Soft Summer
Soft Summers typically don't have a ton of contrast, so benefit from lower chroma palettes. They are the darkest of the Summer Seasons, however, benefiting from some Autumn earthy warmth and richness, giving Soft Summers a slightly mysterious, sophisticated quality. Not as dark as Dark Winter, Soft Summers shine in greys, blue, purple and greens.
Soft Summer People
Soft Summer need the softening effect of a lot of grey in their hues. This gives the opposite effect of 'brightness' resulting from pure pigment. Soft Summer is medium value, though the darkest of the Summer Seasons. Predominantly cool, all the hues in this palette will have a misty quality.
The Vibe
Soft Summer white is more pebble or marshmellow than snow white, it's version of black is charcoal. Soft Summer has a wide variety of blues and their neutrals include cooler taupes and grey-browns. Dusty rose pinks are the staple lipstick shade of this palette, and Soft Summers can carry some richness due to their Autumn influence. If you're not sure of your Season, visit Color Curator in North Carolina.
The Drapes
I drape clients in a red, blue, green and yellow from each Season, and the True Seasons also have a neutral. I also have luxury drapes to show the beauty of the Season and some metallics too. Learn more about the draping process.
The Palette
These beautiful color palettes, carefully curated by NDU colors, aren't comprehensive - there are thousands of colors that the human eye can see, but they are meant to show the range of dark to light and chroma that the Season can wear. We shouldn't be color 'matching' to squares when shopping, but trying to get the right overall color vibe and properties.
Celebrities
Suspected Soft Summer celebrities include Dakota Johnson, Bella Hadid, Maisie Williams, Ruth Wilson, Kate Middleton, Elizabeth Hurley, Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Holmes amongst others.
Jewelry & Accessories
Soft Summers will want to avoid anything too dark and heavy, too warm (like orange gold) and too high shine or stark. Soft Summers harmonize well with softer, blurred or rounded shapes which are delicate and soft in appearance. As you are predominantly cool, silver will look great on you, particularly matte or brushed looking silver (as opposed to very light or high shine silver). Transparent or smokey stones like opals, pink topaz, quartz, aquamarine, moonstones or cooler amethyst will look immediately natural on you.
Makeup
Soft Summer is cool-leaning, gentle, muted and medium value. Bright lipsticks or strong eye makeup will easily overwhelm. Matte colors and neutral, natural looks are your friend. I like The Concept Wardrobe recommendations for makeup for each Season.
Deep Dive
I am a huge fan of Christina Scaman of 12 blueprints, who has a great deep dive video into Soft Summer basics.