The original four-season system (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) has been expanded into 12 sub-seasons to account for the full spectrum of human coloring. Each of the four families splits into three based on which quality of that season is most dominant: the value, the chroma, or the temperature bias.
TipA note on naming: there is no single universal naming standard for the 12 sub-seasons. The Western tradition most commonly uses names like "Soft Autumn," "True Autumn," and "Deep Autumn." The Korean CCCS system uses tone-based labels like "Dull," "Vivid," and "Deep." Syft uses descriptive names (Autumn Mute, Autumn Warm, Autumn Deep) that reflect the dominant characteristic of each sub-season. The characteristics and palettes are consistent across systems — only the labels differ.
The Spring Family — Warm, Clear
All Springs share warm undertones and relatively clear, vivid coloring. Their palette centers on warm, golden, and fresh tones.
- Spring Light: the most delicate Spring. Light depth, soft warmth, fresh and airy palette. Best in ivory, cream, soft peach, and pale gold.
- Spring Warm: the "truest" Spring. Medium depth with clear warmth and vibrancy. Best in coral, warm gold, camel, and aqua.
- Spring Bright: high contrast, the most vivid Spring. Bold, clear, electric warmth. Best in coral red, emerald, papaya, and bright turquoise.
The Summer Family — Cool, Soft
All Summers share cool undertones and a muted, soft quality. Their palette draws from dusty, blended, and powdery tones.
- Summer Mute: the lightest Summer. Delicate, cool, and airy. Best in lavender, powder blue, soft pink, and icy mint.
- Summer Cool: the "truest" Summer. Medium depth with quiet, cool elegance. Best in dusty rose, mauve, cool blue, and soft teal.
- Summer Soft: neutral-cool and blended. The softest chroma of all 12 seasons. Best in greige, soft lavender, dusty pink, and cool taupe.
The Autumn Family — Warm, Muted or Deep
All Autumns share warm undertones, with depth and richness as defining qualities. Their palette is earthy, grounded, and organic.
- Autumn Mute: warm-neutral with soft, earthy tones. The most blended Autumn. Best in camel, warm taupe, soft olive, and muted gold.
- Autumn Warm: the "truest" Autumn. Rich, vivid warm depth. Best in rust, mustard, terracotta, olive, and burnt orange.
- Autumn Deep: the deepest Autumn. Dramatic, grounded, richly intense. Best in espresso, dark chocolate, deep olive, and mahogany.
The Winter Family — Cool, Clear or Deep
All Winters share cool undertones and high contrast or depth. Their palette is dramatic, precise, and bold.
- Winter Bright: cool with maximum clarity and contrast. The most electric season. Best in true red, hot pink, royal blue, and pure white.
- Winter Cool: the "truest" Winter. Deep, clear, and precise. Best in jewel tones, black, crisp white, and true red.
- Winter Deep: the deepest, most dramatic Winter. Mysterious and intense. Best in deep plum, midnight navy, charcoal, and black.
How to Tell Adjacent Seasons Apart
Adjacent seasons share one or two qualities and differ on the third. Spring Warm and Autumn Warm are both warm and medium depth, but Spring Warm is clear where Autumn Warm is richer and earthier. Summer Cool and Winter Cool are both cool and medium-to-deep, but Summer Cool is muted where Winter Cool is high contrast.
TipIf you're between two seasons, wear colors from both and observe which makes your skin look clearer and your eyes brighter. The season that consistently outperforms is yours.