If you’re looking to freshen up your wardrobe with clothing that complements your skin tone, you’ve come to the right place. We reached out to More Alive With Color author and Pantone Color Institute Director Leatrice Eiseman for her expert color-reading advice. Eiseman has written no less than 10 different books on color, so we knew she'd be the perfect expert to tap.
Of course, anyone can wear any color they please—that goes without saying—but it never hurts to have an especially complementary color to rely on when you're facing a closet full of clothes but aren't sure what to wear. Below, Eiseman tells us how to easily pick out our most complimentary colors. From shades of blue to light ivory hues, she walks us through the best options for a variety of skin tones. Plus, we shopped out key pieces to update your wardrobe this fall.
"Olive skin tones are flattered by vibrant pinks and fuchsia—shades that will reflect some rosy glow against the skin."
Shop your shade below:
"Very light, ivory skin tones are best enhanced by a subtle contrast, as in placid blues and blue-greens."
Shop your shade below:
"Dark skin tones are highly reflective and sparkle in jewel tones like amethyst, ruby, and turquoise."
Shop your shade below:
"[Light skin tones] are boosted with some touch of pink, both warm and cool, especially in the blush-pink range."
Shop your shade below:
"This dusky, fair skin is most flattered by complementary lilac, lavender, and sparkling grape in the cooler range."
Shop your shade below:
Shop the matching leggings.
"Honeyed skin tones are enriched by apricot, tiger-lily oranges, creamy whites, and terra-cotta."
Shop your shade below:
"Skin with warm golden undertones literally glimmers in sun-kissed corals and creamy peach tones."
Shop your shade below:
"This is another shade of olive-tone skin that looks dynamic in berry and wine tones—again it reflects a glow against a yellow-base skin."
Shop your shade below:
"Deep skin tones can also wear jewel tones but are radiant with contrasting hues, especially cool aquas and snowy whites."
Shop your shade below:
"Skin tones with warm, concentrated color in them can handle classic, neutral shades like cappuccino browns, khaki, and bleached sand tones."
Shop your shade below:
Up next: These 20 Nail Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2020.
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
-
Elle Fanning Wore the Nonbasic Sweater Color Every Posh Dresser OwnsSo pretty.
-
The Non-Black Jacket Color Trend British and American Women Are Wearing to Look More Elegant This WinterIt looks expensive every time.
-
The Tasteful Color Trend Italian and British Women Are Both Wearing This WinterIncluding Victoria Beckham.
-
Calling It: This Trendy Color Will Be the Red of 2026I have the celebrity and runway proof.
-
Gigi Hadid Just Wore Brown Pants With a Shoe-Color Trend Demure Dressers Would Balk AtThe It-girl way to wear brown is here.
-
Black and White Are Fine, But in London and Paris, Everyone With Taste Knows These Colors Look Better TogetherInstant outfit ideas ahead.
-
I'll Know You "Get It" If I See You Wearing This Bag Color With Black or Brown (or Both)See how Kaia Gerber styles all three together with ease.
-
It's Official: The Best Shoe Color to Wear With Blue Jeans Was Considered "Dated" a Year AgoChocolate brown has some competition.
