Does black suit you? How to wear black for your undertone

Black can be worn by most people, but it does not flatter everyone equally near the face. The issue is rarely black itself, it is how strongly black contrasts with your skin, hair and undertone.

You do not need to give it up. You only need to know where it works and where a different dark shade works better.

Why black is such a strong colour

Black is the highest-contrast neutral. Against skin it creates a sharp edge, and the eye reads that edge before it reads anything else.

For some people this is flattering. If you have a strong contrast between skin, hair and eyes, black can look polished and sharp. For others, especially those with softer colouring, it can overpower the face, deepen shadows and make skin look paler or more tired.

That is why the same black top can look great on one person and harsh on another. Neither is wrong; it is simply a question of balance. To understand the broader idea behind this, read the guide to warm, cool, neutral and olive undertones.

Black and your undertone

These are tendencies, not verdicts. Always check in the mirror.

Warm undertone

Pure black can look slightly heavy against golden skin. Softer dark neutrals often feel more natural:

• Espresso
• Dark chocolate
• Deep forest green

Cool undertone

Cool skin often carries black well, because the blue-leaning base harmonises with it. Charcoal and navy are also strong options:

• Black
• Charcoal
• Navy

Neutral undertone

Neutral undertones have the most freedom. Black can work, and so can softer alternatives. Let the depth of your hair and the strength of your features guide you; soft greys and taupe such as Taupe are an easy middle ground.

Olive undertone

Olive skin often looks richer in deep, earthy darks than in flat black. Try these first:

• Espresso
• Forest green
• Burgundy

If you are not sure which group you belong to, the five undertone tests can help. Olive skin in particular has its own quirks, covered in the olive undertone guide.

The 3-minute mirror test

You only need a black top, a softer dark alternative and a window.

1. Stand in daylight with bare skin, hair pulled back and no coloured clothing showing.
2. Hold black under your chin and look at your skin, eyes and the area around your mouth. Notice whether you look brighter or flatter.
3. Switch to the alternative, such as espresso, charcoal or deep green, and compare.

Ask the same three questions each time: do my eyes look clearer, does my skin look even, and do I look rested? Whichever colour wins most often is the better choice near your face.

How to keep black without the harshness

You do not have to give black up. You can control how close it sits to your face.

• Move black down. Wear black trousers, skirts, coats, shoes and bags, and keep a flattering colour on top.
• Add something at the neckline. A scarf, collar, necklace or shirt underneath breaks the contrast near your face.
• Choose the right metal. Gold with a warm skin or silver with a cool one softens the line. The gold or silver jewelry guide can help you decide.
• Pick a softer black. Washed, faded or charcoal-leaning blacks are gentler than a deep, glossy one.
• Mind the fabric. Matte, textured fabric is usually softer than shiny, flat black.

A quick wardrobe tip

If your wardrobe is full of black, there is no need to start again. Think of black as a good base for the lower half of an outfit and as a supporting player on top. Choose two or three tops in colours that suit your undertone, and mix them with the black pieces you already own.

Where Kittyfit fits in

Kittyfit scores each piece of clothing against your undertone, so you can see whether that black top is a good match or whether a softer dark would be kinder to you. Your result comes from a short quiz and optional face and wrist photos analysed on your iPhone. See how it works.