Sunglasses for Different Skin Tones: A Flattering Color Guide

Most people spend a lot of time thinking about sunglass frame shapes — and rightly so. But frame color is just as important, and it often gets overlooked. The right frame color can brighten your complexion, make your features pop, and pull an entire outfit together. The wrong one? It can wash you out or clash in ways that are hard to put your finger on.

Choosing sunglasses for skin tone is not about following strict rules. It is more about understanding a few basics — your skin tone, your undertone, and the kind of look you are going for — and then using that as a starting point. Think of this guide as a helpful shortcut, not a rulebook. Because at the end of the day, the best sunglasses are the ones you love wearing.

1. Understanding Your Skin Undertone

Before diving into which colors work best, it helps to understand two separate things: your skin tone and your undertone.

Skin tone is what you see on the surface — light, medium, tan, or deep/dark. It changes with sun exposure and seasons.

Undertone is the subtle hue underneath the surface of your skin. It stays the same regardless of tanning or fading. Undertones fall into three broad categories:

• Cool — pink, bluish, or rosy cast beneath the skin
• Warm — yellow, peachy, or golden cast
• Neutral — a mix of both; no single hue dominates

Not sure which you are? Here are a few simple (though not scientifically precise) methods:

• Vein test: Look at the inside of your wrist in natural light. Bluish or purple veins often suggest cool undertones. Greenish veins tend to point to warm undertones. A mix of both suggests neutral.
• Jewelry test: Do you look better in silver or gold? Silver typically flatters cool undertones, while gold tends to complement warm ones.
• Sun reaction: Warm undertones often tan easily. Cool undertones tend to burn first.
• White paper test: Hold a plain white sheet next to your face. Does your skin look more pink and rosy, or more yellow and golden?

These are rough guides, not diagnoses. Many people sit somewhere in between, and that is perfectly normal.

2. Cool Undertones

Cool undertones show as a pink, rosy, or slightly bluish tint beneath the skin. This undertone is common in people with light to medium complexions, but it can also appear in deeper skin tones. If you have always found silver jewelry more flattering than gold, there is a good chance you have a cool undertone.

Best Frame Colors

Frame colors that share that same cool, crisp quality tend to look most harmonious. Think:

• Black — a classic that plays up the cool contrast beautifully. Explore black sunglasses for a timeless option.
• Cool blue and navy — enhances the natural depth of cool-toned skin. Blue sunglasses are an effortlessly flattering pick.
• Grey — subtle and modern. Grey frames can give a polished, put-together feel.
• Purple and lavender — these softer cool tones can look surprisingly gorgeous. Browse purple sunglasses for fresh options.
• Burgundy — deep and elegant, this works particularly well on cool-toned medium and deeper complexions. Find yours in our red and burgundy collection.
• Cool greens — forest green, teal, and jade can complement cool undertones wonderfully. Green sunglasses are worth exploring.
• Clear or transparent cool-toned frames — modern and minimalist, these let your natural complexion do the talking.

Metals: Silver and Platinum

Silver and platinum metallic frames are a natural fit for cool undertones. They echo the rosy or bluish quality of the skin rather than fighting it. A sleek silver aviator or a platinum-toned oversized frame can look really sharp on cool-toned complexions. If you love metal frames, silver is your go-to.

3. Warm Undertones

Warm undertones appear as a golden, peachy, or yellowish quality under the skin. If your skin looks particularly radiant in autumn colours — think burnt orange, olive, camel — you likely have a warm undertone. Gold jewellery almost always looks better on you than silver.

Best Frame Colors

The best sunglasses for warm undertones mirror that natural earthiness:

• Brown — one of the most naturally flattering choices. Brown sunglasses feel both grounded and stylish.
• Tortoiseshell — mixes amber, brown and black in a way that beautifully echoes warm skin. A perennial favourite for good reason.
• Camel and beige — warm neutrals that create a tonal, effortless look.
• Olive and warm green — earthy and organic. Warm green frames add depth without clashing.
• Orange and red — bold but surprisingly wearable for warm undertones. Red sunglasses can feel very much "you."
• Cream and ivory — softer than white, these warm neutrals sit beautifully against golden and peachy complexions.

Metals: Gold and Bronze

Gold frames are the warm-undertone equivalent of what silver is to cool undertones — they just belong. Bronze and copper finishes are equally good choices. A pair of gold wire-frame aviators or oversized gold-accented frames can look effortlessly elegant on warm-toned skin. Our full collection includes plenty of gold-toned options worth browsing.

4. Neutral Undertones — Lucky You!

If you have a neutral undertone, consider yourself fortunate. You sit in the sweet spot between warm and cool, which means the colour matching rules barely apply to you. Almost any frame colour can work in your favour.

Good options include essentially everything on this list — but particularly:

• Black — clean, classic and universally flattering
• Brown and tortoiseshell — warm without being too warm
• Gold and silver — both metals work; you can mix and match
• Rose gold — a gorgeous middle ground between the two
• Navy and deep green — rich, flattering and versatile
• Clear frames — a modern and understated choice that suits neutral undertones very well

The flexibility that comes with a neutral undertone means you can really lean into personal style, outfit coordination, and trend experimentation. Not sure where to start? Browse our All Colour Collections for inspiration.

5. Sunglasses for Dark Skin Tones

Deep and dark skin tones offer a richness and depth that honestly plays well with a huge range of frame colours — from bold and bright to dark and dramatic. The key difference is that deeper complexions can carry both high-contrast and tonal looks with ease.

Bold Colors Look Amazing

One of the genuine advantages of a deeper complexion is how beautifully vivid colours stand out. Do not shy away from:

• White and cream — the contrast against deep skin tones is stunning. White sunglasses make a real statement.
• Cobalt blue — electric and eye-catching. Blue frames in deeper shades look incredible.
• Emerald green — jewel-toned and rich. Green sunglasses in deep emerald can look truly gorgeous.
• Bright yellow and orange — bold and joyful, these pop against deep skin beautifully.
• Burgundy and deep red — sophisticated and rich. Check out red and burgundy frames.
• Transparent frames — surprisingly chic and modern against deeper skin tones.

Best Frame Color for Dark Skin

The honest answer? There is no single "best" color — and anyone who tells you otherwise is oversimplifying. It depends entirely on the look you are going for:

• High contrast: White, cream, cobalt blue, or bright yellow
• Classic elegance: Black, deep tortoiseshell, or gold metal frames
• Subtle everyday style: Brown, dark tortoiseshell, or transparent frames
• Bold fashion statement: Red, emerald, orange, or cobalt blue

Explore our full range of styles and colors to find what resonates with you. And do not let anyone tell you that dark skin should stick to dark frames — some of the most striking combinations come from playing with contrast.

6. Sunglasses for Light Skin Tones

Fair and light skin tones have their own range of flattering options, and the undertone really matters here more than in any other category. Light skin with cool undertones will react differently to certain colors than light skin with warm undertones.

Generally speaking, very dark frames like jet black create a strong, fashion-forward contrast against light skin — it is bold and it works. Softer shades, on the other hand, create a more blended, delicate look:

• Black — creates striking contrast; very chic. Black frames are a wardrobe staple.
• Brown and tortoiseshell — warmer and softer; excellent for warm-undertoned light skin. Brown sunglasses are endlessly versatile.
• Soft pink and blush — sweet and romantic, especially on cool-toned light skin. Browse pink sunglasses for dreamy options.
• Champagne and beige — barely-there neutrals that create an effortless, tonal effect.
• Clear frames — minimal and modern, great for light skin when you want the focus elsewhere.
• Navy — a cool, deep alternative to black that can feel a little softer on very fair skin. Blue-toned frames are worth considering.
• Pastel shades — lavender, mint, baby blue. Check out our pastel collection for lighter color options that sit beautifully against fair skin.

7. Sunglasses for Medium Skin Tones

Medium and olive skin tones — which sit between light and deep, often with warm or neutral undertones — are among the most versatile when it comes to sunglasses colors. Most shades can work, but earthy, rich tones tend to be especially harmonious.

Top choices for medium skin include:

• Brown and tortoiseshell — warm, grounded, and natural. Almost always flattering on medium skin.
• Black — creates beautiful contrast without feeling harsh.
• Gold metallic — enhances warmth in medium complexions effortlessly.
• Green — from olive to emerald, green sunglasses look particularly stunning on medium and tan skin.
• Burgundy — deep and rich, with enough contrast to look defined without being stark.
• Navy — works for medium skin with either cool or warm undertones.
• Cream and transparent frames — softer, modern choices that complement medium skin beautifully.

If your medium skin has a cool undertone, lean toward navy, grey, black, and burgundy. If it is warm or olive-leaning, tortoiseshell, brown, gold, and green will likely feel most natural. Browse our All Styles to compare different combinations side by side.

8. Breaking the Rules: When to Embrace Contrast

Here is the thing about color-matching guides: they are a starting point, not a ceiling. Some of the most interesting, stylish sunglasses choices come from deliberately ignoring the rules.

Consider:

• Light skin + black sunglasses — dramatic contrast that looks intentional and cool.
• Dark skin + white or cream frames — one of the most visually striking combinations you will see.
• Warm undertone + silver frames — breaks the rule, but can look effortlessly modern and edgy.
• Cool undertone + gold frames — unconventional but increasingly popular in fashion circles.

Contrast is not a mistake. It is often a deliberate, stylish choice. Your personality, outfit, occasion, and — let us be honest — your mood on any given day are just as valid reasons to choose a frame color as undertone theory.

The sunglasses color guide is most useful when you are unsure where to start. Once you have that foundation, feel free to push against it. Our Best Sellers include plenty of frames that look great precisely because they play with contrast.

9. Recommendations by Skin Tone & Undertone

Use this table as a quick visual reference when you are browsing frames: