The Best Color Bathing Suits to Complement Your Skin Tone

Finding a bathing suit for the summer can feel like a challenge, no matter where you fall on the skin tone spectrum. For those with fair skin, dark skin, and every tone in between, finding complementary swimwear shades doesn’t have to be a struggle. We’ve got the comprehensive skin tone swimwear guide to help you figure out the best swimsuit color for your skin and how to rock it all summer long.

There’s actually a lot more that goes into determining the best bikini colors for your skin than just realizing your complexion is on the fairer or darker side. 

Skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin in your skin, which influences how your complexion appears and reacts to sun exposure. While individual skin tones can vary widely, they generally fall into four main categories:

• Light skin is often associated with Northern European backgrounds and ranges from porcelain to fair. This tone tends to be more sensitive to the sun, burning easily rather than tanning.

• Olive skin is characterized by a naturally golden or slightly tanned complexion, and is common in Mediterranean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern populations. This tone often has a slightly greenish or bronzed hue.

• Medium skin includes light to deep tan shades and is common in people of Southern European, South Asian, and mixed-heritage backgrounds. It tans easily and rarely burns.

• Dark skin ranges from deep brown to ebony and is common in regions with high sun exposure, such as Africa, India, and the Caribbean. It has higher melanin levels, providing natural sun protection and a rich, radiant appearance.

Your skin’s undertones are the colors and shades that add an extra tint to your complexion. Think about the color pink—both cool-toned magenta with its hints of purple and warm-toned coral with its orangey-red shades are considered pinks. Their undertones, however, are quite different.

Your skin has undertones as well that can be the key to decoding everything from what color bikini you should be rocking this summer to the exact shade of red lipstick to wear on a night out.

There are three types of undertones in our skin:

• Warm undertones are often yellow or golden in color.

• Cool undertones boast shades like rosy pink or blue.

• Neutral undertones are typically a mix of both warm and cool undertones.

These undertones are the reason why a bathing suit that looks killer on you might wash a friend out or vice versa. Even if you’re both fair-skinned, a bikini top that looks showstopping with your warm undertones might make her cooler undertones appear grayer.

So, how do you crack the code on your skin’s undertones?

There are a few tricks you can use and questions to ask yourself to get to the bottom of this beauty mystery:

• Do you tend to sunburn in a second, or are you rocking a subtle bronzed glow all summer long? Cool-toned skin tends to burn much quicker, while warmer tones can typically catch a tan.

• Are you a gold-only gal, or do you gravitate toward silver jewelry? Bright, sunny gold looks divine on those with warm undertones, while cool undertone girls stun in moonlit silver pieces.

• What color are your natural features, like your hair, eyes, or even your veins? Cool-toned skin tends towards lighter eyes and hair with blue veins visible under your skin, while warm-toned skin often is accompanied by brown hair or eyes, with green veins.

For those with pale or fair skin, the right bikini color can add warmth and vibrancy without overpowering your natural tone. Deep, rich hues create contrast, while soft, muted pastels bring out a delicate glow. To find your most flattering shade, consider these options:

• Jewel Tones for Bold Contrast – Emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep plum add richness and prevent skin from looking washed out.

• Soft Pastels for a Romantic Touch – Blush pink, lavender, and powder blue complement fair skin without overwhelming it.

• Warm Neutrals Over Cool Whites – Beige, cocoa, and warm taupe blend seamlessly with fair complexions, avoiding the stark contrast of pure white.

Olive skin has a natural warmth with golden-green undertones, making bold, high-impact colors the best choice. Vibrant shades can enhance its sun-kissed glow, while deeper earthy tones complement its richness. Try these colors:

• Bright & Poppy Shades – Coral, burnt orange, and bold turquoise contrast beautifully against olive skin, adding vibrancy.

• Earthy & Warm Hues – Deep reds, mustard yellows, and terracotta bring out the warmth in olive undertones.

• Rich Greens & Blues – Teal, forest green, and cobalt blue enhance the golden undertones for a naturally radiant look.

Medium skin tones have a built-in warmth that pairs well with both vibrant and earthy colors. Whether you want to enhance your golden undertones or create contrast, these shades are your best bet:

• Sun-Kissed Warm Tones – Peachy orange, honey gold, and warm yellows amplify your natural glow.

• Tropical Brights for a Bold Look – Emerald green, fiery red, and hot pink pop beautifully against medium skin.

• Deep, Rich Neutrals – Chocolate brown, olive, and warm beige complement your undertones while adding a sleek, sophisticated touch.

Deep skin tones provide the perfect canvas for bold, eye-catching colors that create stunning contrast. Jewel tones and high-energy neons are especially flattering, while deeper neutrals add a touch of elegance.

• Jewel Tones for Luxe Contrast – Royal blue, emerald green, and rich purple highlight the depth of dark skin.

• High-Impact Neons – Electric pink, bright orange, and vibrant yellow create a striking, confidence-boosting look.

• Chic, Timeless Neutrals – Bright white, mocha brown, and caramel add effortless sophistication while keeping the focus on your natural glow.

If you're more interested in finding a color palette based on your undertones, certain shades will naturally complement cool, warm, or neutral tones, enhancing your skin’s radiance and creating a balanced, flattering look.

If you’ve got skin with cool tones, finding a bathing suit that works for you might feel like a struggle at first. Cool-toned skin can appear washed out in dark, dramatic colors like solid black or in warm, natural tones like burnt orange, terracotta, or earthy deep browns.

Instead, opt for a bathing suit that compliments your skin tone by keeping an eye out for suits in rich, vibrant colors—particularly blues and greens. Blue and green pieces play beautifully off of the soft blue hues in your skin’s coloring for a look that puts the cool girl in cool-toned.
Here are a few of our favorite colors for turning major heads by the pool this summer:

• Minty Greens for a Fresh, Cool Glow – Soft, pastel greens like mint and pistachio enhance the cool tones in fair skin without overwhelming them, creating a light, refreshing look that feels effortless and chic. 

• Deep, Lush Greens for an Elegant Contrast – Rich forest green provides a striking contrast against pale skin, making it appear more radiant and defined. Looking to dive deeper this summer? Try some side tie bikini bottoms with a matching triangle top in forest green, a match made in mermaid heaven for cool-toned skin—especially if you’re rocking fiery red hair.

• Bright, Electric Blues for a Bold Statement – Vivid blues, like royal or sapphire, enhance the naturally cool undertones in pale skin, adding a dramatic, high-energy touch to your beach look. On the hunt for a sculpted look in the most electric blue swimsuit shade of the summer? Go bold with a royal blue thong bikini for a cheeky peek of your best assets.

You might think that neutral undertones mean just about everything looks good on you—after all, you’ve got a little bit of both warm and cool, right?

While we know you’re sure to stun no matter what you’re wearing, neutral skin tones look even more incredible in muted, soft colors like dusty rose, periwinkle, and sage green—or in classic neutrals (surprise, surprise) like black or white.

If you’re on the hunt for a bikini or one piece swimsuit style that’ll enhance your neutral undertones, here are a few colors to consider:

• Soft Blues for an Effortless Glow – Muted blues, like periwinkle and soft lagoon shades, balance neutral undertones perfectly, creating a refreshing, natural radiance. Slip into the So Chic one piece in the color blue lagoon for an oh-so-refreshing dip into soft, muted blue. This sexy one-piece swimsuit features a plunging neckline and a sculpted fit, made all the more radiant by its gold hardware and shimmery finish.

• Blush & Dusty Pinks for a Feminine Touch – Subtle pinks, like dusty rose and soft mauve, enhance neutral skin’s natural warmth while keeping the look delicate and understated. You’ll swoon over any pair of bottoms in the shade rosebud with a matching bandeau bikini top. 

• Classic Black & White for Timeless Elegance – Bold black swimwear and crisp white swimwear are perfect for neutral skin tones, offering bold contrast without overpowering your complexion. Go for the classics with our favorite shoreside spin on an LBD—the LBB (Little Black Bikini). Pair a classic black triangle bikini top with your favorite black bikini bottoms. Finish the look off with your favorite pair of chunky gold hoops, an ideal match for a bikini with gold hardware.

Warm-toned babes look best when they play up their undertones’ natural golden aura with earthy tones and burnt terracottas. These nature-inspired colors bring out the skin’s peachy flush and gleaming glow.

• Toasted Terracottas & Cozy Browns for a Sun-Kissed Glow – Warm, earthy hues like burnt orange, cacao brown, and rich caramel enhance golden undertones and deepen your natural radiance. Wear a burnt orange one piece bathing suit with your go-to brown kicks for a bombshell duo. 

• Deep Chocolate for a Bold, Sculpted Look – Dark, warm browns add depth and dimension to warm skin tones, making them a sleek and sophisticated choice. It’s just about as sweet as can be—try a high waist bikini bottom in a delicious chocolate brown. You’ll love this ultra-high-waisted piece for how it shapes and smooths while providing plenty of coverage through the waist and hips.

• Golden Greens for an Earthy, Effortless Vibe – Muted, nature-inspired greens like sage and olive bring out the golden warmth in warm undertones, creating a fresh and natural glow. It’s oh-so-easy being green when you’re wearing the So Chic grassy sage green one piece. This daring green swimsuit will have you feeling your sexiest with its deep V neckline and its hip-skimming high-cut leg.

Warm-toned, cool-toned, neutral—no matter what skin you’re in, Gooseberry offers beautifully designed, expertly crafted bikinis and one-piece swimwear that you can stun in all summer long. Don’t get too hung up on making sure the swimwear color matches perfectly—what matters most is that you feel like the sexiest, most confident self in your new swimsuit.

At Gooseberry, we’re devoted to creating everything from minimalist swimwear and lingerie to pajamas and loungewear. What’s more, our pieces are designed to empower and build confidence in women as they fall head over heels for the greatest love story there is: the one they have with themselves. Visit us today at Gooseberry to explore our collection of lovingly designed pieces and find more tips on choosing the best lingerie colors, swimwear colors, and beyond.

Sources: 

1. Byrdie. Here’s How To Figure Out Your Skin’s Undertones, Once and For All. https://www.byrdie.com/figure-out-undertones
2. Everyday Heath. Cool It, Baby! How to Flaunt a Cool Skin Tone. https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/cool-it-baby-how-flaunt-cool-skin-tone/