Summer · Soft + Cool
Soft Summer color palette
Soft Summer is soft first and cool second: blended, low-contrast coloring that glows in muted, greyed shades such as dusty rose, sage grey, soft slate blue and mauve. Bright, saturated colors and black overpower it; hot pink and orange are the hardest.
Updated
Soft Summer: Best colors
Soft Summer people often have ash brown or dark ash blonde hair, neutral-cool skin, and grey-green, grey-blue or soft hazel eyes. Nothing in the face stands out sharply.
- Dusty rose#C08A93
- Sage grey#9AA79A
- Soft slate blue#6F819A
- Mauve#A57C93
- Muted plum#7D5A73
- Soft teal#5F8E8C
- Smoky blue#7C95AE
- Raspberry mist#B4687F
- Grey green#7E8F80
- Heather#9E8FAD
- Blush#D6A7AE
- Muted navy#3F4D63
Soft Summer neutrals
- Oyster#E7E1D8
- Taupe#9C8C80
- Pewter#8A8D8F
- Charcoal blue#454C57
Colors to keep away from the face
- Black#111111
- Bright orange#FF6A13
- Hot pink#FF3E9A
- Pure white#FFFFFF
Black, bright orange, hot pink and stark white near the face.
How to tell if you are a Soft Summer
- Muted colors make your skin look smooth; brights look like they are wearing you.
- Next to Soft Autumn: silver looks right and gold looks yellow; dusty rose beats terracotta.
- Next to True Summer: clear raspberry and cool teal are a bit strong; their greyed versions are better.
How to wear the Soft Summer palette
- Oyster, taupe, pewter and charcoal blue instead of black and white.
- Tonal outfits in close shades (sage with grey green, mauve with plum).
- Soft textures (knit, suede, matte) suit muted coloring.
Season traits
- Undertone
- Cool
- Value
- Medium
- Chroma
- Soft
- Contrast
- Low
Soft Summer makeup
Soft rose and muted berry blush, rose and mauve lips, taupe, slate and plum eyeshadow. Matte or satin finishes.
Soft Summer hair color
Soft ash brown, mushroom brown, smoky ash blonde. Jet black and bright copper fight your softness.
Soft Summer metals: Silver
Brushed silver, pewter and soft rose gold over high-shine yellow gold.
Neighbouring seasons
A Soft Summer capsule wardrobe
Weekdays: oyster trousers or a skirt, a dusty rose top near the face and a mauve scarf or bag.
Weekends: a taupe jacket over a soft teal knit, with grey green as the accent in shoes or jewelry.
Evenings: a soft slate blue dress or shirt, a charcoal blue coat and a touch of muted navy for contrast.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Soft Summer and Soft Autumn?
Both are muted and low contrast. Soft Summer leans cool (mauve, slate, silver), Soft Autumn leans warm (olive, salmon, gold).
Can Soft Summer wear black?
Black is usually too harsh. Charcoal blue, soft navy and muted plum give the same depth more kindly.
What lipstick suits Soft Summer?
Rose, mauve, soft raspberry and dusty berry. Avoid orange and very bright fuchsia.
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