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Winter palette: bold colours with a cool undertone suit a winter type.

Winter types: winter colours & outfit ideas

Which colours suit a winter type?

What is a winter type? What characteristics does this type have and which colour palette suits a winter type the best? In this guide you can find out more about the different winter types, including their different characteristics, which will help you to work out which type you are. You will also find lots of great advice on the best colours for winter types as well as essential styling tips. We also show which colours make a cool, deep and clear winter type stand out.

What is a winter type?

Just like with the other colour types, spring, summer and autumn, a winter type can also be identified by a few characteristics. Your skin tone, eye colour and hair colour can provide clues as to whether you are a winter type. Typically, winter types have quite a strong contrast in comparison to other colour types as can be seen below:

  • Eye colour: from light shades such as grey blue to dark brown and black tones

  • Hair colour: mostly dark haired with a cool undertone, light-coloured hair is less common

  • Skin tone:from light to dark, usually they have a cool undertone and also may have freckles

Tip

Would you like to find out what colour type you are? Then take a look at our guide ‘’Colour analysis: finding your colour type". Here you will find more information on this topic.

Colours that suit a winter type

Winter types typically suit colours such as icy blues, cool reds and rich greens. This colour palette is characterised by its intensity and cooler undertones, which makes it perfect for a winter type. The following colours will make a winter type shine thanks to their striking contrast between hair, skin tone and eyes.

The best colours for winter types:

  • Clear red and pink tones, for example, claret, magenta, mauve or raspberry

  • Cool blue tones, for example, royal blue, navy blue or cornflower

  • Cool green tones, for example, jade green or turquoise

  • Grey with a cool undertone

  • Pure black and white

Tip: Pure white and deep black are amazing base colours for your wardrobe, which will make your complexion glow and go perfectly with your hair, skin tone and eyes. Items of clothing in shades of brown are less suitable for a winter type, as their warm undertones can take the freshness out of your appearance and make you look sallow.

Finding your colour palette: examples of a winter type.

The different winter types

Winter types are diverse and not every winter type is the same. Even this colour type has variations that differ in terms of brightness, intensity and coolness. Below we will show you the different winter types:

Cool winter type

Deep winter type

Bright winter type

Eye colour:

Blue, blue grey, grey green and dark brown

Dark brown, black brown

Blue, green, blue grey, soft brown

Hair colour:

Medium to dark brown, black brown, blue black

Dark brown and black

Medium to dark brown, black brown, black, blonde (rare)

Skin tone:

From rosé beige, neutral beige, olive to dark skin with a cool undertone

From dark beige, olive to dark skin with a neutral undertone

From light beige, olive to dark skin with a neutral undertone

Tanning:

Depending on your skin tone: the darker your skin is, the faster your skin will tan in summer

Tans quickly

Depending on your skin tone: the darker your skin is, the faster your skin will tan in summer

Colours & outfit ideas for cool winter types

Colours & outfit ideas for deep winter types

Colours & outfit ideas for bright winter types

Cool winter colour palette: intense colours with a slight blue tint are ideal for a cool winter type

Cool winter type: colours & outfit ideas

A cool winter type typically has a cool undertone when it comes to skin tone, eye and hair colour. Typical eye colours for this colour type range from icy blue and blue grey to intense dark brown. Your skin tone can range from light shades such as rosé beige to dark tones. Their hair colour also comes in cool shades and ranges from blue black to various shades of brown including dark brown, without any warm tones.

A cool winter type really stands out in comparison to the other winter types and thus has some similarities to a cool summer type. This is why cool, intense and dark colours from a winter colour palette are particularly flattering. Below we have listed some colours which will suit a cool winter type:

  • Red: dark red, fuchsia, claret

  • Blue: navy blue, midnight blue, ice blue

  • Green: pine green, emerald green

  • Neutral colours: silver, black, cool grey, indigo

Find your new perfect outfit for your cool winter wardrobe:

How to put together a stylish look for a cool winter type:

  • Outfits for cool winter types: take your main characteristics into account when putting together an outfit. You can do this by combining a neutral colour with an accent colour from your colour palette, for example, a light shade of grey would look great with a shade of purple. Tip: You can also make sure that patterns and prints go with the colours that suit a cool winter type. Patterns with a lot of contrasts are recommended as they will match your look.

  • Jewellery: cool colours such as silver jewellery will really suit you.

  • Make-up: your make-up should suit you and skilfully show off the colours that suit a cool winter type. It's best to use cool and contrasting shades as they give you a fresh look. In addition to cool eyeshadow and a blush with a blue tint, black mascara and eyeliner in your eye colour look particularly good. You can also go for bold and cool shades of pink when it comes to lipstick.

  • Accessories: the right accessories are essential to finish off your fantastic outfit. Accessories offer an ideal opportunity to try out different colours for a cool winter style.

Matching accessories for your cool winter look

Deep winter colour palette: dark winter types can wear strong colours from a winter palette.

Deep winter type: colours & outfit ideas

A deep winter type typically has paler skin and colder highlights. This winter type is also known as dark winter. You are probably a deep winter type if you have a light to dark skin tone, dark eyes and hair that ranges from dark brown to black.

This colour type is based on autumn, which means that warmer tones can occasionally be seen on deep winter types, for example, shades of light brown in their hair or eyes.A deep winter colour palette also includes some warm tones, although cool undertones are the main shades on this colour palette.

As a dark winter type, you can wear dark and bold colours, which occasionally have warm undertones. Below we have listed some colours which will suit a deep winter type:

  • Red: pinkish red, dark aubergine, burgundy

  • Blue: bold blue green, navy blue, midnight blue

  • Green: lime green, forest green, dark olive, khaki

  • Neutral colours: grey tones, indigo, champagne

Find your new perfect outfit for your deep winter wardrobe:

How to put together a stylish look for a deep winter type:

  • Outfits for deep winter types: as a mixed winter/autumn type, you can mix the warmth in your looks with cooler tones. A nice colour combination is a warm khaki with a cool navy blue tone.

  • Jewellery: deep winter types usually have a relatively neutral undertone, which means you can wear both silver and gold jewellery. However, if you opt for gold jewellery, make sure that it does not have any yellow gold tones.

  • Make-up: deep winter types can wear make-up in bold and muted colours. Depending on how light or dark your skin tone is, you can adjust the intensity of the colour of your blusher and lipstick etc.

  • Accessories: by choosing the right accessories you can make a bold fashion statement. Why not try a bag in lime green or a scarf in indigo? This will add the finishing touches to your look.

Matching accessories for your deep winter look

Bright winter colour palette: bright winter types need outfits with a strong contrast.

Bright winter type: colours & outfit ideas

You are probably a bright winter type if you have medium brown or black hair, bright blue grey or light brown eyes and a beige, olive or dark skin tone. This colour type has some similarities to a spring type and has a strong contrast between skin tone, hair and eyes, which are the most dominant feature.

Tip

Although this winter type mostly has dark hair, there are some bright winter types with blonde hair, blue eyes and a light skin tone. These characteristics are more common in spring or summer types. However, a true bright winter type will stand out with their contrasting colours from their winter palette.

If you think you are bright winter type, you can go for brighter colours that will create a nice contrast. Below we have listed some colours which will suit a bright winter type:

  • Red: ruby red, neon pink, pink ice, purple

  • Blue: sapphire blue, cobalt blue, navy blue

  • Green: emerald green

  • Yellow: yellow with greenish tones

  • Neutral colours: black, white, silver

Find your new perfect outfit for your bright winter wardrobe:

How to put together a stylish look for a bright winter type:

  • Outfits for bright winter types: we have listed some examples of colour combinations that you can try to make your chic outfit stand out:

    • Light + dark, for example, black and white

    • Dark + light, for example, grey and pink ice

    • Light base colour + accent colour, for example, silver and neon pink

    • Dark base colour + accent colour, for example, black and emerald green

    • Choose colours that are opposite each other on a colour wheel, as they will complement each other

  • Jewellery: bright winter types can wear sparkly jewellery made of silver, platinum or white gold.

  • Make-up: since you have similarities to a spring type, you can wear both cool colours with a blue tint and bright colours with a reddish tone. Bold colours will also really suit you.

  • Accessories: by choosing the right accessories, you can add a personal touch to your look and experiment with different colours from your new colour palette at the same time.

Trendy accessories for your bright winter look

Conclusion: finding your winter palette

Winter types are known for their cool skin tones, dark coloured hair in shades from black to ash brown and eyes that can vary from rich brown to bright blue or green. Bold colours that create a striking contrast to your skin tone are particularly flattering. There are also different winter types which all have slight differences in their appearance. Depending on your specific winter type, you can match your look to your new colour palette and emphasise your natural beauty.

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The image sources in this text are in chronological order:

Cover photo: oneinchpunch – stock.adobe.com
1. Image in text: polkadot – stock.adobe.com
All other images are from C&A