Understanding the Sub-Seasons: What Your Colour Type Really Means
If you’ve ever heard someone casually drop into conversation that they’re a Soft Summer or a Warm Autumn, you might have wondered… “Okay, but what does that actually mean?” You’re definitely not alone. Colour analysis has become increasingly popular again (and I’m here for it), but the terminology can sometimes feel like alphabet soup.
During my full colour analysis appointments, I use the 16 sub-season method, a more refined, modern version of the original four-season system that took off in the 1980s, thanks to Carole Jackson. Back then, the four seasons were groundbreaking, but they grouped people quite broadly. Enter the 16-season system: softer, more nuanced, and beautifully accurate when you want a true picture of your natural colouring.
Instead of simply being labelled “Autumn,” for example, you might be a Soft Autumn or a Deep Autumn, both part of the Autumn family, but with different levels of depth, warmth and clarity. This finer detail helps your palette feel like you, not just a colour category you’ve been squeezed into.
And here’s something important: your seasonal type isn’t a rulebook. It’s a guide, a supportive tool. It helps you find colours that make you look healthy, radiant and alive, but it doesn’t stop you embracing shades you love. Your seasonal palette is wide and supportive, and your sub-season just helps pinpoint the space where your colouring feels most harmonious.
Below is a snapshot of all sixteen sub-seasons I work with.
The Spring Family
Warm • Light • Fresh • Bright: Spring’s energy is full of sunshine tones, optimism and clarity.
True Spring: The classic Spring palette; warm, bright and perfectly balanced.
Bright (Clear) Spring: The boldest Spring; vibrant, sparkling and closest to Winter with its high contrast.
Light Spring: Soft, delicate and airy, brushing up against Summer with its gentler tones.
Warm Spring: The golden heart of Spring, glowing with peaches, corals and soft yellows.
The Summer Family
Cool • Soft • Misty • Refined: Summer brings a gentle, calm elegance with cool undertones and blended softness.
True Summer: The classic Summer palette; cool, calm and balanced.
Soft (Muted) Summer: Gentle and blended, sitting near Autumn. Cool-toned, but with a subtle warmth.
Cool Summer: The iciest Summer; crisp, blue-based and leaning towards Winter.
Light Summer: The softest Summer, delicately bridging Summer and Spring.
The Autumn Family
Warm • Earthy • Deep • Textured: Autumn is rich, cosy and grounded, full of depth and luxurious warmth.
True Autumn: The classic Autumn palette; warm, deep and softly blended.
Soft Autumn: Muted and gentle, closest to Summer with understated tonal harmony.
Deep Autumn: Dramatic and intense, bordering Winter and full of rich depth.
Warm Autumn: The golden, spicy end of Autumn, leaning slightly towards Spring.
The Winter Family
Cool • Clear • High-Contrast • Vibrant: Winter runs from icy pastels to striking jewel tones, always with crisp clarity.
Deep Winter: The darkest Winter palette, sitting closest to Autumn with rich, intense tones.
True Winter: Bright, cool and high-contrast; the classic Winter palette.
Bright (Clear) Winter: Electric, vivid and energetic, sitting near Spring with bold clarity.
Cool Winter: The iciest Winter; blue-based, refined and closest to Summer.
How Understanding Your Sub-Season Helps You
Knowing your sub-season doesn’t limit you, it frees you. It helps you build a wardrobe where every piece plays nicely with the others. It brings harmony to your clothing, accessories, jewellery and makeup. It makes shopping easier and getting dressed quicker, because everything simply works.
And just a gentle reminder: colour analysis is not about restriction. It’s not about shrinking yourself or conforming. It’s about feeling confident, creative and authentically yourself, with colours that celebrate you, exactly as you are.
Want to Dive Deeper?
You might enjoy reading my recent post on why texture matters as much as colour (beautiful if you’re exploring your palette more deeply). Or my blog on understanding the colour schemes that make up the colour analysis technique.
Summary
The 16 sub-season method offers a more nuanced, accurate reading than the original four seasons.
Your sub-season helps identify your best balance of warmth, depth and clarity.
Each colour family contains four unique sub-seasons that bring their own personality and tone.
Your seasonal palette is a guide, supportive, not restrictive.
Understanding your sub-season makes dressing, shopping and styling easier and more joyful.
Ready to Discover Your Sub-Season?
If you’d love clarity, confidence and a wardrobe that truly feels like home, you can book a Full Colour Analysis with me, a calming, luxurious experience designed to help you shine in your own way.
Love
Lucy x