Fabric swatches are used to determine the right colours to go with one’s skin tone. — Bernama
Burgundy, rich brown, royal blue, golden olive, lilac, magenta and teal blue have emerged as the trending colours presently.
However, amid the excitement of following the trend, some people might find themselves looking dull as the colours chosen for their outfits may not match their skin tones, said an image and colour consultant.
Nur Amira Yahaya said a wrong colour choice could cause one’s face to appear pale and tired, or even make a person look older.
She said choosing the right colour would not only enhance one’s appearance but also add a touch of elegance.
Nur Amira said colour selection would depend on several factors, one of them being the skin’s undertone which could be categorised as warm (golden/yellow), cool (pink/blue) or neutral.
“Then we have the ‘colour season’.
“Autumn colours are earthy tones while summer is a hot season, so its colours are generally soft pastels.
Nur Amira says a wrong choice of outfit colour can cause one’s face to appear pale and tired.
“Winter, on the other hand, features bright colours that are new and slightly vibrant,” she told Bernama.
“This year, rich brown or dark brown is popular for the festive season.
“It leans towards warm tones and falls under the autumn season.
“However, this colour is not suitable for everyone,” she noted.
Nur Amira said certain accessories and makeup could help “rescue” a look if someone insisted on wearing colours that might not be flattering for them.
“If you still want to follow the trend or want to match the colour of your outfit with that of your family members, you can make adjustments with your makeup.
“The key is to ensure that your face looks radiant,” she advised.
To determine the right colours for a person, Nur Amira explained that a colour analysis could be done by placing a white cloth around the face to eliminate any colour distraction.
Then, fabric swatches in various tones are placed near the face one by one to observe their effect on a person’s complexion.
Universiti Teknologi Mara College of Creative Arts senior lecturer Faizal Hamid agreed that choosing colours that did not complement one’s skin tone could make a person look pale or “less energetic”.
Advising against selecting colours based solely on trends, he said people often made mistakes in choosing the right colour because they were too focused on following trends.
“In reality, each individual should select colours that reflect their personality and boost their confidence, even if those colours are not on trend,” he said.
Faizal also emphasised the importance of choosing appropriate colours for different occasions, especially formal events, where clothes in darker shades such as black, dark blue and dark brown were preferred.
“These colours convey professionalism, seriousness and elegance.
“Black is a classic choice for formal attire such as dinner suits.
“Meanwhile, dark blue and dark brown give an impression of stability and intelligence,” he highlighted.
