All About Light Summer: Explore the 12 Seasons at Radiantly Dressed (2024)

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Light Summer is cool and light and shares characteristics with summer and spring in the 12 season system of color analysis.

Are your features very light for your ethnicity? Do you look best in the lightest shades of blue, pink, and purple? Are your drawn to pastel scenes in nature?

If this sounds like you, you might be a Light Summer!

The is a comprehensive guide to light summer in the 12 season system of color analysis. Keep reading to learn the physical characteristics, best makeup, a color palette, wardrobe staples for light summer, and how to create your own custom palette.

All About Light Summer: Explore the 12 Seasons at Radiantly Dressed (1)

The 12 Seasons

In seasonal color analysis we look at the skin, eyes, and hair to find a common color family. The 6 main color components are warm, cool, deep, light, soft, and bright.

The summer color family is cool and includes light summer, cool/true summer, and soft summer.

  • Light Summer
  • Cool/True Summer
  • Soft Summer

Today we’ll be exploring the gentle beauty of light summer.

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Cool and Light

Light Summer is classified in the following ways: warm hue, medium value, muted chroma.

  • Cool hue
  • Light value
  • Neutral chroma

All About Light Summer: Explore the 12 Seasons at Radiantly Dressed (3)

Light summer is similar to light spring, although summer needs cool tones. These individuals are very, very light compared to the rest of the population.

The skin is likely to be light ivory or cool beige. The eyes will typically be blue or green, and on the lighter end of the spectrum. A soft gray eye is also possible in light summer.

Hair is the in the blonde color family, from light platinum to dark blonde, and and will have no gold or red highlights. The hair may occassionally be light brown. All About Light Summer: Explore the 12 Seasons at Radiantly Dressed (4)

The features are overall similar in depth, with none of the features standing out above the rest. Light summer has an icy coolness to their features and stands out when framed by pastel shades.

Makeup for the Light Summer Woman

To emphasize the features of light summer, makeup colors should be both cool and light as well.

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For the eyes, choose light neutrals such as silvery white, icy pink, soft ivory, and dusky blue. Dark colors should be no deeper than medium gray. Accent colors could be blush, soft plum, or mauve.

For the cheeks, neutral cool shades of sand, soft pink, and rose are wonderful to gently accentuate the gentle features of light summer.

Nude lips are a winner for light summer, along with blush and cotton candy. A bold lip for such a light season would be mauve or rose, and deep bubblegum substitutes for red.

Avoid warm tones like brown or orange red lipstick, copper and yellow eyeshadows, and bronze cheek colors. Light summer should also stay away from dark makeup colors.

Inspiration

Light autumn is known by its light cool pastels. Think of sweet baby pink flowers and soft sunsets. Since it’s in the cool color family, its heavy with grays, pinks, purples, blues, and some greens.

All About Light Summer: Explore the 12 Seasons at Radiantly Dressed (10)

Here we see some different elements where light summer is naturally found. The 6 color rainbow depicts the truest, most neutral form of colors, but the light summer rainbow is cooler and light.

The famous pink of cherry blossoms against a light blue sky depict the base tones of light summer.

A pool party with clear water and floats show variation, while a beautiful purple sunset depicts the pastels of light summer.

White and purple flowers against a green and gray background illustrate some of the neutrals in the palette.

Light Summer Color Palette

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In creating a palette for light summer we start with neutrals, and work through the major color families.

Black and white are out for all summer types with soft navy and gray taking the place of black, and soft white instead of optic white. Light sage, soft blush, and silver are colored neutrals that will be staples in the light summer wardrobe.

Light red and ruby are perfect reds, and as a cool season there are no oranges, just shades of pink. Yellows are very light as banana and chiffon. Many greens can be worn along the light to medium spectrum. Summer seasons can typically wear any shade of blue, so long as it isn’t too dark in this case. Pastel shades of purple round out the palette.

There is usually a version of every color that can be worn by any season, but some may be more difficult to match and find. Some pink and red may be too orange, any green without blue is also too warm. Purples are best that lean towards blue instead of red.

There are some colors that light summer should always avoid. Black and white have been mentioned as they are too stark and high contrast for light summer. Dark deep colors are not suitable for the light summer woman as they are overpowering. Cool pastels, specifically baby pink and blue are some of the best colors.

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Wardrobe Essentials for Light and Cool Coloring

No matter your style or personal aesthetic, there are a few items that every woman should have in their wardrobe.

The basics of any wardrobe should be neutrals, and you could certainly choose the same neutrals. Layering similar shades of the same color will create a rich luxe look.

For those that enjoy a more colorful look, the basics are still appropriate, but fun and funky accessories in the pink, blue, purple, and green families will add interest.

Frequently Asked Questions about Light Summer

Can I still wear black?

Of COURSE you can still wear black. I personally believe that black is a staple in any wardrobe. Any season can wear black, but some may find it is overwhelming. Black is likely to be much more harsh on light summer than some other seasons. Black definitely isn’t your BEST color, and lighter shades of gray will be most suitable. However, if you’re building a capsule wardrobe choosing black as a base may be easiest to find.

I hate these colors, could my season be wrong?

Yes absolutely, it could be true. But I want to challenge you, what is it that you hate? Is it the neutrals that you don’t like? Perhaps you don’t like pastels? Refer back to my statements above about wearing black. Is it one of the color families, pink or yellow perhaps? Don’t wear them! Just because a palette includes all these colors doesn’t mean you should wear them all. I dare you to look at your closet and see if you naturally gravitate to any of these colors. If the answer is no, and you still feel this is completely wrong, let me know! I can help!

Should I wear all of these colors?

Well, that depends on you and what you consider minimalism! If you like a lot of variety, then go for it! However, when building a small capsule, you’ll find that limiting your color options is the best idea. I recommend the following:

  • Black base
  • Dark neutral
  • Light neutral
  • Main color
  • 2-3 Accent colors

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Can I only wear these colors?

No way! You should wear what you love! If you want to wear burgundy, then go for it! You may find, however, that learning your season affects how other colors make you feel. If you feel confident rocking a color, then it’s yours to own. But if you don’t, feel free to leave it to the seasons that wear it well. If you’re looking to expand your palette, you can also consider sister seasons.

The following are sister seasons for light summer:

Related Color Analysis Articles:

  • Explore the 12 Seasons of Color
  • Color Theory for Color Analysis
  • Eye Patterns and Color Analysis
  • Personality and Color Analysis

Ready to create your own color palette based on your season?

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the lovely attributes of light summer. These individuals are truly beautiful in their cool icy appearance. They can wear the lightest pastel colors tat are currently very trending and look stunning.

Are you a Light Summer? If so, say hello in the comments!

Light Summer sits on the cusp of summer and spring and is cool and light.

All About Light Summer: Explore the 12 Seasons at Radiantly Dressed (2024)

FAQs

Can light summers wear navy? ›

Along with grey, navy is a great neutral for summers and generally easy to find in the softened Summer version.

What is a light Summer skin tone? ›

Light Summer skin is either neutral or neutral-cool with beige or pinkish undertones. It ranges from fair to medium. You know you have neutral-cool skin if both gold and silver look good on you, but silver looks better.

Can light summers wear cream? ›

Creamy blush is lovely for Light Summers - rose pinks are great but you do have a little Spring warmth so experiment with rose gold, light coral or peach.

Can light summers wear white? ›

Some pink and red may be too orange, any green without blue is also too warm. Purples are best that lean towards blue instead of red. There are some colors that light summer should always avoid. Black and white have been mentioned as they are too stark and high contrast for light summer.

Can light summer wear gold? ›

As a neutral tone, both gold and silver can work for Light Summer, as can some rose golds. Since you are on the cool side of neutral, you may find silver more intuitively comfortable, and it is a more foolproof choice.

What colour should you not wear in the sun? ›

Darker colors absorb more UV than lighter colors like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. But bright colors such as red can also absorb UV rays. The more vivid the color, the greater the protection—a bright yellow shirt is more protective than a pale one.

Can a light Summer have red hair? ›

But, the most misunderstood season was, and still can be – True Summer. True Summers can have blonde, red, brunette, and black hair.

Can light Summer wear grey? ›

Light Summers look amazing in sky blues, primrose yellow and light pinks and greys.

Can light Summer wear green? ›

As a Summer, the general rule for wearing green is 'proceed with caution', but when you get it right green is a great shade to have in your arsenal, providing a refreshing change from the seemingly endless swathes of pink and blue which can often take over the Summer wardrobe.

What color should you not wear on an extremely hot day? ›

Light colored clothing reflects most of the visible wavelengths which, in turn, absorbs less heat. On the contrary, darker or black clothing absorbs more wavelengths, absorbing more heat, hence making the clothing warmer to wear.

Can a light Summer wear orange? ›

Like Winters, Summers do not receive any versions of orange, because it is simply too warm for them. Additionally, for Summers, orange is too intense. Light Summer, since it's a lighter, brighter season than the other Summer seasons does receive a color called Coral Pink.

Can light Summer wear khaki? ›

Khaki is usually associated with military looks mostly seen in autumn and winter. However, this summer, khaki is a shade to be seen in. Khaki and olive are becoming more and more like neutral shades, so you can invest in them as wardrobe staples. As a warm shade, it doesn't really flatter cool skin tones.

Can light Summer wear beige? ›

Choose from cool grey and beige, soft blue and purple, pale pink and yellow. The Light Summer palette is lighter than the winter or fall colors, only spring can compete with it. Although its palette has its typical coolness, the warmth of a Light Spring is also reflected in its colors.

Can light summers have freckles? ›

Skin tones range from fair to tan, but they are muted rather than vibrant. Soft Summers may also have freckles.

Do light skin people look better in silver or gold? ›

As a general rule, gold jewellery tends to flatter warm undertones more whereas white metals such as silver platinum and white gold look better on paler skin with a cool undertone.

What skin tone am I? ›

In natural light, check the appearance of your veins beneath your skin. If your veins appear blue or purple, you have a cool skin tone. If your veins look green or a greenish blue, you have a warm skin tone. If you can't tell whether or not your veins are green or blue, you probably have a neutral skin tone.

What skin tone can wear gold dress? ›

Warm colors like gold and dark green will look great on people with warm undertones. If, however, you have cool undertones, gray, silver, and other cool colors are better choices.

What colors protect you from evil? ›

In the Cyclades, next to white color, the prevailing color is blue-turquoise color. The preference comes from an old belief of man, that the sky-blue shade had the power to keep Evil away. The radiation of the color composed an invisible shield, which prevented the approach of bad spirits.

Is wearing black good in the sun? ›

black cotton, white allows a broader spectrum of the sun's rays to penetrate through to your skin, making black a better choice for blocking UV. But the caveat is, if you're wearing tight black clothing in the sun, all the heat it absorbs will be trapped right next to your skin.

Can light Summer wear red lipstick? ›

Yes. While Soft Summer is generally a muted, grey, cool palette, Soft Summer's neighboring palette is Soft Autumn, so some reds can be worn. Soft red, earthy red, and garnet red all make great shades of red lipstick for a Soft Summer. They are muted and not too deep, bright, or dark.

Does red hair make you look older? ›

Too brassy

Too much of a reddish orange undertone in your hair can make it look dull and damaged—the typical signs of aging hair, says celebrity hairstylist Gabriel Samra. The red tones can also make your skin look redder and rob skin of a youthful glow, adds Kyle White, senior stylist at Oscar Blandi.

Does bright red hair make you look younger? ›

According to Korab, "A rich red, such as auburn or copper, will enhance brunettes and redheads. This gives the appearance of younger and more radiant skin by reflecting light around the face with its warm tint. The deep red has a kick of fiery vibrancy no matter if you go subtle or ultra-bright."

What skin tone does light grey look good on? ›

The general rule of thumb is that skin with cool undertones look best with greys, browns, blues, greens and purples. Skin with warm undertones look best with either bright or light colors. And skin with neutral undertones looks great in bold, bright colors.

What colors should you not wear with gray hair? ›

The Best Style Choices For Gray Hair. Avoid mustard, olive green, camel and rust. These colours tend to make you look like you have jaundice and no one wants that! Instead wear mint, lavender, rose red and taupe, especially close to your face as well as in your makeup choices.

Can a light Summer wear yellow? ›

True Summer yellows are elusive in fabrics, so a typical True Summer almost never finds a yellow that looks good on her and thinks it's one of her worst colors. Light Summer, though, can handle a range of cheerful, buttery yellows. On a Light Summer, yellow often picks up yellow in the hair or in the eye.

Does light green look good on pale skin? ›

As a cool skin tone often means your skin is pale or has light features, you'll want to use darker colors. The best outfits for pale skin often rely on colors like emerald green, navy and bold shades of blue.

Can soft summer wear cream? ›

Soft Summer's can range from white, rose and silver into darker greys but avoid peach, cream or yellow versions.

Can cool summers wear black? ›

Due to the softness of your natural colouring, true black (a Winter colour) is too dark and harsh. Black near your face will make you look aged. In its place, you have darker greys, blues and browns on the palette, which you can use as dark neutrals for your outfits.

Is navy blue a good color for summer? ›

Navy blue is basically a neutral, and especially during the summer. It's a little preppy, a little nautical, and always cool. This navy and white La Line cotton sweater is perfect for chilly nights, even if you're not on a beach. These statement pants in a large scale floral print are breezy but elegant.

Can you wear navy blue dress in summer? ›

Want to wear a navy blue dress to summer weddings instead? Be our guest! Navy is a natural choice for sunshine shindigs as well. Just opt for a dress with a warm-weather-friendly silhouette to balance out your outfit.

Does navy blue look good on pale skin? ›

As a cool skin tone often means your skin is pale or has light features, you'll want to use darker colors. The best outfits for pale skin often rely on colors like emerald green, navy and bold shades of blue.

Can you wear a navy suit in the summer? ›

Undoubtedly, you're looking at a nice idea for a roasting hot hot weather day. Go for a navy suit and a white dress shirt for a proper elegant look. A pair of brown leather loafers can effortlessly dial down a polished outfit. Loving that this getup is perfect come extremely hot summer days.

What is the most popular color for summer 2022? ›

Spring / Summer 2022 Colour Trends
  • Pastel Pink. These are very delicate pastel pink shades perfect for bon ton outfits, but also for sportswear. ...
  • Fuchsia Innuendo and Bubblegum Pink. ...
  • Popcorn and Daffodil Yellow. ...
  • Light Blue. ...
  • Red Poinciana. ...
  • Fair Green and Fragile Sprout. ...
  • Beige. ...
  • Gray.

What are the top 3 summer colors? ›

Best Colors to Wear for Summer
  • White. Summer is a great time to wear white. ...
  • Khaki. Sandy hues like khaki, tan, and beige are all stylish for summer. ...
  • Turquoise. Turquoise is another color that's on-trend for the warmer months. ...
  • Yellow. ...
  • Fuchsia. ...
  • Any Color Can Be a Summer Color. ...
  • Related Articles.

What is the most comfortable color to wear out in the sun and why? ›

The color white reflects sunlight best because white does not absorb any light that hits it, instead reflecting it all back. This is why it is comfortable to wear a white t-shirt during the summertime, since the shirt does not absorb any light energy, meaning that it does not absorb any heat.

Is it OK to wear black shoes with a navy dress? ›

As for shoes, you can ignore that old "navy and black don't mix" rule once and for all: Pairing your dress with black heels makes a flattering, sophisticated statement. You can also add sheer black tights, an evening-appropriate solution for those who don't want to bare their legs.

What color nails go with a navy dress? ›

Navy blue looks great with warm silver tones like copper or rose gold. It also works well with burgundy reds because these colors are on opposite ends of the color wheel. The hardest colors to pair with navy blue is yellow and orange because they both look very similar to the navy when placed next to each other.

What color shoes to wear with a navy blue suit? ›

The shoes that go best with a blue suit are navy or white. Ground a blue suit with navy shoes for a sophisticated tonal look that still feels relaxed. White provides fresh contrast when worn with blue, and looks clean and crisp enough for the workplace.

What color hair looks best on pale skin? ›

Finding the best hair color for your pale skin all depends on identifying your undertones. If your skin has cool undertones, you'll want to stick with ashy blonde, brown, and fantasy hues. If your complexion is on the warmer side, deeper hues such as honey blonde, copper, and caramel will go perfectly with your skin.

What colors wash you out? ›

Tip: Stay away from flesh-toned or pastel colours. The lack of depth in these hues will wash you out, so pick a more vibrant or deeper shade to create that much needed contrast. Also be careful with wearing black tops, as it can often be too heavy to carry on a regular basis.

What colors look good on redheads? ›

Navy, cobalt, and soft powder are all great options. Even brighter blues in the turquoise family and deep blueberry colors are other smart choices. A simple denim blue is an easy go-to option that enhances the complexion of the true redhead.

What is the best color shirt to wear with a navy suit? ›

Undoubtedly, a white shirt has proven to be the universal colour combination. It can be worn in a corporate environment with a tie but it can also be worn on its own, with a cutaway collar, for a more casual ensemble.

What shoes to wear with a suit in summer? ›

Here are three summer suit shoes to consider adding to your shoe rack this season.
  • Loafers.
  • Suede Bucks.
  • White Sneakers.

What should you not wear in summer? ›

Here are the top five things you should not wear in summer: 1. Heavy fabrics: Denim, wool, and other heavy fabrics are a no-go in summer. They will just make you feel hot and sticky, and you will be dying to take them off. Stick to light and airy fabrics like cotton and linen.

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