Clothing Colors for Pale Skin: 5 Shades to Choose From

clothing colors for pale skin

Knowing which colors suit your skin tone is a big part of dressing well and looking good, especially when you are naturally pale. After all, you should wear shades that complement your complexion well and bring out your best features effortlessly.

However, with so many options and variations, choosing clothing colors for pale skin can get a bit overwhelming. Luckily, we are here to help. From jewel tones to neutrals, here are all the hues you can consider.

Best Colors for Pale Skin

1. Emerald Green

Green

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Emerald green is, perhaps, the best shade you can go for if you have pale skin. It will accentuate your natural beauty without making you appear ghastly or washed out. In addition, the contrast between your skin and the shade won’t be too strong to be overwhelming.

Emerald green will look even better on you if you have green eyes. However, it’s a fantastic hue to go for regardless of your eye color. And the best thing is, you can wear this color as much as you like. Whether it’s just a scarf or another accessory, or your entire outfit, you simply can’t go wrong.

2. Ruby Red

Red

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Ruby is another bold choice that combines with pale skin wonderfully. The sharp contrast between your skin and ruby red clothes will make you look lively and vibrant, erasing any possibility of you seeming dull.

Just like emerald green, you can wear ruby in any capacity you prefer. Even just putting on a pair of ruby earrings or a necklace can make a big difference and turn a drab outfit into an unforgettable one.

3. Amethyst

Amethyst

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Similar to the other two jewel tones mentioned so far, amethyst also matches pale skin perfectly. However, the combination is much softer and lighter than those with ruby or emerald.

Since this color is lighter, it is essential not to overdo it. Thus, it’s best only to wear a single amethyst clothing item, be it a shirt, some pants, or a scarf. That way, you’ll take advantage of the hue without looking even paler than usual.

4. Navy and Royal Blue

Blue

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If you have pale skin, you’ve probably heard that you should avoid wearing blue. This assumption is true to some extent, as blue is quite tricky to wear with a paler disposition.

For one, people with a lighter skin tone usually have more visible veins on their arms and legs. Since the veins are typically blueish, wearing a similar color only draws attention and makes them more pronounced. That, in turn, makes you look sickly and borderline translucent.

However, not all shades of blue have this effect. Namely, royal and navy blue go well with pale skin, creating a contrast similar to emerald green. Thus, these tones do not emphasize your veins but rather make your skin tone appear rich, healthy, and creamy.

5. Neutral Colors

Neutral

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You can never go wrong with neutrals when you have pale skin. Choosing shades such as brown and gray is a safe bet, although it is best to avoid tones similar to your skin.

Rich brown and muted gray offer just enough contrast with your skin to look great, but they will never wash you out. Thus, you should make sure your closet is full of garments and accessories in these colors.

6 Color Coordination Tips If You Have Pale Skin

1. Try to Avoid Pastels

Pastels

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As fun and bright as they are, pastels do not go well with pale skin. Namely, their softness usually makes pale skin appear dull, which you are aiming to avoid.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you cannot wear pastels at all. In fact, as long as you keep them away from your face and hands, you’ll be fine. Thus, pastel pants, handbags, shoes, and socks are all a good idea.

In addition, it is best to try out different shades before making a decision, as every skin tone is different. So, what might not work for one person may very well work for you. Try to experiment as much as you can, and you’ll quickly find a way to incorporate pastels into your everyday outfits!

2. White and Black Are a Big No

White

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Although people always view these colors as neutral, they are anything but. In fact, they are in stark contrast with pale skin. As such, they will either make you look even paler (black) or sickly and transparent (white).

Black is only a good choice if you’re going for a goth look and you actually want to accentuate your paleness. If that is the case, just wear an all-black outfit, and you’ll be good to go.

In addition, black can work if you have a pale complexion and dark hair. In such instances, the contrast won’t be too striking, and you’ll be able to pull off some pants or a scarf.

Otherwise, you should try to keep black and white to a minimum. You can only include them in your outfit if you pair them up with some of the colors mentioned in the first section of the article. Emerald green and ruby are the best options, but you can also go for some neutrals.

3. Avoid High Luminance

Luminance

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High luminance clashes sharply with pale skin. In other words, luminant hues are simply too bright for pale skin. Thus, you should avoid colors such as bright orange, sun yellow, and any fluorescent shades if your complexion is on the lighter side.

However, it is okay to wear small accessories in these shades. For example, you can choose an orange handbag, yellow socks, or fluorescent sneakers. As long as the colors are nowhere near your face, you can experiment a bit.

Luckily, not all shades of orange and yellow have high luminance. Hues like mustard or burnt orange can work quite well with pale skin, as they are much closer to neutral colors. Just pair them up with a bolder color like green, and you’ll get an excellent combination.

4. Think About Your Skin Undertone

Skin Undertone

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The best way to determine which colors suit your complexion best is to determine your skin undertone. This term refers to the color hidden beneath the surface of your skin. So, it is a shade that you can’t really see, but it still determines your skin tone.

Traditionally, there are three skin undertones: cool, warm, and neutral. Cool undertones include blush and pink hues. On the other hand, warm undertones range from peachy to golden. Finally, neutral undertones are somewhere in the middle, and they are usually the same color as the skin’s surface.

The tricky part about undertones is that they are quite versatile. For example, even the palest person can actually have a peachy undertone. Likewise, a naturally tanned person can still have a cool or neutral undertone.

Fortunately, there is a neat trick you can use to figure out your undertone, and it involves looking at your veins. If they are greenish, you probably have a warm skin undertone. On the other hand, if the veins are blue or purplish, your undertone is definitely cool. Finally, veins are usually not as easily visible with neutral undertones, as they match the color of the skin.

For warmer undertones, you should stick to navy and green clothing. Moreover, shades such as pink, ruby, and peach are also a good choice. Cool and neutral undertones go better with silver, gray, and brown.

5. Think of Your Hair Color

Hair Color

As we have briefly mentioned, hair color also has a large role in determining which shades will look good on you. For example, you can wear black and similar darker shades with pale skin if your hair is also dark. The contrast won’t be as great, and the hues will actually accentuate your features nicely.

Moreover, those with pale skin and blonde hair are the few lucky ones who can actually rock pastels. The softness of pastel blue, pink, green, and yellow will bring out your natural beauty effortlessly without washing you out.

Finally, alabaster skin and red hair call for bold colors, including emerald green, ruby red, and navy and sapphire blue. Such hues do wonders for your complexion while still contrasting your fiery hair nicely.

6. What About Makeup?
Makeup

Naturally, you have to consider your skin tone when choosing and applying makeup. It is the most important factor to consider when looking for foundations, highlighters, and blushes. However, it is just as essential for choosing lipsticks and eyeshadows.

In order not to appear too pale and washed out, you need to opt for colors that will pop against your complexion. For example, burgundy, peach, pink, purple, and berry shades are the best way to go for pale skin.

On the other hand, you should try to avoid brown and orange-based lipsticks, as they will make you look dull and won’t bring out your features at all. In addition, black is also a bad idea, as it will give you a sickly look.

Of course, you can and should wear black lipstick or eyeshadow if your goal is a chic goth look. If you want something dark but think black is too much, going with warmer shades of gray might be a wise choice.

Gretchen Walker
Gretchen is a homemaker by day and writer by night. She takes a keen interest in life as it unfolds around her and spends her free time observing people go about their everyday affairs.