How To Find Clothes That Look Best on You (My Fav Tips)

First Things First: Understanding Undertones

I know, I know – “undertones” sounds intimidating and fancy. But I promise it’s not scary. Undertones are just the subtle underlying hues in your skin. They don’t change (unlike your tan in summer), and they’re different from your actual skin tone. Most importantly, they determine how different clothing colors look on you.

There are three main undertone categories: cool, warm, and neutral. Neutral means you have a pretty even mix of both warm and cool, which honestly gives you the most flexibility. Lucky you.

Here’s the thing: I really recommend doing all three of these tests instead of just picking one. Sometimes a single test won’t give you the full picture, and we want accuracy here. Do these in natural light if possible – bathroom fluorescents are not your friend.

Test #1: The Classic Vein Test

Look at your veins. Yes, really. What color are they predominantly? Blue and purple? Green or olive green? Most people have a combination, but you’re looking for what’s most dominant throughout your body.

In my case, even though I have all the colors, when I really zoom in, I notice slightly more green and olive-green veins than purple and blue. Write down “cool” if you see mostly blue-purple veins, “warm” if you see mostly green, and “neutral” if you genuinely cannot tell because it’s an even split.

Test #2: The Jewelry Test

Grab some silver and gold jewelry and hold each one up next to your face. When you hold up gold, does your complexion look warmer and brighter? Does it feel like a “yes” in your body? Write down warm. If silver makes your skin look cleaner, crisper, and more vibrant – write down cool. And if you’re staring at both going “I literally cannot tell the difference”… you guessed it, write down neutral.

Test #3: The White Paper Test

Take a fresh piece of white paper (not off-white, not cream – actual white) and hold it up against your skin. Does your skin look fresh, bright, and vibrant next to it? That’s cool. Does it look a bit harsh or muddy, like the contrast isn’t quite working? That’s warm. No strong reaction either way? Neutral.

Now you’ve got three results. Whatever shows up most frequently is your starting point for experimenting with colors.

Now the Fun Part: Actually Trying Things On

Here’s the truth about color that nobody tells you: it’s an emotional experience. You can stare at your veins and hold jewelry to your face all day long, but until you actually wear a color, you won’t really know if it flatters you.

Here’s what I want you to do. Go to a big retailer – Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, whatever’s near you – or order online from somewhere with free returns. Find one style of top and grab it in as many colors as possible within your undertone family. (Neutrals, you lucky ducks can grab a mix of both.)

Why one style? Because you’re focusing on color, and you want to remove as many other variables as possible. Same neckline, same fit, different colors. Science!

Try each one on and notice two things. First: what does the color do to your skin? Does it look vibrant, warmer, brighter, cleaner? Or does it create a harsh contrast that feels off? Second: what does it do to your mood? Do you want to smile? Do you want to run out and show everyone? Or do you desperately want to take it off?

Trust your gut here. Take photos if it helps – sometimes it’s easier to reflect the next day when you’re less critical of yourself. Trying four to eight different colors will give you a really solid indication of what’s working.

Look to Your Own Face for Clues

Here’s something you can do right after reading this: go find a mirror and really look at your natural features. Your eyebrows, your eye color, the ring around your lips, the colors in your cheeks, the different shades blending in your skin. Make notes. What colors do you actually see?

These natural colors in your face will either be warm or cool, and they should reflect the undertones you discovered earlier. They’re also a fantastic starting point for colors to try on. Your face is literally giving you a cheat sheet – use it!

A Tiny Style Hack I Wish I’d Known Sooner

I love pink. Like, really love it. But certain shades of pink don’t look great on me when I wear them near my face. Does that mean I never wear pink? Absolutely not. I just wear it on the bottom half of my body instead – pants, skirts, shoes – and choose a more flattering color up top.

You don’t have to abandon colors you love just because they’re not perfect near your face. Get creative with placement!

The Most Important Thing Nobody Tells You

I wish someone had told me this earlier because I probably would have started wearing color years sooner: there’s a huge difference between feeling uncomfortable and feeling unfamiliar.

Every time I’d try on olive green or deep red or even brown, I’d think “this might actually be my color” and then immediately feel weird about it. I took that as a sign to not wear those colors. But it wasn’t discomfort – it was just unfamiliarity. I wasn’t used to being seen that way.

If you’ve been living in black like I was, wearing color is going to feel strange at first. That’s not a sign to stop. That’s just your brain adjusting to a new version of you. Give it time.

Beyond Your Wardrobe

Here’s my favorite lifestyle hack: once you figure out your colors, put them everywhere. Your home, your workspace, your phone wallpaper. Colors impact how you feel, so surround yourself with the ones that make you feel alive.

Pink still makes me feel happy and playful and connected to little-kid me. What’s your color story? I’d genuinely love to know.