All seasons

Summer Season

Soft Summer

Muted, neutral-cool, and quietly sophisticated

Skin

Medium, neutral-cool, muted

Hair

Ash brown, mousy brown, dark blonde

Eyes

Green, grey, grey-hazel, and muted blue

Features

Soft, subdued features with quiet sophistication

About this season

Soft Summer bridges Summer and Autumn - your colouring is soft and muted with a slightly neutral lean. You're not distinctly warm or cool, but your palette skews towards dusty, blended shades. Of all twelve seasons, Soft Summer has perhaps the most quietly sophisticated palette - every colour has a powdery, complex quality that is deeply flattering against your softly blended features.

Soft Summer is the most muted of all seasons. The palette is defined by dustiness, blending, and quiet complexity. Think sage, dusty rose, soft slate, muted mauve, warm taupe. Nothing shouts. Everything whispers. The power of this palette is in its subtlety - it creates an impression of effortless, understated elegance.

Depth

lightmediumdeep

Clarity

mutedmoderateclearvery clear

Undertone

coolneutral-coolneutralneutral-warmwarm

Contrast

lowmediumhigh

Adjust to your own colouring

Style inspiration

Famous Soft Summers

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

Angelina Jolie - Soft Summer season example

Angelina Jolie

Cool, muted and softly complex colouring with neutral-cool undertones

Photo: Eva Rinaldi (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sarah Jessica Parker - Soft Summer season example

Sarah Jessica Parker

Neutral-cool, softly muted and complex colouring

Photo: David Shankbone (CC BY 3.0)

Julia Roberts - Soft Summer season example

Julia Roberts

Muted, soft warm-neutral tones with naturally low contrast

Photo: David Shankbone (CC BY 3.0)

Jennifer Aniston - Soft Summer season example

Jennifer Aniston

Cool-neutral tones, soft ash hair, blended features

Photo: Angela George (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Melissa McCarthy - Soft Summer season example

Melissa McCarthy

Soft, muted neutral-cool tones with gently blended features

Photo: Mingle MediaTV (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Your palette

What suits you

Warm Taupe

Sage Green

Dusty Rose

Soft Slate

Muted Mauve

Dusty Teal

Greige

Soft White

Mushroom

Blue-Grey

Dusty Mauve-Pink

Muted Moss

Soft Burgundy

Muted Indigo

Dusty Khaki

Soft Lavender-Grey

Muted Teal-Grey

Warm Greige

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
Black Soft Belted Jacket in blue for deep-winter

Black Soft Belted Jacket

Needs No Label

-£20.79

Our Black Belted Jacket is made in a soft, medium weight crepe with a collar and tie belt, so you can wear it as a jacket or belted as 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 belted with jeans and boots, or over a dress.Model is 5'8" and wears a size S

Shop at Needs No Label
Black Floral Ruche Side Midi Skirt in multicolour for deep-winter

Our Black Floral Ruche Side Midi Skirt is a fitted midi skirt with bold red flowers and green leaves on a black base. Ruching down the front and an adjustable tie let you choose how high the split sits, for an easy way to dress it up or down. Key Features Black floral print with red flowers Fitted midi shape Ruched front with adjustable tie Split detail Zip fastening 100% polyester Styling Tips Pair with a black bodysuit and heels for evenings, or a simple tee and trainers for daytime. Length: 90cm (39cm at the highest point of the split)

Shop at Needs No Label
Green Ikat Ruffle Cutout Midi Dress in multicolour for soft-summer

Printed cutout midi dress with small flattering waist cut out detail. Deep V-neck with pretty ruffle neck to waist detail. Fitted on bodice to waist with a soft floaty skirt Model is 5'8 and wears a size 10

Shop at Needs No Label

Avoid

What to step away from

Pure black, vivid brights, and very warm or golden tones overwhelm your soft palette. Stark white is too harsh. Avoid high-contrast looks and avoid separating your look with contrast - keep everything blended.

Vivid Red-Orange

Bright Yellow

Vivid Turquoise

Black

Vivid Orange

Vivid Green

How to wear it

Building your wardrobe

Dusty, muted tones with a slightly cool lean - sage green, dusty rose, muted mauve, soft grey-blue, and warm taupe. Your best white is a warm greige or soft off-white - never stark bright white. Monochromatic dressing and tonal looks in your palette are incredibly chic on you. Soft textures like cashmere, linen, and jersey suit your palette perfectly.

Prints and patterns

Patterns that work for you

Subtle, tone-on-tone patterns in your palette - soft watercolour florals, blended abstract prints, and muted geometrics. Avoid bold, graphic, or high-contrast prints which jar against your softness. Dusty botanical and delicate abstract patterns in sage, mauve, and taupe are ideal.

Pattern inspiration

Accessories and jewellery

Accessories inspiration

Finishing touches

Rose gold jewellery suits you beautifully - the warm-cool balance mirrors your own neutral undertone. Warm greige, taupe, and dusty rose leather accessories all complement your palette. Avoid stark silver or bright gold - both feel slightly disconnected from your soft neutrality.

Hair

Hair

Ash brown, mousy brown, and softly highlighted dark blonde are your most natural-feeling shades. Highlights should be subtle and tonal rather than bold or high-contrast. Avoid vivid warm reds or platinum blonde - both are too extreme for your quiet colouring.

Hair inspiration

Makeup

Makeup inspiration

Makeup

Muted, dusty pink and mauve lip shades are your most flattering. Avoid vivid brights and warm coral tones which can look harsh. For blush, use a soft muted rose or taupe-pink. Eye makeup looks best in dusty rose, soft grey, and muted mauve - avoid anything too stark or vivid.

Ready to shop your palette?

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