5 Signs You’re Wearing the Wrong Colours (And How to Fix It Fast)

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Why do I look so tired?” even though you’ve had a full night’s sleep? Or worn a new top that everyone says is trendy—but you just feel off in it?

The truth is, colour matters. A lot. Wearing the wrong colours can make you appear dull, drawn, or disconnected from your natural glow. On the flip side, wearing your best colours can lift your entire appearance, bring out the brightness in your eyes, and even make your skin look more even and radiant—without makeup!

Here are the top five signs you're wearing the wrong colours—and what to do instead:

Your Skin Looks Washed Out or Sallow

If your skin looks greyish, yellow, or ashen, your outfit might be working against your undertone. The wrong undertone can clash with your skin and dull your natural colour.

Fix it: Determine whether you’re warm, cool, or neutral-toned. Warm-toned individuals glow in earthy colours like camel, coral, or olive. Cool-toned folks shine in jewel tones like sapphire, icy pink, or charcoal.

Stylist Tip: I once had a Summer client who loved mustard. The colour drained her completely. We swapped it for a soft butter yellow in her palette—and she looked luminous.

You Rely Heavily on Makeup to ‘Fix’ Your Look

If you’re always compensating with foundation, bronzer, or concealer, your clothing might be clashing with your features.

Fix it: Wear colours that harmonize with your natural colouring. When your top matches your undertone and contrast level, you need less makeup to look polished. Think of your outfit doing the heavy lifting.

You Always Feel “Off” in Photos

Ever notice how some outfits look better in your closet than they do on camera? Harsh colours can throw off the balance in a photo, especially if they fight with your skin tone or overpower your features.

Fix it: Try photographing yourself in natural light wearing different colours. Compare how your skin, eyes, and smile appear. You’ll likely see a stark difference between your best colours and your worst.

Your Eyes Look Less Bright or Dull

Your best colours will make your eyes sparkle—even from across the room. When you wear the wrong shades, your eye colour can appear muted or disappear altogether.

Fix it: Choose colours that echo or complement your eye colour. Green eyes pop in warm plums, soft browns, or olive. Blue eyes brighten in greys, soft blues, and navy.

You Feel Drained Instead of Energized

Colour affects your energy. If you feel low, flat, or just not “yourself” in an outfit, it might be a mismatch. Often, we don’t even realize the psychological drag of the wrong colour until we switch it.

Fix it: Create a colour capsule in your palette and rotate through those outfits for a week. Journal how you feel in each. The right colours don’t just make you look better—they make you feel more confident, capable, and connected.

How to Fix It, FAST:

• Do a Seasonal Colour Analysis: It gives you a palette of 30–40 colours that harmonize with your skin, eyes, and hair. It’s a one-time tool that lasts a lifetime.

• Start With Accessories: Scarves, earrings, lipstick, or even nail polish in your best colours can dramatically change your look.

• Create a ‘Best Colour’ Section in Your Closet: Group together the pieces you feel amazing in. These are your guideposts.

• Avoid “trend trap” colours: Just because a colour is in style doesn’t mean it suits you. Trends fade—your colouring doesn’t.

Real Client Story:

One of my clients—a Winter—was convinced beige and warm tans were her go-to neutrals because “they go with everything.” But once we tested her in black, navy, and icy pink, the transformation was jaw-dropping. Her eyes popped, her skin tone evened out, and she said, “I look like myself again.”

Final Thought

Wearing the wrong colour is like singing off-key. You might still get through the song—but when you find your true harmony, everything feels better.