Ever wondered what colors are best for you? In this color series, we will look at the best colors for your special features. In this this article we are looking at the summer color palette.
Spring as a season is all about nature coming back to life after the cold of winter. And the colors for the spring color palette are just as cheerful as the season itself. Think about bright, vibrant shades that will get you noticed for all the right reasons.
Which color season are you? Get the details on spring, summer, autumn and winter
You’re looking for vivid shades like bright reds, cobalt blues, lime greens and shocking pinks, rather than muted colors. While these could wash out other color types, they will look great on you. But don’t forget your neutrals. Warm, chic neutrals will also suit spring color types, so don’t feel as if every outfit needs to feature primary colors.
Just as with everything else style-related, there’s no one-size (or one color) suits all. Spring color types can vary, so it’s best to try out different versions of the same color against your face to see which one brings your complexion to life.
Why dress for your color type
Taking into account your color season when dressing was popular in previous decades and is back in vogue again. For older women, it’s a great way to help to “defeat” some of the signs of aging, making your skin look healthier and more vibrant.
Creating a wardrobe that features the best colors for you can also really help you to concentrate on what will look great on you when you’re adding to your closet, and ensure you can create plenty of different outfits because many clothes you have will go with each other.
How to tell if you should wear a spring color palette
So, now that you’re considering the advantages of delving deeper into the colors that work best for you, how do you tell if you are a spring color type.
1.Your skin will be light
That doesn’t mean that you have pale skin. But, it’s likely that, for your ethnicity, your skin is light.
2.Your hair has golden or red undertones
You will have light blonde to medium brown hair, or strawberry blonde. Whatever the shade, you will have golden or red undertones.
Susanne @textelle above (read her style interview here) wears red and cream, two colors that are great choices for the spring color type.
Check out this top (others options here and here) that you can wear with this similar pair of wide pants, sandals, handbag and earrings.
3.Clear eyes
Your eyes will be clear blue, turquoise, green, hazel or a pale brown shade. They will be a very definite shade rather than a more muted color like gray. They’re not dark or deep shades.
4.Medium contrast
You will have a medium contrast level between your skin, hair and eyes. If you aren’t sure about this, taking a black and white selfie of yourself without other filters can help you to determine your contrast levels.
5.You look best in gold jewelry
Because your overall look is one of warmth – your skin and hair feature warm tones, gold jewelry will harmonize with you.
Also carry the gold features through to the hardware on your accessories and clothes. Choose gold buttons, buckles and zips rather than silver.
Celebrities with a spring color palette
If you have a spring color palette, you’re in great company. Celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Vanessa Williams, Rosamund Pike, Milla Jovovich, Emma Stone, Kim Cattrall, Rebel Wilson, Rachel Weisz, Heather Graham, Kerry Washington and Jennifer Hudson.
Colors that look great on you
A Spring seasonal color palette features warm, bright colors like bright red, yellow, teal, peach, and orange. The colors in the spring palette below are the ones you should be wearing closest to your face to bring out the best in your skintone.
You’re looking for very obvious, vibrant shades, rather than muted, blended colors.
If you don’t already have a lot of these shades in your closet, you can slowly invest in them. In the meantime, you could add scarves and statement necklaces in your flattering colors. That way, you can still wear colors that don’t work so well for you, but wear a scarf or necklace on top.
Red looks great on the spring color type. Kimba @kimbalikes above chooses a vibrant shade, and adds warm neutrals.
Recreate her outfit with this similar dress (another option here), sandals, bag and necklace.
Neutrals to wear with your colors
The spring palette isn’t just about bright colors. You’ll need some neutrals to go with them.
First, what not to choose? Black and white aren’t good choices for you as they’re too harsh and too cool respectively, and will overpower your complexion.
Instead, think about warmth when you choose your neutrals. Rather than bright white, choose creams, warm beiges, and browns. Brighter navys, rather than really dark shades or those that look like they are mixed with gray, will also work for you.
Capsule wardrobe for the spring color palette
Now, let’s look at some specific clothes, shows and accessories that will be flattering for the spring color type. Read on and you’ll find a capsule wardrobe that puts them together to give you outfit inspiration.
Tops for the spring color palette
Your tops are the most important element of your outfit, along with anything else that sits close to your face, such as scarves and statement jewelry. Shirts in cream and beige shades will be hard-working neutrals that will go with everything in your closet. Choose your favorite bright shades too.
ANINE BING Tio Shirt – ANINE BING Mylah Shirt – Loveappella Off the Shoulder Top – Treasure & Bond Button-Up Linen Blend Camisole
ANINE BING Tio Shirt – BOSS Tikela Wide Leg Pants – Linea Paolo Matissa Pointed Toe Flat – TAKEASY Genuine Leather Italian Tote Bag – Karine Sultan Alice Statement Necklace – Kendra Scott Large Kendall Drop Earrings
jackets
Now for jackets and coats to go with your outfits. As these also sit close to your face, choosing the right colors has the ability to really liven up your skintone. Look for bright coats to add some vibrancy to even the dullest days. Rather than black or white blazers, choose warm shades.
Even if you’re wearing a top that isn’t in one of your best shades, adding a cardigan, blazer or coat that is in one of the spring colors is a great way to add a flattering look.
Halogen Darted One-Button Blazer – ANINE BING Quinn Blazer – Nordstrom Crewneck Cardigan – Misook Embroidered Duster
Nora @juststylela above (read her style interview here) shows off a vibrant top and scarf that feature bright blues and reds ideal for the spring color type. Note that she accessorizes with gold, which is perfect for the warm tones of a spring.
Steal her look with this similar poncho, jeans, sandals, clutch, scarf and sunglasses.
Jeans and pants
Your jeans and pants aren’t as vital to creating a flattering look as your tops and dresses, as they will obviously not be sitting against your face. But that’s not to say you can’t look for bottoms that are in your best colors to create a harmonious look.
Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Frayed High Waist Ankle Flare Jeans – Halogen Pleated Crop Wide Leg Trousers – BOSS Tikela Wide Leg Pants – DIARRABLU Leer Blossom Print Palazzo Pants
ANINE BING Quinn Blazer – Treasure & Bond Button-Up Linen Blend Camisole – Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Frayed High Waist Ankle Flare Jeans – Journee Signature Meggs Sandal – Tory Burch Mini Fleming Soft Crescent Shoulder Bag – Kurt Geiger London Fabric Link Chain Necklace
Dresses, skirts and jumpsuits
The dresses or jumpsuits you choose are important as they have the ability to make your skintone look much more vibrant – because their neckline will frame your face. Look for bright or warm shades.
If you’re choosing a neutral, such as the jumpsuit below, then add gold jewelry, or a statement necklace in one of the spring color palette choices.
Karen Millen Soft Tailored Waist Detail Midi Dress – Boden Halterneck Linen Midi Dress – AllSaints Gia Asymmetrical Ribbed Midi Dress – TAHARI ASL Side Knot Crop Wide Leg Jumpsuit
Tanasha @letsrecreatethelook above shows off a bright, vibrant look that is perfect to bring out the best for the spring color type complexion.
Get her look with this similar jacket, jumpsuit (another option here), bag and earrings.
Shoes
Your shoes, of course, are furthest away from your face, so you don’t have to worry too much about following the color guidelines with these. But opting for bright shades or the same warm neutrals as in the rest of your outfit can really pull your look together.
Linea Paolo Matissa Pointed Toe Flat – Journee Signature Meggs Sandal – Eileen Fisher Willow Espadrille Wedge Sandal – SOREL Kinetic™ Y-Strap High Sandal
Loveappella Off the Shoulder Top – DIARRABLU Leer Blossom Print Palazzo Pants – Eileen Fisher Willow Espadrille Wedge Sandal – FashionPuzzle Triple Zipper Pocket Crossbody Bag – SELFWIMG Raffia Hoop Earrings
Accessories
For your accessories, choose your spring colors to go close to your face, in a chunky necklace or scarf. Rather than black or gray bags, choose warm tan, vibrant navy or cream. Look for gold jewelry and gold hardware on your bags.
TAKEASY Genuine Leather Italian Tote Bag – Tory Burch Mini Fleming Soft Crescent Shoulder Bag – FashionPuzzle Triple Zipper Pocket Crossbody Bag – Bocar Multi Layer Seed Beads Collar Necklace – Karine Sultan Alice Statement Necklace – Kurt Geiger London Fabric Link Chain Necklace – Kendra Scott Large Kendall Drop Earrings – Kendra Scott Jovie Imitation Pearl Hoop Earrings – SELFWIMG Raffia Hoop Earrings – Ted & Jack Silk Blend Scarf
Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above (read her style interview here) chooses a look of cream, blue and orange that would go beautifully against the complexion of your spring color type.
Check out this printed kaftan (another option here) that you can wear with this similar pair of sandals, bag and earrings.
Your spring color palette together in one capsule
Below, you can see the clothes, shoes and accessories from above together in one capsule to give you plenty of outfit inspiration. There are plenty of different ways you could wear the looks. For example, you could wear the peach jacket and pants as a full suit, any of the tops will go with any of the pants, and the blazers will liven up your favorite jeans.
shop the wardrobe for the spring color palette below:
Not just colors
Of course, your outfits aren’t just about color. Make sure they’re working for you in every way by choosing your looks according to color and your body type. This will enable you to create the best capsule wardrobe that is truly personal to you.
Want To Know What Colors Are Right For You? Join One Of Our Courses
There is a lot more to say on color that we can cover in just one article. That is why we created an extensive course just on color: The Advanced Color course.
In the essential color section you will learn about:
- Choosing your best neutral
- The difference between light and deep colors
- The difference between warm and cool
- The difference between warm and muted
- How to wear metallic
- Which colors are right for you?
Then in the advanced color section you will learn about:
- Color contrast
- Value contrast
- The right color and value contrast for you
Even if you have had a color analysis done, you will not have gotten this deep understanding of color.
With more than 2 hours of video training, detailed notes and 2 workbooks, you will truly understand color and how it effects your appearance.
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Continue reading:
- How To Determine Your Body Shape
- How To Wear Red – Your Comprehensive Guide On Wearing The Color Of Love!
- Can You Wear Beige Over 40?
- Which color season are you? Get the details on spring, summer, autumn and winter
Like this article on the spring color palette? Share it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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Hi there!! I took a color test years ago and I was told I am spring because I look best with silver jewelry, here it says gold. I am a bit confused.
You’ll be a spring if you have warmer coloring which suits golden jewelry.
Silver jewelry tends to look better on cooler skin tones (summer and winter)
hello from the UK. is it possible to be a neutral? I can relate to colours in both spring and summer palette and do wear both, I can also wear silver and gold jewellery. During the summer my skin changes colour, but i always look better with a brighter colours it lifts my colouring. I have blue eyes and white hair (its always been blond just now has faded to platinum). The one colour i avoid are shades of orange/brown/yellow but can wear a pinky coral and raspberry red!
This is not an exact science so it’s definitely possible that you suit several colors. However, since you mention that some of the warm colors don’t suit you, and you are now grey haired with blue eyes, you probably look slightly better in cooler tones.
Also, I believe that you should always wear the colors that you are drawn to. Our intuition is strong. The same is true for jewelry. I tend to wear silver, even though gold would be better for me.
That said it’s always good to have the knowledge on what looks best on you and to understand your best season. That way it’s much easier to ‘break the rules’, with some clever tricks like putting on your best color lipstick.