Soft Summer is a Summer color season whose strongest trait is soft and second trait is cool. Soft Summers look best in soft, cool and muted colors like dusty blue, mauve and sage, and should avoid bright orange and pure white.
Soft Summer characteristics
Every season is defined by its strongest trait. For Soft Summer, that trait is soft, followed by cool. That combination is what makes soft, cool and muted colors look so natural on you.
| Trait | Soft Summer |
|---|---|
| Hue (warm or cool) | Cool neutral |
| Value (light or deep) | Medium |
| Chroma (bright or soft) | Muted |
| Contrast | Low |
| Family | Summer |
Are you a Soft Summer? Common traits
- Skin: Neutral cool, slightly muted skin.
- Hair: Ash brown, mousy brown or dark ash blonde.
- Eyes: Grey green, grey blue or soft hazel.
- Contrast: Low contrast; features blend together.
These are tendencies, not rules. Seasons appear across every skin tone, which is why the quiz looks at undertone, depth and clarity together.
The best colors for Soft Summer
These 12 shades form the core Soft Summer palette. Tap any color to copy its hex code for shopping apps, Pinterest boards or your phone wallpaper.
How to wear them: put your best colors closest to your face: tops, scarves, collars and glasses. That is where color has the biggest effect.
Colors a Soft Summer should avoid
These shades fight your natural soft coloring. Near the face they can cast shadows, add redness or make you look tired. Wear them away from the face if you love them.
Soft Summer neutrals and metals
Soft Summer makeup
Match the temperature of your makeup to your season first, then the intensity. Lipstick try-on coming soon
Best hair colors for Soft Summer
- Ash brown
- Mushroom brown
- Soft ash blonde
- Cool dark blonde
Skip: Bright copper, jet black and brassy highlights. Hair color try-on coming soon
How to build a Soft Summer wardrobe
- Tonal, blended outfits are your signature look.
- Choose matte or brushed textures over high shine.
- Replace black with charcoal and white with soft grey.
Think you're a Soft Summer?
Check in 2 minutes with the free quiz, then get your palette PDF by email.
Soft Summer and its neighbouring seasons
If you are not sure, compare Soft Summer with the seasons that share one of its traits.
Soft Summer FAQ
What colors look best on a Soft Summer?
Soft Summers look best in soft, cool and muted colors such as dusty blue, mauve, rose taupe, sage, slate and dusty pink. Their best neutrals are taupe, charcoal, soft navy and stone grey.
What colors should a Soft Summer avoid?
Soft Summers should avoid bright orange, pure white, black and lime near the face, because they clash with soft coloring.
Is Soft Summer warm or cool?
Soft Summer is cool neutral. Its strongest trait is soft, so coolness matters, but soft matters most.
What metal suits a Soft Summer?
Pewter, brushed silver and rose gold.
How do I know if I am a Soft Summer?
Soft Summers often have neutral cool, slightly muted skin, ash brown, mousy brown or dark ash blonde hair and grey green, grey blue or soft hazel eyes. The fastest check is our free color analysis quiz.