soft summer

This subtype is the most muted of the Summer season. Their colours are mixed with grey to soften and blue to cool, which creates a delicate palette filled with cool tints reminiscent of nostalgic storybook themes.

characteristics

Soft Summer is found between Cool Summer and Soft Autumn on the seasonal flow. This subtype features a low to moderate contrast level meaning their best colours are similar to those in their own palette in either hue or value. These include dusty tints like hunter green, powder pink and aegean blue.

CONTRAST

Soft Summer individuals have low levels of contrast. Their hair and eyes may be deeper than their skin but this level is still reduced by the softened chroma across their appearance. They may have a naturally matte or sheer complexion, grey pigmentation in their eyes and a glistening hair shine.

SKIN TONE

We see Soft Summer individuals with fair through to tan skin tones in either cool or neutral-cool hue. This means their veins may appear green, blue or purple beneath the skin and cool metals such as silver, platinum and white gold work best for them. However, they can wear warm metals such as gold provided they balance this with cool neutrals and accents in their clothing. Their complexions also tend to be matte or naturally powdered. They may have freckles but tend to burn then tan.

EYES

Typical examples of eye colours we see across Soft Summer include blue, brown, green, grey and grey hazel. However, any colour which is somewhat cool is possible. Due to their soft chroma these colours tend to have a touch of grey pigmentation, which reduces their reflectivity in contrast tests. We may also see soft separation on the outer iris edge as well as a pattern resembling crackled glass or flower petals on the inner section.

HAIR

Despite their low contrast level, Soft Summer individuals have medium to deep coloured hair. We see medium blondes through to dark brunettes. Colours are typically ash with no gold, honey or red accents. However, as they border Autumn, it is sometimes possible to see a mix of characteristics. They also tend to have glistening finishes meaning individual flecks reflect the light rather than one strip as seen in brighter seasons.

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Soft Summer: Hair Dye

For Soft Summer hair dye, we typically recommend medium to dark ash blondes and light to dark brunettes as well as silver grey tints.

Soft Summer

Soft Summer: Lipstick

Soft Summer lipsticks are dusty and cool with a moderate depth to balance their natural contrast level.

Soft Summer

colour palette

Soft Summer colours are reminiscent of a nostalgic fairytale setting. Rolling heather moors stretch into the powder blue horizon, their purples and greens blending seamlessly with the muted tones of the vintage setting. In the distance stands a baroque castle, its weathered stone walls adorned with creeping ivy and moss. A cobblestone pathway at your feet is concealed by vintage flowers - roses, peonies, and daisies mingling with dried lavender.

metals

As a neutral-cool subtype, Soft Summer can wear warm metals but these need to be balanced with cool neutrals or accents in sartorial choices. Silver, white gold, pewter and platinum will always be more effective. These should be light or medium depth and in either brushed or matte finishes. They should avoid dark metals as these are jarring against a delicate appearance. Similarly, polished finishes clash with soft chroma and look unnatural.

neutrals

Soft Summer individuals cannot wear true black as it ages them dramatically. Greyish dark browns are better suited. Similarly, light greys and taupes are better than pure white. This bright neutral is harsh on muted individuals and can blanch the appearance making them look pale and unwell.

accents

Due to its neutral-cool hue, the Soft Summer palette contains more purples, blues and greens. These include hunter green, powder pink and aegean blue. This subtype borders Autumn so there are some yellows but these are mixed with grey to soften as well as blue to cool resulting in muted variations.

combinations

As their contrast level is low to high, colour combinations need to reflect what is in the Soft Summer individual’s natural palette. In the first two examples, we have shown how neighbouring hues on the colour chart pair well. Similarly, you can select multiple colours of varying depths from one column to create a monochromatic mix, as shown in the last two examples. Alternatively, light neutrals can be paired with dark accents to achieve a similar effect. This is what we have demonstrated in the third and fourth examples.

colours to borrow

Depending on which way the Soft Summer individual flows, they may be able to borrow colours from neighbouring Cool Summer or Soft Autumn. Where Cool Summer is dominantly cool, Soft Autumn has a neutral-warm hue. In order to maintain balance, care must be taken to select the softer and warmer colours from Cool Summer as well as the cooler colours from Soft Autumn. Please note that the colours marked with an asterisk above are taken from the Cool Summer and Soft Autumn palettes respectively.

colours to avoid

As a soft and cool subtype, Soft Summer’s worst colours are bright and warm, such as those seen in Bright Spring. The warm jewel tones in the examples above clash with Poppy's muted chroma and reflect yellow on her skin, making her look sallow and sickly. This demonstrates that they are not suitable for her delicate appearance. Again, the colour codes above marked with an asterisk are taken from the Bright Spring sample palette.

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