Choosing the right colors to wear can drastically enhance your appearance. The colors you wear affect how your skin tone and facial features are perceived. Wearing colors that complement your complexion can make you look radiant, while colors that clash can make you appear dull or sickly. With so many different opinions on what colors look best with different complexions, it can be confusing to know where to start. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of how to determine your complexion type and what color palettes tend to be most flattering. We’ll also provide specific color recommendations for light, medium, and dark complexions.
Determine Your Complexion Type
The first step in choosing flattering colors is determining your complexion type. There are three main complexion types:
Light Complexions
– Fair or pale skin
– Burns easily in sun
– Red or blond hair
– Blue or green eyes
– Freckles
Medium Complexions
– Beige or olive skin
– Tans slowly
– Brown or black hair
– Hazel or brown eyes
Dark Complexions
– Dark brown to black skin
– Rarely burns in sun
– Dark brown or black hair
– Dark brown or black eyes
Once you’ve identified your complexion type, you can start narrowing down color palettes that tend to complement it. Keep reading for specific recommendations.
Best Color Palettes for Light Complexions
If you have a fair or pale complexion, your skin likely has pink, red, or blue undertones. Cool, jewel-toned colors tend to look best adjacent to light skin.
Some of the most universally flattering colors for light complexions are:
– Blues: Royal blue, teal, sky blue
– Greens: Emerald, sage, mint
– Purples: Lavender, lilac, orchid
– Pinks: Baby pink, rose, fuchsia
– Reds: Cherry red, burgundy, maroon
– Greys
– Navy
– White
Avoid oranges, yellows, and other warm shades that can make pale skin appear sallow. Black can also be too harsh next to fair skin.
| Best Colors for Light Complexions |
|---|
| Blues |
| Greens |
| Purples |
| Pinks |
| Reds |
| Greys |
| Navy |
| White |
Best Color Palettes for Medium Complexions
If your complexion is in the medium-beige to olive range, you likely suit both cool and warm colors. Richer jewel tones and earth tones tend to complement medium skin best.
Recommended colors for medium complexions include:
– Greens: Olive green, forest green, lime green
– Blues: Royal blue, turquoise
– Purples: Eggplant, lilac
– Reds: Crimson, burgundy, rust
– Yellows: Mustard, gold, burnt orange
– Browns: Camel, mocha, tan
– Metallics: Rose gold, bronze, copper
Avoid muted grays or pastels, which can make medium complexions appear sallow.
| Best Colors for Medium Complexions |
|---|
| Greens |
| Blues |
| Purples |
| Reds |
| Yellows |
| Browns |
| Metallics |
Best Color Palettes for Dark Complexions
Darker complexions with rich brown to black skin tones are complemented by warm, saturated colors. Bright primary colors pop against darker skin.
Ideal color palettes for dark complexions include:
– Reds: Crimson, cherry, fire engine
– Oranges: Burnt orange, peach, coral
– Yellows: Sunflower, lemon, gold
– Greens: Lime, emerald, mint
– Blues: Royal blue, turquoise
– Purples: Fuchsia, eggplant
– Neons
– White
Muted tones like pastels, browns, and grays can make dark skin appear dull or ashy.
| Best Colors for Dark Complexions |
|---|
| Reds |
| Oranges |
| Yellows |
| Greens |
| Blues |
| Purples |
| Neons |
| White |
Choosing Colors for Your Face vs. Body
When selecting a color palette, also consider what parts of your body will be exposed. Certain colors may be more flattering for your face than your arms or legs.
For example, those with light complexions often have skin that appears more pink or red on the face. So they may prefer cooler blues and greens near the face, paired with warmer neutrals like tans and browns on the body.
Medium or olive complexions can also sometimes appear more yellow on the body and pinker on the face. Wearing jewel tones near the face and earth tones below can help balance this out.
For dark or deeply pigmented skin, vibrant cool colors near the face help create definition. Pair these with warm brights and muted tones on the body.
Ultimately, don’t be afraid to mix both warm and cool tones in a single outfit. Contrast can help add visual interest. Just be aware of how your skin’s undertones change in different areas.
Consider Your Hair and Eye Color
In addition to your skin tone, factor in how your hair and eye color interact with different shades. You want a color palette that harmonizes with your overall look.
For example, darker brunettes and black haired beauties tend to shine in jewel tones that echo the richness of their hair. Blondes and redheads radiate in cooler pastels and neons that complement their lighter locks.
Brown or hazel eyed ladies can pull off a wide palette. But eye-popping shades like electric blue or violet make brown and green eyes sparkle. Cool greys and blacks also make brown eyes stand out.
Blue and green eyed beauties win with peach, bronze, purple, and red. Their eye color is intensified next to colors on the opposite spectrum.
Take some time to experiment and see how certain hues make your eyes shine or hair gleam. Use that to guide your color selections.
Consider Contrast with Your Color Season
Another factor in choosing colors is your seasonal color palette. Determining your color season can help guide not just clothes, but also makeup, glasses, and jewelry shades.
There are four main color seasons:
Winter
Cool, high contrast. Dark hair and eyes, fair skin. Looks best in cool, bright white, black, jewel tones.
Summer
Cool, low contrast. Light hair and eyes, rosy skin. Flatters in soft, muted cool tones like pastels.
Autumn
Warm, low contrast. Strawberry blonde, auburn, or red hair. Olive skin. Shines in earthy neutrals like peach, moss green, terracotta.
Spring
Warm, high contrast. Dark hair, dark eyes, fair warm skin. Stunning in warm brights like cherry red, sunshine yellow, emerald.
Determine your likely season by looking at your natural contrast level (high/low) and whether your features lean warm or cool. Dramatic contrast suggests winter or spring. Muted contrast means summer or autumn.
Then observe which palettes in your season make your eyes dazzle, hair shine, and complexion glow. Stick to those colors for a harmonious look.
Choosing Patterns, Prints and Textures
Color isn’t the only consideration when determining what flatters your complexion. Pattern, print, and texture also interplay with your skin tone.
Some guiding principles when selecting patterns:
– Light complexions suit small, intricate prints and textures. Plaids, tweed, seersucker and gingham create definition without overwhelming.
– Medium complexions do well with bolder prints. Stripes, florals, paisleys. Avoid washed out small patterns.
– Dark complexions command with large graphic prints. Geometric shapes, solids, plaids. Skip dainty florals.
Scale is key – petite women should scale down patterns. Larger women can size up for impact.
For textures, light and dark skin wins with contrast – glossy satin, nubby knits, leather. Medium skin excels in monochromatic linen, jersey, and twill.
Test Colors In Natural Light
While you can get a general idea of your color palette from recommendations, nothing beats seeing swatches against your actual complexion.
Whenever possible, test colors outdoors in natural daylight. Store lighting and indoor lights can distort shades. A color that appears flattering in the dressing room may look all wrong once outside.
For the most accurate color reads, look at swatches layered against different parts of your skin – face, neck, chest, hands, arms. Colors also appear different alongside hair and eyes, so view swatches from all angles.
Snap photos of the best colors to refer back to when shopping. And don’t be afraid to boldly ask for feedback from friends on what hues you truly shine in.
Start With Neutrals
For those new to color analysis, keep it simple at first. Build a wardrobe focused on neutrals in different depths – lights, mediums, darks. A palette of nudes, blacks, whites, and greys harmonizes on most complexions.
Once you nail down ideal neutral tones, add in small colorful accent pieces – scarves, jewelry, shoes. Slowly work up to bolder all-over color as you learn what flatters your unique beauty. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
Trust Your Instincts
While getting color recommendations is helpful, your own instincts should be the ultimate guide. You’ll feel instantly radiant and confident in the right shades. The colors that make you shine are the ones that make you light up when you look in the mirror.
If you follow the color analysis advice but dislike the results, toss the rules. Go with what brings you joy. Choosing colors shouldn’t feel restrictive – with some experimentation, you’ll discover your perfect palette.
Conclusion
Determining your most flattering clothing colors ultimately requires getting to know your own complexion. While suggestions can help direct you, seeing and feeling how different shades interact with your skin, hair and eye color is key. Spend time experimenting with new colors and asking for honest feedback. Stay open to finding colors you never imagined you could wear. Mix up combinations until you discover the palette that makes you glow. With the right colors, you’ll look healthy, vibrant and confident.
