The three dimensions
- Hue or undertone: warm (golden) versus cool (pink or blue).
- Value: how light or deep your overall coloring is.
- Chroma: how bright and clear versus soft and muted your coloring is.
Where it came from
The four-season idea was popularized by Carole Jackson’s 1980 book Color Me Beautiful. Later systems expanded it to 12 or 16 seasons for finer distinctions.
How to use the result
Wear your best colors near your face, use your palette’s neutrals for big pieces, and repeat one accent color across an outfit. Full guide: Seasonal color analysis explained.