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ShareFind Your Best Clothing Colors
You know that wearing the right color can awaken your skin and make you look pulled together and chic. But finding that color can be maddening! To the rescue: celebrity wardrobe stylist Ricci DeMartino (he's worked with such fashionables as Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Heaton, and Lara Flynn Boyle). Here, DeMartino's tips for choosing colors that will make you look your best.
Work with Your Hair Color
According to DeMartino, lots of things factor into deciding which colors will look best on you, including your eye color and your skin tone. But the best way to choose your hues? "Use your hair color as a gauge," he says.
If you're a blonde, you'll look great in bright, warm shades like oranges, yellows, and rusts. You can also pull off taupe, tan, and white better than women with any other hair color.
If you're a brunette, you have lots of options. "Brown hair has versatility," says DeMartino. Go for oranges and pinks, plus jewel tones of green and blue. And don't forget chocolate browns.
If you're a redhead, you can wear a mix of the above shades. Try warm tones of brown and orange, plus greens, taupe, and ivory.
Try a Monochromatic Look
For a really striking effect, choose colors that give a monochromatic -- that is, single-toned -- look. That means picking shades that match or are a variation on your hair color. "A monochromatic look is smoother. It elongates your body and makes you look slimmer," says DeMartino. His favorite monochromatic look for spring: a cropped leather jacket worn in a shade that matches your hair. "Brunettes can go with chocolate brown, and blondes with honey leather," he says.
Play with Universal Shades
Certain neutrals -- black, ivory, taupe -- can look good on everyone. But DeMartino likes using them in a bold way. "It's about contrast," he says, noting that a blonde wearing a black top makes a bigger impact than a brunette in the same color. The same goes for a redhead in ivory, and a brunette in white.
