Seasonal color analysis / Summer / True Summer
Summer family · also called Cool Summer
True Summer color palette
What colors suit True Summer?
True Summer, also called Cool Summer, is the coolest summer. Its best colors are cool and softened: rose pink, raspberry, watermelon, periwinkle, cornflower blue, slate blue and cool teal, with navy, blue-gray, cool gray and soft white as neutrals. Orange, gold, rust and camel clash, and black is often too harsh.
Best True Summer colors
- Rose pink#E58EAB
- Raspberry#C1437B
- Watermelon#E05A7A
- Cool pink#E9A4C0
- Plum#8C4584
- Lavender#B3A1D8
- Periwinkle#8B9DDB
- Cornflower blue#6493EB
- Slate blue#6A7EB4
- Cool teal#3E8D94
- Spruce green#4F8571
- Cool lemon#EDE48E
True Summer neutrals
- Soft white#F4F4F1
- Cool gray#9A9FA7
- Blue-gray#7C8A9D
- Rose taupe#9C8487
- Navy#2E3A59
Colors True Summer should avoid
These work against True Summer coloring and can make skin look sallow, gray or tired. If you love one, wear it away from your face, such as in shoes, bags or trousers.
- Orange#FF7A12
- Gold yellow#FFC52E
- Rust#A8451A
- Camel#C1996A
- Olive#708238
True Summer at a glance
| Main quality | Cool, then soft (muted) |
|---|---|
| Hue | Cool |
| Value | Light to medium |
| Chroma | Soft, slightly muted |
| Whites | Soft white; pure white is fine away from the face. |
| Metals | Silver, white gold and platinum. |
| Denim | Medium blue and soft dark washes. |
Do you look like a True Summer?
Often ash-brown or ash-blonde hair, cool blue, gray or gray-green eyes, and pink or neutral-cool skin. Contrast is low to medium. Seasons describe how colors harmonize with you overall, so not every feature has to match.
True Summer makeup
| Lips | Rose, berry, raspberry and cool mauve-pink. |
|---|---|
| Blush | Rose and cool pink. |
| Eyes | Gray, navy, plum, cool taupe and slate. |
True Summer hair colors
Ash brown, cool light brown, ash blonde; avoid golden or copper tones.
True Summer or a neighbor?
True Summer vs True Winter
Both are fully cool. True Winter needs clear, high-contrast color (pure white, black, icy brights); True Summer looks better when colors are softened.
See the True Winter palette →True Summer vs Soft Summer
Soft Summer is more muted and smoky; if dusty, grayed shades flatter you more than clean rose and cornflower, you may be Soft Summer.
See the Soft Summer palette →True Summer vs Light Summer
Light Summer needs lighter, airier versions; True Summer can hold medium depth such as raspberry, slate and navy.
See the Light Summer palette →True Summer questions
Is Cool Summer the same as True Summer?
Yes. Both names describe the summer whose main quality is coolness.
Can True Summer wear black?
Black often looks harsh. Navy, charcoal-blue or a deep blue-gray give contrast without overpowering soft coloring.