Have you ever considered which clothing colors might be best suited to you?
Choosing the right colors is another part of the equation for dressing well. Colors that suit you will flatter and enhance your look. Combine that with smart tailoring and you’ll always be sharply dressed.
Understanding the colors that suit you can also help you to step outside of your “box.” Many people are afraid to experiment with color, sticking to a relatively bland palette. When you know which tones will look flattering, you can experiment with new looks.
Here are some tips to know about choosing clothing colors to suit:
Free download: Tips for choosing professional wardrobe colors
Skin tone is the place to start when figuring out “your colors.” Similarly, anyone who dyes their hair or wears make-up should start with their skin tone. You can find trained associates or tailors who are able to help you pinpoint what your own tone is, or you can take a few minutes to discern it for yourself.
When we talk about skin tone for defining the colors that suit you, we’re not talking about your skin color per se, but the undertone that reflects through. Your outer skin color may change according to a number of factors (such as sun exposure or use of medications), but your undertone tends to remain constant. Depending on your undertone, there will be colors that particularly flatter and some that should be avoided.
The three main undertones are cool, warm or neutral. Those who are “warm” will have green, yellow or golden undertones, “cool” has a bluish undertone while neutral is generally difficult to discern between these tones.
Colors that suit you are determined by your “undertone” Click To Tweet
Here are a few different tests for determining your skin tone:
One thing that is important to note is that, while your overall skin or hair color may vary over time, your undertones remain constant. Also, while determining your undertones is a great place to start when choosing flattering colors, it doesn’t mean you have to slavishly stick with those colors. If there are colors that you particularly like that aren’t part of your undertone palette, then consider wearing splashes of that color, such as with accessories.
Which colors are suited to each undertone? The table below shows color palettes that are flattering for each:
ToneColors to go forNeutralsColors to avoidWarm-Your main skin shade can also determine which colors will look the best on you. One rule of thumb is that colors which create a contrast in brightness with your main skin tone can be flattering. For example, “jewel” tones like ruby or emerald can flatter paler skin, while oranges and yellows can flatter darker skin, no matter what the undertone is.
There are some shades that strike just the right balance between warm and cool. These colors tend to work on everyone, no matter what their skin undertone is. It’s useful to know these colors, especially if you’re looking for something to wear in a pinch or if you need to outfit multiple people (bridesmaids, groomsmen, uniforms, etc.). Here they are:
Pantone color examples (L -R): Stone, Teal, Eggplant, Sand Pink
When you’re putting together a wardrobe, selecting clothes that will mix and match is your best way to ensure you always have something to wear. This includes assessing your colors and having the right mix of them.
It’s important to understand how colors work together, so here’s a quick primer. Basically, colors are made up of primary (red, yellow and blue), secondary (a combination of the primary colors) and tertiary colors (a combination of primary and secondary colors).
The color wheel is a great tool for viewing the different colors and how they work together. When matching colors:
You can often put muted tones from what you see on the color wheel together, especially if you feel that the colors on the wheel are too bold.
You might also choose to go with a monotone chromatic color scheme, which is where you select a single hue and its variations. This can be a bit bland, so it’s a good idea to spice it up with some pops of color from accessories or accents.
A monotone achromatic color scheme consists of only neutral tones ranging from black to white. Using this color scheme with one bright color as a highlight can be an effective way to dress professionally.
How to choose professional wardrobe colors – download here
Choosing colors that really suit you can be tricky. People often have a tendency to either just pick colors that they like or to choose “safe” colors that might not be so flattering.
Knowing the colors that suit you can help you to look sharp for any occasion and to present well professionally. We always recommend that you get the help of a seasoned tailor to determine your colors – this way you can wear the right tones and purchase clothes that are a perfect fit.
There's nothing that sent me into a pre-teen tantrum faster than shopping for Easter clothes. The reason? Those darling spring pastels made me look like a walking corpse. We've all experienced trying something on and knowing it doesn't look the way you want it to but not knowing why that is. Avoid future disappointment by learning what colors look best on you and how to find them at home.
If you're standing in the middle of a dressing room and trying to figure out which color outfit will look the best, you've come to the right place. Before we break down undertone, color season, and how they intersect with color theory, let's cut right to the chase.
Related ArticlesDepending on your undertone and color season, these are colors that look fabulous on you:
Undertone/Season Complementary Colors Warm Undertone red, rust, burnt orange, mustard yellow, citrus yellow, khaki, olive, chocolate brown, peach, coral, and red-violet Cool Undertone cobalt blue, turquoise, icy blues, mint, grass green, frosty purple, frosty pink, and berry reds Neutral Undertone true red, muted raspberry, creamsicle, lemon, and lavender Deep/Dark Undertone gold, light yellow, cream, white, cobalt, pale blue, lavender, light pink, red, orange, peach, emerald, and new green Dark Olive Undertone tan, cream, brown, gray, gold, maroon, fuchsia, hot pink, carrot, electric blue, and teal Winter black, deep blue, crimson, dark pink, silver, sky blue, light sunny yellow, and bright white Spring peach, golden yellow, copper, coral, bright aqua, greens, royal blue, and ivory Autumn olive, forest green, mossy green, oranges, dark browns, burgundy, purples, camel, and rich beige Summer dusty pink, rose pink, pale yellow, lavender, pale mauve, powder blue, and soft whiteWhile you can wear any color you want, a few techniques are designed to help you find color schemes that complement your undertone and natural features. These techniques use basic color theory to identify which contrasting and complementary colors are best suited to your body's color palette.
Undertone refers to the most dominant pigment that shines through your skin. There are three broad categories people usually fit into:
There are multiple ways to identify your undertone, but a tried-and-true method is to look at the veins on your wrists. If they appear more green, you likely have warm undertones. If they look more blue/bordering on purple, you probably have cool undertones. And if they land in the middle, you've probably got a neutral or olive undertone.
This old method does work best on lighter skin tones. Another way people with darker skin can identify their undertones is through the silver and gold method. Grab some jewelry or clothing in pure gold and silver. Drape them over your skin and see which one catches your eye the most. Which ends up looking the brightest and having the highest contrast? If it's the silver, you're on the cooler side. And if it's the gold, you're on the warmer side. But if both are equally striking, then you're neutral.
The best thing about knowing your undertone is being able to find fashionable colors right away. We've got all the color matches to help you navigate, complementing your undertone with ease.
If you have warm undertones, your skin will probably be a creamy white, peachy beige, golden olive, or honey-brown. Additionally, your natural hair color will be creamy or pewter white, golden or strawberry blond, golden or caramel brown, an almost-black shade of brown, copper, or wine red.
These are some of the colors that will look best on you.
These particular shades will emphasize your golden tones and make you look and feel radiant. Peach, coral, and red-violet are also great shades for your complexion.
While blue isn't an immediate choice for warm-toned complexions, periwinkle and teal are the blues best suited to you. Anything cooler can make your skin have a grayish cast. When it comes to neutrals, stick with warm grays and off-whites.
With a cool undertone, your skin is likely a cool white, rosy beige, rosy pink, olive with blue or green undertones, black with blue undertones, or rosy brown. Your natural hair color might be ash-blond, sandy blond, towhead, ash, dark brown, black with blue undertones, auburn, snow white, or silvery gray.
In contrast to warm-toned complexions, your blue undertones are well-suited to sea shades like these.
When it comes to neutrals, stick to cool grays and crisp white shades. Steer clear of warm shades like oranges, tomato reds, and yellows, as they can overpower your cool complexion.
With neutral undertones, your skin is probably ivory, beige, light to medium olive, or light brown, and your natural hair color is blond, brown, red, or white/gray. The combination of your skin, hair color, and eye color has both warm and cool tones running through it.
As you have a mixture of both tones, you're lucky enough to be able to wear the full spectrum of colors.
Need to Know
Thanks to their warm/cool balance, these colors look great on any undertone: true red, blush pink, teal, and eggplant.
For deep and darker skin tones, you want to accentuate your natural coloring. The color range can stretch from mahogany to deep honey. You can choose from rich, vibrant, and light colors, and lighter colors provide a great contrast to your natural undertones. Your hair color may be dark brown/black, red or auburn, or gray, but you can also pull off a light color, such as blonde or another funky bright color.
These are the colors that you should be rockin' if you have a darker, deep undertone.
Any of these colors will complement your deep and/or darker skin tone beautifully. From a brilliant, crisp white to a dreamier soft cream color, lighter colors are the perfect contrast to your skin tone. Don't forget that there are also soft colors like pale blue, summer lavender, light pink, coral/peach, and the bright lightness of new green colors that you can pull from, too.
Olive skin tone has green and/or yellow undertones. You can choose colors that complement yellows and greens, but you'll want to go with lighter or darker hues for your best colors. Your ideal hair color may be a deep russet, auburn, jet black, or contrasting light color.
To make your dark olive undertone pop, fill your closet with these colors.
Color seasons have recaptured the internet's interest in the past few years. And while there's some debate as to their accuracy, many people swear by them. There are four main color seasons:
There are also subsets within these seasons, but figuring out your basic color season is a great first step. The best way to test for your season is to try on different colors and shades since most people don't have the quick access to the fabric swatches that color analysts do.
Try on different colors in varying shades, stand in natural lighting, and look into a mirror. Which colors make your skin look the most radiant? Which ones provide the biggest contrast, and, by result, are the most striking? Tally the ones you feel you look the best in; chances are, they fall into one season's color palette.
For example, I'm an autumn, but that doesn't mean I only wear browns and oranges (though I'm a huge fan of those). I can also pop in some bright chartreuse, dark olive, and so much more.
Need to Know
If you're interested in a more detailed analysis, check out the Association of Image Consultants International's (AICI) directory to find a professional image consultant in your local area. Note that you will have to pay for any AICI color analyst's services.
Related: Understanding Seasonal Colors in Fashion Just Got Easier
Whether you're a spring, summer, winter, or fall, we're breaking down the best colors for you to wear.
If you are a winter, your skin color might be pale, olive, or dark; skin undertones are typically blue or rosy pink. Your hair and eye color may contrast your skin. Black, dark, or white blonde hair are typical winter hair colors.
Winters look great in deep, rich colors such as black, deep blue, crimson, and dark pink. Icy pastels like silver, sky blue, light sunny yellow, and pink can also look wonderful. Bright white is another good color for many winters since this stark neutral works well with hair and eye color contrast.
If you're a spring, your skin undertones may be gold-yellow. Your skin coloring is typically cream or peach, and your hair color ranges from auburn to golden and strawberry blonde. Springs often have freckles and lighter eye colors.
Springs look best in soft, rich colors. Warm colors such as peach, golden yellow, copper, coral, and brown shades with warm tones are good choices. Bright aqua, green, and royal blue can also look stunning. Rather than bright white, springs can opt for rich, creamy ivory as a wardrobe staple.
If you're an autumn, your undertones are typically golden, with skin coloring in shades like peach, beige, and golden brown. Red, red-brown, dark blonde, rich brown, or brown-black hair shades are common for this season. Autumns also tend to have darker eye colors.
Autumn looks wonderful in rich neutrals, earth-toned, and spicy colors. Consider olive, forest, or mossy greens, orange shades, grays, dark browns, burgundy, purples, camel, and rich beige.
If you're a summer, your undertones might be pale blue or pale pink, and your skin might be pale or pink-toned. Light eyes and blonde or light to medium brunette hair are commonly seen in summers.
Summers look excellent in soft shades and muted colors with cool undertones (or light-colored neutrals). Some of the best summer colors include dusty or rose pink, pale yellow, lavender or pale mauve, and powder blue. A soft white can also work for this season.
All of this talk about undertones and color seasons doesn't mean that you have to stick to one of your suggested colors. These are guidelines, not rigid rules! However, they can be really helpful in building your forever wardrobe. These colors will enhance your natural complexion and features without clashing with your hair or skin tone and will always work in a pinch.
Of course, if you dramatically change your hair color, your best-suited colors may alter slightly, so it's important to be flexible as you move through life. Who knows what the wonderful world of style has in store for you in the future?
When you tune into your body and natural complexion and wear colors that complement your skin tone instead of clashing with it you'll look and feel your best. Finding which colors look good on you is one stepping stone to crafting a style that makes you feel like a million bucks.