All seasons

Summer Season

Light Summer

Soft, cool, and ethereally pale

Skin

Pale, cool, fine-textured

Hair

Ash blonde, cool light brown, grey or silver

Eyes

Pale blue, grey-blue, soft grey-green

Features

Delicate, ethereal features with soft luminosity

About this season

Light Summer is the most delicate and ethereal of the Summer seasons. Your colouring is cool and soft - pale skin, ash-blonde or light cool-brown hair, and soft muted eyes. You shimmer in cool pastels and powdery neutrals that echo a misty morning sky. This season sits at the crossroads of Summer's coolness and Spring's lightness, giving you a palette that is dreamlike and softly luminous.

Light Summer is built on the idea of gentle, cool softness. Think watercolour rather than oil paint. Every colour in your palette is cool-toned and light - no warmth, no intensity, no darkness. Powder blue, soft lavender, pale rose, and cool mint. Even your neutrals are cool: soft white, dove grey, and pale blush.

Depth

lightmediumdeep

Clarity

mutedmoderateclearvery clear

Undertone

coolneutral-coolneutralneutral-warmwarm

Contrast

lowmediumhigh

Adjust to your own colouring

Style inspiration

Famous Light Summers

These well-known faces are widely cited as examples of the Light Summer season - a useful visual reference when you're wondering if this palette resonates with yours.

Billie Eilish - Light Summer season example

Billie Eilish

Cool pale skin and softly muted light features

Photo: MTV Push 2019 (CC BY 3.0)

Cate Blanchett - Light Summer season example

Cate Blanchett

Pale, cool colouring with ash-toned features

Photo: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Gwyneth Paltrow - Light Summer season example

Gwyneth Paltrow

Cool blonde, fair skin, softly blended features

Photo: Andrew Halpern (CC BY 2.0)

Nicole Kidman - Light Summer season example

Nicole Kidman

Pale cool skin, soft features, delicate colouring

Photo: Galeria de burningkarma (CC BY 2.0)

Your palette

What suits you

Powder Blue

Soft Lavender

Pale Rose

Cool Mint

Dove Grey

Blush Pink

Soft Seafoam

Cool White

Ice Blue

Soft Violet

Pale Cool Green

Petal Pink

Soft Periwinkle

Cool Blush-Grey

Cool Aqua-Blue

Cool Silver-Grey

Icy Mint

Soft Dusty Rose

Key pieces

Blue Animal Smock Waisted Midi Dress in multicolour for soft-summer

Our Blue Animal Smock Waisted Midi Dress is an easy, feminine midi in a soft blue animal print. Floaty angel sleeves and a smocked waist give it a relaxed, flattering shape, while baby ruffles and a peplum hem add a pretty finishing touch. Key Features Blue animal print Angel sleeves Smocked waist with baby ruffle detail Round neckline Floaty calf-length skirt with peplum hem 100% polyester Styling Tips Wear with trainers or sandals for daytime, or dress it up with block heels and a clutch for weddings and lunches. Model is 5'6 and wears a size 8

Shop at Needs No Label
Cream Soft Belted Jacket in neutral for light-summer

Cream Soft Belted Jacket

Needs No Label

-£12.99

Our Cream Belted Jacket is made in a soft, medium weight crepe with a collar and tie belt, so you can wear it as a light coat, a jacket or a top.Key Features: Soft medium weight crepe Collar detail Tie belt to cinch the waist Wear as a jacket or top Styling Tips:Wear over a dress as a light coat, or belted as a top with jeans.Model is 5'9" and wears a size S

Shop at Needs No Label
Black and Ivory Printed Co-ord Wide Trousers in neutral for light-summer

Our Black and Ivory Printed Co-ord Wide Trousers are full-length, wide-leg trousers in a relaxed fit, with a bold black and ivory print that works day to night. A covered elasticated waist keeps them comfortable, and side pockets make them easy to wear every day. Key Features Black and ivory print Full-length wide leg Relaxed fit Covered elasticated waist Side pockets 100% polyester Styling Tips Pair with a fitted black top and heels for evenings, or a simple tee and trainers for an easy weekend look. Model is 5'7 and wears a size 8

Shop at Needs No Label
boohoo Women's Collar Detail Faux Leather Maxi Length Trench Coat in Burgundy in grey for soft-summer
70% off

The high collar fastens with a single snap button, folding back into a wide lapel that frames the neckline - the most distinctive detail on the coat and the one that gives it its structured character. Maxi length cut falls well below the knee, creating a long, clean line from shoulder to hem that works equally well belted or left to hang open. Faux leather PU fabrication holds its shape through the shoulders and sleeves, giving the coat a structured drape rather than a soft slouch - it sits with intent. Oversized through the body with wide, slightly dropped sleeves - the relaxed proportions make it easy to layer over chunky knits or hoodies without pulling across the back. A front split at the hem allows for natural movement, so the coat doesn't restrict your stride despite the length. That collar is doing the heavy lifting here. Snap it shut and the coat reads sharp and intentional; fold it back and it softens into something more relaxed. Either way, the maxi length is the statement - it turns a straightforward outfit into something considered without any extra effort. The model wears it open over wide-leg trousers and a fitted vest top, finishing the look with knee-high printed boots, which shows exactly how well the coat handles a tonal outfit with one bolder accent piece. For a more casual take, pair it over a graphic tee, straight-leg jeans and chunky trainers - the structure of the coat does the work so the rest of the outfit doesn't have to. It's the kind of piece that works for a day out in town, a weekend trip, or an evening where the weather means you need outerwear but don't want to compromise on the look. Wear it open for a laid-back feel, or cinch it at the waist with a belt for a more defined silhouette. | boohoo Women's Collar Detail Faux Leather Maxi Length Trench Coat in Burgundy | Size: 12 | Faux Leather/Polyurethane

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boohoo Women's Leopard Print Lightweight Tassel Scarf in Grey | Denim/Suede in grey for soft-autumn
70% off

Bold leopard print runs across the full length of the scarf, with softly blurred spot edges that give the pattern a brushed, painterly quality rather than a sharp graphic repeat. Lightweight enough to layer without bulk - it wraps loosely around the neck or drapes over one shoulder without adding weight to your outfit. Twisted tassel trim finishes both ends, adding movement and a considered detail that sets it apart from a plain-edged wrap. Generously sized, giving you the option to loop it twice for extra warmth or let it hang long as more of a statement piece. The soft, slightly fluffy handle makes it comfortable against the skin, sitting close to the neck without any scratching or stiffness. The scarf's lightweight construction means it sits flat when looped, rather than bunching up and hiding what you're wearing underneath. That makes it just as useful over a fitted jacket as it does over a chunky coat. The leopard print does the talking here - it works as the single print in an otherwise simple outfit, or holds its own against textures like suede, denim, or cord without clashing. The model wears it loosely looped over a suede oversized coat, which is the easiest way to wear it: one loop, tails left to hang naturally. It's the kind of scarf that works for a weekend market trip, a casual lunch out, or a cold commute where you still want your outfit to feel intentional. Pair with straight-leg jeans, ankle boots, and a simple knit to let the print take centre stage. | boohoo Women's Leopard Print Lightweight Tassel Scarf in Grey | Denim/Suede

Shop at boohoo
Cream Sequin Midaxi Skirt in neutral for light-summer

Cream Sequin Midaxi Skirt

Needs No Label

-£39.99

Our best-selling Cream Sequin Midaxi Skirt adds sparkle to any outfit. This cream sequin skirt is a slip shape with an elasticated waist for comfort, falling to mid-calf: a wardrobe staple for any occasion.Key Features: Shimmering cream sequins Elasticated waist Fully lined Midaxi length 100% polyester Styling Tips:Pair with our Cream Sequin Cami Top for a show-stopping co-ord, or a black knit for a dressed-down look.Wearing length: 103cm

Shop at Needs No Label

Avoid

What to step away from

Warm yellows, oranges, and earthy tones clash with your cool undertones. High-contrast looks and very dark colours are too harsh. Even warm-toned reds and oranges are too much - you need everything cool and soft.

Golden Yellow

Warm Orange

Warm Brown

Black

Warm Peach

Camel

How to wear it

Building your wardrobe

Cool, muted pastels are your best friend - powder blue, soft lavender, pale rose, and cool mint. Your palette is like a watercolour painting - soft, blended, and dreamy. Powder blue is your signature neutral. Tonal dressing in your palette is your most flattering approach - avoid high-contrast looks. Sheer and lightweight fabrics suit the ethereal quality of your palette beautifully.

Prints and patterns

Patterns that work for you

Delicate florals in cool pastels, soft watercolour-style prints, and fine ditsy patterns suit your ethereal quality. Soft cool-toned stripes and tonal prints in your palette all work beautifully. Avoid bold, high-contrast, or warm-toned patterns.

Pattern inspiration

Accessories and jewellery

Accessories inspiration

Finishing touches

Silver and rose gold always - gold will always look disconnected from your cool skin. Pale grey, blush, and cool-toned leather accessories. Delicate, fine jewellery suits your soft features better than bold statement pieces.

Hair

Hair

Ash blonde, cool light brown, and silver tones are your most harmonious. Highlights should be cool and pale - avoid warm golden or honey tones which will make your overall look feel slightly off. If going grey, embrace it - silver hair is stunning on you.

Hair inspiration

Makeup

Makeup inspiration

Makeup

Cool-toned blushes in soft pink and rose work best - avoid peach or apricot. Lip colours in soft rose, cool pink, and light berry are your most flattering. For eyes, soft lavender, dove grey, and pale blue shadows suit your colouring. Silver liner and mascara works particularly well.

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