Raise your hand if you’re afraid of color! If you are, it’s okay. A lot of people are not sure how to incorporate color into their wardrobes. Lani and Kyle have several clients who, prior to hiring RLS, pretty much only dressed in black. Color makes a statement, but you want to be sure you are making the right statement.

Color affects your appearance in many ways. I studied the visual arts in college and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the principles of color theory I learned in my classes are very similar to those of the fashion world. How the human eye perceives a color (in this instance, your skin, hair, or eyes) is directly affected by the colors surrounding it (your clothing).

Color affects which tones in your skin are emphasized, which can either make your skin glow or look sickly. It determines whether your hair shines or falls flat. Color also gives your overall look more visual impact; as Lani always emphasizes in her style talks and corporate image consultations, if you want people to pay attention to and remember you, wearing color is the way to go.

I’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the world of color (scroll down). However, none of this is an exact science. Just because you have cool-toned skin does not mean you will never look good in orange. Just because you are warm-toned does not mean you can never wear silver jewelry. There are exceptions to every rule, because everyone is unique!

The best way to discover your ideal palette is to just try out different colors by holding them up to your face to see how you look and seeking second opinions (like from those of us at Real Life Style).

Happy Colorizing!

Warm-Toned

If your skin has undertones of gold or ivory than you are probably warm-toned. Here are some tips for finding out if you have a warm complexion:

1. Warm-toned people look better in ivory and off-white rather than pure white.

2. Gold jewelry flatters warm skin more than silver.

3. If your hair has red or gold undertones, then you may have warm-toned skin.

Margot Robbie | Jamie Chung | Eva Longoria | Beyonce Knowles

Color Palette for the Classically Warm-Toned:

If you have warm skin, look for yellows, dark greens, orange/reds, and browns. Aim for colors that fall closer to the red than blue on the color wheel. Avoid pastels and go for earth tones.

Cuyana Silk Tee Dress in Palm, $215

BLANKNYC Life Changer Moto Jacket in Neutral Milk, $98

SÖFFT Welling Bootie in Wine Red Leather, $129.95

Urban Originals Streetstyle Vegan Leather Tote in Black/Green, $98

by/ natalie frigo Wing and Agate Necklace, $315

Cool-Toned

If your skin has blue, pink, or violet undertones than you are probably cool-toned. Here are some tips for finding out if you have a cool complexion:

1. Cool-toned people look better in pure white rather than ivory or off-white.

2. Silver jewelry flatters cool skin more than gold.

3. If your hair has blue or ash undertones, then you probably have cool-toned skin.

Cate Blanchett | Lupita Nyong’o | Priyanka Chopra | Anne Hathaway

Color Palette for the Classically Cool-Toned:

If you have cool skin, look for purple/pinks, sea greens, blues, and greys. Aim for colors that fall closer to the blue than red on the color wheel. For example, rather than choosing a yellow-green top, opt for a mint green or turquoise blouse.

H&M Pleated Blouse, $39.99

PAIGE Transcend Vintage Colette Crop Flare Jeans, $219

Steve Madden Daisie Pointy-Toe Pump in Blue Multi, $89.99

Rebecca Minkoff Large Jamie Metallic Leather Satchel in Dusty Blue, $375

Argento Vivo ‘Marquise’ Earrings in Sterling Silver High Polish, $58

The Universal Color Palette

Jewel tones (cobalt blue, coral, turquoise, magenta, and ultra violet) tend to be universally flattering. If you feel stuck on what colors to look for while shopping, jewel tones are good go-to hues.

Here are some of the warm-toned and cool-toned ladies shown above rocking some amazing jewel-tone gowns: