BY SKIN TONE
Best colours for fair-skinned men
Fair-skinned men look best in deep, rich colours: navy, maroon, burgundy, olive, bottle green, charcoal and rust. These create contrast with light skin, so your face looks sharper and healthier. Very pale shades close to your skin, such as beige, cream, sand and pastel peach, tend to wash you out.
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Why contrast matters for fair skin
Light skin has little natural contrast with pale clothes. When a shirt is close to your skin colour, your face and the fabric blend together and you can look tired. Deeper colours do the opposite: they frame your face and add warmth.
Your easiest wins
- A navy shirt or polo is the single most flattering piece you can own.
- Maroon and burgundy add warmth without looking loud.
- Olive and bottle green work for casual shirts, overshirts and chinos.
- Charcoal trousers are more flattering than light grey or beige.
How to wear light colours anyway
You do not have to give up white or beige. Keep them away from your face: wear beige chinos with a navy shirt, or a white tee under a dark overshirt so the deep colour sits closest to your face.
PICKED BY OUR STYLIST
Pieces that follow this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does black suit fair skin?
Yes. Black gives strong contrast with fair skin and looks sharp for evenings. For daytime, navy and charcoal are softer and usually more flattering.
Can fair-skinned men wear pastels?
Mid-tone pastels like sky blue and mint are fine. Avoid very pale peach, pale pink and beige near the face, as they can make fair skin look washed out.
What colour shirt should a fair man wear to a wedding?
Maroon, deep navy, bottle green or rich purple. These jewel tones photograph well against fair skin and feel festive without being loud.