The True Winter guide
True Winter
Cool color with a clear edge.
Sapphire, true red and crisp white make a strong first impression. True Winter pairs cool colors with clear light-and-dark changes. One rich top can give a familiar black outfit a new feel.
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Explore the palette ↓
Coolness comes first
True Winter is the cool center of the winter family. It includes rich colors and very pale icy shades. Black beside Crisp White creates a big jump in lightness. Sapphire beside Icy Blue gives you that contrast within one color family.
What to notice in the features
Dark ash-brown hair is much darker than the skin in this example. Cool gray-blue eyes add to the cool pattern. Strong contrast can appear on many skin tones; this is only one example.
An example pattern, not a diagnosis. You do not have to look like this woman to belong to True Winter. Try colors beside your own face.
The True Winter 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.
Let a clear color sharpen the outfit.
Wear a red blouse with black trousers. Try a sapphire jacket over a crisp-white shirt. An emerald-teal wrap dress can stand on its own with simple silver earrings. You can choose one bold color and leave the other pieces quiet.
Three combinations to try first
Gallery Opening
Sapphire Ice
Orchid Night
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 Summer is cool too, but its colors are softer. Compare Sapphire with French Blue. Deep Winter puts darkness first. Bright Winter puts clarity first. Use more than one color pair if the difference is hard to see.
Try it with what you own.
Try a clear sapphire top and a smoky blue top in the same light. Then try a crisp-white collar against a softer white. Notice which combinations you prefer around 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
Not sure this is you? Answer five questions.
More on true winter
Palettes for specific hair and eye colors
Explore the written color palettes for these combinations.
- Blue eyes, black hair
- Blue eyes, dark brown hair
- Brown eyes, black hair
- Brown eyes, dark brown 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, black hair
- Green eyes, dark brown hair
- Grey eyes, black hair
- Grey eyes, dark brown hair
- Hazel eyes, black hair
- Hazel eyes, dark brown 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