Soft Summer is one of the most common results in seasonal color analysis, and one of the most misunderstood. Soft Summers often own a closet full of black and bright colors that never quite feel right, then discover that dusty rose, slate blue and soft grey make them look rested and polished. Here is the full soft summer color palette, how to build outfits from it, and the hair and makeup shades that suit it.
What is a Soft Summer?
Seasonal color analysis sorts coloring by hue (warm or cool), value (light or deep) and chroma (bright or muted). Soft Summer is:
- Muted first. Softness is the defining trait. Slightly greyed colors harmonize with your features.
- Cool second. A gentle cool lean, which is why Soft Summer borders Soft Autumn.
- Medium in depth. Neither very light nor very dark.
Soft Summers usually have low to medium contrast. Common traits include ash-brown or dark ash-blonde hair, grey-blue, grey-green or soft hazel eyes, and skin with a pink-beige or neutral-cool undertone. Many Soft Summers describe their own coloring as "a bit muted" or "hard to describe," which is a clue in itself.
The soft summer color palette
Picture colors seen through a light mist: cool, dusty and gentle.
| Color family | Soft summer shades | Example HEX |
|---|---|---|
| Blues | slate blue, denim blue, soft periwinkle, grey-blue | #6C7F99, #5E7896, #8C93B8, #8297A6 |
| Greens and teals | sage-grey, soft spruce, muted teal | #9AA597, #5C7A73, #5F8A8B |
| Pinks and reds | dusty rose, rose-brown, soft raspberry, mauve-pink | #C49A9E, #A97C7E, #A85F74, #B88A9A |
| Purples | mauve, soft plum, dusty lavender | #A28A9E, #7D6377, #A79BB8 |
| Neutrals | cool taupe, rose-beige, soft charcoal, pewter | #9C8F88, #C9B3A8, #5A5A60, #8D8E91 |
| Yellows | soft lemon-cream (in small doses) | #E8E1B5 |
Best neutrals
Soft charcoal, pewter grey, cool taupe, rose-beige, greyed navy and soft white form the base of a soft summer wardrobe. They replace black, bright white and warm camel.
Colors to avoid
- Black and stark white: they create more contrast than your features have.
- Neon and saturated brights: electric blue, hot pink, lime, bright orange.
- Warm earth tones: rust, mustard, pumpkin, golden camel.
- Very dark, heavy colors like black-brown can look heavy near the face.
Soft summer outfits
- Everyday: slate blue sweater, soft charcoal trousers, pewter accessories.
- Work: greyed navy blazer, dusty rose blouse, cool taupe shoes.
- Evening: soft plum or deep mauve dress with silver jewelry.
- Casual: faded denim, rose-beige knit, sage-grey jacket.
Tonal outfits (several close shades of one color) are especially flattering on Soft Summers because they echo low contrast.
Soft summer hair colors
- Ash brown and mushroom brown.
- Dark ash blonde with soft, fine highlights.
- Soft "bronde" leaning cool.
- Cool beige blonde for those on the lighter side.
Avoid brassy gold, bright copper and blue-black. Try a few of these shades on your own photo with the hair color changer before booking.
Soft summer makeup
- Lips: rose, mauve, berry-nude, soft raspberry.
- Blush: dusty pink, soft rose.
- Eyes: taupe, grey-brown, soft plum, slate; charcoal or grey-brown liner.
- Base: neutral-cool or neutral foundation.
Jewelry and metals
Silver, white gold, platinum, pewter and rose gold all work. Brushed finishes and pearls look especially natural.
Soft Summer vs. Soft Autumn
This is the most common mix-up. Both seasons are soft and muted. The difference is temperature:
- Soft Summer looks better in cool dusty shades: rose, slate blue, grey, mauve, with silver.
- Soft Autumn looks better in warm dusty shades: sage, camel, terracotta, olive, with gold.
Test it: hold a dusty rose fabric and a camel fabric under your chin in daylight. Whichever makes your skin look clearer points to your season.
Soft Summer vs. True Summer and Light Summer
- True (Cool) Summer can wear clearer, cooler colors like raspberry and periwinkle at more strength.
- Light Summer is lighter overall and suits powder blue, lavender and soft pastels.
How to confirm you are a Soft Summer
Start with the free color analysis quiz, then upload a daylight selfie to the AI color analysis to compare Soft Summer with Soft Autumn, True Summer and Light Summer side by side.
FAQ
What colors look best on a soft summer?
Cool, muted, medium colors: slate blue, dusty rose, mauve, soft plum, sage-grey, muted teal, cool taupe and soft charcoal.
Can soft summers wear black?
Black is usually too harsh. Soft charcoal or greyed navy give the same polished effect without the contrast.
What is the best hair color for a soft summer?
Ash brown, mushroom brown, dark ash blonde and cool bronde. Avoid brassy gold, copper and blue-black.
Is soft summer warm or cool?
Soft Summer is neutral-cool: mainly soft, with a gentle cool lean.
How do I know if I am soft summer or soft autumn?
Compare cool dusty colors (rose, slate) with warm dusty colors (camel, sage) in daylight, and silver with gold jewelry. Cool wins for Soft Summer; warm wins for Soft Autumn.
