True Spring Color Palette (Warm Spring): Every Color, What to Avoid and How to Wear It

True Spring, also called Warm Spring, is the warmest of the spring seasons. Your coloring is warm first and bright second: skin with a clear golden or peachy undertone, golden, strawberry, copper or golden brown hair, and warm eyes that often have golden flecks. Your best colors are warm, fresh and lively: coral, golden yellow, turquoise and kelly green.

The rule that sums it up: warm and alive. A True Spring can handle a fairly strong or fairly dark color as long as it is golden and clear. A cool, dusty or greyed color fails every time, however pretty it is on someone else.

The True Spring color palette

This is the complete palette we use in our analysis: 38 colors in five groups, plus the eight shades that work against True Spring coloring. Neutrals are for coats, trousers and bags, everyday colors for tops and knitwear, accents for one statement piece, and the deeps for when you want more weight.

Spring family · 38 colors

The True Spring color palette

Warm, golden and bright, like a field of spring flowers.

Neutrals

• Ivory
  #FFF3D9
• Warm Beige
  #E3C79D
• Golden Tan
  #DCAE6E
• Camel
  #C1915C
• Warm Grey
  #B0A391
• Golden Brown
  #9A6A35
• Milk Chocolate
  #7A5233
• Warm Navy
  #2E4A7F

Lights

• Light Peach
  #FFCC99
• Buttercup
  #FBE17C
• Pistachio
  #CDE0A0
• Pale Aqua
  #A8E4D8
• Peach Blossom
  #FAB69F
• Light Sky
  #A7CBEE

Everyday colors

• Coral
  #F2785C
• Salmon
  #F6967A
• Apricot
  #F5A35C
• Golden Yellow
  #F4C23E
• Leaf Green
  #6DB54B
• Yellow Green
  #A9C55A
• Turquoise
  #22B2A5
• Warm Aqua
  #4CC5BC
• Cornflower
  #6F93DD
• Warm Pink
  #F27F8A

Accents

• Tomato Red
  #E5432E
• Tangerine
  #F6852A
• Turquoise Blue
  #1FA3C8
• Kelly Green
  #4CAF50
• Caribbean
  #009AAE
• Bright Periwinkle
  #6B81E2
• Geranium
  #EC5468
• Clear Gold
  #E6B04A

Deeps

• Warm Teal
  #0E7C78
• Jade Green
  #158F63
• Marine Blue
  #2456A8
• Warm Violet
  #8B62C9
• Copper
  #C8682F
• Deep Coral
  #D6503E

Colors to avoid near the face

• Fuchsia
  #C71585
• Burgundy
  #6E1A2D
• Icy Pink
  #F3DAE4
• Silver Grey
  #A9ADB5
• Mauve
  #B784A7
• Slate Blue
  #6C7A89
• Black
  #0A0A0A
• Plum
  #6B3A5E

Tap any color to copy its hex code, then paste it into a shop's color filter or a design app.

What stands out:

• Everything is sunny. Even the blues (Turquoise Blue, Caribbean, Cornflower) are clear and fresh, never icy or greyed. Icy, blue-based and dusty colors are the ones that go wrong.
• Your neutrals are golden. Ivory, Warm Beige, Golden Tan, Camel and Milk Chocolate. Grey works only as Warm Grey, and black is replaced by Warm Navy and Golden Brown.
• You can wear real color. Tomato Red, Tangerine and Kelly Green are in your accents. Most people can't wear them; you look your best in them.
• Your greens are leafy, not bluish. Leaf Green, Yellow Green and Jade Green. Emerald-type blue greens are better on winters.

What makes someone a True Spring

Seasonal color analysis reads three qualities: value (light to deep), temperature (warm to cool) and chroma (soft to bright). Each season is defined by the quality that dominates and the one that comes second.

For True Spring, the dominant quality is warmth and the secondary is brightness. Value sits in the middle, and contrast is medium. This is a "pure" season: it doesn't borrow from a neighbor, so the colors are fully warm.

Side by side

True Spring vs Light Spring vs Bright Spring

Same idea, different dials. The season is decided by which quality dominates your coloring.

True Spring

Warm, golden and bright, like a field of spring flowers.

Top: signature colors · bottom: colors to avoid

Undertonewarm

CoolWarm

Depthmedium

LightDeep

Chromabright

SoftBright

Contrastmedium

LowHigh

Skin:

Ivory, peach or golden beige with a clearly warm undertone; freckles are common.

Hair:

Golden blonde, strawberry blonde, copper red or golden brown.

Eyes:

Warm blue, turquoise, green or golden hazel, often with golden flecks.

True Spring guide →

Light Spring

Light, warm and clear, like a sunny spring morning.

Top: signature colors · bottom: colors to avoid

Undertoneneutral warm

CoolWarm

Depthlight

LightDeep

Chromamedium

SoftBright

Contrastlow

LowHigh

Skin:

Fair to light ivory or peach, with a golden or peachy undertone and a warm glow; may freckle lightly.

Hair:

Golden, strawberry or honey blonde to light golden brown.

Eyes:

Light blue, aqua, light green or light warm hazel, usually clear and bright.

Light Spring guide →

Bright Spring

Clear, vivid and warm, like tropical fruit in sunlight.

Top: signature colors · bottom: colors to avoid

Undertoneneutral warm

CoolWarm

Depthmedium

LightDeep

Chromabright

SoftBright

Contrasthigh

LowHigh

Skin:

Clear ivory, golden beige or warm bronze, with a bright, luminous quality.

Hair:

Golden brown, chestnut or dark brown, sometimes black-brown; also bright golden blonde.

Eyes:

Clear, bright eyes such as turquoise, bright green, topaz or sparkling warm brown, with strong contrast to the whites.

Bright Spring guide →

Red hair is a frequent True Spring marker, but not a guarantee: auburn and copper also show up in the autumn seasons. The difference is clarity. A True Spring looks best in clear, bright warm colors; an autumn looks best in muted, earthy ones.

True Spring vs Light Spring vs Bright Spring

True Spring vs Light Spring. Both are warm and clear. The difference is depth. True Spring carries camel, tomato red, tangerine and kelly green without being overpowered; Light Spring looks better when those colors are lightened to light camel, coral pink and spring green. Hold a camel coat and a light camel scarf under your chin: if the deeper camel makes your face look warm and defined, you lean True Spring.

True Spring vs Bright Spring. Both wear vivid warm colors. Bright Spring has more contrast and a slightly cooler edge, so it can take bright white, charcoal grey and hot pink. True Spring looks better in ivory, warm navy and coral. The test: pure white vs ivory, and hot pink vs coral. If hot pink and white look clean and striking on you, check Bright Spring. If they look harsh and coral wins, you're the warmer season.

A third mix-up worth knowing: True Spring vs True Autumn. Both are fully warm. Spring is clear, autumn is muted. Compare tomato red with rust, and turquoise with warm teal. Clear wins on a Spring, earthy wins on an Autumn.

How to test True Spring at home

1. Face a window in daylight, no direct sun, lamps off. Minimal makeup, hair back.
2. Use solid fabrics right under your chin: T-shirts, scarves, towels.
3. Compare pairs. Coral vs fuchsia (temperature), ivory vs silver grey (temperature), golden yellow vs icy pink (temperature), tomato red vs rust (clarity), warm navy vs black (depth).
4. Watch your skin. The right color gives you an even, warm glow and makes freckles look like part of your face. The wrong one makes your skin look grey or sallow and your features fade.
5. Photograph each pair in the same light and compare later.

If the warm, clear option wins nearly every pair, especially coral and golden yellow, you have a strong True Spring signal.

Free · runs on your device

Compare 3 seasons on your own photo

True Spring · Light Spring · Bright Spring

Take a selfie or upload one. We put a draping cape on your photo and recolor it with this palette, best colors and the ones to avoid, so you can see the difference on your own face. Your photo stays in your browser.

×××

Try it on my photo

Colors to avoid as a True Spring

Every color that fails True Spring is too cool, too dusty or too dark. Each one below comes with the palette color that does the same job in your wardrobe.

True Spring · swap list

Avoid this, wear that instead

Each color that works against you, why, and the palette color that does the same job in your wardrobe. Same idea, better on your face.

• ×

  Fuchsia

  too cool and blue-based, it turns your skin sallow
  Geranium

  #EC5468
  too cool and blue-based, it turns your skin sallow
• ×

  Burgundy

  too cool and heavy, it drains your glow
  Deep Coral

  #D6503E
  too cool and heavy, it drains your glow
• ×

  Icy Pink

  too icy, it makes you look washed out
  Peach Blossom

  #FAB69F
  too icy, it makes you look washed out
• ×

  Silver Grey

  cold and flat, it greys your complexion
  Warm Grey

  #B0A391
  cold and flat, it greys your complexion
• ×

  Mauve

  dusty and cool, it dulls your warmth
  Warm Pink

  #F27F8A
  dusty and cool, it dulls your warmth
• ×

  Slate Blue

  greyed and cool, it makes you look tired
  Cornflower

  #6F93DD
  greyed and cool, it makes you look tired
• ×

  Black

  too harsh, it overpowers your warm coloring
  Warm Navy

  #2E4A7F
  too harsh, it overpowers your warm coloring
• ×

  Plum

  cool and dark, it casts a grey shadow
  Warm Violet

  #8B62C9
  cool and dark, it casts a grey shadow

Wear them away from your face if you love them. Black trousers, a silver bag or a plum skirt are fine when the color near your face is warm. Put a coral or ivory top between your face and a black jacket, or a golden yellow scarf over a grey coat.

True Spring color combinations

True Spring outfits look best with warmth and medium contrast: a golden neutral, one clear color, and a cheerful accent.

True Spring · outfit formulas

Color combinations that work

Read each board as 60% main color, 30% second, 10% accent near the face or in accessories.

• Main

  Second
  Camel · Coral · Ivory

  A warm, polished everyday outfit for work or lunch dates.

• Main

  Second
  Warm Navy · Golden Yellow · Ivory

  Your crisp, sunny alternative to black and white.

• Main

  Second
  Caribbean · Warm Beige · Tangerine

  Vacation and summer party energy.

• Main

  Second
  Leaf Green · Milk Chocolate · Light Peach

  Relaxed and natural, perfect for weekends.

Building a True Spring wardrobe

True Spring · capsule

A 10-piece True Spring capsule

Buy these first. Every piece mixes with every other, so ten items make dozens of outfits.

• Wool coatCamel
• BlazerWarm Navy
• Knit sweaterCoral
• Button-down shirtIvory
• T-shirtTurquoise
• TrousersWarm Beige
• DressTomato Red
• CardiganGolden Yellow
• ScarfLeaf Green
• HandbagGolden Brown

Shopping notes:

• Swap black for warm navy and golden brown. A Warm Navy blazer and Golden Brown leather shoes and bag cover everything black usually does.
• Buy camel with a golden cast. Some camels are pinkish or greyish. Compare in daylight next to an ivory shirt.
• Prints: lively, medium scale florals, polka dots and cheerful stripes. Tiny, faded prints look dull on you.
• Fabrics: cotton poplin, silk and fine knits with a smooth or crisp finish.
• Denim: medium, true blue washes with a warm cast. Very dark rinse and grey denim look heavy.

The most common True Spring mistakes

• Dressing like an Autumn. Warm is not the same as earthy. Rust, olive and mustard are warm, but muted; on a True Spring they look heavy and slightly muddy. Choose the clear version: Tomato Red instead of rust, Leaf Green instead of olive, Golden Yellow instead of mustard.
• Wearing black because it's "safe". Black is on your avoid list. It makes golden skin look grey and freckles look like spots. A Warm Navy blazer is just as safe and much more flattering.
• Cooling down your hair. An ash toner on golden or copper hair is the fastest way to make a True Spring look tired. Ask for a warm gloss.
• Using pink-based foundation. If your foundation looks fine in the bottle but grey on your face by midday, it's too pink for you. Switch to a golden or peach base.
• Keeping color for weekends. True Springs often wear neutrals to work and color on Saturdays. Your work wardrobe can be Camel, Ivory and Warm Navy with a Coral or Turquoise top: still professional, and you look awake.

True Spring at work, on weekends and in the evening

• Work: Warm Navy or Camel suit, Ivory shirt, Coral or Turquoise knit. Golden Brown shoes and bag.
• Weekend: Warm Beige trousers or medium blue denim, Leaf Green or Golden Yellow top, a light peach cardigan.
• Evening: a Tomato Red or Deep Coral dress with yellow gold jewelry and a coral lip.

True Spring makeup

True Spring · makeup

True Spring makeup shades

Choose a golden or peach undertone; ashy or rosy pink bases look grey on you.

Lips

• Coral
  #F06A50
• Tomato Red
  #D9412E
• Peach
  #F09C78
• Salmon
  #EE8468
• Warm Pink
  #EA6F7A
• Golden Nude
  #CF9673

Blush

• Peach
  #F5A47E
• Coral
  #F2856B
• Apricot
  #F3A06A
• Warm Pink
  #EE8E8A

Eyeshadow

• Champagne Gold
  #E5C78A
• Golden Bronze
  #B98543
• Copper
  #C26A3A
• Warm Brown
  #8A5A35
• Moss Gold
  #A9A04A
• Teal
  #1E8C85

Liner and mascara

• Golden Brown
  #7A4F2A
• Teal
  #116F6C

Nails

• Coral
  #F2785C
• Tomato Red
  #E5432E
• Peach
  #F9B48E
• Turquoise
  #22B2A5

• Foundation must be golden or peach. Rosy or ashy pink bases look grey on you, and that one mistake can make every other color look wrong.
• Lips: Coral and Peach every day, Tomato Red when you want a red. Blue-based reds and mauves fight your undertone.
• Eyes: champagne gold, golden bronze and copper. Teal liner is a great alternative to black and makes warm eyes glow.

True Spring hair colors

True Spring · hair

True Spring hair colors

Golden and copper tones light up your face; ask for a warm gloss rather than an ash toner.

Best shades

• Golden Blonde
  #CFA35E
• Strawberry Blonde
  #D69A6A
• Honey
  #C08A4A
• Copper Red
  #B5562B
• Golden Brown
  #8E6236

Shades to skip

• ×
  Ash Blonde
  #BDB6A6
• ×
  Blue Black
  #10131C
• ×
  Plum
  #4E2638

Golden and copper tones light up your face. Ask your colorist for a warm gloss rather than an ash toner, and keep highlights golden or honey. Ash blonde, blue black and plum work against your natural warmth. If you're a natural redhead, protect the copper: it's one of your best features.

Best jewelry and metals for True Spring

True Spring · jewelry

Best metals for True Spring

• yellow goldBest
• polished brassBest
• copperBest
• rose goldWorks
• bronzeWorks
• platinumSkip
• gunmetalSkip
• oxidized silverSkip

Yellow gold, polished brass and copper are your metals. Rose gold and bronze work. Platinum, gunmetal and oxidized silver look cold and grey against True Spring skin. Warm stones follow the palette: coral, turquoise, citrine and peridot.

True Spring celebrities

True Spring · commonly cited

Celebrities often typed as True Spring

These names come up again and again in color analysis circles. Nobody has draped them in person for us, and hair dye, tans and stage lighting change how anyone looks, so treat them as reference points, not verdicts.

• Amy Adams
• Emma Stone
• Nicole Kidman
• Karen Gillan
• Isla Fisher
• Lindsay Lohan

The common thread is warmth: golden or red hair, warm eyes, and skin that glows in coral and gold. Compare their photos in warm, clear colors with photos in black or grey and you'll see the effect clearly.

True Spring FAQ

Is True Spring the same as Warm Spring?

Yes. True Spring, Warm Spring and Pure Spring are names for the same season: warm first, bright second.

What are the main True Spring characteristics?

A clearly warm, golden undertone, medium depth, medium contrast and a fresh, clear look. Skin is ivory, peach or golden beige, hair golden to copper to golden brown, eyes warm blue, green, turquoise or golden hazel.

Can True Spring wear black?

Not near the face: black overpowers warm coloring. Warm Navy is the best replacement. Black shoes or trousers are fine.

What are the best True Spring neutrals?

Ivory, Warm Beige, Golden Tan, Camel, Warm Grey, Golden Brown, Milk Chocolate and Warm Navy.

Can True Spring wear pink?

Yes, warm pinks: Warm Pink, Peach Blossom, Coral, Salmon and Geranium. Cool pinks like fuchsia and icy pink are on the avoid list.

What hair color is best for True Spring?

Golden blonde, strawberry blonde, honey, copper red and golden brown. Skip ash blonde, blue black and plum.