Throw Half the Neutrals Out

If you’re home, take a moment and look in your closet. Notice anything in particular? While not every man is the same, it’s a safe bet to say your closet is full of black, white, grey, and muted earth tones. Sure, you probably have some bright red accents mixed in on your workout clothes, but your everyday wear most likely follows a trend, and that’s neutral colors.

Neutral colors are great, and they do a lot for a wardrobe. They’re easy to mix and match, they look clean and tidy, and they help you blend in everywhere. However, in neutrals, it’s easy to fade into the background. If you’re trying to make an impression, choose something else.

Here are the six neutral colors for reference:

• Beige
• Ivory
• Taupe
• Black
• Gray
• White

Now that you know, it’s time to shake up that wardrobe a bit. Your skin tone has a lot to do with what colors go best on you, so let’s break it down.

Pale Skin

For pale skin, you want to choose dark colors with the occasional pop of light. Now’s the time to add a bold blue into the mix and some burgundy, navy, and darker green. Stay away from whites and pastels, or brighter colors like yellow and orange, as they’ll only make you look washed out. Stick with the richer earth tones you have on hand and throw out the beige and taupe, as well.

Depending on your complexion, reds might be okay. If you have ruddy skin, stay away, but if you’re very pale, choose a bold red, like crimson, to go with your black jackets or jeans.

Medium/Olive Skin

If you tan well, you most likely have a warmer complexion, and the world is your oyster when it comes to color schemes. Avoid the muted earth tones altogether, though. Go for a darker or lighter shade of each, like an emerald or grass green instead of a khaki.

If you genuinely want to give pastels a go, look at your exact skin tone. The darker you are, the more likely you can pull them off. If you fall in the middle of the spectrum, give yourself a hard look in the mirror before layering pastels or choosing only neutrals.

Dark Skin

Go to the store, close your eyes, spin in a circle, and point. That color works for you. Dark skin is the equivalent of the genetic lottery when it comes to color tones. Go for bold brights, stark whites, or even pastels, and you’ll look brilliant. For you, it’s all about the layers. Make sure your shirt and jacket have a high contrast without clashing and don’t be scared of some bright pants with a dark shirt or vice versa.

The only thing you need to avoid are browns, but you should minimize black and navy if at all possible. Instead, go for earthy greens and corals or bright reds and blues.