Suits
Suit colours for dark skin tones: what works best
By sneakersInn team · Updated
Navy, charcoal, mid grey, deep green, burgundy, camel and cream all look excellent on dark skin. Dark skin carries both deep and light colours well, so the rule is less about avoiding colours and more about contrast: pair dark suits with bright shirts, and light suits with rich accessories.
| Suit colour | Why it works on dark skin | Pair with |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | Rich, clean contrast | White or pale blue shirt, brown shoes |
| Charcoal | Sharp, serious | White shirt, burgundy or silver tie |
| Mid grey | Soft and modern | Pink, white or lavender shirt |
| Deep green or olive | Warm undertones glow | Cream shirt, brown suede shoes |
| Burgundy | Rich, bold for events | Black shirt or white shirt, black shoes |
| Camel or tan | Warm, great for daytime | White or black shirt, dark brown shoes |
| Cream or ivory | Strong, bright contrast | Navy or black knit, brown loafers |
How does contrast work?
Contrast is the difference between your skin tone and the colours near your face. Dark skin with a white shirt gives high, crisp contrast; a dark shirt gives a smooth, moody look. Both work. Choose high contrast for daytime and celebrations and lower contrast for evenings and a sleek look.
What about undertones?
Undertone is the colour beneath the surface of your skin: warm (golden, red), cool (blue, ashy) or neutral. Look at the veins on your wrist in daylight: greener veins usually suggest warm, bluer suggest cool.
- Warm undertones glow in olive, camel, rust, cream, gold and warm browns.
- Cool undertones suit navy, charcoal, emerald, burgundy and bright white.
- Neutral suits both.
These are tendencies, not rules. Hold a colour near your face in daylight and look at whether your skin looks brighter or duller.
Which colours are hardest to wear?
Very muddy browns and greys close to your skin tone can make the whole outfit blend into one. Colours that are both pale and dull, such as some dusty beiges, can wash out. Fix it with contrast: a white shirt, a bright tie or a pocket square.
What about black?
Black looks powerful on dark skin, especially with a crisp white shirt. It's right for funerals and evening events; for daytime, navy or charcoal is more versatile. See navy vs charcoal.
Which shirts and ties help?
White, pale blue, pink and lavender shirts all brighten dark skin. Ties and pocket squares in burgundy, emerald, mustard, orange and cobalt look rich. Our guide to best colours for dark skin covers everyday clothes too.
Bold colours for events
Ghanaian events welcome colour. A burgundy, emerald, cobalt or cream suit at a wedding or Detty December party looks confident on dark skin. Keep the rest of the outfit simple so one colour leads. See Detty December style guide.
Questions
What should my first suit colour be?
Navy. It suits every skin tone and every occasion. See the 5 types of suits every man needs.
Do light suits work on dark skin?
Very well. Cream, stone and light grey give strong, fresh contrast for daytime events. See linen suits.