Why the colour on screen does not match

Short answer: A screen makes colour with light, while a fabric throws light back. The two systems cannot hit exactly the same result, and the screen's settings shift it further.

Light versus reflection

A screen mixes red, green and blue light. A fabric removes the wavelengths it does not throw back and shows the rest. These are two different ways of making colour, so a screen can never reproduce a fabric exactly, even when the picture is sharp and good.

Every screen is set differently

Brightness, contrast and colour temperature vary from screen to screen and from phone to computer. Two screens can show the same picture with a clear difference. See bamboo pants for women in several models, and compare the pictures on two screens if in doubt.

Night mode and blue light filters

Many phones and computers have a night mode that makes the picture warmer and more yellow. Switch it on and colours look different, including on clothes. Turn it off when judging a colour, and set brightness to a middle value so the picture is not too bright or too dark.

The photo is a choice too

The picture was taken in a particular light and edited afterwards. Even with good calibration there can be a visible gap between photo and reality. The photographer picks light and angle, and editing adjusts contrast and colour so the picture looks good. See bamboo clothing for women.

Which colours miss the most

Navy, grey and deep green shades often miss the most. Small differences in screen rendering look large on these colours, because they sit close together. A navy can therefore look black on a screen, and a grey can seem bluish or greenish. That is normal.

Phone or computer

Phone screens are often set more saturated than a computer screen, and are used in very different lighting. Viewing the picture on the phone does not necessarily help. What you see depends on the screen and the light around you. Neither is a reliable judge.

What you can do before buying

Look at several pictures of the same garment and read the description of the colour. Pictures from several angles and in several settings give a fuller impression. See bamboo T-shirt for women and compare the different pictures before you choose a shade.

Use the light around you

If you are at home, lay a garment in a similar colour next to the screen and compare. Make sure the room has daylight if you can. That gives you a better basis for judging whether the picture matches what you know from your own wardrobe.

The right of return as a safety net

If the colour still does not suit, you can use the right of return. It is a safe way of trying the colour in your own light at home. Try the garment in daylight and under your usual light before you decide. That is the real test.