A shirt colour sits directly beneath your face, so it affects how your skin, eyes and hair look. You don't need to follow rigid rules, but a few principles make choosing much easier.
Start with your undertone
Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light. Greenish veins suggest a warm undertone, bluish or purple veins suggest a cool undertone, and a mix points to neutral. This matters more than how light or dark your skin is.
Fair skin
Soft blues, greys and muted pinks create a gentle contrast. Very pale colours can wash you out, so add a little depth with a mid-blue or a fine stripe.
Olive and medium skin
These tones carry a wide range well. White, light blue, sage green and soft lavender look clean and fresh, while warm earthy tones such as sand and terracotta suit smart-casual shirts.
Deep skin
Strong contrast looks excellent: crisp white, bright sky blue, rich burgundy and deep green all stand out. Avoid shades too close to your own tone, which can flatten your look.
Rules that apply to everyone
- White and light blue are the safest colours for any skin tone
- Test colours in daylight, not just under shop lighting
- Choose bolder colours in solids and keep patterns subtle
The right colour makes people notice you, not the shirt. If they comment that you look well, you've chosen correctly.
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