Before we begin, I have a question for you. Yes, you reading this right now. Is your go-to colour black, grey, or navy? Do you default to them because they're 'safe', or because they genuinely suit you?
And here's the next one: would you like to step outside that comfort zone and find a shade that actually lifts your complexion, making you look healthier and more put-together? The good news is, it's not complicated. It simply requires knowing what to look for.
If you want guidance beyond this guide, we're hosting a Neem X NIFT personal styling day on 26th February at 38 Lamb's Conduit Street. We're offering a limited number of colour analysis sessions, normally £195, just £45 on the day, fully redeemable against any Neem piece from the collection. The session is led by Marion, head stylist at NIFT, and paired with a personal shopping moment so you can immediately apply your new colours in real pieces. It's a practical way to move beyond the ever-safe navy and understand which shades truly work for you.
Check out this Spring look from Marion below...
But first, let's walk through it together.
Let's begin.
Find Your Skin Tone (three Quick Tests)
LOOK DOWN AT YOUR WRISTS
Your veins usually suggest your undertone. Though not perfect, so use the other tests to confirm your findings also!
Blue/purple indicates a cool undertone
Green suggests a warm undertone
Mix = neutral
THE SILVER OR GOLD TRICK
Do you naturally gravitate towards silver jewellery or gold? That's your answer. Silver leans cool. Gold leans warm. Simple as that.
THE PAPER TEST
Grab a piece of white paper and hold it next to your face in natural light. Look in the mirror. What do you see? Greenish, golden, or yellowish undertones? You're warm-toned. Pink, rosy, or blue undertones? You're cool-toned. Grey or ashen? You're neutral. That's it, you've figured out your base.
What to Wear Based on Your Undertone
Cooler undertones can go for rich, true colours: black, navy, deep emerald, royal blue, wine, plum, and shocking pink. If you want something lighter, stick with icy tones instead of pastels. Avoid beige, orange, and gold, they'll wash you out. Our Neem suggestions would include Black Spitafields, the navy flannel overshirt and heavy green bomber.
Earth colours are your friend. Green, warm brown, khaki, and mustard. For lighter options, try peach or light beige. These colours sit naturally with your undertones and make you look healthy and radiant. Neem suggestions include the green knit crew neck, yellow knit crew neck, oatmeal comfort shirt, chocolate check Spitafield and the deep green tee.
You've got the freedom to wear nearly anything. So use that to your advantage. Choose colours that complement your hair colour and eye colour. That's your real guide here...
FINE-TUNE IT WITH YOUR HAIR COLOUR
By you 40s, your hair tells its own story. Use that as your guide, as well as your undertone.
Dark hair with cool undertones: Black, royal blue, wine, and plum will anchor you.
Hair going grey with lighter eyes: Softer shades - lavender, light blue, baby pink - will work better than heavy, dark colours.
Brown hair: Camel and beige are your steady options.
Blonde or ash-grey hair: Pastel blue, soft pink, lavender, and navy all work well.
Go Deeper With ‘Colortime’
If you want to refine this further, there's a system called Colortime that takes you beyond warm and cool. It's a slightly deeper framework that looks at your whole picture, hair colour, skin tone, and eyes together, to pinpoint exactly which palette will flatter you most. For those interested to learn more about colour theory in Colortime, you can click here.
Remember you can also book onto an in-person colour analysis with Marion, head stylist at NIFT, who has worked for the likes of Prada and Gucci. Book here.
Why This Matters
Understanding your colours isn't vanity. It's efficiency. It's looking in your wardrobe and knowing that everything works together. It's walking into a room and feeling solid in how you present yourself, which, let's be honest, is more valuable than any trend.
And if you're building a wardrobe that's built to last, made with integrity, and doesn't compromise on quality or the planet? Even better. You're not just buying clothes. You're buying pieces that actually suit you, that you'll wear for years, and that align with what you actually believe in.