As the weather gets cooler and we transition our wardrobes to darker, richer colors, those with cool winter color palettes need to be mindful of what colors work best for them. Certain colors can wash you out or make your complexion appear dull. When shopping for cool weather clothes and accessories this season, here are the colors cool winter complexions should avoid.
What is a cool winter color palette?
Your color palette refers to the shades, tints and tones that complement your individual coloring. Cool winter is one of the 12 seasonal color palettes. It is characterized by cool, jewel-toned colors with a blue undertone. Typical cool winter characteristics include:
- Fair or medium skin with pink, rosy or blue undertones
- Dark brown, black or ash blonde hair
- Eyes that are dark brown, hazel, green or blue
- Veins that appear blue or purple on wrists
- Silver metals flatter more than gold
The cool jewel tones in the winter color palette include emerald green, sapphire blue, amethyst purple and ruby red. Neutrals tend to be icy rather than warm – think icy whites, silvery grays and charcoal rather than ivory, beige and brown.
Colors to avoid for cool winter complexions
While cool winters look best in icy cool hues, there are some colors that can wash them out or make them appear sallow. Here are the top colors cool winter complexions should steer clear of when choosing clothes, accessories and makeup for the cool weather season:
Orange
Shades of orange like pumpkin, peach and coral do not complement cool winter skin tones. Orange sits opposite blue on the color wheel, so it will clash with cool undertones in the skin, hair and eyes. Orange also has a warm, golden undertone that is too Spring-like for the cool winter palette.
Mustard Yellow
Like orange, mustard yellow is also too warm for flattering cool winter looks. Its golden undertones will make the complexion look dull and emphasize any redness in the skin. Icy yellows like lemon and lime green are better yellow alternatives.
Camel
Camel is a light neutral belonging to the Autumn palette. Its beigey hue looks washed out against cool winter skin. For neutrals, stick to cool-toned shades of white, gray and black instead.
Rust
Rust sits next to orange on the color wheel so it also has warm golden undertones that don’t work with cool winter coloring. Rich ruby reds and magenta pinks are much more flattering alternative reddish hues.
Muddy Brown
Muddy, earthy brown shades also have too much warmth for the cool winter palette. Dark winter browns with blue undertones like chocolate or espresso would be better brown options.
Olive Green
The muted, golden olive shades of green are also too warm and Autumn-like for crisp winter looks. Cool forest greens, emerald greens and icy sage greens are all good green choices.
Mauve
Mauve is a soft purple tone on the cusp of the Winter and Summer palettes. It can make cool winter complexions look drained and washed out. Rich amethyst, violet and eggplant purples have much more harmony.
Best color combinations for cool winter
When building a cool weather wardrobe, focus on colors from the cool winter palette. Here are some of the most flattering color combinations:
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|
| Icy blue | Winter white |
| Amethyst purple | Charcoal gray |
| Emerald green | Sapphire blue |
| Ruby red | Black |
Monochromatic looks featuring different shades, tints and tones of one color are also very chic and flattering.
Tips for dressing for cool winter
Keep these tips in mind when choosing cool weather fashions:
- Focus on rich jewel tones and icy cool neutrals.
- Avoid warm earth tones like orange, yellow, brown and rust.
- Look for colors with blue undertones rather than golden undertones.
- Choose icy silver metals over warm gold metals for jewelry and accessories.
- Experiment with different shades of flattering colors like emerald, sapphire and violet.
- Use color blocking and monochromatic looks to emphasize your best colors.
Conclusion
Cool winters look best in icy, jewel-toned colors rather than warm, earthy tones. By avoiding shades like orange, mustard, camel, rust and olive green, you can maintain a cool, harmonious look. Focus instead on icy neutrals, rich ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green and amethyst purple. With the right cool colors, your winter looks will stay crisp and vibrant.
