You know everything we always heard about black being the chic-est and the most slimming and the most flattering forever and always, amen? Well, turns out, that was a lie. I know. I know. The truth can be hard to hear, but someone had to tell you.
Black may not be your bestie.
Frankly, black is a little two-faced. It pretends it’s doing you all these favors, and then you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, and bam, you discover that it let you down. Your skin looks washed out. Your dark circles are extra circley. You look tired-er, somehow. (I know that’s not a word but I just HAD to use it here because I wanted to).
This is the thing. Black works well for people who look good in black. This is (usually) people with very dark hair, and also some people with very light hair, but not for the large number of people in the middle.
Because of black’s lying, cheating ways, I decided to do a little step-by-step guide to picking wardrobe neutrals that won’t let you down.
Introduction: Rethinking Black as Your Neutral
In the fashion world, black often reigns supreme as the ultimate neutral. However, for many individuals, especially those with specific hair and skin tones, black may not be the most flattering option. Join us as we embark on a journey to find the neutrals that truly resonate with you.
Take Cues From Your Coloring
- Start with Your Hair Color: Your hair serves as a guiding beacon for selecting your primary neutral. Using your eyes, or a color picker tool like this one, identify the dominant neutral shade in your hair. (This works whether your hair is its natural color or salon-created). This is your most Neutral Neutral. This color works best for expensive leather items like shoes, bags, and jackets.
- Add a Second Neutral: Your eyes hold valuable clues for selecting complementary neutrals. Learn how to extract hues from your eyes to enrich your color palette.
- Add Blue: If you don’t already have blue in your color palette, consider adding it, as it can represent the denim that many of us wear.
- Choose Your White and Your Black: Fill in any gaps by adding a dark and a light neutral that work with the other colors.
Find Your Celebrity Color Twin
To illustrate these color principles at work, I’ve selected 7 celebrities and used their hair and eye colors to create their perfect starter neutral palettes.
Use Your Best Neutral For Your Leathers
Bags, shoes, leather jackets, and other investment pieces should be in your best neutral, the color close to your hair. Here, some neutral bag options for the different color categories. You can shop all of these styles and many more right here.
What do you think of this system for choosing your best wardrobe neutrals? And what did you discover about your best neutral? Let me know in the comments!
Robertmycs says
This warm, practical wardrobe neutrals guide for 50+ from Nada Manley nails addressing why black might not flatter most skin/hair tones in the middle, uses step-by-step cues from coloring and relatable celebrity examples, and even links to shopping for investment leather pieces in your perfect shade.
stitch photos together
Nada Manley says
Thank you for sharing a little bit of your story Tracy! I would love to help! Many women don’t fall into one clear category, and this is something I specialize in. Have you joined Closet Confidence? I think you will enjoy it and it is free. :) https://www.nadamanley.com/fnl/closetworkshop/signup
Tracy Hatcher says
I too am a mix but lean warm. I have hazel eyes which are gold and green and appear more gold or green depending on what I wear. I have medium brown hair. I started going grey and my stylist started putting blonde highlights in my hair to camouflage. I think I have tried every seasonal color. I don’t think I look especially good in black. I look good in olive and brown which has me leaning warm but I still have no idea how to dress myself. My mother chose everything I wore down to my prom dress (I loved pink so my wardrobe had a lot of pink in it so I was happy!) As a young Mom and a young professional, we had little to no money so I had to purchase what was on sale not necessarily what looked good and my weight fluctuated a lot. I am on a weight loss journey now and I have lost 92 lbs since last year with the assistance of a dietician and I am continuing that journey this year. Dressing this body is a challenge too. Standard black and a color don’t necessarily work anymore.
Nada Manley says
Yes he totally does! He is amazing! Thanks for the comment!
Nada Manley says
Hi Robin! Yes this is actually quite common! Clear tends to lean cooler anyway but if you’re definitely staying with Silver, then you’ll love the cooler colors in your palette. :) I hope that helps! And I am so glad you found this helpful!
Nada Manley says
You are probably a neutral category, like Soft or Fresh. Most women are not warm or cool but a mix and “blended.” I hope that helps! Thanks so much for the comment!
Nada Manley says
Yay! Thank you so much Faith! That means a LOT to me!
Nada Manley says
Hi Carolyn! Sounds like you are a Light Warm. So you would just use the lighter colors from the warm palettes. Every woman looks unique even within the same color palette. I hope that helps!
Carolyn Brooks says
Good article. I’m not sure where to start. Strawberry blonde hair with blue eyes. I’m warm but not as warm as Julieanne Moore. I would like to see more examples of warm ladies.
Faith says
I loved the video. It was very helpful to me.
Allison says
I feel I am a mix . My eyes are green mixed with yellow, blue,speckled brown. My eye color changes with the color I wear.
Robin says
LOVED this video. I was brunette with a ‘clear’ tone and now transitioning into silver hair and my hair is cool silver, SO this video will help me clean up and modify and freshen my closet. The “leathers” segment is an eye opener! Can someone be an Angelina AND a helen mirren? (Was brunette but now cool silver?)
Zaeobi says
Choosing from your natural features is a great way to ensure the colours won’t overwhelm you (i.e. that they’ll be harmonious enough to not overshadow your face).
I think David Zyla takes this a step further, with his colour system looking at the colours in the palms of your hands etc too, no?