Revealed: The Best Colours to Wear for Your Skin Tone

Finding the best colour for your skin tone is a very difficult business. Articles will ask you to compare your skin to a season (are you a spring or a winter?) or even ask you to examine the colour of the veins on your wrist. As such, we wanted to cut through the noise and nail down the specific colours that are the most flattering—making getting ready every day (and going shopping for specific items) a breeze.

We looked to some of our favourite A-listers—from Elle Fanning to Lupita Nyong'o—and analysed the colours they've worn on repeat in order to compile an easy guide to help you choose which colours suit your skin tone. Scroll through for our easy guide to complementing your skin tone, so you'll always look your best.

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Emerald
(Image credit: Andrew H. Walker/WWD/REX/Shutterstock)

Jewel tones are the best way for light-skinned women to wear saturated colour. Need proof? Look no further than Elle Fanning in this Lanvin dress.

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Baby Blue
(Image credit: Nick Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)

A pastel with just enough pigment like Laura Bailey's sweater looks gorgeous against pale skin. Our advice? Pair it with a red lip for a pop of colour or a smoky eye for a seductive look.

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Camel
(Image credit: JABPromotions/WWD/REX/Shutterstock )

The classic tan hue on Erin O'Connor creates an appealing contrast against her fair skin. Plus, it's a classic coat every woman should have in her wardrobe.

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Metallic
(Image credit: Angela Pham/BFA/REX/Shutterstock)

Bronzed-skin people can pull off all metallic shades, ranging from silver to copper, just like Alessandra Ambrosio in this glamorous minidress.

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Dove Grey
(Image credit: Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock )

If your skin tone is similar to Olivia Culpo's, consider wearing dove grey similar to this dress colour she wore at the Emmys. If you've got lighter skin, opt for a charcoal grey, and if you've got darker skin, a pale grey will look best on you.

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Neon
(Image credit: LaurentVu/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock)

Highlighter-worthy hues are trending, and Victoria Beckham approves. And you know, VB rarely does colour, so when she does, you know she's made the right choice. 

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Light Yellow
(Image credit: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock)

Pale colours like Solange Knowles's light yellow ribbed Marques'Almeida outfit stand out against a darker complexion.

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Cobalt
(Image credit: Brian Patterson/REX/Shutterstock)

Bold colours like Lupita Nyong'o's cobalt-blue headscarf look incredible against dark skin. This also reminds us how accessories can make an entire outfit come together. 

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Red
(Image credit: Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock)

You know how much we love blazers, and when Amandla Stenberg turned up to the Met Gala in this ruby-red colour jacket, she not only got the right colour for her skin tone, but she was also on trend.

Next, see the spring/summer 2018 fashion trends you need to know about.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Opening Image: @tamumcpherson

Editor in Chief

Kat Collings has over 15 years of experience in the editorial fashion space, largely in digital publishing. She currently leads the vision for editorial content at WhoWhatWear.com as the site's editor in chief, having risen through the editorial ranks after joining the company in 2012. Collings is a Digiday Future Leader Awards nominee, was named Buzzfeed's best fashion Instagram accounts of the year, and is a member of the CFDA Awards Fashion Guild. Prior to Who What Wear, Collings worked on styling projects for brands such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, Lucky, and Oliver Peoples. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in communications and calls Los Angeles home.