I know what you’re thinking: adding color is just a personal preference. Some of us gravitate toward brighter hues and bold patterns, while others feel more comfortable in neutrals. And while that may be true for some, for many immigrants, especially those from marginalized communities, color carries a much deeper meaning.
As an immigrant from El Salvador, color is inseparable from my cultural identity.
Bright colors take me back to el mercado, the blankets at my aunt’s house, the hammocks swaying under the warm sun, the vegetation, the tablecloths on dining tables, and the vibrant homes tucked into small towns. Color is memory. Color is home.
Yet in much of the Western world, wearing bright colors or patterns is often labeled as unprofessional. It’s seen as doing “too much.” And slowly, subtly, we’re taught to tone it down.
THE PRESSURE TO "TONE IT DOWN"
For the longest time, I wouldn’t wear red. I felt like it would make me look “too Latina.” With my curly hair and brown skin, I already stood out. Adding red, especially red lipstick, felt like adding fire to the flame.
Red was just one of many things I avoided. There were colors, patterns, and even pieces of jewelry I kept tucked away. Because many of us were told, from a very young age, to tone it down.
Portate bien y no llames la atención, behave well and don’t call attention to yourself.
Looking back, I know our parents said this to protect us. They understood the fragility of our circumstances. They knew that at any moment, everything could be taken away.
And then we entered the workforce, where the message continued, but for different reasons. Wear black, navy, beige, or gray. Keep it neutral. Don’t be the “ethnic” one. If you want to succeed, blend in. Follow the rules. Don’t draw attention.
ASSIMILATION VS EXPRESSION
But what happens when you reach a point in your life where you no longer want to tone it down?
When you realize that hiding in neutrals has kept you from showing up fully? When you understand that your cultural identity isn’t something to minimize, but something that deserves to be seen?
It’s in these moments of self-discovery that we realize something important: we weren’t toning ourselves down to avoid attention. We were doing it to make others feel more comfortable.
THE QUIET POWER OF GETTING DRESSED
When this realization hits, fashion stops being superficial. Wearing color becomes an act of resistance. A form of empowerment. A quiet declaration of justice.
The moment you begin to incorporate color into your wardrobe, some people in your spaces may feel uncomfortable.
Let them.
Your presence shouldn’t be questioned. It should be celebrated.
Wearing color signals that you’re claiming the space you deserve and that you no longer need permission to do so.
AT DESCALZA, COLOR IS INTENTIONAL
After years of dressing neutrally, adding color can feel intimidating. But it doesn’t require an entirely new wardrobe.
Start small; a headband, a bracelet, a pop of color layered into your everyday look. Then build toward a shawl or cardigan that transforms even the simplest outfit.
This shift isn’t really about the clothes. It’s about confidence.
Because here’s the truth: you will stand out. Heads will turn. But now, you have a story to tell. And when someone compliments your outfit, you’re opening the door to a conversation about culture, identity, and belonging.
The colors you wear are a superpower. They remind you and others that you come from a community that has endured, adapted, and still stands proud.
COLOR AS A LOVE LETTER TO WHERE YOU COME FROM
In a world that constantly asks us to assimilate, color is a reminder that we don’t need to disappear to belong.
The patterns we’re drawn to, the hues that feel like home, the textures that carry memory, they are all love letters to where we come from. They're colorful reminders of the people who came before us and the versions of ourselves who were once told to stay small.
Wearing color is not about being an influencer or a trend setter. It’s about honoring your story, taking up space, and choosing visibility on your own terms.
At Descalza, every piece is designed with this in mind not just as clothing, but as a reminder:
You don’t need to tone it down.
You were never meant to.
If you're looking for a way to introduce color into your wardrobe, email us at hola@descalza.co. We'd be happy to help.
