The True Summer guide
True Summer
Cool blues. Rose. A little purple.
True Summer gives you color without very sharp edges. French blue, raspberry rose and amethyst sit beside gray and cool taupe. The palette has plenty of choice beyond a pale pink top.
Updated
Explore the palette ↓
Cool color comes first
True Summer leans cool, toward blue and rose. Its colors are softer than winter's brights. French Blue has a grayish touch; Amethyst is a gentler purple. Grey Flannel makes a useful base for both.
What to notice in the features
Ash-brown hair and smoky gray-green eyes show a cool, gently blended pattern in this example. There is some light-and-dark difference, but it does not look especially sharp.
An example pattern, not a diagnosis. You do not have to look like this woman to belong to True Summer. Try colors beside your own face.
The True Summer palette
Start with one color you like. These are the general starting colors for this season. The neutrals make useful bases; the richer colors and lighter shades give you more ways to mix.
Your everyday bases
Colors to build around
More colors to mix
A little shine
Use the color names as a starting point when you look through your closet. Screens and fabric can show color differently. You do not need an exact match to try an outfit.
Give gray a colorful partner.
Wear a French-blue blouse with gray trousers. An amethyst cardigan can sit over soft white. Try a raspberry-rose jacket with cool taupe when you want a richer color. Keep the accessories simple and let the clothes supply the interest.
Three combinations to try first
Paris Rain
Hydrangea
Rose Quartz
Use these as outfit ideas. Swap a skirt for trousers, or a blouse for a knit, to suit your day.
Close palettes, small differences
True Winter is cool too, with clearer colors and sharper contrasts. Compare French Blue with Sapphire. Light Summer is paler overall. Soft Summer puts more emphasis on grayish, muted shades.
Try it with what you own.
Hold a soft rose top beside your face, then a clear bright pink. Keep the light the same. Notice whether you like the gentler color or the stronger one near your face.
Face a window in soft daylight. Change one piece at a time. This picture shows the setup; it does not show a season result.
Keep exploring
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More on true summer
Palettes for specific hair and eye colors
Explore the written color palettes for these combinations.
- Blue eyes, dirty blonde hair
- Blue eyes, golden blonde hair
- Blue eyes, grey silver hair
- Blue eyes, light brown hair
- Blue eyes, medium brown hair
- Blue eyes, platinum blonde hair
- Blue eyes, red auburn hair
- Brown eyes, dirty blonde hair
- Brown eyes, golden blonde hair
- Brown eyes, grey silver hair
- Brown eyes, light brown hair
- Brown eyes, medium brown hair
- Brown eyes, platinum blonde hair
- Brown eyes, red auburn hair
- Dark brown eyes, dirty blonde hair
- Dark brown eyes, golden blonde hair
- Dark brown eyes, grey silver hair
- Dark brown eyes, light brown hair
- Dark brown eyes, medium brown hair
- Dark brown eyes, platinum blonde hair
- Dark brown eyes, red auburn hair
- Green eyes, dirty blonde hair
- Green eyes, golden blonde hair
- Green eyes, grey silver hair
- Green eyes, light brown hair
- Green eyes, medium brown hair
- Green eyes, platinum blonde hair
- Green eyes, red auburn hair
- Grey eyes, dirty blonde hair
- Grey eyes, golden blonde hair
- Grey eyes, grey silver hair
- Grey eyes, light brown hair
- Grey eyes, medium brown hair
- Grey eyes, platinum blonde hair
- Grey eyes, red auburn hair
- Hazel eyes, dirty blonde hair
- Hazel eyes, golden blonde hair
- Hazel eyes, grey silver hair
- Hazel eyes, light brown hair
- Hazel eyes, medium brown hair
- Hazel eyes, platinum blonde hair
- Hazel eyes, red auburn hair