How to Dress for Summer… When You’re Not a Summer
Ah, summer: long sunny days, linen everything, and an explosion of ice-cream pastels wherever you turn. But what if your personal colour season isn’t aligned with the season outside your window? If you’re a Winter, Autumn or Spring in colour analysis terms, don’t worry—summer style is still yours to claim without sacrificing your best hues.
- Know Your Palette—And Embrace It
Each season has its strength:
- Winters shine in cool, high-contrast tones—think crisp whites, black, cobalt, and icy pinks.
- Autumns glow in rich, warm tones—think terracotta, olive, mustard, and teal.
- Springs bloom in light, warm tones—peach, golden yellow, aqua, coral.
The key? Don’t try to “summer-fy” your wardrobe by wearing washed-out pastels or overly soft tones if they dull your complexion. Instead, bring your colours into summer fabrics and silhouettes.
- Lighten Up—Without Going Pale
You don’t have to default to pale blue or baby pink to keep cool. Look for:
- Breathable fabrics in your colours—linen in olive, cotton in coral or rayon in sapphire.
- Summer cuts like sleeveless tops, cropped trousers, or wide-leg jumpsuits in your palette.
- Prints and patterns that reflect seasonal energy—tropical florals, geometric motifs, or painterly abstract prints that nod to summer but stay true to your tone.
- Accessorise for the Season
When your wardrobe leans deeper, bolder or warmer than the typical summer palette, accessories are your friend. Try:
- Raffia totes or woven sandals in camel or mustard
- Statement earrings in turquoise or fuchsia
- A lightweight scarf in a flattering jewel tone to add polish to a casual look
- Sunscreen, But Make It Stylish
Even your beauty routine can harmonise with your palette. Look for a tinted SPF that matches your undertone, a summery lipstick in your seasonal red (think cherry for Winter or brick for Autumn), and sunglasses with frames that complement your colouring—tortoiseshell, navy, or metallics can all work better than pale pastels.
- Let Fabric Do the Cooling—Not Colour
Summer dressing is more about breathability than brightness. If black flatters you, don’t ditch it in July—just reach for a floaty black dress with an open neckline and strappy sandals. If burnt orange brings you to life, find it in a lightweight midi skirt instead of wool trousers.
Summer may lean pastel, but your palette has power. Dress it with confidence, and you’ll radiate more warmth and light than any ice-cream shade ever could.
Want to find out how to wear your colours all year round? Contact me now.
