Soft Summer vs. Cool Summer
Side-by-side comparison to help you find your true season.
Soft Summer
Cool-neutralMediumMuted
#B7857A
Dusty Rose
#8A9A7A
Sage
#A8888E
Mauve
#7A8A9A
Blue Gray
#9A8AA8
Dusty Lavender
#5A8A8A
Soft Teal
#8A8A90
Pewter
#B0B0B5
Dove Gray
Cool Summer
CoolMediumSoft
#C86A7A
Rose
#7A88B8
Periwinkle
#8A6A90
Soft Plum
#4A8890
Teal Blue
#5A6A80
Slate Blue
#C8BCB0
Cool Beige
#98B8D8
Powder Blue
#F0EDEA
Soft White
What They Share
- •Both are cool-leaning seasons within the Summer family
- •Both look harmonious in muted, dusty colors
- •Both benefit from silver jewelry over gold
- •Both should avoid orange and warm brown
The Deciding Difference
Chroma (saturation) is the deciding factor. Cool Summer has clearer, more saturated colors, while Soft Summer has the most muted, grayed-out palette of all seasons.
Try These Drape Tests
Compare these specific colors in natural daylight near your face.
| Item | Soft Summer | vs | Cool Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink swatch | #B7857A | vs | #C86A7A |
| Blue swatch | #7A8A9A | vs | #7A88B8 |
| Purple swatch | #9A8AA8 | vs | #8A6A90 |
| Gray swatch | #B0B0B5 | vs | #A8A8B0 |
How to Decide
If pure gray and clear rose look better on you than smoky gray and dusty rose, you are likely Cool Summer. If you find clear colors slightly overpowering and prefer everything with a touch of gray, Soft Summer is more likely.