How To Dress In Colors That Make You Stand Out

Making a great first impression could be as simple as wearing the right colors for your features and skin tone. Ever wonder why that orange sweater looked so cute on the hanger but a little off on you (or why that purple one made you look so alive)? Your natural undertones are key to finding out exactly which colors you look best in. Here are a few simple guidelines for dressing in colors that make you stand out.

1. The Spring Color Palette

If you have a low skin-hair contrast (slightly lighter/reddish hair, fairer skin), naturally blush in a peachier shade, and have blue, green, or light brown eyes, you likely fall into the Spring category like the lovely Jessica Chastain (featured below). You could probably rock a coppery red hair dye-job or some chocolate brown eyeliner, and bronze jewelry makes you look radiant. To stand out in any given situation, look for shades like hot pink, robin’s egg blue, periwinkle, lavender, cream, coral, and teal. For special occasions, go for a tomato red accent (namely a red with orange hints instead of blue) in a lipstick shade or a stunning cocktail dress. As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid colors that are too dark or overpowering, such as charcoal black or porcelain white, as they might drown out your delicate features. If you’re ever stumped about which colors to try, just look around whenever spring comes next at the budding flowers or clear blue sky. That should give you a hint about what stand out colors to look for at your next H&M visit!

2. The Summer Color Palette

Ever received a compliment on your baby blue (or grey) eyes or your supernatural tanning abilities (which happen even with SPF and limited sun exposure)? Ever walk by a salon and wish with all your heart you could afford some ashy blonde highlights? If you answered yes to both of these questions (and happen to also rock anything silver) you’re likely a Summer like Friends star Jennifer Aniston. If someone pinched your cheeks (or you saw that cute guy at the office slash you a gorgeous smile), they’d probably turn a light rosy pink color. There’s nothing beige, warm, or sallow about you! As a result, any colors indicative of orange or warm tones should be avoided (camel, olive, emerald green, brick red, pumpkin orange). Instead, look for softer colors with blue tones, such as raspberry, grey, sky blue, chiffon yellow, and baby pink. If you’re ever stumped, just take inspiration from most, if not all, VSCO pictures of overcast days by the sea. Now, after every trip to the mall (or your bestie’s closet), you’ll have that summery glow without the sun damage!

3. The Autumn (Or Fall) Color Palette

Why, oh why, does a full-on deep auburn hair shade have to be so much maintenance? It goes so well with your skin tone! If you’ve ever thought this (or not had to because your hair is naturally a rich red shade) you’re likely an Autumn like Natalie Portman (who can rock any richer warm shade but looks amazing in her natural brunette state). Your eyes are darker green or brown (and occasionally a warm shade of blue) and your mom or significant other has probably pointed out the golden flecks in them. Unlike the Summer beauties mentioned above, you can rock all things golden and warm, and were born with a head of medium blonde, chestnut brown, or auburn hair that gets golden highlights when you sit too long in the sun. When you need new clothing staples, look for colors that are similar to those of a classic New England Autumnal day: brick red, burnt orange, wine, violet, and olive green. For anything more neutral (like a reliable handbag), think of the shades on a leopard: dark chocolate brown, golden beige, sienna. Natalie Portman’s a rare exception (as she can pull off nearly every color on the spectrum), but for most Autumns, the advice is to steer clear of pastels, strikingly bright colors (such as neon yellow or pink), and anything too overpowering (just like spring, only you have a higher skin-hair contrast). Next challenge: an hour-long photoshoot in your newfound clothes amidst a backdrop of falling autumn leaves!

4. The Winter Palette

Let’s say you went to a jewel expo of some kind and, after being drawn to a particular booth, hold a gargantuan ruby next to your head and snap a sweet selfie. If the bluish-red tones in that gem make you glow (and the same would theoretically happen if you picked an emerald or garnet instead), then you’re probably a Winter like Lucy Liu (who, in addition to being gorgeous, happens to be 50). Your skin-hair contrast is strikingly high, and you likely have porcelain white, deep olive, or rosy brown skin. Your eyes are charcoal, deep blue, or dark brown, without any green or golden swirls. Your lovely locks are dark and could fall anywhere between the spectrum of espresso brown to cool black. Unlike the other three seasons, a statement jet-black or pure white piece will only bring out your natural flush, so White House Black Market here you come (just as soon as the next paycheck arrives). Other classic colors that you’ll really stand out in include pine green, blood red, cobalt blue, and eggplant purple. Colors that you might not shine as brightly in include dustier colors such as periwinkle or warmer neutrals such as tan or terra-cotta. Ever wonder what colors to pick? Imagine you’ve been cast in a movie about a modern-day snow queen and the wardrobe stylist has been told to choose shades that resemble Russian forests in December. You’d probably end up with an exquisite deep grey fur (or faux fur) coat, a pine green gown, and a ruby red cap, just for starters.