08-07-2025
Tan, taupe or camel? The most flattering bags for your hair and skin tone
Should you ever find yourself only allowed to own two bags – a sudden transfer to live in Hong Kong, say, where the average living space per person is 160 sq ft; or you have an irresistible urge to channel the chic minimalism of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy; or you just want to declutter – for maximum versatility you will want a black and a neutral.
Both work in winter and summer. Either can be day to evening, depending what you're wearing it with. The key difference is that while black is black, neutral is every shade of camel, tan, taupe, caramel, sand and, for some women, animal print.
Finding the correct shade can be challenging, but when you do, it's transformative. When the right complexion and hair meet the right camel it's jackpot time. You can keep your yellows and reds. A neutral that matches or enhances your colouring can have just as much impact as a wilder colour pop, while also fitting with a sophisticated, restrained vibe.
No wonder many accessories brands report that tan now outsells black. That means many more shades and nuances. Some have shiny gold hardware that makes them dressier but also even more of a light deflector (very flattering, especially on olive skin). Others have silver (better for cooler complexions).
Some tans have contrasting topstitching – usually white – which gives them a lovely, relaxed vibe and makes them a soft, stealth-wealth partner for white clothes.
Think about the rest of your wardrobe. If you wear a lot of bright colours, a mid-neutral is a good bet. For detailed analysis, I enlisted Jules Standish, colour consultant extraordinaire and author of A Colourful Dose of Optimism. She advises a mid-tan-shade bag such as the Tusting or Dragon Diffusion bucket (a cult brand) here as a perfect choice for warmer, olivey skin tones, including those with golden blonde and brunette hair.
'Match them with other warm neutrals for a classic look,' she says. 'Try ivory, cream and coffee shades or go bolder with apricot, coral pink, lime green and yellow for a refreshing and joyful summer look.'
The black stitching on the dark-tan Zara bag is ideal for darker skins with brunette to black hair. Team it with a black summer dress or jumpsuit. As Standish points out, 'It's a great transitional bag to take you through to winter with burgundy and navy.'
For cool, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-type blondes, the Strathberry Osette vanilla and tan bucket bag is a perfect choice – good with cream, denim and navy. The DeMellier Montreal is a lovely buttery yellow tan that's also good for cool blondes.
For warmer, strawberry blondes and redheads, mocha is a good option – see Stow's Curve bag and the Mulberry perforated tote.
For silver hair, Polène also has this gorgeous textured tote. Standish recommends accessorising it with silver jewellery, paired with bright pinks, cobalt or brilliant emerald green.
How to find the perfect bag for your skin tone and hair
Lisa wears: Linen-blend dress, £89.99, Mango; Leather bag, £141 (down from £279, Radley; Leather sandals, £225, Russell & Bromley; Acetate sunglasses, £160, Finlay; Enamel earrings, £35, Whistles; Gold-plated and leather bangle, £220, Polène; All other jewellery, Lisa's own
Photography: Sarah Brick. Hair and make-up: Oonagh Connor at Joy Goodman using L'Oreal Paris and Babyliss. Styling: Sophie Tobin. Stylist's assistant: Hansveni Dave
