When it comes to finding the right swimsuit, most of us focus on the cut and fit first and for good reason. The right bum cut, straps, or back style can completely change how confident you feel in the water. But there’s another element that matters just as much: colour.
Swimwear is about joy and expression. While there are no rules (you should always wear what makes you feel good), understanding how colour interacts with your skin tone and undertone can help you pick pieces that feel even more “you.”
Step 1: Know your skin tone
Skin tone is the depth of your skin colour, from fair to deep. It can shift a little with the seasons (hello, summer tan), but in general it’s your starting point when thinking about contrast and colour.
Step 2: Find your undertone
Your undertone doesn’t change with the sun. It’s the natural warmth or coolness underneath your skin that influences which colours seem to light you up.
Here are a few simple ways to work it out:
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Vein test: Blue veins = cool undertone. Green veins = warm undertone. A mix = neutral.
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Jewellery test: Gold flatters warm undertones, silver suits cool.
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Sun test: If you tan quickly, you’re likely cool. If you burn then tan, neutral. If you burn and stay rosy, warm.
Step 3: Match colours to undertones
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Cool undertones: Jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and magenta look incredible. Pastel shades like mint, lilac and aquamarine also shine.
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Warm undertones: Think earthy and vibrant coral, auburn, mango, peach, and khaki greens are your friends.
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Neutral undertones: Lucky you almost any shade works, so you can play with the whole spectrum.
Step 4: Contrast with your skin tone
As a general guide:
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Lighter shades pop beautifully against deeper skin tones.
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Richer, deeper colours stand out against fairer skin.
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And if you love timeless classics, black works for everyone, it’s sleek, flattering, and swim-ready.
The takeaway
The best swimsuit colour is the one that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and excited to dive in.
At Face the Water, we stock a wide range of colours and prints from bold brights to ocean-inspired shades and timeless blacks. Whatever your undertone, skin tone, or style, you’ll find something that feels like it was made for you.
💡 Tip: Next time you’re shopping, try on a colour you wouldn’t normally choose. You might be surprised how much it lifts your swim.
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