True Spring Color Palette

The true spring colors, one by one

• Marigold (#F9A825) is a warm, mid-tone, vivid orange, closest to goldenrod among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Tangerine (#FF8A3D) is a warm, light, vivid orange, closest to coral among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Warm Coral (#FF6F59) is a warm, light, vivid red, closest to coral among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Poppy (#E8452E) is a warm, mid-tone, vivid red, closest to brick red among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Grass Green (#5DB43C) is a slightly warm, mid-tone, moderately saturated green, closest to lime green among common named colors. Use it as tops, accessories and supporting UI surfaces.
• Lime (#A4C639) is a warm, mid-tone, moderately saturated yellow, closest to pistachio among common named colors. Use it as tops, accessories and supporting UI surfaces.
• Warm Turquoise (#1FB5A6) is a cool, mid-tone, vivid teal-green, closest to zomp among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Golden Yellow (#FFC93C) is a warm, light, vivid yellow-orange, closest to mustard yellow among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Warm Violet (#8A6FDF) is a cool, light, vivid indigo, closest to royal blue among common named colors. Use it as a statement color near the face or a call to action.
• Camel (#C08A4E) is a warm, mid-tone, moderately saturated orange, closest to bronze among common named colors. Use it as tops, accessories and supporting UI surfaces.
• Golden Brown (#8B5A2B) is a warm, dark, moderately saturated orange, closest to wine among common named colors. Use it as tops, accessories and supporting UI surfaces.
• Cream (#FFF3D6) is a warm, very light, vivid yellow-orange, closest to cream among common named colors. Use it as a background or base neutral.

What is seasonal color analysis?

Who is a True Spring?

How to tell if you are a True Spring

Building a true spring wardrobe

• True Spring wardrobes replace black with golden brown, camel, warm navy and cream. These neutrals hold the warmth that defines the season.
• Bring in color generously: marigold, tangerine, warm coral, poppy, grass green, lime and warm turquoise. True Springs can wear stronger colors than Light Springs, as long as they stay warm and clear.
• Prints work well when they are clear and cheerful, like florals and fruit motifs in warm colors, rather than muted or murky patterns.

Makeup, hair and jewelry

Common mistakes with a true spring palette

• Reaching for the wrong neutral. Black (#000000) is the most common slip. Swap it for cream, camel, golden brown to keep the warm feel.
• Mixing in the wrong temperature. Colors like cool pink, icy blue, dusty mauve break the harmony because they sit outside True Spring's warm, clear and bright range.
• Using every color at once. A palette of twelve colors is a menu, not an outfit or a layout. Pick one main color, one accent and one or two neutrals for any single look or screen.
• Ignoring contrast on screen. Many true spring colors are medium, so check text against the WCAG contrast guideline before using them for copy or button labels.

Ready-made true spring palettes

Best neutrals, and colors to avoid

Using true spring colors in design

:root {
  --true-spring-marigold-market-1: #FFF3D6;
  --true-spring-marigold-market-2: #FFC93C;
  --true-spring-marigold-market-3: #FF8A3D;
  --true-spring-marigold-market-4: #5DB43C;
  --true-spring-marigold-market-5: #8B5A2B;
}

True Spring vs neighbouring seasons

Sources and further reading

• Wikipedia: Color analysis (art) · History of seasonal color analysis and the twelve-season system.
• WCAG 2.1: Contrast (Minimum) · The W3C rule behind the 4.5:1 and 3:1 thresholds used on this page.
• MDN: CSS color values · Reference for hex, rgb() and hsl() syntax.

More seasonal palettes

Questions people ask