The first thing a person notices about a dress shirt is its color. In a room full of suits, the choice of shirt colors will help you stand out or go unnoticed; the key here is what your intentions are and you know how to mix and match your clothes to fulfill them. The only way to do this is to master understanding 1) which shades of color complement you and 2) how those same colors frame you in your surroundings. The goal of this article is to help you begin to understand both.
The role of your complexion, hair and eye color
A man’s complexion, hair color, and eye color are the key indicators to use when selecting the color of a fabric that will cover his body. Unfortunately, most men make their color decision based on what they’ve worn in the past, what colors are readily available, and the ever-changing winds of fashion. The result is what you see today, a sea of solid white and blue jerseys. The two most important factors when selecting shirt color are a man’s skin tone and hair color. Eye color is a wild card factor; in cases where eye color contrasts strongly with a man’s complexion and hair color, it can be used to introduce colors that would not otherwise complement a person. It is the relationship between these three factors that determines which contrast category a man falls into: high, low, or medium contrast.
high contrast men
Simply put, these are men whose hair color contrasts sharply with their skin tone; black hair with white skin is a perfect example. For high contrast men, the key to looking good is being able to mimic this color difference in your clothing with the contrast in your facial area. A dark navy suit with a white shirt and a dark gray suit with an ice blue shirt are two combinations that complement high contrast men. In general, light colored shirts with dark suits and dark/vibrant ties with light colored suits. Dark shirts can be achieved with light suits, but achieving this requires skill. High contrast men are always accessorized with strong bows that stand out from the shirt.
Low Contrast Men
As their name suggests, they are men with a dull appearance. Light hair and fair skin is the most common variant, but red-haired men, bald men, and men with thinning hair also fall into this category. The strengths of these men are the exact opposite of the high-contrast men above. Low contrast men should go for a monochromatic look, as a strong contrast outfit will easily overpower your muted tones. Remember that the purpose of a frame (your clothes) is to enhance the image (your face). In general, low contrast men do well in earth tone and dark blue dress shirts paired with dark suits. When wearing light gray or tan suits, low contrast gentlemen should stick with lighter colored shirts and earth tones; White is allowed here if the suit is light enough to avoid stark contrast. Be careful with the choice of tie, if the tie sticks out too much it can divert attention from the face to the chest and stomach.
Medium Contrast Men
If you don’t fall into one of the two extremes, you will most likely fit into this group. Brown-skinned men with dark hair are common members, along with lighter-skinned men with gray and white hair. With such a wide selection of facial shades and hair colors, it’s difficult to give specific guidance in this category. What we will say is that most men do not fit exactly in the middle; instead, they lean toward low or high contrast. The dark-haired men with brown skin mentioned above; they lean towards high contrast, and not only can they pull off that man’s color schemes, but they can also get away with some subtle monochrome combinations. The same with light-skinned gentlemen with gray hair. He is more similar to the low contrast individual and would do well to follow the rules set for that man. However, he can pull off a contrasting outfit very successfully, especially if his eyes or another feature of his complement the chosen color scheme. In short, men of medium contrast can enjoy the best of both worlds, but they should be careful about venturing too far in one direction.
The role of the seasons
It is worth mentioning that although your natural colors are the dominant factors in determining what color clothing you should wear, they are not the only things to pay attention to. A dandy also pays attention to the seasons, paying attention to the effect that the colors around him have on the whole he has created. The dark suit and dark colored shirt you decide to wear may look gorgeous on you, but at a summer wedding you’ll find yourself not only hot under the collar, but also sticking out like a sore thumb. Let’s take a quick look at the seasons and the color tones they invoke.
Spring
The season of the renaissance, this is where we have pinks, lavenders and lighter shades of blue. Lighter fabrics dust off his winter dream, and a man would speak well of himself if he wore multicolored checks and stripes to complement it.
Summer
A time when light and bold colors dominate the scene. Gold striped shirts, red plaids, and of course a wide variety of blue solids and prints should grace the well-dressed man’s wardrobe. 100% cotton, linen, and silk are popular fabric choices due to their absorbent qualities.
fall
Earth tones and heavier fabrics start to make an appearance. Clothes tend to take on a somber look with the arrival of cooler weather, and now that the weather is getting colder is a great time to wear blends. Its heat retention qualities are good on a cold afternoon when you are caught without a coat.
Winter
Dark colors and heavy fabrics like flannels make an appearance. You can liven up your wardrobe a bit with a pink or maize oxford, but winter is the season you want to make the most of fabrics designed to keep you warm. Forest green and brown tones are a stable this season.
It is important to remember that confidence in one’s appearance is vital to looking good. When people look at you a little more than usual, you have to be confident in your outfit to know that it’s because you look so good (rather than so bad!). Our advice is that you have the courage to know yourself and, based on that knowledge, choose the colors that best complement you as an individual.
