While navy is a classic choice that many men default to (me included), the reality is that not every colour suits everyone.
Discovering a range of colours that complement your skin tone, complexion, hair, and eye colour is essential. Sounds a bit naff, but in-store we all work hard on finding the right colour and overshirt style for you. The right colour can enhance your natural features, giving you confidence and making your overall appearance more vibrant. It’s incredible when we see it happen in-store, if you find the right shade it really does lift the skin and spirit.
We are also obsessed with finding the right overshirt for you… four, two, one or three pockets…
Understanding Your Skin Tone: A Practical Approach
The first step in understanding which colours work best for you is identifying your skin tone, which forms the foundation of how colours interact with your appearance. While it might seem complex, identifying your tone is straightforward and essential for building a capsule wardrobe that truly works for you.
A Simple Guide to Identifying Your Skin Tone:
Look at your veins - this natural indicator reveals your underlying tone:
+ Blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones
+ Greenish veins suggest warm undertones
+ A mix of both often points to neutral undertones
The white shirt test offers another quick and reliable method. In natural light, hold a pure white shirt near your face:
+ If your skin appears pink or rosy, you likely have cool undertones
+ A yellow or golden cast indicates warm undertones
Understanding Undertones and Their Impact
Undertones are the subtle hues that exist beneath the surface of your skin. Unlike your skin tone, which can change with the seasons (especially if you are tanned), your undertone remains constant throughout your life.
Understanding your undertone is essential for selecting colours that harmonise with your natural complexion.
Identifying and Working with Your Undertones
Your skin presents with yellow, peach or golden hues. These complexions are beautifully complemented by earthy colours. Our chocolate, deep red, black and khaki pieces are particularly effective for this skin type. Here we have Efe wearing the Recycled Flannel Chocolate Check Spitafields Overshirt.
Neutral Undertones
If you have neutral undertones, you'll notice a balanced mix of both warm and cool characteristics. This versatility allows for a broader colour palette. Our oatmeal, tan and sky-blue pieces, such as the Recycled Italian Sky Fil-a-Fil Overshirt shown above which is a part of The Regenuary Edit, often work particularly well.
Cool Undertones
These complexions show pink, red or blue hues. Cool-toned pieces from our collection, such as blues, greens and our signature Regenerative Cotton navy range, or the Recycled Italian Deep Navy Shirt Jacket shown above, creates natural harmony with these undertones.
Selecting Colours for Your Skin Type
For Warm, Dark, or Olive Skin
+ Optimal Choices: Embrace warm tones like deep reds and earthy shades including chocolate, green and khaki
+ Colours to Consider Carefully: Those too close to your natural skin tone
+ Neutral Options: Off-white, khaki, chocolate and cream enhance your natural warmth
For Light/Neutral Skin
+ Optimal Choices: Pink and dusty pinks, blue and medium greys
+ Colours to Consider Carefully: Overly bright or neon shades
+ Neutral Options: A mix of light and darker neutrals provides balance
For Pale/Cool Skin
+ Optimal Choices: Lilac, cobalt blue, bright greens and deep blues
+ Colours to Consider Carefully: Pastel and overly light shades
+ Neutral Options: Navy, slate grey and charcoal create sophisticated contrast
Creating Thoughtful Contrast
The art of wearing colour often lies in creating intentional contrast. Consider your primary colour as the foundation of your outfit, then build with complementary or tonal variations. For instance:
+ A deep navy jacket paired with a sky-blue shirt creates a sophisticated depth
+ Light off-white pieces work beautifully with darker accents
Seasonal Considerations
Your colour choices can naturally evolve with the seasons whilst remaining within your optimal palette. Summer welcomes lighter tones like khaki and oatmeal, while winter naturally draws us towards deeper shades such as navy, chocolate and deep red. So it’s important to allow yourself the freedom to respond to what’s around you or how you’re feeling- clothes are fun as well as expressive, we can offer guidance but there are no real rules!
Conclusion: Developing Your Personal Palette
While understanding colour theory provides valuable guidance, personal confidence remains paramount. We encourage you to observe which pieces from your wardrobe consistently make you feel your best. Whether you gravitate towards bold contrasts or subtle tonal variations, your clothing should serve to enhance your natural features whilst reflecting your personal style.
At Neem London, we're committed to helping you discover the colours and styles that not only suit your complexion but elevate your entire presence. We believe that when you wear colours that truly work for you, it shows in both your appearance and your confidence.