Choosing new eyeglasses can feel like a high-stakes decision. The frame you select sits right at the centre of your face, defining your daily look more than any other accessory. While shape is crucial, the colour of your frames holds the subtle power to either energise your face or leave you looking washed out.
Welcome to the “New Neutrals” movement of 2026. This trend moves away from harsh, attention-grabbing colours, instead focusing on sophisticated, quiet shades, like pale tints, soft layers, and matte textures, that work with your natural colouring to create a harmonious, luxurious effect. By using the principles of colour psychology and matching your frame to your underlying tones, you can select a pair that feels perfectly bespoke.
Mastering the Match: Frame Colour for Harmonic Eyewear
The key to a flattering frame is understanding your skin’s undertone—the subtle, permanent hue beneath the surface that is either warm, cool, or neutral. Here is your simple guide to using this knowledge for a flawless eyewear choice.
1. Identify Your Skin’s Undertone (Warm vs. Cool) The most straightforward way to start is by examining the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural light. If your veins appear greenish, you have warm undertones (peachy, golden, or yellow).
If your veins appear bluish or purplish, you have cool undertones (pink, red, or blue). If you struggle to tell, or both gold and silver jewellery look equally good on you, you likely have a versatile neutral undertone. This simple test is the compass for your colour journey.
2. Selecting Frames for Warm Undertones If you have a warm undertone, your frames should echo the rich, earthy tones of a sunset. Opt for colours that feature a golden or yellow base.
The new neutrals for you include honey tortoiseshell, deep olive green, burnt amber, bone, and gold metal frames. These shades will bring out your natural glow and prevent your complexion from looking dull. Avoid stark black or silver, which can create an overly harsh contrast.
3. Selecting Frames for Cool Undertones For those with a cool undertone, you should seek frame colours that have a blue, pink, or icy base. The best new neutrals for you are shades like slate grey, gunmetal, icy crystalline blue or soft frosted pinks.
Cool undertones also look stunning in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald. Silver or platinum metal frames are ideal. These crisp colours will enhance your skin’s clarity and make your eyes pop, complementing the underlying rosy or bluish tones.
4. The Power of Matte and Layered Finishes A significant feature of the 2026 “New Neutrals” is the finish. Frame designers are employing matte finishes to soften the impact of colour, making even a classic black feel less dominating.
Similarly, layered acetate frames use subtle pale tints (like a sheer moss green layered over clear) to add dimension without heaviness. Look for these subtle design cues to ensure your frame feels modern and harmonises with your face rather than overshadowing it.
5. Harmonising with Your Hair Colour While your skin tone is primary, hair colour adds a final layer of harmony.
Warm Hair Colours (e.g., golden blonde, chestnut, auburn) benefit from frames in the warm family (tortoise, brown, copper), as they seamlessly blend with these colours.
Cool Hair Colours (e.g., platinum, ash brown, deep black) pair beautifully with frames in the cool family (black, silver, deep navy) to create a sophisticated, polished look.
By focusing on this subtle synergy between your natural colour palette and your frames, you can achieve a look that is not only stylish and on-trend for 2026 but perfectly harmonious and flattering for years to come. Book a consultation with us at Oakes Opticians to get an expert recommendation on glasses that fit your face and style!