Soft Autumn is the softest season of the Autumn family (Soft Autumn, True/Warm Autumn and Dark-Deep Autumn) and it sits between Soft Summer and Warm (True) Autumn on the seasonal flow chart. Unlike Soft Summer, which has cool leaning neutral undertones, Soft Autumn has warm leaning neutral undertones. This season type is also different from Warm (True) Autumn, which is completely warm.
If we examine the Colour Dimensions of Soft Autumn (image 2) we can see that it is first of all soft (muted), and then it is warm and after that dark.
Hue: Warm/Neutral Warm (the hues of Soft Autumn are primarily warm, but as we can see on the image, they are not extremely warm and can also have some neutral undertones). more
Value: Medium-dark (Soft Autumn colours can be lighter or darker, but overall the value is medium-dark, leaning to the middle of the value scale).
Chroma: Soft/Muted (Soft Autumn is the softest season of the Autumn family, and this is the main colour aspect of this season type).
Now, let’s examine the features (hair, skin tone, eyes) of Soft Autumn representatives.
Hair: Soft Autumn hair can be strawberry blonde, golden blonde, light golden brown and medium golden brown and can develop golden highlights when exposed to the sun.
Skin tone: Soft Autumn skin has a big range of skin tones, and can be fair, light, medium, or tan.
Eye Colours: Soft Autumn eyes are warm and tend to have a soft (muted) appearance. They are generally soft blue, green, light hazel, light brown or medium brown and can exhibit cloudiness and speckles imparting a soft and understated allure to the gaze. You may also notice the “Aztec Sun” pattern characteristic of Autumn eyes, which is a sun-like shape of mixed warm colours coming out from the pupil like a flame.
Colour Palette
Just like Soft Autumn’s primary colour dimensions, Soft Autumn colours are soft, warm, and medium-dark to be in line with this season type natural colouring.
The overall Soft Autumn Colour Palette (image 1) contains some of the softest and desaturated colours of the autumn family, that would make other seasons look washed out, but add elegance to Soft Autumn. The colours are mainly medium-dark, and although there are many colours that are lighter or darker, most of the colours fall somewhere in the middle of the value scale.
The colours lean towards the warm end of the scale, but are not extremely warm. The colour palette includes many soft greens, blues, purples and pinks.
At the same time, there are many neutrals in the Soft Autumn palette, including foggy pith, desert sand, dark denim and cocoa bean. Soft Autumn neutrals include light neutrals, as well as dark ones. This mixture in value is needed to achieve a medium-low value contrast, as the contrast between this season type features (you will find more details about this in the next section). Black and white are not included in the palette, but Soft Autumns have their own “version” of black and white in the palette, most often foggy pith and cocoa bean. As you are soft, these colours that seem more muted, are more suitable for you.
Soft Autumn worst colours are bright and cool, because they are opposed to soft and warm, the main colour aspects of this season type.
If we examine the Colour Dimensions of Soft Autumn (image 2) we can see that it is first of all soft (muted), and then it is warm and after that dark.
Hue: Warm/Neutral Warm (the hues of Soft Autumn are primarily warm, but as we can see on the image, they are not extremely warm and can also have some neutral undertones). more
Value: Medium-dark (Soft Autumn colours can be lighter or darker, but overall the value is medium-dark, leaning to the middle of the value scale).
Chroma: Soft/Muted (Soft Autumn is the softest season of the Autumn family, and this is the main colour aspect of this season type).
Now, let’s examine the features (hair, skin tone, eyes) of Soft Autumn representatives.
Hair: Soft Autumn hair can be strawberry blonde, golden blonde, light golden brown and medium golden brown and can develop golden highlights when exposed to the sun.
Skin tone: Soft Autumn skin has a big range of skin tones, and can be fair, light, medium, or tan.
Eye Colours: Soft Autumn eyes are warm and tend to have a soft (muted) appearance. They are generally soft blue, green, light hazel, light brown or medium brown and can exhibit cloudiness and speckles imparting a soft and understated allure to the gaze. You may also notice the “Aztec Sun” pattern characteristic of Autumn eyes, which is a sun-like shape of mixed warm colours coming out from the pupil like a flame.
Colour Palette
Just like Soft Autumn’s primary colour dimensions, Soft Autumn colours are soft, warm, and medium-dark to be in line with this season type natural colouring.
The overall Soft Autumn Colour Palette (image 1) contains some of the softest and desaturated colours of the autumn family, that would make other seasons look washed out, but add elegance to Soft Autumn. The colours are mainly medium-dark, and although there are many colours that are lighter or darker, most of the colours fall somewhere in the middle of the value scale.
The colours lean towards the warm end of the scale, but are not extremely warm. The colour palette includes many soft greens, blues, purples and pinks.
At the same time, there are many neutrals in the Soft Autumn palette, including foggy pith, desert sand, dark denim and cocoa bean. Soft Autumn neutrals include light neutrals, as well as dark ones. This mixture in value is needed to achieve a medium-low value contrast, as the contrast between this season type features (you will find more details about this in the next section). Black and white are not included in the palette, but Soft Autumns have their own “version” of black and white in the palette, most often foggy pith and cocoa bean. As you are soft, these colours that seem more muted, are more suitable for you.
Soft Autumn worst colours are bright and cool, because they are opposed to soft and warm, 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.
Regardless of the values of Soft Autumn representatives features, there is usually a medium-low value contrast between them.
On the image on your right, you can see a Soft Autumn representative with medium-dark hair and eyes and a medium-light skin. 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 (5 to her hair, 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.
Regardless of the values of Soft Autumn representatives features, there is usually a medium-low value contrast between them.
On the image on your right, you can see a Soft Autumn representative with medium-dark hair and eyes and a medium-light skin. 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 (5 to her hair, more
8 to her skin, and 5 to her eyes). Next, we took the highest number and took away the lowest number (8-5=3). According to our value contrast scale that you can see below, she has a medium-low 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 medium-low value contrast, shows us that she can wear colours that provide a medium-low value contrast and her clothes should not be more than 3 values apart.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a medium-low value contrast between them. Soft Autumns typically have a medium-low value contrast between their features.
Colour Contrast
In terms of colour contrast, Soft Autumns typically have a medium-low colour contrast, when two of their features are neutral and one feature has a colour in it or a medium-high colour contrast, when one of their features is neutral and two features have a colour in them.
On the image on your right, you can see that the Colour Contrast of the same Soft Autumn representative selected by us is medium-low, as we can see neutrals and one colour in her features: neutral hair, neutral skin and soft green eyes. The best colour combinations will be: 2 neutrals + 1 colour or monochromatic colours.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a medium-low colour contrast or a medium-high colour contrast between them. Soft Autumns typically have a medium-low colour contrast or a medium-high 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 medium-low value contrast, shows us that she can wear colours that provide a medium-low value contrast and her clothes should not be more than 3 values apart.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a medium-low value contrast between them. Soft Autumns typically have a medium-low value contrast between their features.
Colour Contrast
In terms of colour contrast, Soft Autumns typically have a medium-low colour contrast, when two of their features are neutral and one feature has a colour in it or a medium-high colour contrast, when one of their features is neutral and two features have a colour in them.
On the image on your right, you can see that the Colour Contrast of the same Soft Autumn representative selected by us is medium-low, as we can see neutrals and one colour in her features: neutral hair, neutral skin and soft green eyes. The best colour combinations will be: 2 neutrals + 1 colour or monochromatic colours.
Following this example, you can examine your own features and see if there is a medium-low colour contrast or a medium-high colour contrast between them. Soft Autumns typically have a medium-low colour contrast or a medium-high colour contrast between their features.
As seen in the previous section, the value contrast between Soft Autumn features is medium-low, while the colour contrast is medium-low or medium-high.
Therefore, Soft Autumn representatives can combine colours that provide a medium-low value contrast (taking into consideration the value contrast number), and the best combinations are those that repeat the value contrast level present in the appearance.
In terms of colour, the best colour combinations for Soft Autumns with two neutral features and one feature that has a colour in it will be 2 neutrals and 1 colour or monochromatic colours, while the best colour combination for Soft Autumns with one neutral feature and two features that have a colour in them will be 2 colours and 1 neutral or monochromatic colours. more
Therefore, Soft Autumn representatives can combine colours that provide a medium-low value contrast (taking into consideration the value contrast number), and the best combinations are those that repeat the value contrast level present in the appearance.
In terms of colour, the best colour combinations for Soft Autumns with two neutral features and one feature that has a colour in it will be 2 neutrals and 1 colour or monochromatic colours, while the best colour combination for Soft Autumns with one neutral feature and two features that have a colour in them will be 2 colours and 1 neutral or monochromatic colours. more
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 Soft Autumn representatives (image 1), who have a medium-low colour contrast, are the following:
1. Monochromatic colours (varieties of a single colour or hue)
2. A light neutral + a light neutral + a darker colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
3. A light neutral + a dark neutral + a darker colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
4. A dark neutral + a dark neutral + a lighter colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
5. A light neutral + a dark neutral + a lighter colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
As our Soft Autumn representative has a medium-low value contrast, all colour combinations were chosen to create the same value contrast and they are only 3 values apart.
In terms of prints, the best patterns are those that only contain Soft Autumn 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. The best prints for Soft Autumn are those that reflect the medium-low natural contrast level rather than ones which are too bold. The abstract and watercolour-style patterns with natural, delicate elements such as feathers, birds, flowers and leaves are great for Soft Autumns. The elements of the pattern should be small or medium and loosely arranged, and any big elements and geometric shapes orderly arranged should be avoided, because they don’t go well with your soft, delicate appearance.
On the image on your right, you can see an abstract print with delicate elements (flowers) that contains monochromatic colours: misty rose, light pink and blooming dahlia. Besides the appropriate monochromatic colour contrast, there is also a medium-low value contrast in this print. If we convert the print into grayscale, we can see that misty rose colour’s value is 9, but blooming dahlia colour’s value is 6. If we take the highest number (9) and take away the lowest number (6) from this print we get 3 (9-6=3), which is also the natural value contrast number of this Soft Autumn representative. As both value and colour contrast are respected, you can notice how harmonious the print looks on the Soft Autumn representative chosen by us.
Soft Autumns have a delicate palette with many options for romantic style. On the image on your right (image 2), you can see some Soft Autumn outfit ideas belonging to romantic, modern, classic and natural fashion styles. You can experiment with the colours in your palette to create a medium-low value contrast, and find the style that works better for you (or combine styles).
The best colour combinations for Soft Autumn representatives (image 1), who have a medium-low colour contrast, are the following:
1. Monochromatic colours (varieties of a single colour or hue)
2. A light neutral + a light neutral + a darker colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
3. A light neutral + a dark neutral + a darker colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
4. A dark neutral + a dark neutral + a lighter colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
5. A light neutral + a dark neutral + a lighter colour (1 neutral + 1 neutral + 1 colour)
As our Soft Autumn representative has a medium-low value contrast, all colour combinations were chosen to create the same value contrast and they are only 3 values apart.
In terms of prints, the best patterns are those that only contain Soft Autumn 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. The best prints for Soft Autumn are those that reflect the medium-low natural contrast level rather than ones which are too bold. The abstract and watercolour-style patterns with natural, delicate elements such as feathers, birds, flowers and leaves are great for Soft Autumns. The elements of the pattern should be small or medium and loosely arranged, and any big elements and geometric shapes orderly arranged should be avoided, because they don’t go well with your soft, delicate appearance.
On the image on your right, you can see an abstract print with delicate elements (flowers) that contains monochromatic colours: misty rose, light pink and blooming dahlia. Besides the appropriate monochromatic colour contrast, there is also a medium-low value contrast in this print. If we convert the print into grayscale, we can see that misty rose colour’s value is 9, but blooming dahlia colour’s value is 6. If we take the highest number (9) and take away the lowest number (6) from this print we get 3 (9-6=3), which is also the natural value contrast number of this Soft Autumn representative. As both value and colour contrast are respected, you can notice how harmonious the print looks on the Soft Autumn representative chosen by us.
Soft Autumns have a delicate palette with many options for romantic style. On the image on your right (image 2), you can see some Soft Autumn outfit ideas belonging to romantic, modern, classic and natural fashion styles. You can experiment with the colours in your palette to create a medium-low value contrast, and find the style that works better for you (or combine styles).
Soft Autumn hair can be strawberry blonde, golden blonde, light golden brown and medium golden brown and can develop golden highlights when exposed to the sun.
Usually, the best hair colour for Soft Autumns is their natural hair colour, but if you want to change your natural hair colour, you should opt for another Soft Autumn hair colour. Hair colours that provide too much contrast would dominate Soft Autumns look and overwhelm their delicateness. Ultimately, we all look our best when we are working with what is happening to us naturally, rather than drastically changing ourselves.
Advising and choosing a new hair colour is, above all, respecting your medium-low value contrast level and the natural warm base. Great hair colours for you would be all Soft Autumn hair colours mentioned above, more
Usually, the best hair colour for Soft Autumns is their natural hair colour, but if you want to change your natural hair colour, you should opt for another Soft Autumn hair colour. Hair colours that provide too much contrast would dominate Soft Autumns look and overwhelm their delicateness. Ultimately, we all look our best when we are working with what is happening to us naturally, rather than drastically changing ourselves.
Advising and choosing a new hair colour is, above all, respecting your medium-low value contrast level and the natural warm base. Great hair colours for you would be all Soft Autumn hair colours mentioned above, more
as well as medium champagne, light auburn, or strawberry brown. On the image on your right, you can see how various Soft Autumn representatives look with hair colours ranging from strawberry blonde to strawberry brown. Choose the blonde colour with caution and avoid any cool blondes. It is important to stay in the same warm category so as not to create disharmony with the complexion.
Soft Autumn colouring has neutral warm undertones, and gold is more harmonious with this season type skin undertone than silver. If you are a Soft Autumn, your best metals will be yellow gold, bronze and rose gold, but matte and brushed, not shiny. Any jewellery that is bright and shiny, highly contrasted or with very dark elements will make you disappear behind it.
In terms of stones, amber, agate, barite, calcite, citrine, rhodochrosite, turquoise and jasper are ideal for Soft Autumns. Matte pearls would also look great on Soft Autumns, 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. more
In terms of stones, amber, agate, barite, calcite, citrine, rhodochrosite, turquoise and jasper are ideal for Soft Autumns. Matte pearls would also look great on Soft Autumns, 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. more
Faux pearls can be just as beautiful as natural pearls, and they are ethical.
On the image on your right, you can see some pieces of Soft Autumn jewellery including earrings, rings, and necklaces. 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.).
If you are not sure whether you are a Soft Autumn or not, you can contact us for an Online Personal Colour Analysis or purchase the Self Seasonal Colour Analysis Guide (15 €).
On the image on your right, you can see some pieces of Soft Autumn jewellery including earrings, rings, and necklaces. 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.).
If you are not sure whether you are a Soft Autumn or not, you can contact us for an Online Personal Colour Analysis or purchase the Self Seasonal Colour Analysis Guide (15 €).