Dark (Deep) Winter is the darkest season of the Winter family (Dark Winter, True/Cool Winter and Bright Winter) and it sits between True/Cool Winter and Dark/Deep Autumn on the seasonal flow chart. Unlike Dark Autumn, which has warm leaning neutral undertones, Dark (Deep) Winter has cool leaning neutral undertones. This season type is also different from True Winter, which is completely cool.
If we examine the Colour Dimensions of Dark (Deep) Winter (image 2) we can see that it is first of all Dark, and then it is cool and after that bright.
Hue: Cool/Neutral Cool (the hues of Deep Winter are primarily cool, but as we can see on the image, they are not extremely cool and can also have some neutral shades).
Value: Dark/Deep (Dark/Deep Winter is the darkest season of the Winter family, more
If we examine the Colour Dimensions of Dark (Deep) Winter (image 2) we can see that it is first of all Dark, and then it is cool and after that bright.
Hue: Cool/Neutral Cool (the hues of Deep Winter are primarily cool, but as we can see on the image, they are not extremely cool and can also have some neutral shades).
Value: Dark/Deep (Dark/Deep Winter is the darkest season of the Winter family, more
and this is the main colour aspect of this season type).
Chroma: Medium-bright (Deep Winter has a medium-bright chroma, meaning that it falls towards the middle on the Colour Dimensions chart).
Now, let’s examine the features (hair, skin tone, eyes) of Deep Winter representatives.
Hair: Dark/Deep Winter hair is dark, ranging from medium brown to true black. It is generally either neutral or slightly ashy and doesn’t have any highlights.
Skin tone: Dark/Deep Winter skin has a big range of skin tones, ranging from fair to deep and can be light, medium, tan or dark.
Eye Colours: Dark/Deep Winter eyes are also dark and are generally dark brown and black, but can also be dark olive, dark hazel or even dark blue (rarely).
Colour Palette
Just like Dark/Deep Winter’s primary colour dimensions, Dark/Deep Winter colours are dark, cool/neutral cool, and medium bright to be in line with this season type natural colouring.
While the overall Deep Winter Colour Palette (image 1) is dark, there are many colours that are very light. This mixture in value is needed to achieve a high value contrast, as the contrast between this season type features (you will find more details about this in the next section).
The colours lean towards the cool end of the scale, and they are dark and somewhat bright. The colour palette includes pinks, reds, purples, blues and greens. Deep winter representatives really shine in powerful, deep shades that can overpower other seasons.
At the same time, there are many neutrals in the palette, including black, white, biscuit, raisin, and navy. While most true whites and blacks will work for you as a Dark/Deep Winters, good options are also alabaster and espresso neutrals. As you are medium-bright, wearing grey on its own can make you become washed out, but you can opt for grey neutrals which are not too muted or dusty, including gunmetal, a dark grey with bluish and green tinge.
Deep Winter worst colours are light and warm, because they are opposed to dark and cool, the main colour aspects of this season type.
Chroma: Medium-bright (Deep Winter has a medium-bright chroma, meaning that it falls towards the middle on the Colour Dimensions chart).
Now, let’s examine the features (hair, skin tone, eyes) of Deep Winter representatives.
Hair: Dark/Deep Winter hair is dark, ranging from medium brown to true black. It is generally either neutral or slightly ashy and doesn’t have any highlights.
Skin tone: Dark/Deep Winter skin has a big range of skin tones, ranging from fair to deep and can be light, medium, tan or dark.
Eye Colours: Dark/Deep Winter eyes are also dark and are generally dark brown and black, but can also be dark olive, dark hazel or even dark blue (rarely).
Colour Palette
Just like Dark/Deep Winter’s primary colour dimensions, Dark/Deep Winter colours are dark, cool/neutral cool, and medium bright to be in line with this season type natural colouring.
While the overall Deep Winter Colour Palette (image 1) is dark, there are many colours that are very light. This mixture in value is needed to achieve a high value contrast, as the contrast between this season type features (you will find more details about this in the next section).
The colours lean towards the cool end of the scale, and they are dark and somewhat bright. The colour palette includes pinks, reds, purples, blues and greens. Deep winter representatives really shine in powerful, deep shades that can overpower other seasons.
At the same time, there are many neutrals in the palette, including black, white, biscuit, raisin, and navy. While most true whites and blacks will work for you as a Dark/Deep Winters, good options are also alabaster and espresso neutrals. As you are medium-bright, wearing grey on its own can make you become washed out, but you can opt for grey neutrals which are not too muted or dusty, including gunmetal, a dark grey with bluish and green tinge.
Deep Winter worst colours are light and warm, because they are opposed to dark and cool, the main colour aspects of this season type.
Value Contrast
The value (or depth) shows how light or dark a colour is, while the value contrast is the level of difference in value between two or more colours. The closer together colours are, the lower is the level of contrast between them, and the farther apart colours are, the higher is the level of contrast.
Dark/Deep Winter representatives can have either dark hair, eyes, and skin or dark hair, eyes and very light skin. Regardless of your skin colour, there is always a high value contrast between the features, because if your skin is darker, the whites of the eyes will provide a high contrast against the dark hair and eyes.
On the image on your right, you can see a Dark Winter representative with dark hair, eyes and a darker skin. The whites of her eyes create a high contrast against her dark hair and eyes. more
The value (or depth) shows how light or dark a colour is, while the value contrast is the level of difference in value between two or more colours. The closer together colours are, the lower is the level of contrast between them, and the farther apart colours are, the higher is the level of contrast.
Dark/Deep Winter representatives can have either dark hair, eyes, and skin or dark hair, eyes and very light skin. Regardless of your skin colour, there is always a high value contrast between the features, because if your skin is darker, the whites of the eyes will provide a high contrast against the dark hair and eyes.
On the image on your right, you can see a Dark Winter representative with dark hair, eyes and a darker skin. The whites of her eyes create a high contrast against her dark hair and eyes. more
In order to determine her value contrast level, we converted her photo into greyscale and assigned a value from 0 to 11 to her hair, skin, and eyes (1 to her hair and eyes, 6 to her skin, and 11 to the whites of her eyes). Next, we took the highest number and took away the lowest number (for example 11-1=10). According to our value contrast scale that you can see below, she has a high value contrast.
A) 0 - 2 (low value contrast)
B) 3 - 5 (medium-low value contrast)
C) 6 - 8 (medium-high value contrast)
D) 9 - 11 (high value contrast)
The high value contrast, shows us that she can wear highly contrasted colours with very different values without problems and her clothes should not be more than 10 values apart. In this particular case, it will be better for her to wear dark navy with white, than black with white, which according to our scale are numbered 0 (black) and 11 (white). However, many Deep Winters have the highest value contrast (11) and can wear black and white.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a high value contrast between them. Dark/Deep Winters typically have a high value contrast between their features.
Colour Contrast
In terms of colour contrast, Dark/Deep Winters typically have a low colour contrast, as their features are mostly neutral. Dark/Deep Winters with dark olive or dark blue eyes may have some colour in their features, but the colour contrast will still be low, as these colours may be perceived more as neutral colours.
On the image on your right, you can see that the Colour Contrast of the same Dark/Deep Winter representative selected by us is low, as we can only see neutrals in her face: neutral hair, neutral skin and neutral eyes. The best colour combinations will be: 1 neutral + 1 colour or only neutrals.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a low colour contrast between them. Dark/Deep Winters typically have a low colour contrast between their features.
A) 0 - 2 (low value contrast)
B) 3 - 5 (medium-low value contrast)
C) 6 - 8 (medium-high value contrast)
D) 9 - 11 (high value contrast)
The high value contrast, shows us that she can wear highly contrasted colours with very different values without problems and her clothes should not be more than 10 values apart. In this particular case, it will be better for her to wear dark navy with white, than black with white, which according to our scale are numbered 0 (black) and 11 (white). However, many Deep Winters have the highest value contrast (11) and can wear black and white.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a high value contrast between them. Dark/Deep Winters typically have a high value contrast between their features.
Colour Contrast
In terms of colour contrast, Dark/Deep Winters typically have a low colour contrast, as their features are mostly neutral. Dark/Deep Winters with dark olive or dark blue eyes may have some colour in their features, but the colour contrast will still be low, as these colours may be perceived more as neutral colours.
On the image on your right, you can see that the Colour Contrast of the same Dark/Deep Winter representative selected by us is low, as we can only see neutrals in her face: neutral hair, neutral skin and neutral eyes. The best colour combinations will be: 1 neutral + 1 colour or only neutrals.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a low colour contrast between them. Dark/Deep Winters typically have a low colour contrast between their features.
As seen in the previous section, the value contrast between Dark/Deep Winter features is high, while the colour contrast is low.
Therefore, Dark Winter representatives can combine colours with very different values from black to white (taking into consideration the value contrast number), but the best combinations are those that repeat the value contrast level present in the appearance.
In terms of colour, the best colour combinations for Dark/Deep Winter, which has neutral hair, skin and eyes will be only neutrals or 1 neutral and 1 colour. This colour combination system was created by us and supposes 4 colour combination possibilities based on each season features colour.
The best colour combinations for Dark/Deep Winter representatives (image 1), more
Therefore, Dark Winter representatives can combine colours with very different values from black to white (taking into consideration the value contrast number), but the best combinations are those that repeat the value contrast level present in the appearance.
In terms of colour, the best colour combinations for Dark/Deep Winter, which has neutral hair, skin and eyes will be only neutrals or 1 neutral and 1 colour. This colour combination system was created by us and supposes 4 colour combination possibilities based on each season features colour.
The best colour combinations for Dark/Deep Winter representatives (image 1), more
who have a low colour contrast, are the following:
1. A dark neutral + a brighter colour (1 neutral + 1 colour)
2. A light neutral + a brighter colour (1 neutral + 1 colour)
3. A light neutral + a dark neutral or dark colour (only neutrals or 1 neutral + 1 colour)
4. A dark neutral + a light colour (1 neutral + 1 colour)
The colour combination formed by a dark neutral and a dark colour was not included for our selected Dark Winter representative, because there is no contrast between the values and an all dark look will be too dark for her. However, if you have light skin and dark hair and eyes, an overall dark outfit will work for you, but will not be your best. If you choose an all dark outfit, try balancing that dark effect with a small addition of colour from your palette (a handbag or other accessory can help).
In terms of prints, the best patterns are those that only contain Dark/Deep Winter colours, but if you can’t find a print that is completely within your palette, you can opt for a print that also has small colour spots from a disharmonious palette. For example, on the image on your right, you can see a print that contains lava red strawberries with clear black edges and green calices on a navy background. While the lava red, navy and black are part of Dark/Deep Winter colour palette, the warm green is not. It belongs to Spring season, but as the warm green calices are small and bright, the overall print looks harmonious on the Dark Winter representative chosen by us.
The best prints for Dark Winter are bold and highly contrasted, and contain delineated colours (like in our example), not soft-edged or blended colours. The patterns with geometric shapes with repeating designs and sharper edges, stylized flowers, or abstract prints are great.
Dark/Deep winters have a sophisticated palette with many options for classic and sophisticated style. On the image on your right (image 2), you can see some Dark/Deep Winter outfit ideas belonging to modern, classic, sophisticated and bohemian fashion style. You can experiment with the colours in your palette to create a high value contrast, and find the style that works better for you (or combine styles). While black and white combination can work, there are many more colours such as grape royale, burgundy or tropical teal that look absolutely amazing on Dark/Deep Winters.
1. A dark neutral + a brighter colour (1 neutral + 1 colour)
2. A light neutral + a brighter colour (1 neutral + 1 colour)
3. A light neutral + a dark neutral or dark colour (only neutrals or 1 neutral + 1 colour)
4. A dark neutral + a light colour (1 neutral + 1 colour)
The colour combination formed by a dark neutral and a dark colour was not included for our selected Dark Winter representative, because there is no contrast between the values and an all dark look will be too dark for her. However, if you have light skin and dark hair and eyes, an overall dark outfit will work for you, but will not be your best. If you choose an all dark outfit, try balancing that dark effect with a small addition of colour from your palette (a handbag or other accessory can help).
In terms of prints, the best patterns are those that only contain Dark/Deep Winter colours, but if you can’t find a print that is completely within your palette, you can opt for a print that also has small colour spots from a disharmonious palette. For example, on the image on your right, you can see a print that contains lava red strawberries with clear black edges and green calices on a navy background. While the lava red, navy and black are part of Dark/Deep Winter colour palette, the warm green is not. It belongs to Spring season, but as the warm green calices are small and bright, the overall print looks harmonious on the Dark Winter representative chosen by us.
The best prints for Dark Winter are bold and highly contrasted, and contain delineated colours (like in our example), not soft-edged or blended colours. The patterns with geometric shapes with repeating designs and sharper edges, stylized flowers, or abstract prints are great.
Dark/Deep winters have a sophisticated palette with many options for classic and sophisticated style. On the image on your right (image 2), you can see some Dark/Deep Winter outfit ideas belonging to modern, classic, sophisticated and bohemian fashion style. You can experiment with the colours in your palette to create a high value contrast, and find the style that works better for you (or combine styles). While black and white combination can work, there are many more colours such as grape royale, burgundy or tropical teal that look absolutely amazing on Dark/Deep Winters.
Dark/Deep Winter hair is dark, ranging from medium brown to true black and is generally either neutral or slightly ashy and doesn’t have any highlights.
Usually, the best hair colour for Dark/Deep Winters is their natural hair colour, but if you want to change your natural hair colour, you should opt for another Dark/Deep Winter hair colour. Remember that your natural colour aspect is first of all dark and cool, and hair colour should also follow your natural colouring. A lighter hair colour (including blonde) can throw off your contrast level and damage your hair.
Advising and choosing a new hair colour is, above all, respecting your high contrast level and the natural cold base. Great hair colours for you would be cool dark brown, more
Usually, the best hair colour for Dark/Deep Winters is their natural hair colour, but if you want to change your natural hair colour, you should opt for another Dark/Deep Winter hair colour. Remember that your natural colour aspect is first of all dark and cool, and hair colour should also follow your natural colouring. A lighter hair colour (including blonde) can throw off your contrast level and damage your hair.
Advising and choosing a new hair colour is, above all, respecting your high contrast level and the natural cold base. Great hair colours for you would be cool dark brown, more
natural black, cool dark red, or dark plum. On the image on your right, you can see how various Dark Winter representatives look with black, cool dark red and plum hair colours. If you like red colours, and would like to opt for a dark red colour, choose the colour with caution and avoid any warm reds. It is important to stay in the same cool category so as not to create disharmony with the complexion.
Dark/Deep Winters colouring has cooler undertones, and silver flatters their skin more than gold. If you are a Dark/Deep Winter, your best metals will be silver and platinum, either shiny or matte. If you want to wear gold, choose a darker one that is not too yellow.
In terms of stones, diamonds, rubies, amethysts, sapphires and emeralds are ideal for Dark/Deep Winter. White or metallic grey pearls would also look great on Deep Winters, but we suggest you to opt for faux pearls to show that you care about oysters and molluscs. Pearl extraction is not considered ethical, as oysters and other molluscs only produce pearls as a response to a stressful environment. Faux pearls can be just as beautiful as natural pearls, and they are ethical.
On the image on your right, more
In terms of stones, diamonds, rubies, amethysts, sapphires and emeralds are ideal for Dark/Deep Winter. White or metallic grey pearls would also look great on Deep Winters, but we suggest you to opt for faux pearls to show that you care about oysters and molluscs. Pearl extraction is not considered ethical, as oysters and other molluscs only produce pearls as a response to a stressful environment. Faux pearls can be just as beautiful as natural pearls, and they are ethical.
On the image on your right, more
you can see some pieces of Dark/Deep Winter jewellery including earrings, rings, and bracelets. Besides taking into consideration what earrings to wear based on your season type, you should also consider the following: 1) what earrings (shape and size) are best for your face shape; 2) how to combine earrings with your dress style (for example modern, classic, sophisticated, etc.).