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The winter type: These colours flatter you

The winter type is quite common in central European countries. Characteristic are the dark hair and the light skin which usually has a cool undertone. Just as skin, eyes and hair colours are characterised by contrasts, the colour palette of the winter type is also contrasting and clear. We explain the differences between the three winter types and which colours suit the winter type best.

by CALIDA

1 November 2023 • 6 min reading time

Two ladies look into the camera and wear Calida loungewear from the series 'Nature Relax'.

Tips for flattering winter colors that enhance your personality.

What characteristics define the winter type?

As with all other seasonal types, there are three gradations or divisions for the winter type. Nevertheless, there are characteristics that run through both the dark and the cool and clear winter types. Particularly characteristic are the dark brown to black hair.

The cool, light skin forms a clear contrast to the dark hair, which makes the winter type reminiscent of the fairy tale character Snow White. While the eyes are often brown, there are also winter types with light blue, grey or green eyes. Striking about the eye colour is that it’s never characterised by a golden shimmer or other warm undertones.

Division of the winter type into brightness, temperature & saturation

But which colours suit me as a winter type? In general, it can be said that the appearance of the winter type benefits greatly from bright, clear colours. Especially rich blues, but also cool reds and berry colours are a perfect choice for the winter type.

You can be daring and choose contrasts. A red lipstick looks particularly classy on pale skin, while classic black and white contrasts or unusual colour combinations ensure a stylish and strong appearance.

Depending on the winter type, there are certain colours that will make your eye colour, hair colour and complexion shine. Since muted, warm, or particularly light colours do not suit any winter type particularly well, we distinguish between the clear, the cool, and the dark winter type. We explain the characteristics of each winter type and which colours look particularly flattering on them.

The best colours for the dark winter type

The dark winter type is probably the most distinct from the cool and clear winter type. The dark hair and hazel to black-brown eyes are particularly characteristic. The skin tone of the dark winter type often has an olive tinge and is also darker and often slightly warmer than the other two winter types.

The most flattering colours for the dark winter type are quite muted compared to the cool and clear winter type, slightly warmer and darker, but still strong. Deep red and aubergine shades are particularly suitable, but petrol blue and fir green also suit the dark winter type. In addition, unlike the other winter types, the dark winter type can also wear earth tones and gold jewellery.

These colours look best on the cool winter type

The cool winter type has a rosy skin tone, while the veins on the wrist have a bluish glow. Hair colours are also always cool with this winter type: From a light ash brown to deep blue-black, everything is here. In addition, the cool winter type usually has light eyes with a cool grey tinge. Light brown eyes without warm nuances are rather rare but also not impossible.

As the name suggests, cold colours look particularly good on the cool winter type, including all shades of blue as well as red and pink tones with a cool bluish or green tinge. While gold jewellery is completely unsuitable for the cool winter type, shades of yellow and orange are also not favourable choices in the wardrobe. Only a light citrus yellow flatters the cool winter type. Unlike the other winter types, the cool type can also wear light pastel shades as long as they have a cool undertone.

Colour palette for the clear winter type

The clear winter type is characterised by particularly strong contrasts with its dark, rapidly greying hair. The clear winter type often not only has light eyes but also a light, clear complexion. Unlike the dark and cool winter type, this winter type can also develop freckles.

However, they are not orange but greyish in colour.

The clear winter type has a very wide range of colours to choose from when it comes to clothing. Most important is that the colours should be vivid and bright. Muted pastel colours and warm earth tones as well as mustard yellow or orange do not suit this type. So instead of yellow gold jewellery, the clear winter type should rather reach for rose or white gold.

In general, the colours of the cool and clear winter type are very similar, although light pinks and blues do not suit the clear type. The complexion of the clear winter type is particularly accentuated with bright colours such as magenta, violet or royal blue. When planning an outfit, colour contrasts of different clear colours can be chosen. Black and white combinations as well as pink and red lips or eye-catching smokey eyes also fit the clear appearance of this winter type.

Colours for the winter type: Dos and don’ts at a glance

The clear winter type should:

  • go for clear, bright colours

  • include colour contrasts into their outfits

  • wear rose or silver jewellery

  • apply contrasting lip or eye make-up

  • not choose light pastel shades

  • not choose warm or muted colours

The cool winter type should:

  • choose cool, blue, and clear colours

  • wear silver jewellery

  • discreetly apply make-up to lips and cheeks

  • not choose warm or dark colours

  • not include too strong colour contrasts

The dark winter type should:

  • choose strong and dark colours

  • wear gold and silver jewellery

  • accentuate eyes and lips

  • go for strong contrasts

  • not wear light pastel shades

If none of the above types really suits you, you could also be a different seasonal type. For example, the dark winter type is often confused with the dark autumn type, the cool winter type resembles the cool summer type, and the clear winter type has many similarities with the clear spring type.


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