Fashion Colors for Redheads

Redheads are a tricky lot, we are a rare breed; there are few of us out there and our complexions make it difficult to find suitable colors that will work with our fair skin and bright hair. Cosmetics and fashion companies tend to leave us out of consideration when developing products because we don't make up the larger portion of their consumer audience.

A redhead will typically have fewer choices when shopping for clothes or cosmetics because few colors complement that specific ivory skin tone well. As a general rule, redheads should veer toward earth tones, these rusty, wood hues bring out the orange and pink tones in the skin.

Interestingly enough, there are some colors that absolutely won't work for a redhead when it comes to clothing but work quite well for makeup. Below are a list of fashion colors that work and don't work for redheads. For the most part I'm not going to comment on the colors that don't work for redheads, except where it's glaringly necessary, once you get to the colors that do work for redheads, it will become much more clear why some shades work while others don't.

Fashion Colors That Don't Work For Redheads:

** A General Note On Colors In The Beige Family:
I would recommend staying away from the beige/cream/taupe/tan/off-white/cream shades at all costs, these shades will never flatter a redhead and should never be purchased.

** A General Note On Fluorescent Colors:
Bright, electric, or fluorescent colors don't flatter a redhead's complexion, try instead going for the muted, darker shades of a color family.

White or Off-White

Cream

Beige

Tan

Taupe

Red

Neon or Fluorescent Green

Lime Green

Black:

Black can be used sparingly, but shouldn't be too relied on because it does wash a redhead out.

Pale Blue or Baby Blue:

Blue tones overall are not a good choice for redheads, most incorporate an overbearing amount of pink and blue tones that just don't mix with the redhead's complexion. If you are wanting to incorporate some blue into your wardrobe, try a periwinkle instead.

Royal Blue:

This shade can be tricky because the redhead complexion varies from person to person and some look quite good in this color while others don't.

Lavender:

Again, this Lavender can vary slightly, but for the most part, it isn't the most flattering color on a redhead.

Hot Pink

Grey

Silver

Fashion Colors That Work For Redheads:

Brown:

This is probably one of the best colors a redhead can wear, it is dark enough to bring out the beautiful porcelain tones of the complexion and draw contrast without washing out the skin.

Olive Green:

The darker toned greens provide natural contrast to red hair and the pink tones of a redhead's skin.

Forest Green:

Another dark shade of the green family, this hue is a good one to look for when you're out shopping.

Coral:

Don't feel jipped because you can't wear some colors that blondes or brunettes can, just learn to appreciate the tones you can wear. Coral is a great mix of orange and pink, so this is your way to get a little of both in a shade that will show off your best features rather than detract from them.

Burnt Orange:

Burnt orange and coral are great color choices, just be sure to stay away from the pumpkin or fluorescent oranges.

Gold:

Gold is a classic earth tone, and as such, will always work for a redhead. I know it seems odd that browns, golds, coppers, and bronzes are suitable for a redhead, but yet beige, tan, and taupe are not, but just trust me.

Copper:

Once again a shade in the brown family, this color should be a staple in your wardrobe as with all the other earth tones.

Bronze:

Bronze is another great mixed-bag color, you get your gold, yellow, brown, and orange tones all in one convenient hue.

Yellow:

Ironically, yellow is a color that can be worn in several shades on a redhead quite well. The lighter less brown/gold shades usually work, as do the warmer toned sunshine shades.

Pale Pink:

Pink is a color that most people think doesn't complement the redhead's skin tone, but if you stick to the paler shades, it can perform wonders for you, but steer clear of the rose and hot pink shades.

Eggplant:

This is an incredibly flattering shade on a redhead. It leans more on the brown, green tones than the red and blue, which make this color a much better alternative to classic red shades.

Burgundy:

Burgundy is very similar to eggplant with just a touch more red in it and a little less green/brown. This shade will serve you well, try using burgundy instead of red.

Periwinkle:

Here's a color that probably sounds like a no-go to you when envisioning a redhead, but give it a try, you'll probably be surprised. If there is one shade containing pink and blue that a redhead can wear, it's Periwinkle.

Now that you know which colors to incorporate into your wardrobe and which ones to avoid, go out there and look the best you can. Please also look for my coming article on makeup colors for redheads.