Soft Autumn Color Palette
By the Skintonic team · SKINTONIC LLC · Updated
Soft Autumns have gentle, warm, blended coloring. Hair is often light to medium golden brown or dark blond, skin is warm-neutral, and eyes are soft hazel, olive green or warm brown. Earthy, muted colors make you look natural and warm. Bright or icy colors make you look drained. The Soft Autumn color palette keeps the warmth but takes the edge off, which is why it reads as natural on you.
You are likely a Soft Autumn if:
- Your hair is soft golden brown, dark blond or light brown with warm highlights.
- Your skin is warm-neutral and your features blend together with low contrast.
- Your eyes are soft and warm: hazel, olive green, soft brown.
- Bright fuchsia, icy pink and stark white make you look pale.
- Olive, sage and terracotta look good on you, not dull.
What a Soft Autumn looks like
Your coloring is warm but gentle. There are no strong contrasts between hair, skin and eyes. Everything has a slightly muted, earthy quality, like autumn leaves in soft light.
This is why bright and cool colors fight you. Your best colors are warm and muted: they share the softness of your coloring, so they look natural rather than dull.
Soft Autumn color palette
- Deep Rust#A0502C
- Deep Olive#5E5E32
- Burnt Orange#B85C2E
- Warm Burgundy#7A3B3A
- Deep Mustard#A87F28
- Terracotta#C1704A
- Warm Muted Teal#4E8C7C
- Soft Mustard#C9A24A
These are warm, earthy colors with a soft finish. Wear them in tonal combinations. For neutrals, choose warm taupe, soft camel, stone, sage or warm soft charcoal.
Three easy outfits
Weekend
A Terracotta t-shirt or sweater with stone-colored chinos and brown suede shoes. Warm, earthy and relaxed.
Smart casual
A Warm Muted Teal shirt or blouse with a soft camel jacket and dark olive trousers. Teal and camel are a natural pair for soft autumns.
Going out
A Warm Burgundy top with a warm taupe blazer and soft gold jewelry. Rich but soft.
Colors that work against you
Avoid colors that are cool, icy or very bright. Icy pink, bright fuchsia, cool blue and electric purple all clash with your warm, muted coloring. Black and pure white are too stark.
If you want a dark neutral, warm soft charcoal or chocolate brown works better than black.
Soft Autumn or Soft Summer?
Both are soft and low contrast. The difference is undertone. Soft Autumn is warm; Soft Summer is cool.
Hold soft terracotta and dusty rose under your chin. If terracotta looks better, lean Soft Autumn. If rose looks better, lean Soft Summer.
Soft Autumn or Warm Autumn?
Warm Autumn is warmer and richer, with stronger earthy colors like rust and pumpkin. Soft Autumn is more muted. If strong rust looks heavy on you but soft terracotta looks great, you are more likely a Soft Autumn.
Quick tips
- Metal: soft or brushed gold, brass, bronze.
- Glasses: soft tortoise, olive, warm taupe or matte gold frames.
- Hair: soft golden, honey and warm beige tones. Very dark or ashy dyes add contrast you do not need.
Questions
What is the best neutral for a Soft Autumn?
Warm taupe, soft camel and stone. They are gentle enough to match your coloring.
Can a Soft Autumn wear white?
Off-white, cream or ivory, yes. Stark white is usually too sharp.
Is Soft Autumn the same as Muted Autumn?
Yes. Some systems call it Muted Autumn.
Check any color against your season
Holding something in a shop and not sure? The free color checker takes any color and tells you whether Soft Autumn carries it near the face, lower down, or not at all.
More on Soft Autumn
Soft Autumn hair color · Soft Autumn makeup · Soft Autumn outfits · Soft Autumn colors to avoid
If this is you
Colors for warm undertones · Colors for medium skin · Colors for brown hair · Colors that make green eyes pop
Often confused with
Soft Autumn vs Deep Autumn · Soft Autumn vs Light Spring · Soft Autumn vs Soft Summer
Related
The whole autumn color palette · Color analysis quiz · All 12 seasons · Undertone test · Color combinations · How the four factors work