True Summer vs Soft Summer: What's the Difference?
Understanding the nuances between these two cool-toned seasons
True Summer and Soft Summer are both cool-toned seasons, but they aren't the same. The difference is how much grey is in your colours. While a True Summer needs clear, cool tones to look their best, a Soft Summer works better with muted, dusty shades that match the softness in your skin, eyes and hair.
The main difference between True Summer and Soft Summer
The quickest way to tell them apart is to look at the intensity of the colours. True Summer is the 'coolest' of the summer seasons. If you're a True Summer, your natural colouring is clearly cool and sits in the middle, it's not overly bright, but it's not washed out either. Your palette is full of dusty rose, raspberry, cool blues and crisp silver.
Soft Summer is the bridge between summer and autumn. Because you're a Soft Summer, your colouring has a bit of that muted autumn quality. You can handle a tiny bit of warmth, but the main thing is that your colours need to be soft. If you put a vibrant, icy True Summer blue next to a Soft Summer, that blue might look like it's wearing you, rather than the other way around.
Cool Summer vs Soft Summer: how do they compare?
It's easy to mix up Cool Summer and Soft Summer because they both have a cool undertone. If you're a Cool Summer, your palette focuses on keeping that crisp, cool-blue edge. You don't have much room for muddiness or earthiness.
Soft Summer sits in a different spot. You're still cool, but you're not as 'cool-dominant.' You have more room for colours that aren't strictly icy or bright. Where a Cool Summer looks best in a clear, icy lavender, a Soft Summer will look more at home in a muted, greyed-down mauve. It's about finding that balance where the colour doesn't fight with the natural softness of your features.
Why black is usually tricky for both
Pure jet black tends to be a trickier colour for most summer types. It creates a stark contrast that can make your skin look a little grey or drained next to your face. This is especially true for Soft Summers, who need that bit of muted harmony to look their best. That doesn't mean it's off the table entirely, but it is worth knowing why it can feel a bit much.
Instead of hunting for the perfect black, try looking at greys. Soft Summers often look great in charcoal, stone or deep, cool slate. These give you that sense of depth without the intensity of black. If you're not sure which way to go, our guide on what to wear instead of black goes into more detail on how to find your best dark neutrals.
How to tell which one you are
The best way to see the difference is to hold colours up to your face in natural light. Look for a range of soft, muted blue-greys and some brighter, cooler berry tones. A Soft Summer will usually feel more comfortable in the muted, dusty side of the selection, while a True Summer will find that the slightly brighter, cleaner cool tones make them look more 'awake'.
If you're still feeling stuck, you can try our Very YOU quiz to get a result based on your features. Knowing whether you sit in the True or Soft category can change how you approach everything from your jewellery to your favourite sunglasses, and it saves a lot of time in the long run.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Soft Summer wear any True Summer colours?
Yes. Colour seasons are guides, not rulebooks. You can explore shades from neighbouring palettes if they harmonise with your individual colouring. If you love a colour from the True Summer palette, consider choosing a version that is slightly more muted.
Does my hair colour determine if I'm True or Soft?
Your hair is just one part of the picture. We assess your undertone, depth, intensity and contrast together, rather than relying on hair colour alone. Your overall harmony comes from how your skin, eyes and hair work as a whole.
True Summer and Soft Summer are both cool-toned seasons, but they aren't the same. The difference is how much grey is in your colours. While a True Summer needs clear, cool tones to look their best, a Soft Summer works better with muted, dusty shades that match the softness in your skin, eyes and hair.
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