Why Do You Feel That The Colors of Clothes Ordered Online Are Different When You Receive Them?

Have you ever ordered a piece of clothing online, only to find that the color looks different when it arrives?

This is a common experience for many online shoppers. But why does this happen? The answer lies in the difference between how colors are displayed on a computer monitor and how they are perceived by the human eye, as well as how colors can change under different lighting conditions.

The Difference Between Monitor Display and Human Eye Perception

The human eye can differentiate about 10 million colors. On the other hand, a 24-bit display mode on a computer monitor can produce about 16 million colors. This means that there are colors that a monitor can display that the human eye cannot distinguish. This discrepancy can lead to a difference in color perception between what you see on your screen and what you see in person.

Moreover, the way colors are displayed on a monitor can be influenced by various factors, such as the monitor’s settings and the ambient light in the room. For example, a monitor set to a high brightness level may display colors that appear more saturated than they would in natural light.

The Effect of Different Lighting Conditions on Color Perception

The color of an object can appear different under different lighting conditions, a phenomenon known as metamerism. For instance, an object that is dimly lit will reflect a darker shade, while brightly lit objects reflect a more saturated color. Similarly, a yellowish light source will reflect warmer color tones like shades of red and orange, while a bluish light source will reflect cooler tones like blues and greens.

This means that the color of a piece of clothing can look different depending on the lighting conditions when you view it. For example, a shirt might appear a certain color under the fluorescent lights in a store, but look different in the natural light outside.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference in color perception between what you see online and what you receive can be attributed to the difference between monitor display and human eye perception, as well as the effect of different lighting conditions on color perception. So, the next time you order clothes online, keep in mind that the color might look slightly different when it arrives!

Remember, color is not a fixed attribute of an object, but rather something that our brains perceive based on the light that is reflected off the object. So, don’t be too surprised if that shirt you ordered online looks a bit different when it arrives!

References

 Color Perception With Different Light Sources (Metamerism) - HunterLab.