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
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.
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 |
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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