Help me understand color theory

[ClothesStudent]

Hello!

I would like to get some help addressing color theory. How can i dress according to my complexion? What colors goes well together? How can i identify my skin undertone? Would be nice to get some perspectives and simplified explanations.

Kind Regards

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

What’s your ethnicity, hair color and eye color?

for reference, I have an English/Irish ancestry whereas my wife’s ancestry is Italian

With her dark hair, more olive skin tone and brown eyes, she looks great in black

for me, with paler skin, freckles, light brown hair and blue eyes, black usually looks too harsh, so I usually would wear navy if I want a dark color

 

[norMD]

Putthison has a piece about color.

Permanentstyle has a piece about color and complexion.

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

The blog writers above downplay the importance of picking the right colors but they are in advanced territory

it’s easier to start with a color palette that you know is complimentary to your skin/hair/eyes and then branch out once you have that foundation

for example, I could find ways to make black look less harsh on me (with different textures) but why struggle to make it look ok when navy is so automatic for me?

 

[bantone]

Dressing The Man by Alan Flusser discusses this a bit.

Also what was posted provides some insight but you may like this also.

 

[ClothesStudent]

What’s your ethnicity, hair color and eye color?

for reference, I have an English/Irish ancestry whereas my wife’s ancestry is Italian

With her dark hair, more olive skin tone and brown eyes, she looks great in black

for me, with paler skin, freckles, light brown hair and blue eyes, black usually looks too harsh, so I usually would wear navy if I want a dark color

Hello!
I've blonde hair (not super blonde), blue eyes and light skin. Colors that are too close to my skin tend to look bad such as beige. Also logically speaking i assume strong colors would make my skin look even more lighter? I'm trying to figure out what colors will flatter me the most. I think navy, and brown look quite good (i have a pinstripe navy suit, and brown blazer and i think they look great).

Dressing The Man by Alan Flusser discusses this a bit.

Also what was posted provides some insight but you may like this also.

I've read the color section briefly in the book dressing the man. However I feel like he is mostly touching the part about contrast and drawing attention to the face. If i understood his theory right he means that: High contrast individuals should have a outfit with high contrast such as black and white. While lower contrast should have less contrast in the outfit such as a navy suit, paired with a light blue shirt etc.

Please correct me if i understood in wrong!!

What I would be interested in is what colors flatter different complexion, skin types and why. More specific myself, but I also want a deeper understanding. Then after that is also the second aspect of combining different colors. What colors goes well together?

For a reference as I said above. I'm Light skin, blonde, blue eyes


Kind Regards

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

Hello!
I've blonde hair (not super blonde), blue eyes and light skin. Colors that are too close to my skin tend to look bad such as beige. Also logically speaking i assume strong colors would make my skin look even more lighter? I'm trying to figure out what colors will flatter me the most. I think navy, and brown look quite good (i have a pinstripe navy suit, and brown blazer and i think they look great).



I've read the color section briefly in the book dressing the man. However I feel like he is mostly touching the part about contrast and drawing attention to the face. If i understood his theory right he means that: High contrast individuals should have a outfit with high contrast such as black and white. While lower contrast should have less contrast in the outfit such as a navy suit, paired with a light blue shirt etc.

Please correct me if i understood in wrong!!

What I would be interested in is what colors flatter different complexion, skin types and why. More specific myself, but I also want a deeper understanding. Then after that is also the second aspect of combining different colors. What colors goes well together?

For a reference as I said above. I'm Light skin, blonde, blue eyes


Kind Regards

Blue is obvious color (all shades) and probably should be the foundation

pale pink would likely be very flattering for shirts

mid to light gray (probably avoid charcoal) for suits, jackets, pants, sweaters

those would be safe bets I think

You could get pretty far with just those three colors plus brown shoes

 

[Bromley]

I don't think there's much value in choosing colors to complement your complexion, hair, etc. Some people don't like they way certain colors look on them, and that's fine, but I don't think there's a set of rules here worth following. People like to point to the Alan Flusser book, but if you look at his examples he's photoshopped almost every picture to support his points. Saturated eye colors, and stuff like that.

I recently came across a 1940s print ad for a company that made shirts and ties (Arrow, maybe). The ad featured instructions on how to coordinate your tie and shirt color to your hair and complexion. I don't remember what they were, but I remember thinking their examples contradicted a bunch of Alan Flusser's recommendations. I would say to wear whatever colors you like, and don't worry about it too much.

 

[ClothesStudent]

Blue is obvious color (all shades) and probably should be the foundation

pale pink would likely be very flattering for shirts

mid to light gray (probably avoid charcoal) for suits, jackets, pants, sweaters

those would be safe bets I think

You could get pretty far with just those three colors plus brown shoes

Yes. blue/navy seems to be fitting most people. I guess certain shades of blue can flatter more/less?

I actually don't have a dress shirt in pink yet, but it's been on my list to acquire since I love the color. How comes pale pink would suit me?

Yes. Grey and navy is seems to be pretty universal. Are there any skin complexion/hair color that would not look good in those? And why should I avoid charcoal?

I'm in a process of building a timeless wardrobe. I'm just debating how I should approach the color aspect. I think the best is to found some balance, not overplaying or underplaying the importance of color. As you mention navy/grey is something I can't go wrong with. I'm looking for a all kind of knowledge regarding color selection

Thanks for taking your time and giving advice. Is much appreciated.

 

[ClothesStudent]

I don't think there's much value in choosing colors to complement your complexion, hair, etc. Some people don't like they way certain colors look on them, and that's fine, but I don't think there's a set of rules here worth following. People like to point to the Alan Flusser book, but if you look at his examples he's photoshopped almost every picture to support his points. Saturated eye colors, and stuff like that.

I recently came across a 1940s print ad for a company that made shirts and ties (Arrow, maybe). The ad featured instructions on how to coordinate your tie and shirt color to your hair and complexion. I don't remember what they were, but I remember thinking their examples contradicted a bunch of Alan Flusser's recommendations. I would say to wear whatever colors you like, and don't worry about it too much.

Interesting. You've a similar approach to color as the article linked above of permanent fashion. It's funny that you pointed out that Alan Flusser photoshopped, that's something I did notice when I read it too. Yes I guess wearing what you like is key and sometimes you like what looks good on you? Wich i guess could be because the color flatter you in some cases. I'm just looking for a rough guidance of what color spectrum would suit me if there is any which I guess you could debate hehe. I tend to seek for a blueprint.

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

Yes. blue/navy seems to be fitting most people. I guess certain shades of blue can flatter more/less?

I actually don't have a dress shirt in pink yet, but it's been on my list to acquire since I love the color. How comes pale pink would suit me?

Yes. Grey and navy is seems to be pretty universal. Are there any skin complexion/hair color that would not look good in those? And why should I avoid charcoal?

I'm in a process of building a timeless wardrobe. I'm just debating how I should approach the color aspect. I think the best is to found some balance, not overplaying or underplaying the importance of color. As you mention navy/grey is something I can't go wrong with. I'm looking for a all kind of knowledge regarding color selection

Thanks for taking your time and giving advice. Is much appreciated.

I think pale pink is one of the best colors for shirts

it is very complimentary for people with light features especially- for me it gives a nice glow to the face

Getting a very pale shade is key. Brooks Brothers does it well. Darker pinks are not as easy to wear

give it a try

charcoal could be fine but it depends on how close it is to black. The closer to black the harsher I think it is for people with light features. I think mid gray generally looks warmer and is easier to wear.

I think generally people with darker skin/features can more easily wear a variety of colors

 

[dieworkwear]

Not a big believer in complexion theories.

Don't like linking to stuff I've written cause it feels gross and self-promotional, but it's easier for me to link this than re-type the argument.

Dressing for Your Complexion — Die, Workwear!

In their guide Perfumes, widely considered the bible on the subject, Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez answer some commonly asked questions about fragrances. One was whether scents change according to the wearer’s personal chemistry. “For a long time, Luca believed the answer to be absolutely no,”...

dieworkwear.com

 

[ClothesStudent]

Not a big believer in complexion theories.

Don't like linking to stuff I've written cause it feels gross and self-promotional, but it's easier for me to link this than re-type the argument.

Dressing for Your Complexion — Die, Workwear!

In their guide Perfumes, widely considered the bible on the subject, Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez answer some commonly asked questions about fragrances. One was whether scents change according to the wearer’s personal chemistry. “For a long time, Luca believed the answer to be absolutely no,”...

dieworkwear.com

I see. There is no shame in that.

Nice written article. It's interesting that you highlight the aspect of clothing being linked to emotional power and traditional values!

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

Not a big believer in complexion theories.

Don't like linking to stuff I've written cause it feels gross and self-promotional, but it's easier for me to link this than re-type the argument.

Dressing for Your Complexion — Die, Workwear!

In their guide Perfumes, widely considered the bible on the subject, Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez answer some commonly asked questions about fragrances. One was whether scents change according to the wearer’s personal chemistry. “For a long time, Luca believed the answer to be absolutely no,”...

dieworkwear.com

I realize it’s really just opinion but I very much disagree on the complexion thing

my Mediterranean featured wife plus our kids who have inherited her complexion over my deeply recessive genes look amazing in strong reds and blacks

when I wear a solid brute red with my complexion (which seems designed for life deep within a bog) I look like a half ripe strawberry

 

[dieworkwear]

I realize it’s really just opinion but I very much disagree on the complexion thing

my Mediterranean featured wife plus our kids who have inherited her complexion over my deeply recessive genes look amazing in strong reds and blacks

when I wear a solid brute red with my complexion (which seems designed for life deep within a bog) I look like a half ripe strawberry

Most men shouldn't wear solid bright red because it's a hard color to wear in men's clothing traditions, regardless of skin complexion.

Women have an easier time wearing strong colors because the world isn't fair and fashion has traditionally been the purview of women. They have an easier time getting away with stuff because there's a richer history of creative expression in women's clothing, so there's a foundation for visual language.

Regarding black, many well-dressed guys with pale complexions wear black. If you were to survey people who wear all-black, most of them would be sallow -- Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, etc. They're more on the SWD side of the board, but I think it just shows this is social language, not color theory (i.e. what color looks nice next to what).