We’ve heard it before: “Are you warm or cool?” While the question sounds simple, your answer can make choosing flattering colors much easier.
The reason some colors seem to brighten your complexion while others leave you looking washed out often comes down to your skin’s undertone. Once you know whether your undertone is cool, warm or neutral, it’s easier to identify the shades that naturally complement your features.
Understanding the “color wheel” sounds overwhelming, but we’ve got you. Our Stylists are here to break it down with this easy-to-understand guide on how to find your undertone and the colors that look best on you.
How to Identify Your Skin Undertone
When we talk about dressing for our skin tone, we’re really speaking to skin undertones (not the actual color of our skin). While skin tones range from fair to dark, undertones are the cool, warm or neutral tinges underneath your complexion. We like to think of it this way: your skin’s tone may vary from season to season (especially if you’re soaking up the sun) but your undertone never changes.
The easiest way to identify your undertone is to compare the results from these three simple tests:
- Vein Test: Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light and note whether they appear more blue, green or a mix of both.
- White T-Shirt Test: Hold a true white T-shirt next to your clean face in natural light and notice whether your complexion appears rosy, golden or balanced.
- Jewelry Test: Think about whether silver, gold or both metals seem most flattering against your skin.
Use the table below to match your results. The answer that appears most often across the three tests is likely your undertone.
| Test | Cool Undertone | Warm Undertone | Neutral Undertone |
| Vein Test | Blue veins | Green veins | Bluish-green veins |
| White T-Shirt Test | Pink or rosy complexion | Yellow, peach or golden complexion | Balanced, yellowish-pink complexion |
| Jewelry Test | Silver, platinum or white gold | Yellow gold | Both gold and silver |
If your results are mixed, you’re probably neutral or may lean slightly warm or cool. Remember, this isn’t an exact science, so find what makes sense for you.
Which Colors Look Best for Your Undertone?
Now that you can identify your skin’s undertone, it’s easier to choose colors that naturally complement your complexion. Remember that there are always exceptions, and the only color rule we always follow is this: if you feel amazing in a color, wear it.
| Undertone | Colors That Flatter | Colors to Reach for Less Often |
| Cool | Sky blue, cobalt, frosty purple, emerald green, light grassy green and pastels | Bright orange or bright yellow |
| Warm | Fiery red, orange, rust, cream, camel and earth tones | Very dark colors like gray or black |
| Neutral | Jade, dusty rose, muted coffee brown and off-white | Colors that are too bright or neon |
How to Build a Color Palette Wardrobe That Works For you
Knowing your undertone isn’t about limiting your wardrobe. It’s about identifying the colors that naturally complement your features, then using them as a foundation when getting dressed or shopping for new pieces.
Start with a few core neutrals you wear often, then add accent colors that work well with your undertone.
Cool Undertones
Build your wardrobe around versatile neutrals like navy, charcoal, crisp white and denim. Then introduce cool-toned accent colors such as emerald green, cobalt blue, lavender or berry shades through tops, blazers, knitwear and accessories.
Our Stylist Molly says, “Jewel tones are your new best friend! If you have a lot of neutrals in your wardrobe, add jewel tone layering pieces like a fuchsia blazer or emerald green jacket to give them new life.”
Warm Undertones
Start with warm neutrals like cream, camel, tan and chocolate brown. Add interest with rust, terracotta, coral, olive and golden-yellow accents that enhance your natural warmth.
Our Stylist Molly says, “Bring natural autumn colors into your wardrobe to capture that warm, earth-toned look.”
Do Undertones Change Over Time?
The short answer is no—your skin’s undertone stays the same throughout your life. While your surface skin tone can shift with the seasons, sun exposure, age or health changes, the subtle undertone (cool, warm or neutral) underneath remains constant because it is rooted in genetics. That’s why undertones can be a useful guide when choosing clothing colors, makeup and accessories.
Can You Wear Colors Outside Your Undertone Palette?
Absolutely. Your undertone is a helpful guide, not a set of rules. While certain colors may naturally complement your complexion, personal style, confidence and preference matter, too. If you love a color and feel great wearing it, don’t be afraid to make it part of your wardrobe.
Get Styles for Your Undertone with Stitch Fix
Still craving more expert Stylist advice? For a deeper dive into dressing for your skin tone, check out our guide to Dressing for Your Skin Tone with even more tips on building a colorful wardrobe.
The final step is to enlist a personal Stylist. Take your style quiz and let your Stylist know your skin’s undertone and what colors you’d like to try. Then sit back and relax as you wait for your colorful new items to arrive. Try on your personalized pieces in the comfort of your home. Keep what you like and send back the rest (free shipping and returns, of course). With Stitch Fix, it’s just that simple.
