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 something new that everyone insists looks great, but somehow it just feels off?

The truth is, colour matters. A lot. Wearing the wrong colours can make you appear dull, drawn, or disconnected from your natural glow. The right colours, on the other hand, can instantly lift your face, brighten your eyes, and even out your skin tone—no makeup required.

Here are the top five signs you're wearing the wrong colours—and how to fix it fast.

1. Your Skin Looks Washed Out or Sallow

If your complexion looks grey, dull, or slightly yellow in certain outfits, chances are the colour you’re wearing clashes with your undertone. The wrong undertone will work against 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 undertones 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 from her seasonal palette, and she looked instantly brighter and refreshed.

2. You Rely on Makeup to “Fix” Your Look

If you often reach for extra concealer, bronzer, or blush to feel put together, your clothing might be fighting your natural colouring.

Fix it: When your clothes harmonize with your undertone and contrast level, your features naturally look more balanced. When your top matches your undertone and contrast level, you need less makeup to shine. Think of your outfit doing the heavy lifting.

3. You Always Feel “Off” in Photos

Ever notice how some outfits look better in your closet than they do on camera? That’s because harsh or mismatched tones 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 differen colours. Compare how your eyes, skin, and smile look. You’ll likely see a stark difference between your best colours and your worst.

4. Your Eyes Look Dull or Less Defined

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 flat.

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. Brown eyes glow in rich teal, camel, or bronze.

5. You Feel Drained Instead of Energized

Colour influences mood and energy as much as it does appearance. 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: Fix it: Try wearing only colours that you know flatter you for one week. Journal how you feel in each outfit. The right colours don’t just make you look better—they make you feel more confident, capable, and connected.

How to Fix It Fast

If you suspect your wardrobe isn’t working with your natural colouring, here’s where to start:

Book a Professional Colour Analysis: Discover your seasonal colour palette, colours designed to flatter your skin, eyes, and hair. It’s a one-time investment that simplifies shopping and dressing for years.

Start Small: Add accessories like scarves, lipstick, earrings, or even nail polish in your best tones to see an immediate difference.

Organize by Colour: Group together the pieces that always make you feel confident.

Avoid Trend Traps: Just because a colour is trending 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 colours that don’t suit you is like reading a book in dim light. It’s harder to see the details. Once you find your best palette, everything appears sharper, brighter, and more vibrant.

If you’re ready to see yourself in your best light, book a Professional Colour Analysis with me. You’ll walk away with a personalized palette and a deeper understanding of how to dress with confidence, ease, and authenticity, every single day.