Have you ever put on an outfit that looked fantastic on the hanger but left you feeling underwhelmed when you caught your reflection? The problem might not be the style—it could be the colour.

Wearing colours that don’t harmonise with your natural colouring can drain your appearance, highlight imperfections, and diminish your confidence. As a colour analyst, I’ve helped countless clients transform their appearance simply by shifting their colour palette.

Here are five tell tale signs you’re wearing the wrong colours and more importantly, what you can do about it.

People Comment That You Look Tired Or Unwell

When you’re wearing a colour that clashes with your natural undertones, it can cast unflattering shadows on your face or drain your natural vitality.

What it looks like:

Friends or colleagues ask if you’re feeling alright or comment that you look tired, even when you’re well-rested. Or maybe you catch a glimpse of yourself in the bathroom mirror and think you look pale. This happens consistently when wearing certain colours.

The solution:

Pay attention to which outfits trigger these comments. Try taking a selfie in natural light wearing these suspect colours, then change into a different colour and take another photo for comparison. Often the difference is striking – one colour will make you look vibrant while the other creates shadows or sallowness.

Your Complexion Issues Become More Noticeable

The right colours can make your skin appear clearer and more even, while the wrong ones can accentuate redness, under-eye circles or uneven skin tone.

What it looks like:

You notice that your rosacea or redness appears more pronounced in certain colours. Perhaps your skin looks more sallow or grey, or those under-eye circles suddenly seem to demand more concealer.

The solution:

Experiment with colours from different seasonal palettes. For example, if you have redness in your skin and typically wear bright, warm colours (Spring palette), try cooler, softer colours (Summer palette) which can neutralise the redness rather than enhancing it.

Your Make-up Doesn’t Sit Right With Your Outfit

When your clothing colours clash with your natural colouring, you might find yourself applying more makeup to “make it work,” or your usual makeup suddenly seems off.

What it looks like:

You feel the need to wear heavier foundation or more vibrant lipstick to balance certain outfits. Your usual makeup routine looks harmonious with some clothes but jarring with others.

The solution:

Rather than adjusting your makeup to compensate for unflattering clothing colours, try the reverse approach. Wear minimal makeup and experiment with different coloured tops to see which ones naturally enhance your complexion without requiring makeup assistance.

You Feel Uncomfortable Or Conspicuous In Certain Colours

Our instincts about what suits us are often surprisingly accurate. If you consistently feel self-conscious in certain colours despite them being fashionable or high-quality, your intuition may be trying to tell you something.

What it looks like:

You’ve purchased several items in a particular colour because you like it in theory, but they remain unworn in your wardrobe because something feels “off” when you put them on.

The solution:

Trust your instincts. Make note of the colours you feel most confident and comfortable wearing—these are often the ones that naturally harmonise with your personal colouring. Use these as the foundation for your wardrobe and colour choices going forward.

Your Wardrobe Contains Many Unworn Items With Tags Still Attached

One of the most common signs of wearing the wrong colours is a wardrobe full of unworn purchases. When something doesn’t feel right but you can’t pinpoint why, it often stays in the wardrobe.

What it looks like:

You have multiple items that you purchased because you liked them on the rack, but they never make it into your regular rotation. Perhaps you’ve tried them on multiple times, only to change into something else at the last minute.

The solution:

Gather these unworn items and look for colour patterns. Are they all similar in hue or intensity? This can provide valuable clues about which colours aren’t working for you. Consider having a colour analysis done to prevent future purchasing mistakes and to help you build a more cohesive, flattering wardrobe.

Discover Your Personal Colour Palette

The most effective way to ensure you’re wearing your best colours is to have a professional colour analysis. During a colour analysis session, I assess your skin tone, hair colour, and eye colour to determine your seasonal colour palette—Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter.

Each season has specific colour characteristics:

Spring: Warm, bright and light colours like peach, warm yellow and coral
Summer: Cool, muted and light colours like lavender, powder blue and rose
Autumn: Warm, deep and muted shades (earthy colours) like terracotta, olive green and rust
Winter: Cool, vibrant and deep colours like royal blue, hot pink and emerald green

Once you know your season, you’ll have a roadmap for selecting colours that naturally enhance your appearance. This knowledge transforms not just how you shop but how you feel in your clothes every day.

Benefits Beyond Beauty

Understanding your best colours doesn’t just impact your appearance, it has practical benefits too:

• Save time and money: No more purchasing mistakes or wardrobe orphans
• Simplify shopping: Quickly identify what will and won’t work for you
• Create a cohesive wardrobe: Your clothes will mix and match effortlessly
• Boost confidence: Knowing you look your best empowers how you present yourself

Ready to Transform Your Wardrobe and Appearance?

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it might be time to discover your true colours. I’m currently booking personal colour analysis sessions that will provide you with a customised colour palette tailored to your unique colouring.

Not only will you leave with a personalised colour fan to guide your future shopping, but you’ll also gain the knowledge and confidence to make better colour choices for your wardrobe, makeup, and accessories.

Contact me to book your session and take the first step toward looking and feeling your absolute best—in the colours that were made for you.

**Are you a style professional interested in adding colour analysis to your service offerings? My next comprehensive 3 day Colour Analysis Training kicks off this summer and I’m so excited to be opening up just 4 places – contact me for details.**