How do I start wearing Summer palette colours?
Whether you've done our colour quiz, had an in-person colour analysis, or simply realised that this palette is 'you', you're ready for your colour adventure with the Summer palette. You might be brand new to wearing colour, or simply need a refresh on this cool palette, inspired by lavender fields and rose gardens; either way, this guide covers everything you need to wear your colours with confidence!
The Summer palette
The Summer palette is cool, soft, smoky and often worn in a tonal, subtly blended way. Every colour has a cool, smoky blue undertone; your pinks are rose and mauve, and yours blues washed indigo and sky rather than turquoise. Even your darkest neutral - sultry navy - has a softened, slightly smoky quality compared to a classic true navy, while your version of white is slightly greyed and chalky rather than crisp and clear.
Don't panic if your palette feels like a big change from what you've been wearing up until now, or you find yourself unsure how to move on from classic neutrals like black and white. Along with elegant, cool toned neutrals, the Summer palette contains a rainbow of colours that are waiting to be layered up in smoky, harmonious combinations. And don't forget that every single colour within this palette, from elegant French Grey to playful Petal Pink, is carefully selected to make you feel as amazing as you look.
The Summer personality
Those who fall into the Summer palette are often seen as more considered and thoughful, even quiet. They are known for being cool, calm and collected, and are often best at working somewhat ‘behind the scenes’ rather than being centre stage.
Rose Brown Ada Ponte Top
Start with a scarf
So you know what your palette looks like, but how do you actually start wearing it? We are big believers in the magic of a pop of colour, and we know that the easiest way is to add a scarf. A colourful Print Infinity Scarf or indulgent Cashmere Gauze Stole is the ideal starting point for injecting a dash of Summer into your outfits.
If you're feeling a little unsure, a print is an easy starting point, both because it isn't quite such a 'block' of colour, and because you'll be able to pick colours out from that print as you begin to add more colour to your outfit. Many of our prints also contain a neutral, to help guide (but not dictate! We do love experimenting) your entire outfit.
Azalea Pink Connie Sweater | Smokey Leopard Print Infinity Scarf | Red Garnet & Silver Luna Earrings
Outfit building
You're gaining confidence with a colour pop, but now you're trying to put together colour combinations for an entire outfit. And we're here to help!
To start with, keep it simple. Summers generally feel their best wearing layered, tonal shades, which simply means wearing several variations of a colour (think French Grey, Indian Teal and Delphinium). Try to wear a minimum of three colours in your outfits to really see the magic of your palette happen, as shades blend with shades to create a harmonious whole.
Don't worry if you don't have quite the right colours to hand at first, just make sure that you have one of your Summer colours near your face, in the form of a top, jacket or scarf, to reflect your best colours up onto your face, and you'll be well on your way to sporting your Summer palette from top to toe.
Adding more colour
As you develop in confidence, you can begin to layer more colours within your outfits - a peep of a camisole here, an accessory there, and you'll begin to see the depth of the Summer palette develop in your outfits. As you gain confidence with your colours you might find yourself wanting to wear bolder colour combinations, and we are very much here for that. Wearing colour has the power to boost your mood, as well as brightening the day of everyone around you.
If you're not sure where to start with adding more colours, our colour combination pages are the ultimate resource - packed full of colour combination inspiration and put together by our in house artist Hannah, all you need to do is pick an image and go!
Expressing your own style
Your style is completely unique to you, and one of the biggest worries when beginning your colour journey can be how you'll express your style and personality within the 'limits' of your newfound palette.
The answer is simple: your palette is a world of possibilities, not a limit. As well as containing a huge range of colours, your colour palette is designed to work with, not against, your personal style. Whether you prefer a minimal, pared back look, full on glamour, something outdoorsy and adventurous, or a look that is entirely unique, your palette contains a full balance of lights, darks, neutrals and brights to enable you to achieve it.
Just take it slowly, and begin to explore replacing old favourites with similar styles in your new favourite colours as you go!
Still not sure? Five top tips to get you started right now
If you're still lacking in confidence, here are the five tips you need to get you started with your season right now:
- Add a splash - a scarf, t-shirt or jacket in one of your new brights will instantly lift any outfit.
- Note your neutrals - elegant cool tones like Sultry Navy, sophisticated Silver Moon, and airy Soft White. Begin to base your outfits around these.
- 'A minimum of three colours' - keep this mantra in mind every time you get dressed, and don't panic if your colours aren't perfect straight away - developing your wardrobe is a process (and an adventure!), not an overnight fix.
- Fall in love with prints - if you're feeling nervous, add colour in the form of prints rather than solid shades.
- Don't lose your style - use colour to enhance, rather than diminish your personality.
To see the other seasons, use the links below:
