There are many misconceptions floating around online when it comes to seasonal colour analysis. This is because there are many different systems and opinions on the idea that a certain season or set of colours looks “good” on you based on a certain set of criteria. Here’s the thing - colour analysis is an amazing tool to help you discover your personal style and gain confidence from wearing colours that look great on you. But - with the range of skin tones and natural features on people, it’s far too limiting for everyone to fit perfectly into a particular season.
So the short answer is YES - colours from more than one season can be flattering on you - even if we’re sticking within colour theory and the general “guidelines” around seasonal colour analysis. Here is why:
The Goal of Seasonal Colour Analysis
To first understand why colours from more than one palette may flatter you - we need to understand what the goal even is for seasonal colour analysis. With most systems, we’re trying to find colours that harmonize with us. What that means is that they match certain colour dimensions that show up in our own personal colouring so that the colour we wear flatters our skin tone, makes our skin appear smoother and that looks overall “balanced” on us.
Here’s an example: someone with cool ash blonde hair, blue-grey eyes and a “soft” look (low contrast between their hair, eyebrows, eyes, lips and skin) is likely going to look better in colours that are cooler, lighter and softer. If they were to wear the complete opposite - colours that are warm, dark or bright - it would look like it clashes with their skin tone or create a “washed out” appearance. So the goal for harmony would be to find a palette that has mostly cool, soft and light colours - and in the 12 season colour analysis system - that would be Soft Summer.
Sarah Jessica Parker who arguably looks "good" both in and out of her most harmonious palette
Colour Dimensions
In the system of seasonal colour analysis - we look at 3 main dimensions of colour:
Value: How light or dark the colour is (Light to Dark/Deep scale)
Chroma: How much grey has been added to the colour/hue* (Muted to Bright scale) and
Temperature: How warm/yellow the colour is or how cool/blue the colour is (Cool to Warm scale)
(*chroma can actually mean how much white, black or grey is added, but for colour analysis purposes we focus on grey)
Each of the 12 seasonal palettes accounts for different variations in these dimensions that are meant to match or “harmonize” with someone’s individual colouring. The thing is, every human is unique and may have a unique combination of these dimensions that don’t quite fit in the box of any of the 12 seasons or subseasons.
Taking the same example used above - let’s look at someone who has cool ash blonde hair, blue-grey eyes and low contrast. But let’s add that they appear to have a warm undertone - meaning their skin favours colours that are warmer rather than cooler. While rare, it’s possible! So do we try to harmonize with their cool hair and eyes or do we try to harmonize with their skin tone? In a case like this, this person would likely suit colours from both the Soft Summer and Soft Autumn palettes - as they have the possibility of both slightly cool and slightly warm colours to be flattering on them.
You are not a season
What I mean by this is that unlike your blood type which is something that can be measured - you are not defined by any particular colour season. I’m very particular with the wording I use in my colour analysis reports - which is: “This season is the one that gives you the most harmony”. This brings us back to the idea that we’re looking for colours that balance with us - not boxing ourselves into a season of colours that define us. We’re going back to the goal of harmony but not eliminating the possibility that there is a wide spectrum of colours that could look “good”.
If I could leave you with any thought from this article - it’s this: Colour Analysis is a tool in your styling tool box. It’s meant to be fun and explorative. What often trips people up is the stress around finding a “perfect” season and thinking it’s a rule to dress in certain colours. To reduce this stress, I recommend working with a professional for a colour analysis or if you’re doing it yourself - take your time and be open to exploring!
