The Best Colors to Wear If You Want to Look Younger
While being comfortable in one's own skin (and wardrobe) is numero one, it's safe to say that one thing that no one wants to wear is something that ages them. A youthful appearance is something we all strive for, whether subconsciously or not. One of the most effective ways to achieve that youthful glow is via the colors we chose to wear. Given that there are thousands of Pantone colors at any given time, we turned to an expert in the field to guide us toward the exact colors to wear if you want to look younger. Kate Smith is the president and chief color maven of Sensational Color, which is a resource for information on color trends, meaning, theories, and dos and don'ts.
Smith told us, "With each year, hair and skin tone changes subtly, and at some point, those same colors are no longer as flattering as they once were." She added, "To keep your older and wiser self glowing, your colors need to complement how you look right now." She recommended four specific colors that will give your look a lift. Keep scrolling to find out what they are.
Turquoise
"Turquoise is a color that brings out the glow in every skin tone. There are many variations of this color that lean either bluer or greener. If you have a lighter skin tone, find the perfect turquoise by turning over your arm and looking at the veins in your wrist. If they look bluer or greener, then find a shade of turquoise that leans toward that color. If you have a medium-to-dark skin tone, just about any mid-tone turquoise will look great." — Kate Smith
Our Turquoise Picks:
Pair this top with high-waisted wide-leg jeans for a sophisticated look.
Turquoise always contrasts beautifully with beige.
Try framing your face with this youthful color.
Red-Violet
"Women, especially those with light skin tones, need to trade pastel pink for medium red-violet. Think rich magenta toned down by red or the colors that range from fuchsia to raspberry. Afraid to trade pastel pink for a deeper shade? All you have to do is look at pictures of Hillary Clinton wearing this color versus any other color she wore on the campaign trail. Once you see how much younger she looks wearing [red-violet], you'll want to find your best red-violet, too." — Kate Smith
Our Red-Violet Picks:
Want to stand out, stay warm, and look younger? Wear this.
New Black
"True black is often too severe against the softer tones of mature skin. It can make fine lines, wrinkles, and circles under your eyes appear darker. If black has been your go-to color, it may be difficult to give it up. Be open to trying charcoal gray, navy blue, or another deep color. You may just discover how much more flattering your 'new black' is than the one you've been wearing." — Kate Smith
Our New Black Picks:
Periwinkle
"Another color that flatters a majority of women is medium blue with a touch of purple or violet. Hair and skin tones 'cool' with age, and the blue-based hue, often called periwinkle, works beautifully no matter where you skin tone falls in the range between warm and cool." — Kate Smith
Our Periwinkle Picks:
This pretty top requires no additional accessories.
You could probably use another pair of leggings that aren't black.
Up next, 9 color trends we're about to see everywhere this fall.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
-
If You Want to Look On-Trend This Fall, Try These 6 Fresh Color Combos
Enliven your look.
By Judith Jones
-
Kate Middleton Paired 2024's Two Biggest It Colors With Winter's Most Coveted Shoe Trend
She's the definition of seasonally appropriate.
By Allyson Payer
-
Forget Black—Fashion People Are Buying Leather Jackets in This Rich-Looking Color Instead
Follow in their footsteps.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
Emily Ratajkowski Wore the Shoe Color People Used to Never Wear With Black Pants
It's chic now.
By Allyson Payer
-
Espresso Brown and Merlot Red Are Everywhere—These Are the 41 Best Pieces
The colors of the season.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
Kendall Jenner Just Ditched Her LBDs in Favor of This Expensive-Looking Color Trend
A perfect choice for Paris.
By Eliza Huber
-
The Trending Fall Color That Celebs, French Women, and Fashion Editors Are Suddenly Into
Serene and sophisticated.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
31 Elegant Items I'm Shopping in Fall's Biggest Color Trends
Stunning hues ahead.
By Grace O'Connell Joshua