A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (2024)

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (1)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’re looking to freshen up your wardrobe with clothing that complements your skin tone, you’ve come to the right place. We reached out to More Alive With Color author and Pantone Color Institute Director Leatrice Eiseman for her expert color-reading advice. Eiseman has written no less than10 different books on color, so we knew she'd be the perfect expert to tap.

Of course, anyone can wear any color they please—that goes without saying—but it never hurts to have an especially complementary color to rely on when you're facing acloset full of clothes but aren't sure what to wear.Below,Eisemantells us how to easily pick out our most complimentary colors. From shades of blue to light ivory hues, she walks us through the bestoptions for a variety of skin tones. Plus, we shopped out key pieces to update your wardrobe this fall.

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (2)

(Image credit: Dominique Charriau/WireImage for Electrolux)

"Olive skin tones are flattered by vibrant pinks and fuchsia—shades that will reflect some rosy glow against the skin."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (3)

Endless Rose

Tailored Single Button Blazer

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (4)

(Image credit: Tony Barson/FilmMagic)

"Very light, ivory skin tones are best enhanced by a subtle contrast, as in placid blues and blue-greens."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (5)

H&M

Cable-Knit Cardigan

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (6)

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/BMA2015/WireImage)

"Dark skin tones are highly reflective and sparkle in jewel tones like amethyst, ruby, and turquoise."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (7)

Rachel Zoe

Arnaque Swimsuit

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (8)

(Image credit: JB Lacroix/WireImage)

"[Light skin tones] are boosted with some touch of pink, both warm and cool, especially in the blush-pink range."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (9)

Astr the Label

Smocked Clip Dot Chiffon Minidress

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (10)

(Image credit: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for H&M)

"This dusky, fair skin is most flattered by complementary lilac, lavender, and sparkling grape in the cooler range."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (12)

(Image credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)

"Honeyed skin tones are enriched by apricot, tiger-lily oranges, creamy whites, and terra-cotta."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (13)

H&M

V-Neck Dress

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (14)

(Image credit: Mark Sagliocco/FilmMagic)

"Skin with warm golden undertones literally glimmers in sun-kissed corals and creamy peach tones."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (15)

Vince

Raglan Sleeve Cashmere & Silk Sweater

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (16)

(Image credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)

"This is another shade of olive-tone skin that looks dynamic in berry and wine tones—again it reflects a glow against a yellow-base skin."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (17)

Loveappella

V-Neck Jersey Maxi Dress

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (18)

(Image credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

"Deep skin tones can also wear jewel tonesbut are radiant with contrasting hues, especially cool aquas and snowy whites."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (19)

Everlane

Relaxed Chino

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (20)

(Image credit: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Fast Company)

"Skin tones with warm, concentrated color in them can handle classic, neutral shades like cappuccino browns, khaki, and bleached sand tones."

Shop your shade below:

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (21)

White + Warren

Essential Trapeze Robe

Up next:These 20 Nail Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2020.

Thispostwas originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

A Pantone Expert Shares the Most Complementary Colors for Your Skin Tone (2024)
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