If You’re Confused By Color Matching, Here Are 4 Colors That Will Look Gorgeous On You No Matter What
And the pieces you’ll look great in, too.
by The Candidly Team
Do you guys remember “Color Me Beautiful” from back in the 80s? And how every fashion-y thing started telling women the key to unlocking their beauty was to learn their “color season?”
Well then, you’ve probably realized that it’s back … and all over TikTok.
And people are innnnnto it.
There’s even a little Instagram filter to help you determine which season you are, and therefore which colors look best on you.
We tried to get into the weeds and write you an article about figuring out what color season you are, but let us tell you it is not straight-forward. There are skin-tones and undertones and color chromas and values and words like “warm” and “cool” and “clear” and “deep.” And look, we just couldn’t crack it. Given that we can’t even determine what color foundation we wear half the time, how the hell are we gonna parse out which shade of yellow won’t make us look like a sun-bleached carpet?
And so, we decided to take a short cut. We went all around the internet, collecting the wisdom of various color-matching experts and found 4 colors that are consistently considered “safe”. Not just safe but excellent on all skin tones, hair colors, eye colors, etc.
And here they are, along with some of the most universally flattering pieces currently being made in said colors:
1. NAVY
Navy just invokes an effortless quiet luxury that’s almost…more interesting than black? And for 99% of us, unlike black, it adds life to our cheeks instead of washing us out.
1. The Adi Mid-Rise Frayed Relaxed Flare Pants by Pilcro: Linen Edition
First off, the navy shade of these pants somehow matches with everything. But the shape, my friends. We may have just located the most flattering, everyday, non-jean pants. Wear it with any top you own and you’re going to look good. That’s just how these pants work.
Price: $138
2. J.Crew Heritage cotton Rollneck™ sweater in stripe
This navy sweater is one of those things that instantly feels like an outfit. Wear it with any jeans or white, linen pants, and you’ll feel very coastal chic but also a wee bit French. We can’t speak for when you read this article, but it’s wildly on sale right now on J.Crew.
Price: $89.50
3. Anthropologie The Tommie Cap Sleeve Smocked Front Zip Shirt Dress Denim Edition
Who among us would not want to own a deep denim dress that’s soft and smocked at the waist and the ideal hourglass shape? We can’t really think of anywhere we wouldn’t want to wear this dress. It sizes in petite and plus. Snatch it up fast though, because it’s barely staying in stock.
Price: $168
4. J.Crew Fine rib lace-trim tank top
A lace cami in navy instead of black or white is the easiest way to imbue juuusssst a hint of sexiness into whatever comfy thing we’re wearing. Tuck it into a long, spacious maxi skirt or let it peak out from under a button-down. It’s that itty bitty layering piece we’re always on the hunt for. We love this particular one, because it has the perfect, smoothing shape but also an incredible size range.
Price: $29.50
2. SOFT PINK
A soft pink is almost like wearing a neutral in that it’s classic and easy to match. But it has a little more of a romantic glow that sort of illuminates your skin and makes you look gorgeous and lit-from-within.
6. The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve
We truly have no notes about this button-down. It smartly separates the front and back panels so you can tuck, tie, or choose coverage any which way. Get the pink instead of (or in addition to) the white and wear it with any jeans or long trousers. It will look just as Katharine Hepburn but with a little Grace Kelly mixed in.
Price: $98
7. J. Crew Ruffle Beach Dress In Stripe Airy Gauze
The color of this dress will instantly brighten you up. Plus the shape makes us feel brilliantly free and lovely and like we couldn’t care less how much bread we just ate. So naturally, we wear it almost daily.
Price: $118
8. Negative Supreme Track Pant and Short Sleeve Shirt
Do we wear these very luxe PJs while slathering on a face mask and cleaning our house? Of course. Do we also wear the pants to the mall with a white sweater and sneaks? Also, yes. They’re so gorgeous, silky, and washable, but more importantly the perfect, perfect pink. Oh, and there’s also a matching tank if you’re a warm sleeper and prefer to go sleeveless.
Pro tip:
Price: $70
3. AUBERGINE
Some of the deeper or jewel-toned colors can actually age us. But a rich purple can make us look alluring and more vibrant, which can in fact translate to more youthful. Something about this color brings out the twinkle in our eyes. Maybe it’s just how awake we feel when wearing it.
9. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater
Sweater weather is upon us, and Quince is the place we go for “good” sweaters made of real materials for prices that don’t depress us. The fit and color combo of this one feels original and classic all at once. With THESE pants, THESE boots, and THIS scarf, we think we have our fall uniform. Agree?
Price: $50
10. Free People One More Time Wide Leg
Like your absolutely favorite sweat pants, only lighter and even lazier, and yet also much, much cuter.
Price: $108
11. By Anthropologie The Thea Twofer Sweater Dress: Sleeveless Edition
This dress is flattering on every level. But the color also made us finally understand what fashion editors mean when they use the term "transitional.” Spring wedding with heels? Summer dinner date with sandals? Autumn stroll under a blazer? Winter workday with tights, and boots? Yessssses across the board.
Price: $160
12. Free People Camden Sweatshirt
Our 80s selves will never stop wearing our hair in a high, scrunchied pony, throwing on our favorite color cocooning sweatshirt, and melting into a pair of buttery leggings. Leg-warmers optional. And once you see it on, this color could quickly become your favorite.
Price: $78
4. TRUE RED
True red is like the primary color we learn to identify as the purest shade of red on a colorwheel with no added blue or yellow. Because of this, it’s apparently both warm and cool and should look good on anyone. And it really does. It doesn’t bring out the red in your skin or make you look muted. Instead, it creates a sort of energy to your overall appearance that can be spellbinding. A pop of red with a glossy lip. You’ll practically smolder.
13. J.Crew Pintuck Midi Dress In Drapey Organza
A mumu level of comfort but the color makes it fashion.
Price: $188
14. Women's Lady Cardigan - A New Day™
If you’re wanting to dip a toe but not go for solid red, this is the piece to do it with. With jeans and a ballet flat, you’re comfy but you’re chic.
Price: $35
15. The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants by Maeve: Ponte Edition
Every color in these pants will look great on you. It’s because they’re magic. The fit is incomparable, smoothing bumps and bellies without a smidge of feeling suctioned. But get them in red, and suddenly, you’re dressed exciting.
Price: $120
16. Free People Hailee Cardi Set
Look, some of you will hate the idea of an all-red ensemble (even if it’s gonna look remarkable on you), but this knit set also comes in every understated hue you can imagine. We guarantee your fav color that you already know looks amazing on you is just waiting for you. Take a peek.
Price: $128
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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