Dress Codes & Style Guides
What Color Dress Looks Best on Me? A Skin Tone and Color Guide
The dress color that looks best on you usually depends on your skin's undertone. Warm undertones glow in gold, red, coral, yellow, emerald and warm browns. Cool undertones shine in royal blue, navy, emerald, purple, pink and silver. Neutral undertones can wear almost anything. These are starting points, not rules: anyone can wear any color, and the best test is trying a few shades on in natural light.
In This Guide
How Do I Find My Skin Undertone?
Your undertone is the color beneath the surface of your skin, and it stays the same whether your skin is fair, medium or deep. Three quick tests:
- Veins: look at the inside of your wrist in daylight. Greenish veins suggest a warm undertone, blue or purple veins a cool one, and a mix suggests neutral.
- Jewelry: if gold looks best against your skin, you're probably warm. If silver does, you're probably cool. If both look good, you're likely neutral.
- White fabric: hold bright white and ivory next to your face. If bright white flatters you more, you're likely cool; if ivory does, you're likely warm.
Best Dress Colors for Each Undertone
| Undertone | Colors to try | Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | Red, coral, orange, yellow, gold, emerald, olive, chocolate brown, peach | Gold |
| Cool | Royal blue, navy, emerald, purple, lilac, pink, fuchsia, icy blue | Silver |
| Neutral | Almost any shade, including blush, jade, true red and black | Gold or silver |
Depth matters too. Very pale and very deep skin tones both look striking in bold, saturated colors like royal blue, emerald, fuchsia and red. Very pale pastels can wash out fair skin; try them in person first.
Dress Colors and What to Wear With Them
Here's how to wear the most popular formal dress colors, with shoes and jewelry that work.
Red
True red suits almost every skin tone. Warm undertones look great in orange-reds, and cool undertones in blue-reds and wine. Pair red with gold, silver, nude or black heels, and keep jewelry to one metal. Shown: style 54227. Shop red prom dresses and red homecoming dresses.
Pink
Soft pinks like blush flatter warm and neutral undertones, and bright pinks like fuchsia and hot pink pop on cool and deep skin tones. Silver and crystal suit pale pinks; gold suits brighter ones. Shown: style 56162. Shop pink prom dresses and pink homecoming dresses.
Royal Blue and Navy
Royal blue is one of the most flattering colors for cool and neutral undertones, and it stands out on every skin depth. Navy is a softer, classic alternative. Silver is the easiest match; nude heels work too. Shown: style 57546. Shop royal blue prom dresses and blue prom dresses.
Emerald Green
Emerald is a jewel tone that works for warm, cool and neutral undertones. Gold heels and jewelry bring out its warmth; silver gives a cooler look. Shown: style 55887. Shop green homecoming dresses and green prom dresses.
Gold
Gold is especially flattering on warm and olive undertones and on deep skin tones. Wear gold or nude heels, and let the dress be the statement with simple jewelry. Shown: style 56101. Shop gold prom dresses and gold homecoming dresses.
Black
Black works on everyone and lets the details of a gown stand out. Almost any accessory works: silver looks crisp, gold looks warm, and a colored heel or clutch adds a pop. Shown: style 55505. Shop black prom dresses and black homecoming dresses.
Purple and Lilac
Lilac and periwinkle suit cool and neutral undertones; deeper purples and violet flatter almost every skin tone. Silver heels suit every shade of purple. Shown: style 55387. Shop purple prom dresses.
Yellow
Bright yellow glows on warm, olive and deep skin tones. Soft light yellow is gentler on fair skin. Nude heels are the easiest match, and gold adds warmth. Shown: style 56638. Shop yellow homecoming dresses and yellow prom dresses.
Picking a Color for the Occasion
- Prom and homecoming: anything goes. Bold and bright colors stand out in photos and on the dance floor.
- Weddings: avoid white, ivory and anything that could look bridal, and ask before matching the bridesmaids. See the wedding guest attire guide.
- Fall and winter events: jewel tones like wine, emerald and navy, plus metallics. See fall and winter wedding guest dresses.
- Pageants: a color that stands out on stage and suits your skin tone. See how to choose a pageant gown.
Most Sherri Hill styles come in several colors, listed on each style's page. Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers; use Find A Store to try colors on in person. If the store doesn't have the color you want, the retailer can check whether it's available to order.
Shop the Look
Your retailer can check whether a color or size is available to order.
Find A Store
Find a Sherri Hill Retailer
In the United States, Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color dress looks best on me?
Start with your undertone. Warm undertones suit gold, red, coral, yellow and emerald; cool undertones suit royal blue, navy, purple, pink and silver; neutral undertones suit almost anything. Then try your favorites on in natural light.
What color dress suits every skin tone?
True red, emerald, royal blue and black flatter most skin tones, because they sit between warm and cool.
What color dress looks best on olive skin?
Olive skin usually has a warm or neutral undertone. Emerald, gold, burgundy, chocolate brown, coral and deep jewel tones look rich against it.
What color dress looks best on dark skin?
Deep skin tones look striking in saturated colors like fuchsia, royal blue, emerald, red, yellow and gold, as well as white and metallics.
What color dress looks best on fair skin?
Jewel tones such as emerald, navy, royal blue, wine and berry add contrast to fair skin. Soft pastels can work too, but try them on first in case they wash you out.
What color shoes go with a gold dress?
Gold or nude heels are the easiest match. For a black and gold dress, black heels work too.
