5 ways to dress according to your skin tone

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Wearing colours that complement your skin tone enhances your natural glow, creates a balanced aesthetic and ensures your outfits always look effortlessly put together.

But how do you determine what works best for your complexion? Whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones, here are five ways to dress for your skin tone and elevate your style.

1. Identify your undertone

Before selecting colours, it is essential to determine whether your skin has warm, cool, or neutral undertones. A simple way to check is by looking at the veins on your wrist:

Blue or purple veins indicate a cool undertone.
Greenish veins suggest a warm undertone.
A mix of both means you likely have a neutral undertone.

Understanding your undertone helps you select shades that enhance your natural features rather than clash with them.

Vein Colours

2. Choose colours that complement your undertone

Once you have identified your undertone, use it as a guide to choose colours that enhance your complexion:

Warm undertones suit earthy shades like burnt orange, mustard yellow, olive green, and rich browns. Gold-toned jewellery also flatters warm skin tones.
Cool undertones�shine in jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue, deep purples, and icy pastels. Silver or white gold jewellery complements these tones beautifully.
Neutral undertones have the advantage of versatility and can wear both warm and cool shades. However, softer, muted tones like taupe, dusty rose, and soft greys work particularly well.

3. Use contrast to your advantage

The level of contrast between your skin tone, hair, and eye colour influences which shades look best on you.

High-contrast individuals�(e.g., dark hair with light skin) look striking in bold, deep colours like navy, black, or ruby red.
Low-contrast individuals (e.g., fair skin with blonde hair) are flattered by softer, more muted tones such as pastel blue, peach, or beige.
Medium-contrast individuals can experiment with a balance of both, mixing light and dark shades for a dynamic look.

4. Avoid colours that wash you out

Some colours can make your skin appear dull rather than radiant. For instance:

If you have cool undertones, avoid overly warm, yellow-based shades like mustard or olive green.
If you have warm undertones, steer clear of icy blues, neon shades, or stark whites, which can create an unnatural contrast.
If you have neutral undertones, avoid overly bright neons or muddy, dull shades that lack vibrancy.

Instead, opt for colours that enhance your natural warmth or coolness rather than competing with it.

Earthly Colours

5. Experiment with neutrals and statement colours

Neutrals like black, white, beige, and grey are wardrobe essentials, but they should be selected carefully based on your skin tone.

Warm skin tones pair well with cream, camel, warm greys, and brown-based neutrals.
Cool skin tones are complemented by crisp white, charcoal grey, and cool-toned neutrals.
Neutral skin tones�can wear a mix of warm and cool neutrals, depending on the occasion.

For statement pieces, choose colours that naturally brighten your complexion. If you are unsure, accessories like scarves, handbags, and jewellery in your ideal shades can add a pop of colour without overwhelming your outfit.

Dressing for your skin tone is an easy yet effective way to refine your style. By understanding your undertone, selecting complementary colours, and avoiding shades that wash you out, you can create a wardrobe that enhances your natural beauty.

Fashion is about self-expression, so while these guidelines are useful, do not be afraid to experiment and find what makes you feel confident and radiant.