Unlock Your True Colours: How to Find Your Clothing Colour Palette

Knowing and understanding which colours best suit you can be a transformative moment in your personal style journey. The right colour palette can bring out your natural features, enhance your complexion, and give you a daily boost of confidence when selecting your outfits. So, how do you determine which colours suit you? The answer lies in utilising the tried-and-true 'colour seasons' approach, a popular colour analysis method that helps individuals pinpoint the hues and tones that best complement their natural features.

Quick Links

• Understanding the concept of colour seasons
  • Spring Colour Palette
  • Summer Colour Palette
  • Autumn Colour Palette
  • Winter Colour Palette
• What colour season suits me?
• Discovering your personal clothing colour palette

Understanding The Concept of Colour Seasons To Find Your Personal Palette

Colour analysis is the process of determining which colours of clothing and accessories best complement an individual's undertones, such as eye colour, and hair colour. It is used as a tool for personal styling and fashion choices. By identifying which colour season you belong to, you can choose the right shades of clothing and accessories that complement your natural features, and create a cohesive and flattering wardrobe. It can even be a useful foundational practice for establishing colour rules when building a capsule wardrobe or minimalist wardrobe.

The seasonal colour analysis method is based on the four primary weather seasons of the year - spring, summer, autumn and winter - with three additional hue variations for each season, referred to as 'sub-seasons'. By taking the time to understand the general colour rules for each season, you can find your specific sub-season and the relevant recommended colour palette. The four main seasons & their respective sub-seasons include:

Spring Colour Palette

The Spring colour season is characterised by soft and warm undertones that mirror the beauty of blooming flowers and fresh greenery. With colours like peach, coral, and light turquoise, Spring individuals can embrace a palette that exudes warmth and cheerfulness. These shades complement their fair and warm complexions, bringing out their natural glow and radiance. The three sub-seasons of Spring are Light Spring, Warm Spring and True Spring.

Light Spring

Colour palette: Pastel shades, warm hues

The Light Spring colour season is characterised by delicate and warm hues. People with this season typically have fair or light warm-toned skin with light-coloured eyes. For the Light Spring colour season, pastel shades like peach, coral, and light turquoise work wonders. These colours enhance your natural glow and radiance.

What colours should I wear?

• Peach - A soft and warm shade that adds a touch of warmth to your complexion.
• Coral - A vibrant and cheerful colour that complements your fair skin tone.
• Light turquoise - A refreshing and cool-toned shade that enhances your natural glow.

Best neutrals to wear: Light grey, soft white, cream.

Avoid colours that are too dark or intense. Avoid black, deep navy, and harsh black and white combinations.

Warm Spring

Colour palette: Earthy and warm colours

Warm Spring individuals have warm undertones in their skin, with hair ranging from blonde to light brown and warm-coloured eyes. Earthy and warm colours like golden yellow, camel, and olive green are perfect for this colour season. These shades bring out the warmth in your complexion and create a harmonious look.

What colours should I wear?

• Sunshine yellow - A sunny and warm shade that brings out the warmth in your complexion.
• Camel - A versatile and earthy tone that adds a touch of sophistication to your outfits.
• Olive green - A rich and warm colour that complements your warm undertones.

Best neutrals to wear: Warm taupe, cream, off-white.

Avoid cool and icy colours. Avoid black, white, and metallic shades like silver or pewter.

True Spring

Colour palette: Warm, bright and lively colours

True Spring individuals are characterised by warm, bright and lively colours that reflect the brightness of a sunny day. They have a clear and bright complexion and their natural hair colour ranges from light golden blonde to light golden brown.

What colours should I wear?

• Tomato red - A bold and attention-grabbing shade that creates a striking contrast with your complexion.
• Cobalt blue - A vibrant and intense colour that adds a pop of energy to your look.
• Bright orange - A lively and vibrant shade that complements your clear and bright complexion.

Best neutrals to wear: Light camel, ivory, off-white.

Avoid colours that are too dark or muted. Avoid black, brown, burgundy, and other deep colours.

Summer Colour Palette

The Summer colour season is all about soft and cool undertones that evoke a sense of tranquillity and elegance. Colours like lavender, powder blue, and dusty pink create a gentle and calming colour palette for Summer individuals. These muted shades enhance their soft and cool complexions, adding a touch of refinement and sophistication to their outfits. The sub-seasons of the Summer palette are Light Summer, Soft Summer and Cool Summer.

Light Summer

Colour palette: Soft and muted colours

People belonging to the Light Summer colour season have a soft and cool complexion. They often have light-coloured hair and light cool-toned eyes. Soft and muted colours like lavender, powder blue, and dusty pink are ideal for this season. These shades create a gentle and elegant look.

What colours should I wear?

• Lavender - A gentle and serene shade that complements your soft and cool complexion.
• Powder blue - A delicate and calming colour that adds a touch of elegance to your outfits.
• Dusty pink - A subtle and romantic shade that enhances your soft and cool undertones.

Best neutrals to wear: Cool off-white, cool beige, grey.

Avoid dark or intense colours. Avoid black, deep navy, and bold red or orange.

Soft Summer

Colour palette: Subtle and understated hues

The Soft Summer colour season is characterised by a soft and muted complexion, typically with cool undertones. Individuals with this season have medium to dark hair and light cool-toned eyes. Subtle and understated colours such as mauve, slate grey, and dusty rose complement the Soft Summer season. These colours create a sophisticated and gentle appearance.

What colours should I wear?

• Mauve - A muted and sophisticated shade that complements your soft and cool complexion.
• Slate grey - A cool-toned and versatile colour that adds a touch of elegance to your look.
• Dusty rose - A soft and romantic colour that enhances your gentle and cool undertones.

Best neutrals to wear: Muted khaki, soft grey, taupe.

Avoid bright and intense colours. Avoid hot pink, bright red, and bright orange.

Cool Summer

Colour palette: Cool and refreshing colours

Cool Summer individuals have a cool-toned complexion with medium to dark hair and cool-coloured eyes. Cool and refreshing colours like periwinkle blue, lavender grey, and dusty teal are perfect for this colour season. These shades bring out the coolness in your complexion and create a serene look.

What colours should I wear?

• Periwinkle blue - A cool and soothing shade that brings out the coolness in your complexion.
• Lavender grey - A soft and cool-toned colour that adds a touch of sophistication to your outfits.
• Dusty teal - A cool and muted shade that complements your cool-toned complexion.

Best neutrals to wear: Pale grey, cool beige, dark navy.

Avoid warm or bright colours. Avoid orange, gold, and mustard.

Autumn Colour Palette

The Autumn colour season is characterised by warm and earthy undertones that reflect the beauty of autumn foliage and harvest season. With colours like mustard yellow, burnt orange, and olive brown, Autumn individuals can embrace a palette that exudes warmth and richness. These shades complement their warm complexions, adding depth and a touch of natural beauty to their outfits. The three sub-seasons of Autumn are Soft Autumn, Warm Autumn and Deep Autumn (also known as Dark Autumn).

Soft Autumn

Colour palette: Warm and earthy colours

The Soft Autumn colour season is characterised by warm and muted undertones in the complexion. Individuals with this season often have light to medium warm-toned hair and soft-coloured eyes. Warm and earthy colours such as mustard yellow, burnt orange, and olive-brown suit the Soft Autumn season. These colours enhance the warmth in your complexion and create a cosy look.

What colours should I wear?

• Mustard yellow - A warm and rich shade that adds a touch of warmth to your complexion.
• Burnt orange - A deep and earthy colour that complements your warm undertones.
• Olive brown - A warm and versatile shade that adds depth to your outfits.

Best neutrals to wear: Warm beige, gold, rust.

Avoid bright and intense colours. Avoid bright red, bright yellow, and bright green.

Warm Autumn

Colour palette: Rich and earthy tones

Warm Autumn individuals have a warm-toned complexion with medium to dark warm-coloured hair and eyes. Rich and earthy tones like terracotta, deep red, and golden brown are perfect for this colour season. These colours accentuate the warmth in your complexion and create a vibrant look.

What colours should I wear?

• Terracotta - A warm and earthy shade that brings out the warmth in your complexion.
• Deep red - A rich and intense colour that adds a touch of drama to your look.
• Golden brown - A warm and golden shade that complements your warm-toned complexion.

Best neutrals to wear: Rich brown, camel, taupe.

Avoid cool or icy colours. Avoid black, white, and metallic shades like silver.

Deep/Dark Autumn

Colour palette: Deep and intense hues

People belonging to the Dark Autumn colour season have a deep and warm complexion. They often have dark hair and eyes with warm undertones. Deep and intense colours like burgundy, forest green, and chocolate brown suit the Dark Autumn season. These colours create a powerful and striking look.

What colours should I wear?

• Burgundy - A deep and rich shade that creates a powerful and striking contrast with your complexion.
• Forest green - A dark and intense colour that adds depth and sophistication to your outfits.
• Chocolate brown - A deep and luxurious shade that complements your deep and warm undertones.

Best neutrals to wear: Dark brown, chocolate, charcoal.

Avoid pale or muted colours. Avoid pastels, beige, and dusty shades.

Winter Colour Palette

The Winter colour season is all about high contrast and intense colours that make a bold statement. With colours like royal blue, true red, and emerald green, Winter individuals can embrace a palette that exudes strength and glamour. These vibrant shades complement their high-contrast complexions, creating striking and eye-catching outfits that reflect their confidence and individuality. Winter's three sub-seasons include Clear Winter, Cool Winter and Deep (or Dark) Winter.

Clear Winter

Colour palette: Bold and vibrant colours

Clear Winter individuals have a cool-toned complexion with high contrast between their hair, eyes, and skin tone. Bold and vibrant colours such as royal blue, true red, and emerald green suit the Clear Winter colour season. These colours make a statement and create a dramatic look.

What colours should I wear?

• Royal blue - A bold and regal shade that creates a striking contrast with your high-contrast complexion.
• True red - A vibrant and classic colour that adds a touch of glamour to your look.
• Emerald green - A rich and intense shade that brings out the clarity in your complexion.

Best neutrals to wear: Black, white, bright grey.

Avoid muted or greyed-out colours. Avoid dusty pink, muted blue, and greyish-green.

Cool Winter

Colour palette: Cool and icy colours

Cool Winter individuals have a cool-toned complexion with medium to dark cool-coloured hair and eyes. Cool and icy colours like icy blue, silver grey, and royal purple are perfect for this colour season. These shades bring out the coolness in your complexion and create an elegant look.

What colours should I wear?

• Icy blue - A cool and refreshing shade that enhances the coolness in your complexion.
• Silver grey - A cool-toned and versatile colour that adds a touch of elegance to your outfits.
• Royal purple - A deep and luxurious shade that complements your cool-toned complexion.

Best neutrals to wear: Navy, charcoal, black.

Avoid warm or bright colours. Avoid orange, yellow, and warm peaches.

Deep/Dark Winter

Colour palette: Deep and rich colours

The Deep Winter colour season is characterised by a deep and cool-toned complexion. Individuals with this season have dark hair and eyes with cool undertones. Deep and rich colours such as black, sapphire blue, and deep plum suit the Deep Winter season. These colours create a luxurious and intense look.

What colours should I wear?

• Black - A timeless and sophisticated shade that adds a touch of elegance to your look.
• Sapphire blue - A deep and intense colour that brings out the depth in your complexion.
• Deep plum - A rich and luxurious shade that adds drama and intensity to your outfits.

Best neutrals to wear: Off-white, slate, charcoal, deep purples.

Avoid warm, earthy or muted colours. Avoid olive green, browns and dusty pinks.

What colour season suits me?

Finding your personal colour palette and the respective colour season involves understanding your unique characteristics, such as your skin tone, hair colour, and eye colour. By determining these, you can assess your undertones to match you with the most flattering hues. Once you've identified these elements, you can find out which season harmonises best with your natural attributes and establish what colours you should be wearing.

The effectiveness of using colour seasons lies in its ability to simplify the process of choosing colours. By categorising individuals into specific palettes, it becomes easier to identify the shades that will harmonise with their natural attributes. Colour seasons provide a framework for understanding the interplay between skin tone, hair colour, eye colour, and different hues. This knowledge empowers individuals to make informed choices and create harmonious outfits that bring out their best features.

Discover Your Best Clothing Colour Palette Through The Magic Of Seasonal Colour Analysis

Discovering your personal colour palette is an exciting journey that involves understanding your unique attributes and exploring the concept of colour seasons. By identifying your undertones and applying colour analysis, you can uncover the clothing colours that truly flatter you. Colour seasons simplify the process of choosing colours by providing a framework that matches your complexion, hair colour, and eye colour with specific palettes. This knowledge allows you to create cohesive and harmonious outfits that enhance your natural beauty and express your individual style. Embrace the impact of colour, experiment with different shades, and let your personal seasonal palette guide you towards a vibrant and complementary wardrobe. No matter your personal colour palette, find beautiful women's clothes including women's tops, dresses and skirts that you'll love at Harris Scarfe.