True Summer color palette

True Summer, or Cool Summer, is the coolest summer: blue-based colors of medium depth, softened slightly so they never look harsh.

Best colors

Raspberry and ocean blue carry the most depth here; spruce is the green to choose instead of olive.

CoreAa 4.69:1

Raspberry #C2477A RGB 194, 71, 122
CoreAa 5.16:1

Soft fuchsia #C86FA8 RGB 200, 111, 168
CoreAa 5.56:1

Periwinkle blue #7E8FD6 RGB 126, 143, 214
CoreAa 4.60:1

Ocean blue #3F78B5 RGB 63, 120, 181
CoreAa 6.95:1

Cool pink #E28AAE RGB 226, 138, 174
CoreAa 6.45:1

Lavender #A895CF RGB 168, 149, 207
CoreAa 4.23:1

Spruce #4F8578 RGB 79, 133, 120
CoreAa 6.80:1

Plum #7A4A7A RGB 122, 74, 122

Neutrals

NeutralAa 15.33:1

Soft white #F1F2F0 RGB 241, 242, 240
NeutralAa 5.01:1

Blue gray #7D8C9E RGB 125, 140, 158
NeutralAa 4.55:1

Rose brown #8E6E6E RGB 142, 110, 110
NeutralAa 6.25:1

Cool taupe #A39A98 RGB 163, 154, 152
NeutralAa 10.83:1

Slate navy #2E3D5C RGB 46, 61, 92

Accents

AccentAa 4.51:1

Watermelon #D9566F RGB 217, 86, 111
AccentAa 6.67:1

Sapphire #3559A8 RGB 53, 89, 168
AccentAa 4.49:1

Cool teal #3A8E95 RGB 58, 142, 149
AccentAa 6.41:1

Berry #9E3A6B RGB 158, 58, 107
AccentAa 5.14:1

Orchid #B477B8 RGB 180, 119, 184

Colors to avoid

Each of these is warm: orange and rust most obviously, camel and golden yellow more quietly.

AvoidAa 6.38:1

Orange #F57C20 RGB 245, 124, 32
AvoidAa 9.25:1

Golden yellow #F2B33D RGB 242, 179, 61
AvoidAa 6.64:1

Camel #C19A6B RGB 193, 154, 107
AvoidAa 5.82:1

Rust #A9471C RGB 169, 71, 28

Cool and gentle

True Summer, also known as Cool Summer, is defined by a cool undertone first and softness second. Ash hair, blue or gray eyes and pink-toned skin are common, though the season appears across many skin tones. Its colors are blue-based and medium in depth, never neon and never earthy.

The palette in practice

Use	Colors
Neutrals	Soft white, blue gray, slate navy, cool taupe
Everyday	Raspberry, periwinkle blue, ocean blue, lavender
Statement	Sapphire, berry, watermelon

Spruce, a cool blue-green, is the green to reach for instead of olive or lime.

Shades to avoid

Orange, golden yellow, camel and rust are all warm and tend to make cool skin look sallow. If you like warm neutrals, cool taupe and rose brown are close alternatives that still suit.

Next-door seasons

True Summer shares borders with Light Summer, Soft Summer and True Winter. Winter's colors are sharper and more saturated; if royal blue and pure white look striking on you rather than harsh, compare the two.

Accessories and makeup

Silver, pewter and rose gold usually work. Berry and cool rose lipsticks match the palette. For hair color, ashy or cool tones are usually more flattering than golden highlights.