How to Wear the Color Peach • budget FASHIONISTA

Peach Fuzz is Pantone’s Color of the Year 2024. You know what that means: It’s an invitation to work this gentle hue into your wardrobe this year, right? Here’s how to invest in the color peach so you don’t regret it next year, when another color will reign supreme.

Let’s start with the basics. The main considerations when wearing and styling peach are your skin tone, hair color, and the rest of your outfit.

Skin tones and the color peach

I once bought a lip color while hungover. It was an orange-y, peachy tone that looked great in the after-haze of overindulgence. Sadly, the next day, it was a truly awful choice. Either the hangover changed my skin tone, or it clouded my judgment.

So from personal experience, I know peach can be challenging for some skin tones. Fortunately, Pantone’s Peach Fuzz is not a harsh and aggressive color. It’s way more forgiving than the lipstick I bought. Even so, you’ll want to verify that this softer peach won’t clash with your natural coloring.

Cool undertones

If you have cool undertones, you may not love the way Peach Fuzz looks on you. The warmth of the color can clash with natural pink and blue elements of cool-toned skin. It may leave you looking sallow.

To check your undertones, take a close look at the veins in your wrist. If they’re more bluish than greenish, you likely have cool undertones. Another test is in your preference for jewelry and colors. Cool-toned fashionistas are often drawn to pinks, pastels, and silver jewelry.

You can also do a comparison test. Swipe a cool mauve lipstick on your wrist, then a warm orange. Your instinct will tell you which looks better. If it’s the mauve, you probably have cool undertones. If you prefer the orange, your skin is on the warmer side.

There’s also the chance both colors look equally nice on you. In that case, you have neutral undertones. Lucky you! You can wear a wide range of colors without getting that washed-out look.

Warm undertones

If your skin has a yellow, peachy, or golden element to it, you can dive right into the Peach Fuzz color trend, especially with makeup. This applies whether you have fair, medium, or dark skin.

Peach and your hair color

Your hair color, too, will influence how confident you feel wearing peach. As you might guess, peach pairs well with warmer hair colors, including:

• Blonde with light caramel or golden highlights
• Brunette with red or gold highlights
• Coppery redheads
• Black hair with fair skin

Peach is less reliable on cool-toned redheads and those with ash brown hair. If you’re in one of those categories, try on peach clothes or makeup in a store before you buy. Opt for the softest peach tones you can find to see if they work for you.

Colors to pair with Peach Fuzz

The next challenge is in selecting complementary colors to wear with peach. If you’re color-challenged, the safest bet is to pair peach with neutrals and whites. Browns and golds are also good choices.

You can also create more interesting color palettes with some experimentation. Sages and mints, deep purples, or very soft blues can look stunning against a peach blouse, for example. Or opt for a dark coral top, complemented with a Peach Fuzz pendant.

Below are three inspiring peach color combos, courtesy of the Coolors palette maker.

Peach clothes and accessories to shop now

Finally, to incorporate peach into your wardrobe this year, you may need some inspiration on what to buy. Below are 12 budget-friendly peach picks I like for spring and summer. Most of them are available on Amazon.

Peach beauty

A peach nail polish makes for a soft entry into this trending color. Also, the price tag is minimal and you can keep using peach polish long after the Peach Fuzz buzz dies down.

Try Essie Expressie, a quick-dry vegan polish that’s priced below $10.

A multi-use color stick is another wallet-friendly option. Elf’s Glistening Peach color stick retails for about $5 and you can use it on your eyes, cheeks, and lips. Like all Elf products, it’s also cruelty-free and vegan.

Peach accessories

If you’re not sure peach works for you, a sheer scarf is a nice way to incorporate the trend gently. Tie it at your wrist or neck. Or, wear the scarf in your hair or tied to your handbag.

A pretty stone pendant in peach can update almost every casual-day outfit you own. Natural gemstones are always conversation starters, too. This one, according to the product description, may have some chakra-clearing powers as well.

You can make a bigger peach statement with a set of stone drop earrings. Wear them subtly with your hair down or tie your hair back to show them off.

Peach tops and dresses

This loose cotton button-down is so versatile. Wear the traditional way, as a top. Or shake things up and use it as a light outer layer or as a cool-girl swim cover-up. Shopper say it runs large, so choose your size accordingly.

Ruffles are also trending this year, so why not combine two trends in one easy garment? You’ll reach for a top like this one again and again on your low-key days. It will wear beautifully with jeans, shorts, or a casual skirt.

Remember, too, that you don’t have to go full peach. An easier option is a floral featuring peach tones. A pretty rayon-spandex top like this one from Bestbee can take you to work and play.

Milumia’s adorable dress is super flattering and eye-catching. It also demonstrates how well peach can coordinate with other colors.

Going bold with peach

If you’re really set to make a statement, try peach swimwear. A peach-forward swimsuit will be especially stunning on olive-skinned fashionistas.

A cropped peach jacket adds loads of freshness to your spring and summer wardrobe. Wear it over a floral sundress or with a white t-shirt and taupe crop pants for a smart look. Shop this denim jacket at Old Navy.

Levi’s makes a snazzy peach corduroy pant that’s sure to make a statement. I’d pair these with a rich brown leather belt, breezy white blouse, and a neutral mule. Add a silver cuff bracelet for extra shine and contrast.

Peachy keen this year and beyond

Pantone’s Color of the Year is a great excuse to add something new in your style rotation. Try this warm, gentle flavor of peach as an accessory or to be the headliner of your outfit. Just remember the usual advice: Don’t spend too much on this trend because there’s always another one heading your way.

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