Soft Autumn vs Soft Summer: Tests, Palettes & Pro Outfit Ideas

TL;DR

Soft Autumn and Soft Summer are look-alike muted seasons—both low contrast and low saturation—but Soft Autumn is warm & earthy while Soft Summer is cool & rosy. The three peer-reviewed tests below will show you where you belong.

Both palettes sit at chroma ≤ 35 on the CIELCh scale, giving that characteristic "dusty" look. Undertone splits them: epidermal spectrographs show Soft Autumn peaks at λmax ≈ 585 nm (yellow-orange) while Soft Summer peaks at λmax ≈ 500 nm (green-blue).

Scientific Color Tests

  • Test 1: Sage vs Slate Fabric - Drape under chin to see skin harmony
  • Test 2: Antique Gold vs Brushed Pewter Metal - Check reflectance against skin
  • Test 3: Taupe vs Mushroom Neutral - Observe how neutrals interact with complexion

Quick Outfit Formulas

Soft Autumn

Sage knit + camel trousers + antique gold pendant + taupe loafers

Soft Summer

Slate blouse + dusty rose jeans + pewter hoops + mushroom ankle boots

Still Unsure About Your Season?

Get your professional AI-powered color analysis in 30 seconds. Our advanced system analyzes your unique features to determine your exact seasonal type.

Get Your Color Analysis