Choosing The Right T-Shirt Color For You

Choosing the right colour T-shirt can be tricky, but it's an important part of curating a capsule wardrobe. The colour of your T-shirt can affect your mood and influence how people feel about you. It's not just about aesthetics, either: wearing the right colours can make you feel more confident.

If you have a darker skin tone, you can successfully play with almost any hue. However, if you have a lighter skin tone, you should be careful with dark colours and heavily saturated shades. If you have a medium skin tone, you have lots of options, but it's best to avoid colours that are too similar to your skin tone.

There are some colours that tend to suit everyone. Black, for example, suits all skin tones and gives an air of authority, professionalism, and power. White is another colour that works for everyone and conveys a sense of purity, cleanliness, and sophistication. Blue is a safe choice, too, as it complements a wide range of faces.

When it comes to T-shirts, it's also important to consider the occasion. For example, if you're heading to the office, you should wear colours that convey professionalism, such as black, green, or white. But if you're dressing for the weekend, you can afford to be a bit bolder and show off your personality with colours like red, yellow, or pink.

Skin tone and hair colour

When it comes to choosing the right colour T-shirt, it's important to consider your skin tone and hair colour. By understanding the colours that complement your complexion, you can create a wardrobe that makes you look and feel your best. Here are some tips to help you select the most flattering T-shirt colours based on your skin tone and hair colour:

Cool Undertones:

People with cool undertones typically have skin that appears pink, red, or blue. Their veins may appear blue or purple, and they tend to look better in silver jewellery. If you have cool undertones, your hair will likely have ashy or silver undertones as well. When it comes to choosing a T-shirt colour, cooler shades like blue, green, and purple will flatter your complexion.

Warm Undertones:

Those with warm undertones have skin that leans towards yellow, peach, or gold, and their veins are usually green. Warm undertones often pair well with gold jewellery. If you have warm undertones, your hair will likely have red, orange, or yellow undertones. Warmer colours like red, orange, and yellow will complement your skin tone.

Neutral Undertones:

If you can't seem to identify with cool or warm undertones, you likely fall into the neutral category. Neutral skin tones can wear both silver and gold jewellery and have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of colours. Play around with different shades and see what works best for you.

Pale or Fair Skin:

If you have pale or fair skin that tends to burn easily in the sun, avoid light pastel shades and neutrals like black and white, as they can wash you out. Instead, opt for colours like grey, beige, and navy, which will bring out your complexion. You can also experiment with rich pastels or layer lighter shades with darker ones to create contrast.

Light Skin:

For those with light skin that tans easily, stay away from colours that closely resemble your skin tone, such as pastels and nude shades. Bright colours can also be tricky, especially if you're prone to blushing. Earth tones, greens, and autumnal shades like burnt orange and maroon will complement your skin beautifully. Black, white, and greys are versatile options that will always look good.

Olive Skin:

If you have olive skin, which tends to have yellow or green undertones, avoid colours that are too similar to your skin tone, such as yellows, greens, or browns. Bright colours can work well when offset with neutral shades. You have a forgiving complexion, so feel free to experiment with different hues.

Dark Skin:

Those with dark skin tones can pull off almost any colour. While browns should be used sparingly, you can confidently wear colours ranging from pale and light shades to bold and vibrant hues. Pastels, pale shades, and whites will look particularly flattering, as they create a natural contrast with your skin. Bright colours, such as pinks, can also be a great choice.

In addition to skin tone, hair colour also plays a role in determining the most flattering T-shirt colours. Here are some general guidelines:

Blonde Hair:

For those with blonde hair, whether it's platinum, champagne, or honey-hued, neutrals, pastels, and jewel tones tend to be the most flattering. Colours like lavender, seafoam green, and blush will complement your hair colour beautifully.

Brown Hair:

If you have brown hair, from light brown to caramel to chocolate brown, earth tones are your friend. Colours like green, orange, olive, and burgundy will look stunning. You can also rock jewel tones and shades like purple, mustard, and cranberry.

Black Hair:

For those with black hair, consider colours that create contrast, such as jewel tones, white, and bold shades like ruby and fuchsia. Pinks, yellows, and blues will also look striking.

Red Hair:

If you're a redhead, whether it's auburn, strawberry blonde, or ginger, look for colours that complement your unique hair colour. Coral, ivory, peach, olive, and forest green are excellent choices. You can also experiment with jewel tones and white.

Grey Hair:

For those with silver or grey hair, focus on creating contrast with your T-shirt colour choices. Jewel tones, especially vibrant greens and blues, will stand out beautifully against your hair. Earth tones and neutrals can also work well.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and the most important thing is to choose colours that make you feel confident and reflect your personal style. Don't be afraid to experiment and step out of your comfort zone!

Base skin tone

When it comes to determining your skin tone, it's important to distinguish between your skin's surface tone and its undertone. The former refers to the general colour of your skin, while the latter refers to the underlying hue that influences how your skin reacts to certain colours. To identify your undertone, you can check the colour of your veins, do the paper test, or consider how your skin reacts to sunlight.

If you have a pale or fair skin tone, you likely burn easily in the sun and don't tan. To complement your complexion, it's best to avoid light pastel shades and neutrals like black and white, as these can wash you out. Instead, opt for colours like grey, beige and navy, which will bring out your natural colour. You can also experiment with richer pastel shades when layered with darker colours.

For those with light skin that tans relatively easily, it's important to avoid colours that closely resemble your skin tone, such as pastels (unless you have a tan), nude shades, and other subdued hues that can drain your natural glow. Bright colours, especially yellow, should also be avoided if you're prone to blushing. Earth tones like green, brown, and khaki can work well when offset with a white t-shirt and indigo denim. Autumnal shades like burnt orange, maroon, and subdued yellow can also complement your complexion. Black, white, and grey are versatile options that will always match your skin tone.

If you have olive skin, you likely tan easily and have yellow or greenish undertones. The key is to avoid colours that are too similar to your skin tone, such as yellows, greens, and browns. Bright colours can work but should be balanced with neutral shades. You have the advantage of being able to experiment with most colours, from pale and light shades to bold, vibrant hues. Just be mindful of using browns sparingly to avoid looking ashy or naked. Black is a solid option, and pastels, pale shades, and whites can complement your skin tone without washing it out.

For those with dark skin, almost any colour can work well. You can play with pale, light, and bold shades, creating balance with contrasting colours and simple, pared-back pieces. Browns should be used sparingly, and while black is a good option, it's best to avoid head-to-toe black outfits. Pastels, pale shades, and whites can complement your skin tone, and bright colours will add a vibrant touch. Pinks, in particular, are on-trend this year.

Overall colouring

If you have a cool skin tone and naturally ash-toned blonde or light-to-mid brown hair (without red or gold highlights), and pale blue, green or grey eyes, you have summer colouring. Soft pastels with blue undertones, such as light blues, pinks and yellows, will suit you. Grey and blue hues, from pastel blue to navy, will also look great. However, yellow-based colours like orange, tan, mustard, coral and salmon pink are less flattering, and pure white may wash you out.

If you have a cool skin tone, ash-toned medium-to-dark brown or black hair (without red or gold highlights), and deep blue, green or brown eyes, you belong to the winter family. Vivid, icy, cool and clear primary colours will suit you. Think scarlet red, fuchsia pink, royal blue, emerald green and deep purple. Black, charcoal grey, pure white tones and deep purple will also work. However, muted pastels and yellow or orange-toned shades, like rusty browns and brick reds, should be avoided.

If you have a warm skin tone and golden blonde or light-to-medium brown hair with golden highlights, you have spring colouring. Warm 'true' brights, such as brick red, coral, salmon pink and true blue, will suit you. Beige and ivory hues will also flatter. However, icy pastels, deep tones and muted shades may drain you.

If you have a warm skin tone and red, auburn, dark brown or black hair with red, gold or chestnut highlights, you belong to the autumn colour family. Rich autumnal colours with warm/golden undertones, such as earthy reds, bronzes, rich browns, chocolate, and burnished golds, will suit you. Warm muted tones like olive and dark greens, terracotta red and burnt orange will also enhance your complexion. You can get away with navy, but other blue-toned hues might not work so well.

Cool skin tones

If you have cool skin undertones, you'll want to opt for colours that complement your complexion. This means choosing colours that will create an attractive contrast with your fair skin. As cool skin undertones often mean your skin is pale or has light features, you should opt for darker colours. The best colours for cool skin undertones are on the cool end of the colour spectrum. Think emerald, deep purple, lavender, pink, ice blue and bright blues. If you want to incorporate warmer colours, opt for pale yellows, rose reds and rubies. More neutral colours that work include bright white, grey and navy.

When it comes to choosing colours for your t-shirts, it's best to avoid light pastel shades, as these can wash out your skin and make you appear dull. The same goes for neutrals—avoid black and white, as black will contrast too harshly, and white will contrast too little. Instead, when going for neutral colours, opt for grey, beige and navy, which will bring out the colour in your skin more effectively.

You can also experiment with darker shades of pastel colours, such as a rich pastel t-shirt layered under a navy bomber jacket or a forest green overshirt. The aim is to create contrast without going overboard.

If you're looking to add jewellery to your outfit, cool skin undertones are complemented by silver.

Warm skin tones

If you have warm skin tones, you're in luck! There are plenty of colours that will complement your complexion.

First, it's worth noting that if you have warm skin, you'll want to opt for earth tones such as green, brown, mustard yellow, and warm reds. You can also wear peach, coral, amber, and gold. If you want to add some cool colours to your outfit, go for olive, orchid, violet-red, and moss.

When it comes to neutrals, softer shades like cream, beige, taupe, mushroom grey, and cappuccino will pair well with your skin tone. In general, natural, warm colours will work well and brighten your complexion.

If you're looking to add some jewellery to your outfit, opt for warm metals such as gold and copper. While this doesn't mean you can never wear silver or platinum, gold will be your go-to choice as it pairs nicely with your undertone.

Now, let's break down some specific colours that will complement your warm skin tone:

• Yellow
• Orange
• Peach
• Coral
• Ochre
• Coffee
• Caramel
• Green
• Beige
• Tomato Red

So, if you have warm skin tones, don't be afraid to experiment with these colours. Add some gold jewellery and you're all set!

Frequently asked questions