confused, take our quick test and discover how much of an expert you really are – and whether you can truly claim to have cracked the colour code!