Seasonal Analysis: Find Your Colors!

If you've never heard of seasonal analysis, you may ask yourself, "What season am I?" or "What colors complement me best?" A seasonal analysis can help determine what colors go well with your style. If you find colors that fit your skin tone, hair and eye color, you may feel more comfortable and confident picking your outfits.

What Is a Seasonal Color Analysis?

A seasonal color analysis finds your best color palette according to skin tone, eye color and hair color. The categories are divided according to the seasons — winter, spring, summer and fall. A seasonal analysis will consider your undertone, hue and the colors you look best in, as well as the value of your skin, hair and eyes.

What Are the Core Factors Involved?

A seasonal analysis is named after the seasons due to their established color associations. For example, many associate fall with red and orange and winter with white and blue. To understand seasonal analysis, you should explore seasonal sections and hue subsections.

Seasonal Sections

Using seasonal analysis, you can compare the four seasons with your skin tone, hair and eye color to help determine what clothing looks best on you. See which season fits you here: 

• Winter: Winters have dark hair and bright eyes, and their skin has a cool undertone. There is a high contrast between their skin, hair and eyes.
• Spring: Springs have light hair and eyes, and their skin has a warm undertone. Their features are soft.
• Summer: Summers have light hair and eyes, and their skin has a cool undertone. They have contrasting features but not to the extent of winters. 
• Autumn: Autumns have dark hair and eyes, and their skin has a warm undertone. They might have some contrast, but their features blend more softly than other seasonal types. 

Hue Subsections

Hues are divided into subsections: light and dark, warm and cool, and soft and bright. Color values are called "light" and "dark." Undertones or hues are called "warm" and "cool." Chroma values are called "soft" and "bright."

What Does It Mean to Be a "True" Season?

A true season represents the original four seasons — spring, summer, autumn and winter. Those in these sections match the exact tones and palettes in each original seasonal type:

• True winter: Cool and bright tones.
• True spring: Warm and bright tones.
• True summer: Cool and soft tones.
• True autumn: Warm and soft tones.

Seasonal Color Guide

A seasonal color guide will help you find common physical characteristics of each seasonal type and the best colors for different skin tones and eyes. If you want to see what pieces will best complement your palette, explore the best colors by season. Here are the 12 types of seasonal colors:

Cool Winter

Cool winters often have ashy blond, brown or black hair with blue undertones. Their skin has blue or olive undertones, and their eyes are blue, light brown or gray. Cool winters should focus on their blue and cool undertones. Medium-tone colors fit their palette best. Those with this seasonal type can also pull off darker shades, such as deep reds, blues and greens.

Bright Winter

Bright winters have medium to dark brown hair or true black hair. Their skin has blue or olive undertones, and they often have bright blue or green eyes. There is a high contrast between their skin tone, eye color and hair color. They can pull off clear and bright colors, such as true reds and blues.

Dark Winter

Dark winters have dark brown or black hair and skin with blue or olive undertones. Their eyes are often dark brown or almost black. While dark winters have various skin tones, their eyes and hair are always very dark. The deepest winter shades look best on them, including maroon, black and royal blue.

Light Summer

Light summers have light hair in ashy or strawberry blond tones. Their skin has neutral undertones with pink tinges, and they may also have blue, golden brown or green eyes. Light summers look best in soft and light colors.

Soft Summer

Soft summers have medium or dark brown hair with medium beige to deep brown skin tones. Their skin has neutral undertones, and their eyes are gray, hazel or blue. Soft summers are defined by their low-contrast features and true chameleon nature. They look best in soft tones that are not washed out.

Cool Summer

Cool summers have medium or dark brown hair. Their skin has cool undertones. Their eyes are usually blue or gray, and they look best in medium-toned colors.

Light Spring

Light springs have golden or strawberry blond hair or golden brown hair. They usually have fair skin with pink or peach undertones and blue, hazel, green or light brown eyes. Light springs look best in muted colors but not dark colors, such as pastels.

Bright Spring

Bright springs have light or dark brown hair and skin with pink undertones. They usually have green, light brown or blue eyes and look best in clear, bright colors, like true reds and blues.

Warm Spring

Warm springs have strawberry blond, light and dark brown, or copper auburn hair. Their skin tone is beige, bronzed or freckled, and their eyes are usually hazel, brown, blue or green. Warm springs look best in muted colors that are not dark or pastel.

Warm Autumn

Warm autumns have medium to dark brown hair or red hair. They may have an ivory, brown or olive skin tone with warm undertones, and their eyes are usually light brown, hazel or green. Warm autumns look best in muted colors like maroon or green.

Dark Autumn

Dark autumns usually have medium or dark brown hair and brown, olive or ivory skin with a warm undertone. Their eyes range from dark brown to dark blue or green, and the season's deepest shades fit them best. 

Soft Autumn

Soft autumns have blond, red or brown hair and skin with ivory, brown or olive tones. Their eyes are usually green, light brown or hazel, and the colors that fit them best are soft colors that do not wash them out. 

Fun Ways to Sport Your Colors

Now that you've discovered your seasonal color type, you can explore creative ways to sport your personal colors. You can complement your wardrobe with fun accessories and makeup. Here are eight exciting ways to wear your colors:

1. Scarves

Scarves are a great way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe and make your outfit stand out. You can find scarves in single colors that fit your seasonal palette or a mixture of patterns and designs to fit your color needs. 

2. Hair Accessories

Hair accessories may include colorful bobby pins, clips, colored ponytails, scrunchies or claw clips. When you want seasonal colors in your hair, try adding hair accessories to your outfit.

3. Sunglasses

Many overlook the power of sunglasses when it comes to seasonal clothing colors. However, finding color-tinted sunglasses in your palette can complement your wardrobe, especially during summer. 

4. Makeup

While makeup may not be a clothing item, you can utilize makeup products to enhance your natural color palette and emphasize the seasonal colors in your outfit. Experiment with makeup colors that complement your skin tone or eye color. Items like lipstick and eye shadow can add a finishing touch to a perfect outfit. 

5. Hats

Hats can add another pop of color to your daily outfit. Hats come in all shapes and sizes, meaning you can find something that fits your color palette and personal style.

6. Nails

Looking for a unique way to include your seasonal colors in your wardrobe? Try painting your nails to match your seasonal palette. 

7. Jewelry

Jewelry is one of the best ways to include your color palette in your wardrobe. Depending on your seasonal type, you may look better in gold or silver jewelry.

8. Shoes

Because shoes come in all shapes, styles and colors, it is easy to find sneakers or heels that fit your aesthetic and color type.