This Is the Worst Colour to Wear in Photos

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

Looking good in photos is a skill that can be taught (hence the number of stories we've published on the subject), and one of the easiest ways to control that is what you wear. As you probably suspected, some colours look much better than others on camera, and who better to tells us exactly what they are than Lee Eiseman, the executive director at Pantone Colour Institute and author of the new book The Complete Colour Harmony, Pantone Edition?

When it comes to the worst colour to wear in photos, Eiseman told us, "Solid colours are always best, as opposed to patterns. Very pale pastels and whites can make the subject looked washed-out. However, colour in makeup can help considerably, especially professional makeup application. Cameras sometimes have difficulty adjusting between very bright contrasts, so it's best to keep brights as solid pieces as opposed to separates."

So what should you wear? Eiseman gave plenty of options for what colours to embrace, explaining that "the best colours are deep reds, teals/turquoises, and other shades in the blue-green family (the most universally flattering family of all colors). Rich and deeper greens, purples, and blue are all good. If a neutral is preferred, grey is the best, even better than black. Earthy and warm browns are good. Black and white together can offer too much contrast as well. Mid-tone or more vibrant rose-pink tones and corals are flattering."

Given your newfound knowledge of photogenic colours, you're probably ready to add some of them to your wardrobe, right? That's what we're here for.

Keep scrolling to shop pieces that will look great in photos.

DEEP RED:

TEAL:

DEEP GREEN:

Related: From Dresses to Bags, I've Handpicked 21 New-In Pieces Just in Time for Payday

PURPLE:

BLUE:

WARM BROWN:

Related: Shop 21 of the Best Wrap Dresses, AKA the Most Flattering Things Ever

GRAY:

ROSE:

Still in need of a fashion fix? Up next, our edit of winter outfit ideas.

Opening image: Style Du Monde.

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear US.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.