Color Analysis Systems 101

For anyone interested in learning about personal color analysis, a quick Google search is anything but quick. Conflicting information abounds, from differing methods to fictitious seasons to dissimilar palettes. The one (and often only) common denominator used by all is the 3 dimensions of color — temperature (warm/cool), chroma (bright/clear and muted/soft) and value (light/dark). To help cut through the noise, below are the what’s, why’s and how’s of each system:

4-Season System
Popularized in the 1980s, the 4-season color palette system is the most streamlined method. It considers only temperature and value for diagnosis and adheres to Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn for seasonal categories. It keeps things general yet clear, and is a quick, useful approach that offers basic directional guidance for wardrobe and makeup colors.

12-Season System
Most commonly used in Korea, the 12-season color palette system expands the 4-season system from one season per category to 3 — the main season plus 2 “flow” sub-seasons. It considers temperature, value and only one aspect of chroma for diagnosis, limiting the palette by the third sub-season. While more personalized than the 4-season system, it’s incomplete in my opinion because, well, my season is missing!

16-Season System
The most comprehensive and precise method, the 16-season color palette system includes the complete 4-season categories — the main season plus all 3 “flow” sub-seasons. Each color dimension is represented in full, making it the most comprehensive, inclusive and nuanced system available. This is why I was trained in, and practice, the 16-season color palette system for diagnosis, and also because it includes my Soft Winter season!

For more about my color analysis process and how diagnosis is determined, see this blog post.