Best Colors to Wear for Your Senior Portrait Session
Are you wondering what to wear for your senior pictures? Choosing the perfect outfit can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! One of the best ways to make your senior portraits stand out is by wearing colors that complement your skin tone. When you pick the right shades, your skin glows, your eyes pop, and your photos look amazing.
In this post, we’ll break down how to find your skin undertone and give you the best colors to wear for your senior portrait session. Whether you’re aiming for bold and vibrant or soft and timeless, we’ll help you build a senior photo outfit you’ll love and that looks incredible on camera.
How to Find Your Skin Undertone
Here are four simple tests to identify your undertone:
1. Vein test: Look at the veins on your wrist and notice what color they are. If they are olive or green in color, you are warm-toned. Are they blue? Then you are considered cool-toned! If your veins look like a mix of green and blue, then you may be neutral-toned.
2. White paper test: Hold a white sheet of paper next to your chest and take note of the tones that come forth in your skin. If you notice your face flushes with blue or pink tones, you’re likely cool-toned. Additionally, if green or gold and yellow shades show up, then you’re probably warm-toned. If you notice that your tones fluctuate with colors, you’re likely neutral.
3. Jewelry test: Using only necklaces or bracelets, which metal makes your skin look healthier? If gold metals make your skin look alive and fresh, you’re warm-toned. Is silver your shining metal? Then you’re likely cool-toned!
4. Sun exposure: Cool-toned skin tends to burn easily, while warm-toned skin tends to tan easily.
The Best Colors for Each Undertone
Now that you know your undertone, here’s how to pick the perfect colors for your senior session wardrobe:
Warm Undertones: Rich, earthy shades bring out your natural glow.
Best colors: Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and browns
Examples: A burnt orange sweater, olive green dress, or mustard-yellow top
Cool Undertones: Cool tones enhance your complexion and give you that radiant look.
Best colors: Sea shades like teal, blues, greens, and frosty tones like berries or icy grays
Examples: A teal blouse, navy blazer, or berry-toned sweater
Neutral Undertones: Lucky you—your undertone works well with a range of colors!
Best colors: Blush pinks, pastels, and rich berry shades
Examples: A soft blush dress, lavender cardigan, or rich berry blouse
Want More Wardrobe Tips?
Choosing colors is just the start! To make senior session prep even easier, we’ve created a FREE GUIDE: “What to Wear for Your Senior Session”—packed with advice to help you look and feel amazing. Download it [HERE]!
For even more tips, follow us on Instagram for sneak peeks, wardrobe inspiration, and senior session prep hacks. Ready to book your session? Fill out our contact form to access exclusive pre-session guides and make your dream senior portraits a reality!
Let’s make your senior pictures unforgettable with the perfect wardrobe for YOU.
Keep Shining,
Mariela