Or is the idea that you stay “true” to your season year-round?
When deciding whether to stick strictly to your season year-round, it helps to remember the foundation of colour analysis. Your personal palette is based on your skin’s undertone, eye colour, and natural hair colour. Tanned skin or slightly darker winter hair usually changes only the intensity, not the season itself.
What are sister seasons?
In the standard seasonal system, each season sits next to two others on the colour wheel. These are called sister seasons. For a Soft Autumn, Soft Summer and True Autumn are the closest. Most people can borrow certain shades from there without breaking the overall impression. Some even wear pieces from more distant seasons, like when a True Summer succeeds with some True Winter tones.
Why does the season feel stronger in winter?
When your skin becomes paler and your hair darkens, contrast increases, which can make your autumn palette feel especially fitting. In summer, when you’re tanned and your hair lightens, tones from your sister season may feel softer. This doesn’t mean you’re changing seasons – rather, you’re adjusting the intensity and drawing inspiration from neighbouring colours.
Tips for varying your palette
- Test your sister season’s shades when you want to refresh your look without losing harmony.
- Let clearer or stronger colours be accents during summer if your skin gets deeper.
- Stick to the base of your own palette and let accessories shift between seasons.
The most important thing is that colours make you feel comfortable and radiant – regardless of season.
Read more in Soft Autumn or Light Spring. Want a personal analysis? Book our digital colour analysis.