How to choose the right frame color for your skin tone

Frame shape gets a lot of attention, but colour is just as important. The right frame colour can brighten your complexion, make your eyes stand out, and give your whole look a lifted, natural feel. The wrong one can wash you out or create unwanted contrast.

This guide explains how to identify your skin tone and undertone, and which frame colours from Jimmy Fairly will work best for you.

The key: skin tone vs. undertone

Before choosing a frame colour, it helps to distinguish between two things: your skin tone (how light or dark your complexion is) and your undertone (the subtle warmth or coolness underneath the surface).

Undertone is what actually determines which frame colours will complement you. There are three main categories:

- Warm undertones: golden, peachy or yellowish tints beneath the skin.
- Cool undertones: pink, red or bluish tints beneath the skin.
- Neutral undertones: a balance of both, with no strongly dominant hue.

A quick way to identify yours: look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light. Green or olive veins tend to suggest warm undertones. Blue or purple veins suggest cool undertones. A mix of both usually indicates neutral.

Best frame colours for warm undertones

If you have warm undertones, frames in earthy, rich or golden tones will feel the most natural against your complexion.

- Tortoiseshell and amber: the warm mix of brown, honey and orange tones in tortoiseshell is a natural match for warm-toned skin.
- Warm browns and caramels: rich, earthy neutrals that blend naturally without competing with your complexion.
- Gold metal: warm gold frames tend to harmonise with golden or olive-toned skin much better than silver.
- Earthy greens and warm reds: deeper tones like olive green, rust or terracotta can add character while staying in harmony with your undertone.

To avoid: very cool tones like icy grey, silver-white or sharp black with cool undertones can create a harsh contrast against warm skin.

For warm-toned skin, tortoiseshell glasses are a particularly strong choice across all silhouettes.

Best frame colours for cool undertones

If you have cool undertones, frames with blue, grey, purple or clear tints will complement your complexion best.

Black: one of the most universally flattering colours for cool-toned skin. It adds definition without clashing.
Silver metal: where gold reads warm, silver metal feels crisp and refined on cool undertones.
Cool tortoiseshell: look for versions with grey, ash brown or charcoal undertones rather than orange-dominant ones.
Clear and transparent acetate: a clean, modern option that works well on cool-toned and lighter complexions.
Jewel tones: deep blues, plums and slate greys can look striking against cool-toned skin.

To avoid: very warm, golden or orange-heavy tones like classic tortoiseshell can clash with cooler complexions.

If you want to explore the season's most wearable cool-toned options, see our Spring/Summer 2026 glasses trends guide.

Best frame colours for neutral undertones

Neutral undertones are the most flexible. You can wear both warm and cool colours, which means the choice comes down to contrast level and personal style.

Classic black: clean and universally wearable.
Soft tortoiseshell: the balanced version (not too orange, not too grey) tends to suit neutral skin beautifully.
Clear acetate: effortless and versatile, works across all complexions.
Warm metallics and two-tone frames: if you want something more distinctive, mixed metal frames or subtle colour accents give you flexibility without committing to one extreme.

Does skin depth (light to deep) matter?

Yes, in addition to undertone, the depth of your complexion affects how different colours read on you.

Lighter complexions tend to show more contrast with dark frames. A bold black or deep tortoiseshell can look very graphic.
Medium complexions have the most flexibility. Most frame colours and materials work well.
Deeper complexions can carry richer, bolder colours with ease. Bright tones, jewel colours and warm earth tones all tend to look especially strong.

How to test a colour before committing

The best way to know if a frame colour works is to hold it up to your face in natural light and observe the effect on your skin.

A good match will make your complexion look even, your eyes brighter, and the overall look cohesive. A poor match may make your skin look dull, uneven, or add unwanted contrast.

If you are choosing online, start with your undertone as a filter, then move toward the colours that feel most natural for your everyday wardrobe. For more inspiration on seasonal colorways, explore our guide to the best colorful glasses frames for Spring 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Check the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light. Green or olive-tinted veins suggest warm undertones, blue or purple suggest cool undertones, and a mix of both usually means neutral.

Clear or transparent acetate is one of the most universally flattering options, as it does not introduce strong colour contrast. Classic black and neutral tortoiseshell also work well across a wide range of complexions.

Yes, but look for a cooler version of tortoiseshell, one with more grey or ash-brown in the pattern rather than dominant orange or honey tones. Many Jimmy Fairly tortoiseshell frames come in variations that read cooler and work well on cool-toned skin.

Gold tends to complement warm undertones more naturally. Silver is usually a better match for cool undertones, as its crisp finish harmonises with pink or blueish tints in the skin.

Not necessarily. Your undertone is a more reliable guide than your hair colour. That said, contrast between hair and frame can be a useful style tool. If you have dark hair, lighter frames create a standout effect. If you have lighter hair, a bold frame adds definition.