§ · The system
The twelve seasons.
The 12-season colour system is the contemporary standard in personal colour analysis. It refines the classical four-season model by dividing each season into three sub-seasons — producing twelve precise classifications, each defined by a particular combination of undertone, value, and chroma. The result is a palette of around thirty colours, accurately tuned to a particular person's skin, hair, and eyes. Below: an introduction to each of the four season families, with links to the individual sub-season profiles.
§ · Three readings, one season
Three readings,
one season.
Not every warm person is an Autumn. The twelve-season system identifies you on three independent axes — undertone, chroma, and value. Each season is the intersection of three readings; pass a finger over any name to see how it lands across all three.
The warmth of the skin
The clarity of the colour
The depth of the palette
Spring warm, light, clear
Spring.
A Spring's colouring is warm-undertoned and clear. Skin reads peach, ivory, or golden; hair tends to be golden, strawberry-blonde, or honeyed brown; eyes are clear blue, green, or warm brown. The Spring palette is fresh and luminous — clear coral, warm camel, leaf green, daffodil yellow, peach, light turquoise.
Springs look their best in colours that echo the brightness and warmth in their own colouring. Deep or dusty colours — common in Autumn and Winter palettes — have a dulling effect on a Spring face.
Summer cool, light, soft
Summer.
A Summer's colouring is cool-undertoned and soft. Skin reads rosy, porcelain, or gently flushed; hair runs ash blonde, mouse brown, or is beginning to grey; eyes are soft blue, grey, or cool green-grey. The Summer palette is muted and gentle — dusty rose, dove grey, slate blue, cool lavender, soft raspberry, smoky teal.
Summers look their best in colours that are neither too bright nor too warm. Highly saturated colours — common in Spring and Bright Winter palettes — can overpower a Summer's naturally quiet colouring.
Autumn warm, deep, soft
Autumn.
An Autumn's colouring is warm-undertoned and rich. Skin reads golden, olive, or warm ivory with peachy undertones; hair is auburn, chestnut, copper, or warm dark brown; eyes are typically warm hazel, moss green, amber, or deep brown with golden flecks. The Autumn palette is earthy and saturated — terracotta, mustard, moss green, burnt orange, deep teal, warm brown, caramel.
Autumns look their best in colours that echo the warmth and earthiness of their own colouring. Cool or icy colours — common in Summer and Winter palettes — tend to look jarring against warm Autumn skin.
Winter cool, deep, clear
Winter.
A Winter's colouring is cool-undertoned and high in contrast. Skin reads porcelain, olive, deep brown, or ebony — typically with a visible coolness or blue-cast; hair is very dark brown or black; eyes are sharp blue, deep brown, or clear grey-green. The Winter palette is crisp and bold — true red, ice blue, emerald, charcoal, black, pure white, royal purple.
Winters look their best in colours with intensity and clarity. Muted, earthy, or golden colours — common in Autumn and Soft Summer palettes — flatten a Winter's naturally striking colouring.