Choosing the right colors to wear can be tricky. If you want to keep up with the very latest trends, then be prepared to max out several credit cards as the fashion industry has a habit of changing its ‘colors to be seen’ in every five minutes. Also, not every color that suddenly comes into fashion is going to look good with your particular skin tone.

It’s important to remember that we are talking about skin tone here, not color. You might have the same color skin as the person sitting next to you, but you probably have completely skin tones, as they are completely unique from person to person. A great tip to find out your natural skin tone is to look at the color behind your fingernails – the color you see will be your ‘undertones’.

There are four main skin tones, which most people will fall into: spring; summer; autumn and winter. Let’s look at the sort of features each skin tone will typically have and what sort of colors will look best on them. And, of course, what to avoid!

The Spring Skin Tone

    • Fair complexion
    • Cream, white or peach undertones
    • Freckles
    • Rosy cheeks
    • Blue or green eyes
    • Red or very fair hair

What To Wear

    • Pale, soft colors
    • Clear blue
    • Aqua
    • Bright green
    • Natural yellows
    • Light pink
    • Ivory
    • Peach
    • Reds
    • Golden browns

What To Avoid

    • Very dark colors
    • Extreme contrasts, such as black and white
    • Dull colors such as grey

The Summer Skin Tone

    • Cool, pale complexion
    • Blue, red or pink undertones
    • Blond or brunette hair
    • Light-colored eyes
    • Tans easily

What To Wear

    • Neutral, soft colors
    • Pastels
    • Pale yellows
    • Light blues
    • Lavender
    • Mauve

What to avoid

    • Highlight your skin, not your clothes
    • Black or very dark colors
    • Bright colors such as orange or fluorescents

The Autumn Skin Tone

    • Warm, soft complexion
    • Golden yellow undertones
    • Can be redhead or brunette
    • Golden brown, warm-colored eyes
    • Often found in mixed race, Asian or those with darker skin color

What To Wear

    • Rich, earthy tones
    • Beige
    • Gold
    • Ivory
    • Camel
    • Caramel
    • Dark, burnt reds and oranges
    • Olives

What to avoid

    • Cooler shades
    • Bright, vivid colors
    • Extreme contrasts, such as black and white

The Winter Skin Tone

    • Deep complexion
    • Dramatic skin
    • Can be seen in Asians, Africans and Caucasians with pale skin and dark hair
    • Typically brunette
    • Deep colored eyes

What To Wear

    • Bright, vivid colors
    • True blacks and whites
    • Deep reds
    • Bright pinks
    • Deep blues
    • Bright, cool pastels

What to avoid

    • Neutral, muted colors
    • Beige
    • Golds
    • Browns
    • Oranges