Best Swimsuit Color for Pale Skin that You Need to Know

Key takeaways

• Discover the best swimsuit colors that flatter pale skin and boost your beach confidence.
• For perfect color matching, we will learn to determine your pale skin types, such as porcelain, fair, and light skin.
• Explore eight flattering swimsuit colors, from classic navy to vibrant coral.
• Find out which swimsuit styles complement pale skin while providing sun protection.
• Get practical tips on accessorizing your beach look to enhance and protect your fair complexion.

What Type of Pale Skin Do You Have?

When discussing pale skin, we do not talk about one homogenous group. Pale skin has different shades and undertones, each with its characteristics and needs. Let's understand it better. Then, you can easily choose the best swimsuit color for pale skin.

1. Porcelain skin

Palest of the pale, porcelain skin is often described as “translucent” since it looks so delicate. If you’ve got porcelain skin, you may notice:

• Visible veins, especially around your temples and wrists
• A tendency to burn quickly in the sun
• Not being able to find makeup that doesn't look too dark or “obvious” on your skin

2. Fair skin

Fair skin is a minor step up from porcelain regarding color depth. Those who have fair skin generally:

• Have some pinkness or ruddiness, especially on the cheeks
• Burn easily but may be able to get a light tan with careful sun exposure
• Often have freckles or easily visible blemishes

3. Light skin

Pale skin is at the lighter end of the pale spectrum. If you have pale skin, you may notice:

• A bit more warmth in your overall skin tone
• The ability to tan, though you may still burn easily
• Porcelain or fair skin types have less visibility of veins compared to other skin types

Pale skin has different shades and undertones, each with its characteristics and needs.

How to Figure Out Your Skin Undertone Color

Below are some tried-and-true methods to help you identify your undertone:

Vein test: Look at the veins inside your wrist.

• Blue or purple veins indicate a cool undertone
• Green veins suggest a warm undertone
• It’s one of both, or it's hard to tell the color, so there is a neutral undertone

Jewelry test: Determine which metal flatters your skin

• Silver looks best on cool undertones
• Gold complements warm undertones
• Both silver and gold look equally good on your skin? You have a neutral undertone.

Determine which metal flatters your skin

White paper test: Hold a white piece next to your bare face in natural light.

• If your skin appears more yellow, your complexion is likely warm
• If your face seems yellowish, you probably have warm undertones
• If you don't notice much difference, you may be neutral.

Sun test: Observe what happens to skin when exposed to the sun

• If you burn easily and rarely tan, you're probably cool-toned
• If you tan easily and rarely burn, chances are you have warm undertones
• If you burn and tan sometimes, you might be neutral.

It's pretty simple to determine your undertone. 

Besides, we’re constantly getting asked by my pale-skinned ladies about ”what color swimsuit is for pale skin” because we’ve been doing it for them for years now. I figured, why not share it with you too? With summer around the corner, the best swimsuit color for pale skin could make or break how sexy and vibrant you feel on the beach or poolside excursion.

Best swimsuit color for pale skin with Warm Undertones

If you’ve determined that you have warm undertones, congratulations! Many swimsuit colors for pale skin will look great on you: 

• Earthy colors: Just like earth tones, colors like bronze, copper, and golden brown will also look great on you because they will enhance your natural warmth.
• Coral: This vibrant, warm hue makes your skin glow.
• Peach: A softer option that adds a subtle, flattering warmth to your face.
• Olive green: This rich, warm green is the best bathing suit color for pale skin. It can contrast beautifully against pale, warm-toned skin.
• Lighter colors: A warm cream is much more flattering than a stark white if you prefer to stick with the lighter shades.

This vibrant, warm hue makes your skin glow.

✖️ Colors to avoid: Icy blues or stark whites can make you appear washed out and even a bit paler than you are.

Best Color Swimsuit For Pale Skin with Cool Undertones

Cool undertones naturally tend to have a lot of pink in their skin, so look for pink-based colors.

• Jewel Tones: Rich blues, emerald greens, and deep purples can create a striking contrast that enhances your cool undertones.
• Pastel Pink: A soft, cool pink can beautifully complement the natural flush in your cheeks.
• Navy: This timeless shade looks great on everyone but is especially killer on cool skin tones.
• Bright White: Cool undertones can rock a bright white, unlike warm undertones.
• Plum: This deep, cool-toned purple can create depth and give a rich look.

Cool undertones can rock a bright white, unlike warm undertones.

✖️ Colors to avoid: Avoid bright, shiny oranges, yellows, or neon colors, as they will fight with your skin's coolness. Consequently, they will leave you looking a little lackluster and washed out. So, if you have a cool undertone and are still considering “what color bathing suit for pale skin? " Please immediately skip this option.

Best Color Swimsuit For Pale Skin with Neutral Undertones

Lastly, if you have neutral undertones, you are the luckiest since you can work with many color shades.

• True red: This color looks great on neutral undertones as a pop of color without being too out there.
• Teal: This balanced blue-green hue flatters neutral undertones beautifully.
• Soft pink: If you can’t find the best bathing suit color for pale skin, try soft pink. This universally flattering color adds a gentle warmth to neutral skin.
• Charcoal gray: This dark neutral works well in modern spaces and is perfect for a contemporary and sophisticated look.
• Mint green: This fresh, excellent color can brighten your complexion without overwhelming it.

Try soft pink if you can’t find the best bathing suit color for pale skin. 

✖️Colors to avoid: Neutrals work for most tones, but you should avoid anything too muted, like beige or taupe, which can drain your complexion.

What color bathing suit for pale skin?

1. Navy blue: The classic choice

Navy blue is consistently hailed as the best swimsuit color for pale skin, and rightly so. The dark, rich tone of navy creates a perfect contrast with light skin, giving it a brighter look. Moreover, navy is a classic color that is feminine as well as chic or sporty, depending on the kind of swimsuit you choose.

2. Forest green: A natural complement

Colors like forest or emerald green can look striking against pale skin. They create an earthy, natural-colored backdrop that adds warmth to your light complexion. Deep shades of green work best because they contrast nicely against your fair skin without making it look washed out.

what color bathing suit for pale skin

3. Burgundy: Rich and romantic

Deep wine or burgundy color can look stunning and like straight from the fairy tales against pale skin. This best swimsuit color for pale skin is so rich that it will create an amazing contrast with your light complexion. It’s also a great way to add a few years to your look if you want to.

4. Coral: A pop of cheerful color

Coral is the perfect pink and orange mix for brightening pale skin. It’s warm without looking too beachy and adds a healthy glow to your skin tone.

5. Turquoise: A tropical touch

This vibrant blue-green color looks terrific against pale skin and turn heads. Turquoise gives you the wow factor and flatters your skin, making your skin look brighter while working with the natural undertones of most pale skin. 

6. Plum: Deep and dramatic

Deep purple or plum color can look striking on pale skin. The richness in the color depth creates a great contrast, thus making your skin appear even more porcelain-like and luminous.

7. Bright White: Clean and crisp

Contrary to popular belief, bright white can look fantastic on pale skin, especially if you have cool undertones. A crisp white swimsuit can make your skin appear sunkissed and healthy, even without a tan.

8. Black: Timeless and slimming

It sounds counterintuitive, but black can work well with pale skin. It creates the highest level of contrast possible, making your skin look fairer and more ethereal. And besides, black is always chic and slimming.

Best Swimsuit Styles for Pale Skin

Color isn’t the only factor in choosing swimwear for pale skin. The style of your swimsuit matters, too. As a stylist dressed many pale-skinned clients, I can tell you that bikini styles make all the difference in highlighting and celebrating a fair complexion. 

Here are a few of the best swimsuit styles for pale skin, using some of the beautiful suits by Sundaze Surf as examples.

High-neck swimsuits: elegant sun protection

High-neck swimsuits are perfect if you’ve got pale skin – they’re stylish and sun-protective. Sundaze Surf’s “Ketut Surf Suit Blue Hibiscus” proves it. The higher neckline gives you more coverage on your chest and shoulders (two areas you tend to burn the easiest), plus the chic design is ultra-flattering on pale skin.

Best color bathing suit for pale skin

Long-sleeve swimsuits: chic and protective

A long-sleeved swimsuit is a must-have if you’re all about sun protection but don’t want to compromise style. Sundaze Surf’s “Made Surf Suit Abstract Junglee” ticks both fashion and functionality boxes. Protect your arms from the sun’s harmful rays, and look great. 

Best swimsuit color for pale skin

High-waisted bikinis: retro charm

The high-waisted bikini in the picture below is the best bikini color for pale skin. It is both on-trend and super flattering. The “Nyoman Bikini Bottoms Zebra” from Sundaze Surf is a modern, retro-looking suit that shows off some skin without being too risqué. 

The high-waisted bottom will elongate your legs, and the top will provide plenty of support. It’s perfect if you’re on the fairer side and looking to show some skin without baring it all.

The high-waisted bikini is one of the best bikini colors for pale skin.

Tankinis: versatile two-piece option

Tankinis are a great choice for those who like the coverage of a one-piece but the flexibility of a two-piece. Sundaze Surf's "Putu Turtleneck Rashie Top Blue Check" offers full. Coverage while still being able to mix and match. It's ideal for you paler-skinned gals who want to cover your midriff but still have the practicality of a two-piece! 

Tankinis are a great choice for those who like the coverage of a one-piece.

Triangle bikini: sexy and adjustable

Triangle bikinis never date and can be ultra-flattering on pale skin. "Nyoman Halter Bikini Top Tidal Dance" provides a classic style with a modern edge, and you can adjust the top and bottom to suit your shape. No wonder this product has become one of the best bikini colors for pale skin.

The triangle shape of the top suits everybody, and you can make it as small or big as you want. It’s great when you are very pale and need to get your sun dose gradually. You can also tie the bottoms higher in the hips to create a nice leg elongation effect suitable for fair skin tones.

Triangle bikinis never date and can be ultra-flattering on pale skin.

Accessorizing Your Swimsuit

Accessories are a great way to add extra sun protection for pale people and complete your beach look. Here are some of my must-haves that I recommend adding to your swimwear collection, along with your best swimsuit color for pale skin:

• Wide-brimmed hats: If you have pale skin, a stylish wide-brimmed hat is a must-have for the beach. It adds a touch of glamour to your beach ensemble and keeps the sun off that pale face, neck, and décolletage.
• Cover-ups: They’re essential for going to and from the beach, but I often find clients wearing a good chic cover-up all day, especially on vacation. They wear their favorites over a swimsuit to lunch (in some destinations, it’s not always acceptable to wear just a bikini), and cover-ups also provide extra sun protection.
• Sunglasses: Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to shield your eyes (and the ultra-thin skin around them). Opt for an oversized style—they'll provide added protection and keep you looking fly all summer long.
• Jewelry: It may not make much sense to say this, but jewelry helps enhance your pale skin. If you have warm undertones, go for gold-toned pieces. If you have cool undertones, choose silver. But remember to remove them, like the “Chapter One Handmade Tote Bag” from Sundaze Surf, which is convenient for carrying everything to the beach before you swim, or chlorine will cause discoloration.

Beach bag

• Beach bag: A big beach bag like Chapter One above from Sundaze Surf is convenient for carrying everything to the beach and completes your overall beach outfit.

The best swimsuit is always going to be the one that makes you feel most confident and comfortable. We truly hope you found this information helpful. 

These tips make you look fabulous in swimwear this season and beyond. After all, your pale skin is beautiful—embrace, protect, and rock it proudly!