Summer Color Palette
Cool, gentle, airy colors for the three Summer types: Light, Cool and Soft. 24 shades with hex codes.
Tap a color to copy its hex
Light Summer
Cool Summer
Soft Summer
What is the Summer color family?
Summer is the gentlest of the four color families in seasonal color analysis. Its palette is a hazy July afternoon by the sea: soft blue sky, sea glass, lavender fields and faded roses. People in the Summer family look best in colors that are:
- Cool, with a blue or pink base: powder blue, rose and lavender rather than peach, gold and orange.
- Soft rather than stark, slightly greyed or powdery. Summers glow in gentle color and look overpowered by neon or black.
- Light to medium, with few very dark shades. Navy and dark slate blue are as deep as most Summers need to go.
In the 12-season system, Summer splits into three types depending on whether lightness, coolness or softness leads. Their palettes overlap, so a color from one type often works for the others too.
The three Summer types: Light, Cool and Soft
All Summers are cool and gentle. The difference is which quality comes first.
Light Summer
Light first, then cool
The palest, airiest Summer. Colors are like watercolor washes: powder blue, periwinkle, light pink, celadon. Dark or heavy colors weigh you down.
Often: Light ash or beige blonde hair, light blue, grey or green eyes, fair pink or neutral-cool skin, low contrast.
Cool Summer
Cool first, then soft
The bluest Summer. Colors are medium in depth and clearly cool: steel blue, cornflower, raspberry-rose, soft purple. Golden or orange tones look off.
Often: Ash brown or ash blonde hair, often greying early to silver; blue, grey or cool brown eyes; pink or rosy skin.
Soft Summer
Soft first, then cool
The most muted Summer, with smoky greys, grey-blues and dusty mauves. It has its own in-depth guide: the soft summer color palette, with all 20 colors.
Often: Ash blonde to ash brown hair, grey-blue or grey-green eyes, neutral-cool skin, low to medium contrast.
Each type borders another family: Light Summer sits next to Light Spring, Cool Summer next to Cool Winter and Soft Summer next to Soft Autumn. If you sit near one of those edges, a photo color analysis makes the call.
Not sure which Summer you are?
Upload a selfie to our free seasonal color analysis. It reads your undertone, depth and contrast and tells you which of the 12 seasons you are, with a basic palette. It runs in your browser, so your photo never leaves your device.
Summer color palettes for each type
Core colors per type, each with its hex code. Build from a soft grey or blue, then add a rose or lilac.
Light Summer color palette
Pale, cool pastels. White smoke and light steel blue replace bright white and beige.
- White smoke
#F5F5F5 - Light steel blue
#B0C4DE - Powder blue
#B0E0E6 - Baby blue
#89CFF0 - Periwinkle
#CCCCFF - Lavender
#E6E6FA - Light pink
#FFB6C1 - Celadon
#ACE1AF
Try: White smoke with periwinkle, or powder blue with light pink. Keep it all light.
Cool Summer color palette
Medium, clearly cool colors. Light slate gray and dark slate blue are your neutrals instead of black.
- Light slate gray
#778899 - Dark slate blue
#483D8B - Steel blue
#4682B4 - Cornflower blue
#6495ED - Medium aquamarine
#66CDAA - Pale violet red
#DB7093 - Medium purple
#9370DB - Orchid
#DA70D6
Try: Light slate gray with pale violet red, or steel blue with medium aquamarine.
Soft Summer color palette
A first look at four Soft Summer colors. The full palette, with outfits, makeup and hair, is on the soft summer color palette page.
- Cadet grey
#91A3B0 - Slate gray
#708090 - Shadow blue
#778BA5 - Air Force blue
#5D8AA8
Try: Slate gray with pink lavender, or shadow blue with Cambridge blue.
Summer is one of four families and 12 seasons. To compare it with all the others, see the seasonal color palette guide.
Colors that suit Summers, and colors to avoid
These rules hold for all three Summer types, with small differences noted.
What works
- Neutrals: soft white, cool grey, grey-blue, navy and rose-brown instead of black. Light Summers stay with the lightest.
- Metals: silver, white gold, platinum and pewter, ideally brushed rather than mirror-shiny. Rose gold also works.
- Makeup: rose, raspberry, mauve or soft berry lips; cool pink blush; taupe, grey, lilac or navy eye shadow.
- Hair: ash blonde, beige blonde and ash brown, with cool highlights; avoid golden, copper and jet black.
What to avoid
- Black
#000000Too heavy and stark for soft coloring. Use navy or dark slate blue. - Orange
#FFA500Warm and loud. Use pale violet red or a rose pink. - Mustard
#FFDB58Golden yellow turns cool skin sallow. Use powder blue or a soft lemon. - Coffee brown
#6F4E37Warm brown muddies your coloring. Use cool grey or rose-brown. - Olive
#808000Yellow-green and earthy. Use medium aquamarine or celadon. - Neon green
#00FF00Neon brightness overwhelms Summer softness. Use celadon.
Summer color palette FAQ
What colors are in the summer color palette?
Cool, gentle colors of light to medium depth: powder and steel blues, periwinkle, lavender, rose and raspberry pinks, sea greens like celadon and aquamarine, with soft white, cool grey and navy as neutrals.
How do I know if I'm a Summer?
Summers usually have a cool or neutral-cool undertone, ash-toned hair and soft, low to medium contrast. Pastels and dusty colors flatter you, while black, orange and gold look too strong. A photo analysis can tell you which Summer you are.
What is the difference between Light Summer and Cool Summer?
Light Summer is led by lightness: pale, airy pastels and low contrast. Cool Summer is led by coolness: medium-depth, clearly blue-based colors like steel blue and raspberry.
What is the difference between Summer and Winter?
Both are cool. Winter is clear and high in contrast, with black, white and jewel tones. Summer is softer and lower in contrast, with pastels, greyed blues and dusty roses.
Can Summers wear black?
Black is usually too heavy near a Summer face. Navy, dark slate blue and slate gray give the same polish more softly. Keep black for shoes, belts or trousers.
Is silver or gold better for Summers?
Silver, white gold, platinum and pewter suit Summers best. Rose gold is a good warm-leaning option. Bright yellow gold tends to look brassy.
Can I find out which Summer I am for free?
Yes. Upload a selfie to our free seasonal color analysis. It needs no email or sign-up and shows your season, including whether you are a Light, Cool or Soft Summer, with a basic palette.
Are these hex codes exact?
Each hex is the standard value of the named color. Screens show colors differently, so use them as a guide and compare fabric in daylight.