The Seasonal Color Palette

Palettes / Summer

True Summer color palette

Cool and gently muted at medium depth. Rose, blue and berry tones with a soft finish.

Undertone CoolValue MediumChroma SoftDominant Cool

Is True 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: Coloring sits in the middle range. Neither the palest pastels nor the darkest shades are ideal.
  • Chroma: Features blend gently. Softened colors look harmonious, while neon shades look loud.

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All 16 True Summer colors

Tap a swatch to copy its hex code

Best neutrals

  • Soft White #F1F1EE
  • Powder Pink #EDBFCB
  • Blue Gray #7D8FA6
  • Rose Brown #9E7B7B
  • Charcoal Blue #4A5568

Colors to avoid

Orange, gold, and stark black. The opposite palette on the seasonal wheel, True Winter, is usually the least flattering overall.

Clothing in True Summer colors

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Sister palettes

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

Soft Summer

Both share the same value (medium). True Summer is cool in undertone where Soft Summer is cool-neutral; True Summer is soft in chroma where Soft Summer is muted. Both belong to the Summer family.

Light Summer

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

True Summer FAQ

What colors are in the True Summer palette?

The True Summer palette includes soft white, rose brown, blue gray, charcoal blue, soft navy, cornflower, sky blue, raspberry, rose and watermelon, among others. It is cool in undertone, medium in value and soft in chroma, and its dominant characteristic is cool.

What colors should a True Summer avoid?

Orange, gold, and stark black. The palette on the opposite side of the seasonal wheel, True Winter, is usually the least flattering overall.

Can a True Summer wear black?

Pure black is usually too harsh for a True Summer. The deepest shade in the palette, soft navy (#34426B), is the closest substitute for suits, coats and evening wear.

What are the best neutrals for a True Summer?

The most versatile neutrals in the True Summer palette are soft white (#F1F1EE), powder pink (#EDBFCB), blue gray (#7D8FA6), rose brown (#9E7B7B) and charcoal blue (#4A5568).

What is the difference between True Summer and Soft Summer?

Both share the same value (medium). True Summer is cool in undertone where Soft Summer is cool-neutral; True Summer is soft in chroma where Soft Summer is muted. Both belong to the Summer family.

What is the difference between True Summer and Light Summer?

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