What Color Looks Best on Me?

Adding extra color to your clothing may appear daunting and near-impossible at first, but it’s actually rather simple. Of all, there are no “rules” in fashion – you can wear any colors you like, and we’re sure you’ll look great in them. Having said that, knowing which colors complement your skin tone can help you stand out in a crowd and shine from the inside out.

The key to choosing your most pleasing hues, as with makeup and hair, begins with skin tone, or rather, skin undertone, which may be divided into three categories: warm, cool, and neutral.

To keep things easy, we asked stylists which skin tones look best with specific colors — and how to figure out which group we belong to in the first place. But keep in mind that these advice should be taken with a grain of salt. What important is that you wear whatever makes you feel the most at ease.

You’re Warm If…

Your Skin Tone

It has a greenish or yellowish (sometimes known as golden) undertone. According to Eiseman, olive complexions are also warm.

Your Hair Color

Ranges from dark brown to dark blonde.

Your Jewelry Preference

Is made of yellow gold. According to fashion stylist Britt Theodora, the style of jewelry you lean toward may reveal the tone of your skin. According to her, if you think yellow gold looks best on your complexion, you probably have a warmer skin tone.

Go-To Colors for Warmer Skin Tones

Philippe Uter, a LA-based fashion and celebrity stylist, tells InStyle that he identifies warm skin tones with warm colors such as orange, yellow, and even gold. He adds that vibrant colors are also a good fit, and Theodora agrees that natural earth tones like browns, deep tonal reds, and rich hues of green look excellent.

Colors You Might Want to Avoid

According to Uter, there aren’t any colors that warmer skin tones should avoid. Having said that, he does advise only wearing black if it’s a “slick and graphic piece.”

Your Celebrity Inspiration

Jennifer Lopez, Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, and Beyoncé

You’re Cool If…

Your Skin Tone

It has a blue hue. This category can also range from very light to very dark.

Your Hair Color

The color ranges from very dark (blue-black or deep brown) to pale blonde.

Your Jewelry Preference

According to Theodora, folks in the cool group choose silver, rose gold, or a combination of the two.

Go-To Colors for Cooler Skin Tones

According to Theodora, cooler tones look great in charcoal, cold blues, and violet. Uter says that you should keep in mind that strong colors might make cool skin tones appear lighter.

“I usually love pastel colors to bring some softness to the silhouette,” he says, adding that blues and pinks, soft yellow, or green should also be in your collection.

Colors You Might Want to Avoid

Too harsh, strong hues, such as electric blue or grassy green, are a no-no when it comes to clothing cooler skin tones. Eiseman advises against wearing bright colors like orange and yellow.

You’re Neutral If…

Your Skin Tone

It’s difficult to say. According to Eiseman, if you have a neutral skin tone, you can’t tell if you’re warm or chilly.

Your Hair Color

According to Eiseman, is a color combination. Consider a blonde with ashy streaks or a brown with warmer undertones.

Your Jewelry Preference

Is a mix and match of metals, says Theodora.

Go-To Colors For Neutral Skin Tones

Neutral tones look wonderful with neutral colors, according to Theodora, so stay with shades in the middle of the color range. If you want to add more pizazz to your wardrobe than white, beige, and taupe can provide, Eiseman recommends tones of light peach, dusty pinks, gentle rose, peony pink, placid blue, jade green, and cameo green.

Colors You Might Want to Avoid

According to Eiseman, neutral skin tones should avoid reds, yellows, and anything too bright or flamboyant that can overpower. If you must wear yellow, she recommends a soft variant such as cornsilk or buff.