How to Find the Best Clothing Colours for Your Skin Tone

Have you ever tried on a top that looked beautiful on the hanger, only to find it made you look tired or washed out? Or noticed that people compliment you every time you wear a particular colour? That is the power of personal colour.

The right colours can brighten your complexion, soften shadows and make your eyes stand out, while the wrong ones can do the opposite. Here is how to start finding the best clothing colours for your skin tone at home, and when it is worth booking a professional colour analysis to take the guesswork out completely.

Skin Tone vs Undertone: What Is the Difference?

When we talk about the colours that flatter you, skin tone is only part of the picture.

• Skin tone is the surface colour of your skin, from very fair to very deep. It can change with the seasons, sun exposure and age. 

• Undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface. It stays the same throughout your life and has the biggest influence on which colours flatter you. 

Undertones are usually described as warm, cool or neutral. Two people with similar skin tones can have completely different undertones, which is why the same colour can look wonderful on one person and flat on another. 

How to Find Your Undertone at Home

Try these simple tests in natural daylight, with no makeup and your hair pulled back from your face. 

The Vein Test

Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they look mostly blue or purple, you may have a cool undertone. If they look more green, you may be warm. If it is hard to tell, you may be neutral. 

The Jewellery Test

Hold gold and silver jewellery against your skin. If gold makes your skin glow, you may be warm. If silver looks better, you may be cool. If both look good, you may be neutral. 

The White Test

Hold a pure white fabric and then a cream or ivory fabric near your face. Cool undertones usually look fresher in crisp white, while warm undertones often look better in softer cream. 

The Sun Test

Think about how your skin reacts to the sun. If you tend to tan easily, you may lean warm. If you tend to burn or turn pink, you may lean cool. 

These tests are a helpful starting point, but they are not always conclusive. Many people sit somewhere in between, and lighting, makeup and hair colour can all affect the results. 

Think About Contrast Too

Undertone tells you whether warm or cool colours flatter you. Contrast helps you decide how bold or soft your colours should be. 

• High contrast: If there is a strong difference between your hair, skin and eyes, such as dark hair with fair skin, you can usually carry bold, clear colours and sharp combinations like black and white. 

• Low contrast: If your hair, skin and eyes are similar in depth, softer and more blended colours often look more harmonious than stark contrasts. 

The Four Colour Seasons

At Wesson, our professional colour analysis uses the four-season system. Each season combines undertone with how light, soft or bright your colouring is. 

Spring: Warm and Light

Springs have warm, light colouring and often a fresh, glowing complexion. Clear, warm colours such as coral, peach, warm aqua, golden yellow and light camel tend to flatter. Very dark or heavy colours can overwhelm. 

Summer: Cool and Soft

Summers have cool, gentle colouring. Soft, muted cool colours such as powder blue, dusty rose, lavender, soft grey and blue-green work beautifully. Harsh black and very bright colours can feel too strong.

Autumn: Warm and Muted

Autumns have warm, rich colouring. Earthy, muted colours such as olive, rust, mustard, camel, chocolate brown and teal often look wonderful. Icy pastels and stark white can be less flattering.

Winter: Cool and Bright

Winters have cool colouring with natural contrast. Clear, bold and cool colours such as pure white, black, navy, emerald, royal blue and true red tend to shine. Muted, earthy shades can look dull.

Choosing Neutrals That Work for You

Neutrals form the foundation of most wardrobes, so it is worth choosing the right ones. 

• Warm undertones: Camel, cream, chocolate brown, olive and warm beige 

• Cool undertones: Navy, charcoal, grey, pure white and black 

• Neutral undertones: Many neutrals work, especially soft white, taupe, mid grey and navy 

Practical Ways to Use Your Colours

• Wear your best colours near your face. Tops, shirts, knits and scarves have the most impact. 

• Use less flattering colours further away. If you love a colour that does not flatter your face, wear it in trousers, skirts, shoes or bags. 

• Build around a palette. When most of your wardrobe sits within one palette, pieces mix and match more easily. 

• Check colours in daylight. Store lighting can make colours look very different. 

• Revisit your colours over time. As hair greys or changes colour, the shades that work best for you may shift slightly. 

Colours for Men

Colour matters for men too, especially in shirts, ties and knitwear worn close to the face. Cool undertones are often flattered by crisp white, light blue, navy and charcoal suits. Warm undertones are often flattered by ecru shirts, olive, tan, warm brown and softer blues. A colour analysis can make choosing suits, shirts and casual wear much simpler. 

When to Book a Professional Colour Analysis

At-home tests are a great start, but they can only take you so far. A professional colour analysis is worth considering if: 

• You have tried the tests and still are not sure of your undertone 

• You own lots of clothes but feel you have nothing to wear 

• You are starting a new role, refreshing your wardrobe or planning a special event 

• Your hair colour has changed and your usual colours no longer feel right 

A professional colour analysis at Wesson takes around 60 to 90 minutes. Your stylist drapes colour swatches near your face to find your seasonal palette, then gives you a full debrief on how to use it in your wardrobe, from clothing to accessories. It is available for both women and men. 

Discover Your Colours at Wesson

Wesson is a luxury boutique and personal styling studio in Ivanhoe, just 15 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. Alongside colour analysis, our stylists offer personal styling, wardrobe audits and personal shopping, with European and Australian designer labels in store to help you put your palette into practice. 

Book your professional colour analysis today, or call us on (03) 9499 1992.