Soft Autumn: The Complete Guide

The Soft Autumn color palette is defined by its gentle, muted, and blended tones. The key characteristic of the Soft Autumn palette is its 'softness,' which complements those whose hair, skin, and eyes blend together in a naturally subdued, harmonious way. Enjoy this comprehensive guide to help you shine in your best shades!

Are you a Soft Autumn?

When you look in the mirror, you’ll see that your hair, skin, and eyes blend together softly, without sharp contrasts. Your natural colors are softly blended rather than bright. Warm colors, like brown and beige, will suit you better than cooler tones such white or gray. You might be a soft autumn if you have these features:

Hair: Brown, golden brown, soft auburn, or golden blonde.
Skin: You have warm/neutral undertones.
Eyes: Your eyes may be hazel, gray-green, brown, or gray-blue.

Soft Autumn Examples

If this is helpful, I wanted to share a selection of Soft Autumns showcasing their natural hair color from my in-person color analysis consultations. Also, here’s examples of Soft Autumn celebrities.

Before you jump in, let’s soak in the Soft Autumn vibe! Soft Autumn colors are all about softness and subtlety, like a cozy fall afternoon. Picture olive greens, warm terracottas, and gentle corals—very different from the rich burnt oranges of Warm Autumn or the deep, dramatic tones of Dark Autumn. Instead, Soft Autumn's palette radiates a calm, earthy, and effortlessly gentle energy.

Three Dimensions of Color

If we look at the colors through a more scientific lens using the Munsell color system, here’s how they break down across the three key dimensions of color characteristics:

Hue: this palette leans towards warmth, with colors that have a slight yellow undertone.
Value: this palette has a medium value, meaning it’s not too light or too dark. Most colors are comfortably in the middle, offering a balanced and cohesive look.
Chroma: the key feature of this palette is its low chroma. These colors are soft and muted, avoiding any brightness.

Warm Autumn and Soft Autumn share a warm, earthy quality, but they differ in their intensity and depth of color.

Warm Autumn: Features rich, earthy, and warm tones like burnt oranges, mustard yellows, and forest greens. The colors are warm and full-bodied, reflecting the rich hues of autumn foliage.
Soft Autumn: Has a softer, more muted palette with gentle, earthy tones like walnut brown, soft olive, and terracotta. The colors are warm but more toned down, with a subtle, blended quality.

While both seasons embrace warmth, Warm Autumn is more intense and saturated, whereas Soft Autumn offers a more subdued, blended warmth.

Now, Soft Autumn and Soft Summer are similar and can often look alike. Both have a muted, toned-down palette, but the key difference is in their undertones:

Soft Autumn: Warm with soft, earthy hues like walnut brown and terracotta.
Soft Summer: Cool with powdery, smoky, cloudy shades, and more emphasis on grey and cool tones.

Shop Soft Autumn Outfits

Now that you understand the Soft Autumn vibe, you're ready to start shopping! You’re in for a treat—Colorbook makes it easy and fun to shop in your colors and style. Whether you’re on the hunt for new finds or looking for sale items, everything is perfectly tailored to you. Start your free trial today; it’s a fantastic way to begin learning your color palette!

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Best Neutrals

Neutrals are the colors that complement everything and serve as the perfect backdrop for your palette. Ideal neutral shades include Eggshell, Olive Green, Sand, Caramel, Soft Navy, Khaki, and Walnut Brown (examples below).

Neutrals to avoid

Dark Colors: Black is too harsh and can make you look older. Instead, choose soft brown or dark olive greens.
Bright Whites: True white is too cool for this palette. Opt for lighter, warmer neutrals like eggshell, beige, and sandy tones.

How to wear your Soft Autumn colors.

Here are some tips for wearing your Soft Autumn colors in a way that keeps your look soft, natural, and subtly balanced.

Monochromatic Combinations

Pair different shades of the same color for a tonal look. For example, pair a lighter olive green with a darker olive green.

Low Contrast Pairings

Opt for colors that are close to each other on the color wheel and have a similar value, such as a medium terracotta with a medium green.

Neutral + Accent

Mix a neutral shade with an accent color of the same value. For example, pair a medium brown with a medium soft coral for a subtle yet stylish look.

Denim

When selecting denim, choose lived-in styles that pair beautifully with this palette’s colors, adding warmth and depth to your look. Opting for faded or washed-out denim can enhance the richness of your palette, giving your outfit a naturally warm and characterful touch.

Soft Autumn Makeup

Soft Autumn makeup embraces soft, warm, gentle tones that beautifully enhance your natural glow. If bold, bright lipstick feels overpowering on you, it's a sign you may be a Soft Autumn! Look for shades like soft terracotta and apricot to create a harmonious, radiant look. Here are my favorite Soft Autumn colors that I use in my studio for my Colorbook clients:

Best Metals & Accessories

Here’s a guide to help you choose the best metals, stones, and other accessories to complement your Soft Autumn palette.

Metals & Jewelry

Opt for soft metals like rose gold, soft yellow gold, pewter, bronze, and soft silver. Avoid bright, shiny metals that can overwhelm your natural gentleness, making your coloring appear dull.

Stones

When it comes to gemstones, think of warm, earthy tones. Citrine, amber, topaz, jade, garnet, coral, jasper, and peridot are excellent choices, as they enhance the warm notes in your coloring. Greenish stones with a grassy hue and ivory pearls can add elegance while staying true to the soft, subtle essence of this palette.

Other Ideas

Wood and other natural materials are perfect for Soft Autumns, as they resonate with the season’s earthy, organic vibe.

What to Avoid

Bright, shiny metals and overly sparkly bling can overwhelm your coloring and detract from your natural beauty. Stick to softer, more muted tones to keep your look harmonious and elegant.

Soft Autumn Hair Advice

Here’s the hair advice I share with my Soft Autumn clients, along with examples of their natural hair color subtly highlighted by the sun.

Embrace Your Natural Color

Your natural hair color is perfectly suited to your palette! Embrace its natural beauty as it will harmonize beautifully with your colors.

Opt for Soft, Warm Hues

If you choose to color your hair, select soft and warm shades that complement your season. Caramel, honey blonde, and chestnut are excellent choices that enhance your natural radiance.

Soft Autumn Hair Characteristics

Hair color can range from auburn and golden blonde to medium golden brown. It may appear slightly ashy due to its muted nature but will often develop golden highlights when exposed to sunlight.

Patterns

When adding patterns and prints to your wardrobe, consider these tips to ensure they complement your natural coloring.

Suggested Patterns

Opt for patterns that feature over 75% of Soft Autumn colors. Look for natural and soft patterns, like oval shapes, leaves, and earthy textures. Small floral prints are also a great choice, especially if they feature delicate flowers.

Patterns to Avoid

Avoid geometric patterns, large motifs, and ordered arrangements, as they may clash with your soft, gentle appearance.

What is the difference between the Autumn seasons?

Whether you’ve been told you’re an Autumn in a color analysis or you’re just curious if you might be, I’m excited to share a unique collage showcasing Soft Autumn, Warm (True) Autumn, and Dark (Deep) Autumn. These real-life examples from my in-person consultations will help you see the distinct patterns and personal coloring for each Autumn type. Dive into these vibrant photo collages to find out where you fit best and embrace your Autumn palette with confidence!