3 Swimsuit Colors To Flatter Your Skin Tone
While the focus of any suit shopping may be on the style and cut of our swimsuits, we simply can’t ignore the importance of color chemistry. We know incorporating the right colors into your swim wardrobe can be downright overwhelming, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to fashion, there are some color guidelines that can help you to look and feel your best. You can wear whatever color you want, of course, but we have compiled a list of shades that complement certain skin tones, and we think that you will like what you see.
Why Does Swimwear Color Matter?
You might be wondering why the color of your bathing suit is such a big deal. After all, can’t you just choose the swimsuit that looks good on you and call it a day? Well, yes and no — many of us do not realize just how significant selecting the right color can be.
Have you ever tried on an article of clothing that looked amazing on the rack, only to find that when you tried it on, something about it just didn’t look right on you? Most of us have had that experience. You might not have realized it in the past, but it could be that the color wasn’t in your correct palette.
Another reason why the shade of your suit is essential is that we are all creatures of habit. We decide that we like to wear a certain color, and it becomes our go-to, whether or not it is our most flattering color.
Learning which colors complement your skin tone will help you branch out and become braver about selecting your swimwear. You may even find that you fall in love with some shades you would never have considered before.
What About Prints vs. Solids?
When it comes to choosing the right swimsuit, the decision of whether to choose a solid or a print is up to you. In most cases, when designers are working to create a swimsuit with a print, they select colors that work well together anyway. So the odds that you will wind up with colors that didn’t work are pretty slim.
The beauty of learning your most flattering colors is that you can analyze a print and decide whether or not it will work for you. For example, you might see a gorgeous tankini in a blue tie dye print that catches your eye. Knowing that marine blue is one of your top colors will help you be able to narrow down your choices, take the plunge, and order that suit!
On the flip side, you might see a print that you like initially, but after checking your colors, you realize that it wouldn't look as good on you as you’d like. However, you can always check out a similar pattern in a different shade that would work better.
How Can You Pick Your Colors Like a Pro?
Before getting into the colors that will best fit your skin tone, it’s helpful to understand the thought process behind your most flattering colors. When considering the best colors for you, here are some things that you need to keep in mind.
Check Your Skin Tone Color
When it comes to selecting the correct color palette, you should establish whether you have warm, cool, or neutral skin tones. There are some websites that help you figure out your own color analysis, but here are a few tech-free ways to assess your skin tone:
- Check your veins: Look at the inside of your wrists, and examine your veins. Do they appear blue/ purple? In that case, you have cool undertones. If they have a greenish hue, you have warm undertones. If the veins appear bluish-green, your undertones are neutral.
- Think about your jewelry preference: Take a peek inside your jewelry drawer. Do you have more gold or more silver jewelry? It is said that gold jewelry looks better with warm undertones, while silver looks better with cool undertones. If you gravitate toward silver and gold equally, you might be neutral.
- Shop your closet: Your instincts might be better than you think. Check out your color palette, and then take a look at your closet. See what colors are dominant. How close are they to what is in your color palette?
Don’t Forget About Hair Color
Do you love to change your hair color? There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your hair, but be aware that it might affect how colors look on you, even though you aren’t changing your skin tone.
When choosing your hair color, make sure you are working with a stylist to help you choose the right color for your skin tone, because even if you choose great colors for your swimwear, the wrong hair color can make it look mismatched.
Your Palette Changes as You Age
While it is true that all ladies age like fine wine, it is also true that our features and skin tones tend to become softer and more muted as we age.
Do you have a shirt that you used to love but now somehow feels a little too loud for your tastes? It could very well be that your tastes haven't changed, but your own personal colors have.
This doesn’t mean that you have to forgo bright colors altogether. It can be as simple as a slight shade shift. If you used to look fantastic in a bright red-colored suit but feel the color is off, you could try a different shade such as a deep pink or magenta. Start by sticking to the same color family and go from there.
What Are the Best Colors for Your Skin Tone?
Let’s get right into the colors that are best for your skin tone and the colors you may want to avoid when picking your swimsuit. We will get super specific to help you figure out the best shade for you!
First, we’ll take a look at cool skin tones, then neutral tones, and lastly, warm tones.
1. Light Cool Skin Tone
If you can barely step outside without getting a sunburn, you probably have what is considered light cool skin. What colors work best for light skin that burns easily? Your best bet is to opt for dark, cool colors. Your top three shades are navy blue, deep violet purple, and true black.
If you have this skin tone, you may want to avoid light pastels, as they can make your skin look paler and washed out.
2. Fair Cool Skin Tone
Just a shade darker than pale cool skin, fair skin burns easily but can get a slight suntan. (Note: We always recommend slathering on a healthy dose of sunscreen, but if you are the type who gets the occasional accidental sunburn that turns into a tan, you probably have fair cool skin).
Similar to light cool skin tones, it’s best to play with contrasting colors. For a fair cool skin tone, your top swimwear colors are marine blue, emerald green, and deep cherry red. It’s best to avoid light colors and pastels.
3. Medium Cool Skin Tone
Medium cool skin has the same pink or reddish hue as light and fair cool tones, but those with medium skin don’t burn as easily. The best colors for medium cool skin tones are lavender, raspberry, and ice blue. Super dark colors like navy and black don’t stand out as well on medium skin.
4. Dark Cool Skin Tone
Once again, contrast is the name of the game! Women with dark skin in ebony and cacao shades look amazing in deep royal blues, majestic purples, and emerald greens. However, the bonus of dark skin is that you can pretty much get away with any bright color in the rainbow. It will all look amazing!
5. Neutral Skin Tone
Neutral skin is a little different than warm or cool skin tones. If you have a neutral skin tone, you are in luck! Most colors will look great on you, regardless of whether you have light or dark skin. However, your most flattering shades are mauve, champagne, and mint green.
6. Light Warm Skin Tone
When it comes to light warm skin, it’s actually best to keep it a little more neutral. Gold, aqua, and peach swimsuits will look absolutely stunning on you. However, you may want to stay away from aggressively bold patterns, berry shades, and dark rusty colors.
7. Fair Warm Skin Tone
Once again, neutrals are the name of the game for this complexion. The same color palette that works for light warm skin will work for fair warm skin, in particular colors that will look fabulous for this complexion include creams, pastel yellows, and light mauve tones. Avoid deep greens and royal blue tones.
8. Medium Warm Skin Tone
People with warm skin and olive or yellow undertones don’t often sunburn, and when they do, it’s usually because they have been in the sun for a long time. Those with this skin tone will look amazing in deep reds, olive greens, and orange-yellow tones. A few swimwear colors to avoid include basically all pastels and any color that is faded or washed out.
9. Dark Warm Skin Tone
Last but not least, we have a dark warm skin tone. This can range anywhere from caramel skin color to deep dark browns. Some colors that will truly complement this beautiful skin tone are lemon yellow, jade green, and a simple, clean white.
Conclusion
Though you can wear any color that makes you happy, knowing the shades that suit you best will help you to choose the swimwear that will look the best on you. Whether you have cool, warm, or neutral skin, you will be able to find the perfect swimsuit!
Sources:
Color Analyze Yourself Like a Pro | Color Wise
Sunscreen Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing | WebMD
Take This Personality Quiz To Find Your Ideal Color Palette | Real Simple