How to Choose Clothing Colors for Your Skin Tone

94 Comments 3 min read

Did you know that there are certain clothing colors for your skin tone? Just like choosing jewelry, you can complement your complexion with the colors you wear! This involves looking at your undertone, hair color, and eye color. Typically, people are sorted into four different seasons, or color palettes. If you want to get even more in depth, there are subcategories to look into for each season. Check out the graphic quiz below to find color palettes that can accentuate your skin tone.

Build a Wardrobe with Clothing Colors for Your Skin Tone

quiz chart to determine How to Choose Clothing Colors for Your Skin Tone

What Color Seasons Mean

Were you able to discover your skin tone season using the graphic flow chart above? There are four official color seasons that are defined when talking about wardrobe palettes. Once you’ve determined your season, you can look further into subcategories of each season that can establish an even better idea of the colors that will look good with your skin, hair, and eyes. Each season has a set of hues that will look best on you based on your natural tones!

Color Analysis wheel for Autumn, Winter, Sprung, and Summer with subcategories

Summer Wardrobe Colors

If you got summer color palette as your season, chances are you have lighter skin with blue veins, and lighter eyes paired with ashy-colored hair. It can be a bit confusing, because we relate tanned skin with summertime. However, when it comes to wearing a summer color palette, clothing looks best on those that have cool undertones! In fact, you probably burn easily when out in the sun. For a True Summer, the wardrobe color palette that will feel the most vibrant will be muted colors with a cool hue. You will look great in rosey-pink lipstick and may often wear sky blue. 

SHOP SUMMER COLOR PALETTE

Winter Wardrobe Colors

On the other hand, if you are a winter, then you will have dark hair, dark eyes, and a cool undertone. This undertone shouldn’t be mistaken for being fair skinned, but rather, your skin and hair often contrast in a harmonious way. True Winters look best in sharp, contrasted colors. They will feel the most vibrant when wearing bright colors with a cool hue. You will look good in firecracker red lipstick and may often wear navy blue.

SHOP WINTER COLOR PALETTE

Spring Wardrobe Colors

In contrast to the latter seasons, if you are a spring, you will have a warm skin undertone and will see your veins as green. Similar to Summer, you will have light hair and light eyes (this does not refer to the color, but rather the brightness and dimension of your hair and eyes). Springs will tan easily and have a golden look. True Springs look the most vibrant in bright colors and with a warm hue. You will look good in an orangey-red lipstick and may often wear aqua blue.

SHOP SPRING COLOR PALETTE

Autumn Wardrobe Colors

Likewise, an autumn will also have warm skin undertones, but unlike Spring, will have darker hair and eyes. Autumns will also tan easily and look like they are very contrasted. True Autumns look the most vibrant in muted colors and with a warm hue. You will look good in a cranberry red lipstick and often wear teal blue.

SHOP AUTUMN COLOR PALETTE

Which wardrobe season do you identify with? Tell me in the comments below, and don’t forget to save this post to Pinterest to refer back to later.

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94 Comments
  • Cierra Hatch
    July 22, 2022

    I feel at a loss lol
    I look at your chart there and I’m going back and forth for almost quite few categories
    I have cool undertones but dark auburn hair with brown eyes

    • lauryncakes
      July 25, 2022

      It sounds like you have dark hair and dark eyes, but cool skin? If so, then you are a winter.

      • Cosmina
        January 18, 2023

        My eyes are sort of dark-green, with some gray spots but also some brown in the middle/center. 😐
        My weins are blue.
        My hair is brown with some greys natural like this.
        What can i be?
        Thank you 🌹

    • Bronwyn
      June 18, 2023

      I can’t figure mine out.
      Blue almost purple veins.
      I have very dark blonde hair, when highlighted I need a toner because of auburn undertones. My eyes are a very dark green. Skin burns but tans easily. I was going with Winter, but have recently been told I look good in colors like mustard, rust etc.

    • Sheri
      December 14, 2023

      So confused 🤔 I have cool skin tone and blue eyes. I’m so lost over picking colors. And now I’m even more confused..

  • Tiffany Poplaski
    August 23, 2022

    I think I am a winter.
    I definitely have cool undertones and dark hair but I have hazel eyes.

    • lauryncakes
      August 25, 2022

      You sounds like a winter– under each category are 3 subcategories called dark, true, and bright. Look up “dark winter skintone” and see if it matches you!

      • MD
        August 27, 2022

        I’m neutral I guess cause I’m not straight match for anything. Plus the color palette that is suggested for winter looks absolutely horrible on me.

        • lauryncakes
          August 29, 2022

          Under each category are 3 subcategories called dark, true, and bright. This may be why you aren’t a straight match. Check into Dark winter, True Winter, or Bright Winter and see if any of those palettes fit you.

      • Penni
        September 5, 2022

        Helpful. Believe I am a summer, with Grey hair, and green eyes with gold flecks. Am I correct in presuming this?

        • lauryncakes
          September 9, 2022

          Apologies, but it’s hard to know without seeing a photo of you or hearing how you tested on the chart provided.

      • Rose Ann Mathis
        February 27, 2023

        Autumn always been an autumn but now graying and colors are not working.

  • Amy
    September 3, 2022

    I have dark brown hair but blue/green eyes. My skin tone is quiet yellow but my veins are blue/green. I’m confused what I am!

    • lauryncakes
      September 9, 2022

      You sound similar to me with a neutral skin tone (you can wear both gold and silver jewelry! Look up summer skin tone clothing colors, and be sure to look into warm summer, clear summer, and cool summer subcategories and see if that helps. The other possibility is spring, but it is hard to know without seeing a picture of you.

  • Hettie Middleton
    September 4, 2022

    Morning I have Brown hair and eyes. I have i light skin. Please help me to pick the right colours for me.

    • lauryncakes
      September 9, 2022

      I can’t pick the right colors without knowing your skin undertone or shades of your eyes and hair. Do you have blue, green, or both color veins? Is your hair light brown or dark brown? Are your eyes and are they light or dark brown?

  • Marilynn
    September 8, 2022

    I am confused. Blue green veins, skin burns easily, but some warmth to it. Eyes are hazel green blue with yellow gold center. Help!!!

    • lauryncakes
      September 9, 2022

      If you have blue/green veins, you’re a neutral skin tone. It’s hard to know what your clothing season is without knowing your exact hair color/eye color or seeing a photo.

  • Kenzie
    September 13, 2022

    So I’m a neutral undertone (blue/green veins, burn then tan, silver and gold are great) but I get stuck on the rest. My hair would be closest to the first colour of Winter, but then my eyes are the first/second colour of Spring. Do you have an article about the subcategories?

    • lauryncakes
      October 2, 2022

      I don’t have an article yet! Need to write them. If you have dark hair, light eyes, you probably fall in the summer or spring category depending on your skintone or tan level

  • Kelley Schmidt
    September 23, 2022

    I think I’m a spring but could be summer. My veins are blue/green. My hair is dark brown. I burn at first but then tan. And, my eyes are hazel (green & gold).

    • lauryncakes
      October 2, 2022

      You’re similar to me! You’re a neutral skintone, but probably fall under the spring category as a “warm spring”

  • Rhonda Martin
    September 28, 2022

    I’m not sure if I’m a Summer or Winter. At 57 my hair is quite gray and not as dark as it once was. My real confusion comes with the eye color because my blue eyes change from a light blue to a very dark blue depending upon my mood or if I’m not feeling well. I could start my day as a summer and change to winter in a matter of minutes, or even the opposite. How do I know what to choose.

    • lauryncakes
      October 2, 2022

      Dress for you mood or your eye color 🙂

  • Melissa
    September 29, 2022

    So I have auburn hair-the weird red brown hair, light hazel eyes and fair skin. I look best in jewel tones like dark purples and emerald greens. What season would I be? Because I look horrible in pastels and I run from yellow.

    • lauryncakes
      October 2, 2022

      Look into warm spring or summer. But, if you already know that jewel tones look best on you, this doesn’t matter 🙂

  • Joanne
    October 2, 2022

    My hair is white and my eyes are dark brown.My skin is beige,my mother was half native so not brown but also not light coloured.

    • lauryncakes
      October 2, 2022

      Do your veins look green or blue? if they look both, you have a neutral skin undertone.

  • Gerri Vega
    October 15, 2022

    Hi, I have green veins with yellow undertones. I look great in Auburn hair color. Mixture of brown and red. But my skin is light to medium. I do have sunburn often but a little tan . I’m unusual. I have Navy blue eyes like brown/blue eyes. When the sun brightens up, it looks like aqua or olive green eyes. My Mom has brown eyes, tans and dyed strawberry blonde. She’s an Autumn. My Dad was a blonde as a child and changed to brown to black and grey. Incredible light blue eyes , run in the family in generations. My Mom used to think I’m an Autumn but she thinks I’m a Spring. It’s hard because of dark eyes , light skin and reddish brown. What do you think?

    • lauryncakes
      January 6, 2023

      Hi Gerri, most redheads are going to fall in the autumn category. Very few fall into the spring! If you’re a neutral, I’d look into soft autumn and true autumn subcategories.

  • Kate
    October 28, 2022

    I got summer but I’m a little confused bc I don’t look great in bright “summery” colors. I have red hair, kinda coppery golden – true red hair. Light eyes blue/greenish. Pale skin but not translucent. I could get a slight tan if I tried and applied sunblock but naturally burn without any sunblock. My veins could go either way.

    • lauryncakes
      January 6, 2023

      Hi Kate! I would say that most redheads are autumns. However, check out this blogpost about summer and see if it helps: https://lauryncakes.com/2023/01/how-to-dress-for-a-summer-color-palette.html

      • Ashley B.
        May 31, 2023

        I’m pretty sure I have cool undertones, but I have green eyes and golden blonde hair. Every tests says I’m a summer and cool colors seem to look better against my skin, but I always feel like warm colors looks better against my hair and eyes, Help!

  • Loida Hayes
    November 4, 2022

    Very informative and good suggestions!

    • lauryncakes
      November 18, 2022

      Thank you for taking the time to read this!

      • Amy
        May 19, 2023

        Hi, so I’m a bit of a mish mash!! have fair skin, dark blue eyes, my eyebrows are fair blonde and then my hair changed from light blonde through to dark auburn I’ve been told I’m strawberry blonde but I don’t agree that my hair matches any colors that I Google for strawberry blonde hair. My veins are blue and I prefer silver/platinum jewelry as good names my skin look old and washed out.

  • Violet Claire
    November 28, 2022

    This is amazing. My skin colour midway -not light nor dark with brown eyes

  • Gina
    December 12, 2022

    I’m either a winter or spring. My skin tone is neutral because my veins are bluish-green. My hair is naturally brown with cool blonde tones no red and my eyes are hazel with mostly green, then gold and a navy outline. What do you think I am?

    • lauryncakes
      January 6, 2023

      It’s hard to say without seeing a picture of you and testing colors out on you in person. Based on what you’re saying here, you sound like a spring. Winters are known for having high contrast between their skin and their eye color/hair color

  • Helen
    December 20, 2022

    My sister says I’m a neutral and I’m confused because I’m identify mostly as a cool undertone. My veins look blue, but I don’t burn and I tan easily. I’m pale with dark hair and and brown eyes. I can wear gold and silver and it flatters my skin also.
    How would I figure out what season I am?

    • lauryncakes
      January 6, 2023

      It’s hard to say without seeing a picture of you and testing colors out on you in person. Especially if you are unsure if you’re a cool, warm, or neutral undertone. That’s the first step to figuring this out! Do you look best in silver or gold? Maybe they both look equally good?

      • Anne
        February 26, 2023

        I’m confused 😐 my hair is sliver grey eyes brown, my veins are blue , I tan easily without burning and I wear sliver not gold, which I think makes cool undertones but the summer clothes colour would be the last thing I would wear

  • Mila
    January 20, 2023

    I might be autumn. I have curly dark hair and dark brown eyes and my skin tone is a bit yellowish with green veins.

  • CJ Bowen
    January 24, 2023

    Hey I have warm undertones red auburn hair and light blue eyes what colors best for me

  • CJ Bowen
    January 24, 2023

    Hey I have warm undertones red auburn hair and light blue eyes and wear gold jewelry so what season is best for me

  • Cherie Harrison
    January 25, 2023

    Spring

  • Aleera Marishka
    March 9, 2023

    I think Im a winter but when I turn the flashlight on me i look a bit yellow not as yellow as autumn though. I have dark hazel hair and eyes naturally and I’m fair skin and people notice a “pinkish tone”- what do you think?

  • Brianne
    March 21, 2023

    After reading through this, I identity with the two comments saying nah I’m none of those, also having cool tone skin with blue veins and burn easily and wear silver jewelry… and but… also have warm, bright dark brown hair (dusky black that fades all the way to rich orange and golden in sunlight exposure) and warm, bright hazel eyes (dark stormy olive green with nods of golden, chartreuse, and dark orange) So I took the advice you gave to those two comments and Googled “true winter skintone” and read all about it, bright winter, bright spring, and dark winter, but I am clearly none of the above. I found this interesting because I recently started to wonder what colors would complement me well. I’ve never known.

  • Gen
    March 31, 2023

    My veins are a bluish green. I don’t tan easily but also don’t burn easily either. My hair is on the dark blonde side with subtle red hints & my eye color is on the medium green/blue side lol As I get older, I’ve noticed my coloring has gone from burns easy, golden blonde & dark green eyes to what the heck? 🤣 I have noticed that medium- darker colors(I rock burgundy) look better but orange tones make me look pale as with lighter colors. Any suggestions?

  • Dana
    April 3, 2023

    I don’t know what I am and would like to know. I have warm undertones with dark brown hair and green eyes. I’m between a Spring or Autumn. Help I don’t know.

  • Lynda
    April 8, 2023

    I’m a Spring. Wondering if you have a suggestion for where to shop for clothing by colour season in Canada.

  • Mylee
    April 21, 2023

    I am lost
    I don’t understand I tan easily but my veins show up blue but I wear silver more than gold but I’ve been told that gold looks good on me 😂

    • Sheri
      December 14, 2023

      Same!!

  • Yvette
    April 27, 2023

    Is it possible to have neutral skin tone rather than only warm or cool?
    If so, where would that fit in the season analysis? My veins seem more blue but if I burn it turns to a tan. Also I can wear both gold and silver. Thanks!

  • Louise Beaumont
    July 12, 2023

    Is so much easier for me to find my colour type using skin tone , hair and eye colours. My hair has changed so much as I have aged that I almost need a new wardrobe. Please consider advising change of shoe types with age, I cannot attempt to wear heel anymore. I tend to wear sandals for evening and very casual sliders for day events ,any thoughts?

    • lauryncakes
      August 1, 2023

      I totally understand, as I am not much of a heel wearer either (besides platforms and wedges). Great idea to talk about different shoe types for as we age!

  • Judi
    July 16, 2023

    Why does the chart include hair colour? If you follow the chart it doesn’t matter what your hair colour is, you go on to the two lots of eye colour

    • lauryncakes
      August 1, 2023

      Natural hair color absolutely matters when determining what clothing colors work best at flattering you

      • Dianne
        September 26, 2024

        Now that I am older and hair is gray do I use my hair color before I naturally turned gray?

        • lauryncakes
          November 19, 2024

          No, you would use your hair color now which is gray. Similarly, if you changed your hair from brunette to blonde, your season would most likely change

  • Becky Barbour
    July 21, 2023

    How to determine skin undertone???

  • Maria Melfe Delantar
    August 6, 2023

    Hi@ i am sure if I have cool undertone. I have blue viens, but I think, gold complements my skin. I have black hair and dark brown eyes.

    • lauryncakes
      September 28, 2023

      If you have a cool undertone, silver will complement your skin. If you’re neutral undertone, then you can wear both gold and silver interchangeably. See if this article about choosing jewelry colors helps you out.

  • Janeen
    August 22, 2023

    What happened to bright REDS and all the hues of BLUE? Some of us can safely also wear GREENS!
    NOT a good array of colours.

    • lauryncakes
      September 28, 2023

      Have you checked out the other blogposts that go into detail about each season? There are more varieties of colors shown to wear, including red, blue, and green, listed on each of those articles. They’re linked at the bottom of this post.

  • Glee
    August 23, 2023

    Are you I’ll dress all year in one season color ? Or each season I’ll have a different color ? I’m confused.

    • lauryncakes
      September 28, 2023

      You dress for YOUR season all year long, not based on the seasonal colors that happen every year. Unless your skin tone changes drastically when you tan, or you change hair colors… then you would probably wear a different season.

  • Glee
    August 23, 2023

    My undertone matches cool side, then do I follow lines down I hit Winter, so those colors (2) will be my colors all year all seasons ??

  • Dolma
    September 12, 2023

    Hello , I think 🤔 my wardrobe season is Autumn because I have warm undertone and light brown hair and dark brown eye colour. Can you guide me which colours should I pick for my wardrobe.

  • Hannah Wormald
    October 12, 2023

    A really easy-to-understand explanation, thanks 🙂

  • Monique
    October 17, 2023

    I’m at a loss. lol I have green and blue veins, so I’m warm undertones. My hair is dark brown with golden highlights and red natural highlights. I brown eyes and fair skin face but olive skin. What would I be?

  • Alysha
    November 18, 2023

    I’m still very confused red and blacks seem to suit me well but I have a cool undertone going via the veins but if linking personality in it then I’d be an autumn so I’m very confused I might just match colours to my face in the shop as I don’t wear makeup often anyways

    • lauryncakes
      November 20, 2023

      red and black can suit almost anyone as long as it’s the right tone/hue of those colors

  • Sheri
    December 14, 2023

    So confused 🤔

  • Sheri
    December 14, 2023

    So confused 🤔 I have a fair cool skin tone with pink undertones and blue eyes. I’m so lost over picking colors. And now I’m even more confused.. I forgot to mention I’ve got natural golden brown hair with blonde face framing highlights.. but I get it colored light blonde BC my eyebrows are white blonde lol. I’m a tough one to get..

  • Kerstin
    December 28, 2023

    I was at a total loss. I go back and forth. My skin has a yellow/and red undertones, my hair is dyed (bright orange) light brown naturally, my eyes are hazel green gold and red flecks, and my veins are blue, I tan easily after I burn, and I can wear both gold and silver jewelry but I prefer gold. What you think?

  • Charlene
    December 30, 2023

    I attended Color Me Beautiful parties in the late 70s and early 80s. They advised that I was Summer and that’s what I am with you!

    • lauryncakes
      January 2, 2024

      Yay! I love to hear positive feedback like this

  • Barbie
    January 10, 2024

    Looking at these charts it looks like I’m cool toned all the way until it reaches eye color. I have hazel green eyes. People say sometimes they can see the colors of the rainbow when they look into my eyes. The chart says that greenish eyes are warm tones. Now I’m confused.
    My veins are blue and purple, I have natural dirty blonde hair and fair skin. When my hair gets lightened I have to use a toner or else it turns brassy. In the sun I burn unless I wear good sunblock. I’ve found that mint greens and light greys make me look sickly as well as bright and dark yellows. Light blues look great but sometimes navy blue washes me out. I would love to know what I really am and what colors look best for me. Can you help me?

  • Eniale
    February 1, 2024

    These never work for me. I have blue-green veins. My hair seems to have cool tones (espresso brown), but my eyes are a warm tone (golden honey brown). True reds, true oranges, and aqua blues look good on me. Green, true blue, and navy do not. Muted colors do not.

  • Irene Madrid
    March 11, 2024

    I DO see veins in my skin, burn easily, but have blue green eyes that change depending in what I wear. My haIR IS ASHY DARK BLONE. I LOVE PINKS ( IN BLUE TONES, NOTY CORAL) AND TEALS. I RECENTLY REDCORATED THE ENTIRE HOME ION THESE COLIORS. oops, caps.

    I have always believed I am a Summer. YES?

  • Rachel
    March 24, 2024

    I’m warm under tone with green veins dark hair and dark eyes

  • LJ
    June 13, 2024

    Also confused :/

    Dark brown hair, light skin that burns easy, dark hazel eyes and blue/purple veins… I don’t know. I thought I was autum but now second guessing winter?

  • Martha
    June 20, 2024

    I live right outside of Houston. I am a member of a ladies group and I am one of the youngest at 72! Our theme this year is Golden Girls and trying to do monthly meeting with programs geared for our age. I had this color match done for me many years ago and I am wondering if this is something that is still being done – how would I go about finding someone who could come speak to our group. Thanks for any help you can give. Martha Fullick

    • lauryncakes
      August 6, 2024

      I’d google “color analysis session in Houston” for someone that is nearby you!

  • Tony
    June 29, 2024

    In the first paragraph, you wanted “complement,” not “compliment.” They’re different words with different meanings.

    • lauryncakes
      August 2, 2024

      good catch!

  • Marise Oberholzer
    September 22, 2024

    What season are you when you have a warm tone with green or light brown eyes but skin tans easily (red)?

    • lauryncakes
      November 19, 2024

      It’s impossible to tell without seeing a photo of you in natural light and your hair color.

  • Arlene Angwin
    November 18, 2024

    I have been called a vibrant summer?