Just like there are certain types of clothes that look better on you, there are also colors that can match 一or not一 your skin tone. Here’s how to find the right ones for you.

This is something most guys don’t think of, but choosing the right or wrong colors for your skin tone can actually make or break your outfit. No matter how flawlessly you combine the pieces, if the shades don’t match your natural glow, something will certainly feel odd.

Now, there’s no need to panic and see it as another worry when talking about men’s fashion. Quite the opposite.

You can use colors to your advantage and choose the shades that better suit you and your personality. For instance, you can learn how to look more confident, more friendly and even more powerful by picking certain color palettes.

Colors are one of the most powerful tools you have when building up your wardrobe. But first, you need to identify your skin tone. Speaking of which, this is how to create a capsule wardrobe for men.

What is my skin tone?

There are four main skin tone’s categories: pale and light skinned men, olive and dark skinned ones. Not all guys fall inside one of these categories, some will find themselves in-between.

In fact, aside from your skin tone, you need to identify your skin undertone as well, which you can do by looking at the veins in your arm. If they look blueish, then you have a cool undertone. If they look more green, then yours is warm. And finally, if you are unsure, you probably have a neutral undertone.

For example, you may have a pale skin tone, but a warm undertone. Or dark skin, but a cool complexion, and so on. In spite of that, style is a form of self-expression and 一beyond what color best matches your skin tone一 you always need to prioritize your instinct.

If you like a certain shade and you feel confident in it, then wear it, even if rules say that is not your color palette. Knowing which are the right colors for your skin tone is a functional way to build up your wardrobe and to facilitate your daily routine.

But these are all general rules of thumbs, so feel free to break them if you feel confident about your choice.

Pale and light skin tones

Pale skin men tend to get sunburned very easily rather than tanned and they are also prone to freckles. If you fall into this category, then you need to keep an eye on shades that can make you look even paler.

For example, pastel shades and neutral colors can make you look washed out if worn on their own. It is best to combine them with opposite darker shades in order to create a smooth contrast and balance.

Something similar happens with black and white clothes: both ends of the spectrum can make you look chalk white or colorless. For that reason, it is best that you opt for in-between shades, such as gray, beige or navy blue. On the same note, this is how to wear a black suit with a blue shirt.

If you are not that pale, but you are still light skinned, then you have a few more options. However, we still recommend you stay away from light pastel shades and neutral colors: they won’t highlight your natural blush, they will rather burn it out.

Having said that, rules may vary as this skin type tends to get tanned and that summer warmth 一even if it is subtle一 can widen your color options.

Light skinned guys often have rosacea too, which means they are prone to a red face. If you feel identified, then we recommend you avoid vivid colors such as bright orange, red or yellow because they will only accentuate the blush. Instead, opt for denim textures and earthy tones, like green, brown, burgundy and camel.

Black and white clothes are actually a great addition to your closet if you have light skin tone because they work well for monochrome or layered outfits. You can combine them with a striking staple piece to add personality to the look.

Olive and dark skin tones

 An olive skin tone is characterized by an all-year around tan and a unique green undertone. If you have been blessed with this distinctive warmth, then you are very lucky because most shades look good on you.

Nonetheless, keep an eye on colors that resemble too much your skin tone because they don’t exactly highlight your best features and they will easily blend with your natural glow.

To put it another way, you don’t want your clothes blending in with your skin. Therefore, try choosing other colors aside from yellow, green or brown shades.

As an alternative, men with olive skin should opt for bright colors that will create an interesting contrast with their tone and match them with neutral pieces to build a sense of balance. Aside from this small detail, don’t hesitate to play with different color palettes!

Guys with a darker skin tone than olive have also won the lottery, as you can wear anything from pastels and light shades to striking colors, and you will always look great in all of them.

You can nail pretty much any color palette, including shades of brown that may resemble your complexion, as long as you keep it to one piece at a time. In other words, brown clothing on brown skin is definitely an option for you provided that you don’t wear a monochrome outfit. That’s a solid no.

While pastel and pale shades tend to wash out guys with light skin tones, dark skinned men don’t have that same problem. In fact, darker shades actually complement them.

For more insights on this matter, here’s everything you need to know about color.