The Seasonal Color Palette

Palettes / Summer

Light Summer color palette

Soft, cool and light. Watercolor pastels with a blue undertone and low contrast.

Undertone CoolValue LightChroma SoftDominant Light

Is Light Summer your palette?

  • Undertone: Cool, blue-pink undertone. Silver usually flatters more than gold, and blue-based shades like berry and blue-red beat orange-based ones.
  • Value: Light overall coloring with little contrast between skin, hair and eyes. Heavy darks tend to overpower.
  • Chroma: Features blend gently. Softened colors look harmonious, while neon shades look loud.

Check with a selfie

All 16 Light Summer colors

Tap a swatch to copy its hex code

Best neutrals

  • Soft White #F5F3EE
  • Soft Mint #B5E1CF
  • Powder Pink #F2C4CF
  • Powder Blue #B7D3E9
  • Light Gray #C8CACD
  • Soft Aqua #9AD3D1
  • Rose Brown #B39A94
  • Blue Gray #8C9DB5

Colors to avoid

Orange, black, and heavy earth tones. The opposite palette on the seasonal wheel, Deep Winter, is usually the least flattering overall.

Clothing in Light Summer colors

Open in the shop

Pick a type of clothing, one or more colors, or both.

Filter by color

Showing 24 of 340 items

Editor's pickPowder Blue

Powder blue oxford shirt

Shop on Amazon
Editor's pickSoft Mint

Soft mint linen trousers

Shop on Amazon
Editor's pickBlue Gray

Blue gray trench coat

Shop on Amazon
Editor's pickLight Gray

Light gray canvas sneakers

Shop on Amazon

Sister palettes

These sit next to Light Summer on the seasonal wheel and share one of its characteristics. If you're between palettes, the colors they share with Light Summer are the safest choices.

True Summer

Both share the same undertone (cool) and chroma (soft). Light Summer is light in value where True Summer is medium. Both belong to the Summer family.

Light Spring

Both share the same value (light). Light Summer is cool in undertone where Light Spring is warm; Light Summer is soft in chroma where Light Spring is clear. Light Summer is a Summer palette and Light Spring is a Spring palette, so they sit on either side of the warm–cool divide.

Light Summer FAQ

What colors are in the Light Summer palette?

The Light Summer palette includes soft white, light gray, blue gray, soft navy, powder blue, sky blue, periwinkle, lavender, light orchid and powder pink, among others. It is cool in undertone, light in value and soft in chroma, and its dominant characteristic is light.

What colors should a Light Summer avoid?

Orange, black, and heavy earth tones. The palette on the opposite side of the seasonal wheel, Deep Winter, is usually the least flattering overall.

Can a Light Summer wear black?

Pure black is usually too harsh for a Light Summer. The deepest shade in the palette, soft navy (#5A6E93), is the closest substitute for suits, coats and evening wear.

What are the best neutrals for a Light Summer?

The most versatile neutrals in the Light Summer palette are soft white (#F5F3EE), soft mint (#B5E1CF), powder pink (#F2C4CF), powder blue (#B7D3E9), light gray (#C8CACD), soft aqua (#9AD3D1), rose brown (#B39A94) and blue gray (#8C9DB5).

What is the difference between Light Summer and True Summer?

Both share the same undertone (cool) and chroma (soft). Light Summer is light in value where True Summer is medium. Both belong to the Summer family.

What is the difference between Light Summer and Light Spring?

Both share the same value (light). Light Summer is cool in undertone where Light Spring is warm; Light Summer is soft in chroma where Light Spring is clear. Light Summer is a Summer palette and Light Spring is a Spring palette, so they sit on either side of the warm–cool divide.