The colour of your shirt or outfit can make a huge difference when it comes to styling. The right shade will enhance your natural features and brighten up your complexion. It can also elevate your look. How can you choose the right shirt colour for your skin tone when there are so many options? This guide will allow you to confidently select the shirt colours that best complement your skin tone.
Understanding skin tones
It’s important to know your skin tone before choosing shirt colours. Skin tone is more than just how dark or light your skin is. It’s about the undertones beneath the surface. Skin tones are usually divided into three categories:
- Cool Undertones: If your skin has hints of red, pink, or blue, you likely have cool undertones.
- Warm Undertones: If you see yellow, peach, or golden tones, then your undertones tend to be warm.
- If you can’t tell the difference between cool and warm undertones or if you don’t see any undertones, you may have neutral undertones.
Check the veins of your wrist. The veins on your wrist will usually reveal the undertones of your skin tone. If you can’t tell what your undertones are, then you may be neutral.
The jewellery test is another method. You are probably cool-toned if you prefer silver jewellery. If you look better in gold, you are probably warm-toned. People who are able to wear both easily fall into the neutral category.
The Best Colours to Wear for Cool Skin Tones
You should choose colours that reflect the coolness of your skin tone. These colours make your skin appear brighter.
Top Picks :
- Blues: Navy, cobalt, ice blue, sapphire
- Purples: Lavender, plum, royal purple
- Greens: Emerald, jade, cool mint
- Pinks: Rose, blush, magenta, fuchsia
- Neutrals include crisp white, cool greys, charcoal, and black
These colours will enhance your skin’s rosy undertones or blueish tones, giving you a sharp, clean look. Icey tones bring out the natural radiance of cooler skin types.
Avoid these colours:
- Oranges
- Warm browns
- Mustard yellows
The shades can make you look dull or red.
The Best Colours to Wear for Skin Tones with Warm Undertones
These colours pair well with earthy and golden tones. These colours add warmth and radiance to your skin.
Top Picks :
- Reds: Tomato red, brick, rust, coral
- Yellows: Mustard marigold goldenrod
- Greens: olive, moss and forest green
- Browns: Camel (brown), mocha, chestnut (taupe),
- Neutrals: Cream, ivory, warm beige, tan
These colours enhance your glow by complementing the golden or peachy tones in your skin.
Avoid these colours:
- Cool blues
- Purples icy
- Pure black or white
Try off-whites or neutrals to create a flattering look instead of black or white.
The Best Colours to Wear for Skin Tones with Neutral Skin Tones
You can wear any colour you want if you have neutral undertones. Warm and cool tones can both flatter your skin.
Top Picks :
- Blues: Teal, sky blue, denim, steel blue
- Pinks: Peach, coral, dusty rose, mauve
- Greens: Sage, mint, pine, teal
- Neutrals: soft white, greys, taupes, sand
On neutral skin, balanced tones such as jade green, soft lavender, or muted mustard look fantastic. It’s okay to experiment and be bold without worrying about clashing colours.
Avoid these colours:
- Neon Brights
- Colours that are ultra-dark and have no contract
These colours can overpower the complexion and distract attention from your features.
How to Match Shirt Colors with Your Occasion
Knowing your best colours is not enough. Consider where you will be wearing your shirt and what impression you wish to create. Beyoung has a great selection of men’s shirts at affordable prices, with many discounts and special offers.
Meetings for Work or Business
It’s important to choose colours that convey confidence, responsibility and competence in professional settings. Slate or navy are good choices for cool undertones. For warm undertones, you might want to consider tan or beige. Neutrals are a versatile group, allowing them to choose anything from soft grey to light grey, depending on their mood.
Casual Outings
Casual events give you more creative freedom. It’s a good time to try out new shades, prints or textures. You can make a statement with a soft lavender button-up or dusty orange tee, depending on the tone of your skin.
Special Event
A refined look is often required for weddings, parties, or dinner dates. Jewel tones such as sapphire, emerald, and ruby add a touch of elegance. If you want cool tones, choose cooler versions of these gems. Try garnet and amber for warm undertones.
Shopping Tips to Make Your Experience More Enjoyable
- Test Before You Buy: Natural light is the best way to see how a colour looks on you. If you can, try wearing shirts under daylight rather than fluorescent lights.
- Create a Colour Palette Once you know your perfect shades, create a mini-colour palette to guide you in future shopping. You can keep a list of swatches on your phone.
- Use Contrast Wisely: Outfits with High Contrast, such as pairing light-coloured shirts with dark bottom wear or vice versa, can be striking. Balance is key, so make sure that the Contrast does not wash out your skin tones. Choose a shirt to match your skin tone, whether you’re wearing jeans, chinos, or trousers.
- Neutrals Are Essential: Don’t Be Afraid of Neutrals. Choose neutrals that match your undertone. The colour of ivory is more flattering to warm skin than white. Cool-toned greys are better for cooler skin than beige.
- Rotate your palette with the seasons: Let the season influence your palette. Choose lighter shades like white or soft blue in the summer. Autumn calls for earthy shades, while winter is all about jewel tones. Spring, on the other hand, suits pastels.
- Don’t Rely On Trends: A colour being in style doesn’t mean that it will suit your skin tone. You can make it work if you incorporate trends into smaller elements, like a jacket or an accessory, rather than your shirt.
- Accessorize to Balance: If a colour isn’t quite right but you still love it, you can balance it with accessories that compliment your undertone. A scarf, chain or watch can change the focus.
Avoid these common Shirt Color Mistakes.
Even the most stylish of people can make a colour mistake. Here are some to avoid:
- If you wear colours that are too close to your skin tone, you can appear washed out or monotone.
- Ignoring undertones and choosing colours based solely on what is trending or what other people wear.
- Do not wear only dark or light colours without considering how Contrast can affect your appearance.
- Neglecting fabric and fit—even a shirt in the perfect colour will not look great if it is uncomfortable or does not fit well.
- While undertones are important, it is your comfort and confidence in a colour that ultimately matters.
Experimenting with Colour
Here are some ways you can experiment with colour without going overboard.
- To get you started, try t-shirts printed with different graphics or designs underneath jackets or cardigans.
- Layering is a great way to add colour. Wearing a shirt under a neutral jacket or sweater allows you to experiment with a new shade.
- You may be surprised at how well others can judge the impact of colour on you.
- Take photos of your outfits. You can see how the colours appear in pictures and determine which colours bring out your best features.
Fashion is an expression of your personality. Although guides and rules can be helpful, you shouldn’t hesitate to wear what makes you happy.
Final Thoughts
It’s less important to follow strict rules when choosing the right shirt colour for your skin tone than it is to enhance what you have. Your confidence and style will increase when your clothing compliments your skin tone. This shirt colour guide will help you make smarter choices, save money, and look your best wherever you go.
Next time you go to grab a shirt, think about the tone of your skin. This small change can have a huge impact on how you feel and look every day.