Soft Summer vs Soft Autumn: How to Tell the Difference
Stuck between two muted seasons? Here is how to work out whether you're a Soft Summer or Soft Autumn.
If you've heard you have muted colouring, you've probably found yourself stuck between Soft Summer and Soft Autumn. They share the same main trait, which is a softness that makes very bright or high-contrast colours look a bit much, but they aren't the same. The difference between a Soft Summer and a Soft Autumn comes down to your undertone, which is best assessed by how colours behave next to your face.
Why the confusion between a Soft Summer or Soft Autumn happens
It's common to feel like a bit of a hybrid. Both seasons are defined by low contrast and gentle, muted colours. If you hold a bright neon next to your face, it'll likely steal the show from your features, which is a classic sign you belong in the 'Soft' category. Because both seasons rely on mid-range tones, your eyes might play tricks on you when you're comparing drapes. The real trick is to stop looking at how bright or soft the colours are and focus entirely on the warmth. Soft Summer is cool-muted, meaning it's a cool undertone that's been softened by grey. Soft Autumn is warm-muted, so it's a golden palette that's also been tempered by grey. If you're struggling, check out our guide on how to tell if you have warm or cool undertones to get a clearer baseline.
The primary difference: temperature
Soft Summers have a cool-neutral undertone. When you try on cool, dusty colours like rose-taupe, slate blue, or cocoa, your skin should look balanced and more rested. If you're wearing something too yellow or golden, you might notice your skin looking sallow or even a bit grey around the jawline. The most reliable way to check is to hold colours close to your face in good natural light and watch what happens to your skin rather than to the colour itself. You can see more on these variations in our Soft Summer guide. Soft Autumns are warm-neutral. Your skin has a golden, peachy, or olive-gold quality that comes alive when you put on colours like sage green, terracotta, or warm cream. If you wear a colour that's too cool and icy, you'll likely see the colour sitting on top of your skin rather than working with it, which can make you look a bit tired. You can compare the differences in our Soft Autumn directory.
How your jewellery choices can give you a clue
Metal is one of the easier ways to spot the difference because it doesn't leave much room for guesswork. Hold a piece of silver and a piece of yellow gold close to your face, ideally near your jawline in natural light, and watch what your skin does. If you're a Soft Summer, silver or soft rose gold tends to look cleaner against your skin and your complexion looks clearer. Yellow gold can sometimes look a bit heavy or sit separately from your face. Soft Autumns almost always prefer yellow gold, bronze, or copper. These warm metals play into the golden base of your skin and make you look healthy. If you're still not sure, take a look at our gold or silver jewellery guide to see how metals interact with your specific season.
Do you need to clear out your wardrobe?
If you've bought items from the wrong side of the muted fence, don't panic. You don't need to throw out half your wardrobe. Often, a Soft Summer can borrow the more neutral, less orange-heavy colours from Soft Autumn, and the other way around. It's all about the temperature of the specific piece. If you own a jumper that's technically an 'Autumn' colour but you're a Summer, try pairing it with your best Summer neutrals (like charcoal or cool navy) to balance the warmth. It's a great way to borrow from seasons without having to start from scratch. If you're feeling overwhelmed, try browsing our personalised shop to see exactly which colours are curated for your specific season.
Bringing your style identity into the mix
Your colour season is only one part of the puzzle. Once you know if you're a Soft Summer or Soft Autumn, look at how your personal style works with those colours. A Minimalist might want to build a capsule wardrobe around one or two neutrals from their palette, while someone with a Bohemian style might prefer to mix and match all the muted, earthy tones they can find. Your body type also plays a role in how these colours land. A Soft Natural might look good in the relaxed, textured fabrics that often come in muted tones, while a Classic might prefer to keep the silhouettes tailored and clean. It's about finding the intersection between your season, your style, and your shape.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be both a Soft Summer and a Soft Autumn?
Technically, no. You have one natural season that is either cool-leaning or warm-leaning. However, it's very common to sit on the border of the two, meaning you might be able to wear a wide range of colours from both palettes.
What if I hate all the colours in my season?
That usually means you haven't found the right shades within that season yet, or perhaps you're forcing yourself into a style that doesn't feel like you. Check your season page for a broader list of colours.
Does my hair colour change which season I am?
While your natural pigment is the baseline, going significantly lighter or darker can change how certain colours sit against your skin. We have a guide on changing your colour season if you've recently dyed your hair.
If you've heard you have muted colouring, you've probably found yourself stuck between Soft Summer and Soft Autumn. They share the same main trait, which is a softness that makes very bright or high-contrast colours look a bit much, but they aren't the same. The difference between a Soft Summer and a Soft Autumn comes down to your undertone, which is best assessed by how colours behave next to your face.
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