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Article: How to Choose Outfit Colours That Complement Your Skin Tone?

Outfit Colours

How to Choose Outfit Colours That Complement Your Skin Tone?

Ever bought your favourite dress with florals, pearl embellishments and the perfect fit, only to realise that somehow it made your skin look dull or tired? Girlies, you are not alone! 

Trust us, it’s not the dress, it’s the colour. Even the most gorgeous outfits can experience a downfall if they don’t complement your skin tone. The colours we choose to wear do more than brighten our closets, they influence our mood, give us confidence, and impact how others perceive us.

As Emilio Pucci famously said, “Colour can raise the dead,” and Bill Cunningham once reminded us, “Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.” (1) 

The right colours don’t just enhance your women’s clothing, but they can energise your mood, flatter your body type, and help you stay beautiful from within. Come along as we’ll guide you through how to choose clothing colours for your skin tone and help you find the best colours to wear for your skin tone

Also, read our blog on how to dress for your body type

Difference Between Skin Tone & Undertone: How It Matters When Choosing Outfit Colours

While skin tone is the surface color of your skin, undertone is the subtle hue beneath skin tone and knowing how to choose outfit colours can make a difference in your wardrobe choices. Take a look at the distinctions below: 

ASPECT

SKIN TONE 

UNDERTONE

Definition

The real colour of your skin (fair, medium, deep, etc.)

The subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin (warm, cool, neutral)

Can It Change?

Yes — it can vary due to sun exposure, tanning, or skin conditions

No — remains constant regardless of external conditions

Determined By

Melanin levels in the skin

Genetic pigmentation and blood vessels in the skin

Instances

Fair, Light, Medium, Olive, Tan, Deep

Warm (gold, peach), Cool (pink, blue), Neutral (mix of warm & cool)

Best Colours

Depends on undertone

Warm: rust, olive, coral, camel

Cool: sapphire, emerald, lavender, navy

Neutral: jade, blush, teal, off-white

Celebrity Examples

Fair: Emma Stone

Olive: Priyanka Chopra

Deep: Lupita Nyong’o

Warm: Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez

Cool: Anne Hathaway, Nicole Kidman

Neutral: Kerry Washington, Natalie Portman


  • Cool Undertones: Shades of pink, red, or blue.

  • Warm Undertones: Golden, yellow, or peachy hues.

  • Neutral Undertones: A mix of both warm and cool tones.

How to Determine Your Undertone

Knowing the colour palette for your skin tone can directly affect how the outfit is going to look on you. To make the best of your newly bought dress or denim, here are some easy ways to find your undertone:

  • Vein Test: Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light. Blue or purple veins mean cool undertones, green veins mean warm, and if you can’t tell, you might have neutral undertones.

  • Jewelry Test: Notice whether silver or gold jewelry suits you better. Silver works well for cool undertones, gold suits on people having warm undertones, and if both look good, you probably have a neutral undertone.

  • White Paper Test: Hold white paper next to your face. If your skin looks pinkish or reddish, you have a cool undertone. If it looks yellow or peachy, you’re warm-toned. If neither stands out, you’re likely neutral. 

Also, read our blog on 10 Must-Have Summer Wardrobe Essentials for Women | Pluch Designs

How To Choose Clothes That Match Your Skin Tone

Ever wonder why some outfits make you glow while others feel off? The secret might lie in colour matching clothes and skin tone. Here’s your expert fashion advice for dressing by skin tone: 

1. Best outfit colours for warm skin tones

  • Best colours: Terracotta, mustard, olive green, rust, and coral

  • Neutrals: Cream, camel, and warm grey

  • Quote: “Warm tones glow in earthy shades, they create a natural harmony.” – Rachel Zoe

2. Best outfit shades for cool undertones

  • Best colours: Sapphire blue, emerald green, icy pink, lavender, charcoal

  • Neutrals: True white, cool grey, and navy

  • Quote: “Cool undertones pop with contrast and elegance.” – Christian Dior

3. For Neutral Undertones

Lucky you! Because most shades will suit you well!

  • Best colours: Jade green, blush pink, teal, and soft off-whites

  • Tip: Stay away from overly neon or dull shades, and try colours in different lighting to find your best match.

Undertone-Based Colour Guide

SKIN TONE

LIKELY UNDERTONE

BEST OUTFIT COLOURS FOR SKIN TONE

Fair

Cool or Neutral

Icy blues, lavender, rose pink, true white

Light

Warm or Cool

Mint green, soft yellow, periwinkle, powder blue

Medium

Warm or Neutral

Coral, mustard, olive green, turquoise

Olive

Neutral or Warm

Burgundy, teal, terracotta, warm grey

Tan

Warm

Cobalt blue, peach, goldenrod, chocolate brown

Deep

Cool or Warm

Fuchsia, sapphire, crimson, burnt orange, metallics (gold/silver based on undertone)

Top 5 Colour Combinations That Flatter Every Tone

Do you have a dark skin tone? No worries! These color combinations are made to flatter every skin tone. Have a look at Pluch Design’s collection below: 

1. White & Denim Blue

Clean, fresh, and timeless, this combo works like magic on every skin tone. How about this white and blue co-ord set for women from Pluch Designs? Shop this and become the main character in minutes! 

2. Olive Green & Beige

Earthy and soft, this pair creates a warm balance that flatters both lighter and deeper complexions. Buy our beautiful olive green and beige hued Trouser set co-ord set for women. 

3. Blush Pink & Charcoal Grey

Gentle pink adds a glow, while deep grey grounds the look. It’s a perfect mix of soft and strong. Smitten by pinks and greys? Consider buying this Pakistani kurta set for women

4. Navy & Mustard

Rich and bold, a navy and mustard combo suits every undertone and adds a pop of colour.  Looking for midi party dresses for women? Shop for this mustard coloured midi dress, which is a summer must-have. 

5. Burgundy & Cream

Elegant and rich, this duo brings out natural warmth and adds depth to any outfit. Here’s one such women’s fusion set that can help grace the floor. 

Seasonal Colour Palettes: What to Wear When

Just like nature changes colour with the seasons, your warble should reflect that! Refer to this skin tone colour guide for clothing, which shall be of great help: 

  • Spring Palette: Think of warm pastels, soft peach, mint green, and butter yellow. 

  • Summer Palette: Cool, calm, and elegant. Soft blues, lavender, rose pink, and muted greys are some outfit colours that match cool undertones beautifully. 

  • Autumn Palette: Earthy and rich tones like rust, olive, mustard, and burnt orange complement warm undertones. These are the best outfit colours for warm skin tones. 

  • Winter Palette: Bold, high-contrast shades such as deep navy, emerald, icy blue, and crisp white are the best outfit shades for cool undertones

Check out our collection of stylish jumpsuits for women today. 

Conclusion 

Ready to make a wardrobe glow up? Pluch Designs is here to help with its stunning collection of women’s dresses. Dressing for your undertone does not have to be a tiring task, it is about feeling fabulous in every outfit! All you need to do is trust your undertone and let the colour matching clothes and skin tone guide pave the way for your fashion quotient. Whether your tone is warm, cool, or neutral, there’s a perfect shade waiting to brighten your day available at Pluch Designs.

Frequently Asked Questions On Colour Matching For Skin Tone

1. How do I know if I have a warm or cool undertone?

Check your wrist veins in natural light, greenish means warm, blue or purple means cool. And, if you can’t tell, you are most likely to have a neutral undertone. 

2. Can I wear colours that don’t match my undertone?

Yes! While outfit colours for skin tone flatter you more, wear what makes you feel good. 

3. What colours suit all skin tones?

Colour palette for your skin tone can consist of white, blush pink, navy, charcoal grey, and burgundy, as they look great on everyone.

4. Is skin tone the same as undertone?

No. Skin tone is your skin’s surface colour, while undertone is the subtle hue beneath it which can be cool, warm, or neutral.

5. Can my skin undertone change over time?

No, undertones stay the same. Only your skin tone can change with sun exposure or age.

6. Which outfit colours should I avoid for my undertone?

Cool tones should avoid yellows and oranges. Warm tones should skip icy blues or stark white. Neutrals must avoid neons.

7. Do I have to stick to undertone-matching colours?

Not really, you can consider wearing colours that make you feel confident. 

Citations–

  1. https://lambdaliteraryreview.org/2018/09/fashion-climbing-bill-cunningham/

  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29257930/#:~:text=ANOVA%20and%20Chi%2Dsquare%20were,faces%20over%20dark%2Dskinned%20ones.

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