Deep Winter color palette
Deep and cool: black, burgundy, emerald, sapphire, plum and deep teal. Also called Dark Winter. Deep Winter is one of the 12 seasons of color analysis: deep first, cool second.
What is Deep Winter?
Deep Winter, also called Dark Winter, is the darkest winter season. Its colors are deep first and cool second, with jewel-like saturation. It borders Deep Autumn, which is equally deep but warmer, and True Winter, which is cooler and brighter.
| Dimension | Deep Winter |
|---|---|
| Hue (undertone) | Cool (secondary) |
| Value (lightness) | Deep (dominant) |
| Chroma (clarity) | Medium, in between |
The Deep Winter color palette
Deep, cool, saturated colors: burgundy, wine, crimson, berry, plum, aubergine, deep purple, sapphire, navy, deep teal, emerald and pine. Every color below links to its own page with hex, RGB and OKLCH values, shades and matching colors.
Light tones
Medium tones
Best neutrals for Deep Winter
Black, charcoal, navy, cool dark brown, cool gray and crisp white.
Colors Deep Winter should avoid
Light warm pastels, orange, camel, golden yellow, and dusty muted colors.
The colors below come from Light Spring, the season with the opposite traits. They are the least flattering on Deep Winter coloring.
How to tell if you are a Deep Winter
- Skin: Medium to deep with a neutral-cool or cool undertone; it can also be olive.
- Hair: Dark brown, black-brown or black.
- Eyes: Dark: deep brown, black-brown, dark hazel or dark cool green.
- Contrast: High. Deep coloring holds strong color and black well.
Coloring is a tendency, not a checklist. The surest test is to hold colors from this palette and from True Winter and Deep Autumn under your chin in daylight and see which make your skin look clear and even. The color analysis quiz narrows it down in a few questions.
Deep Winter outfits and wardrobe
Build a Deep Winter wardrobe on two or three neutrals, then add medium tones for most of your tops and save the strongest colors for accents near the face. Four starting combinations from this palette:
Everyday: Silver, Clear pink and Deep Lilac
Work: Rich Navy, Slate and Denim Blue
Evening: Deep purple, Midnight Green and Pale Grey
Weekend: Light magenta, Peacock Blue and Space Cadet
Deep Winter makeup, hair color and jewelry
- Lips: Berry, wine, deep raspberry and blue-red.
- Cheeks: Berry and deep rose.
- Eyes: Charcoal, plum, navy, deep gray and black liner.
- Hair color: Dark cool browns and black. Avoid golden highlights.
- Jewelry and metals: Silver, platinum, white gold and gunmetal.
Deep Winter vs True Winter and Deep Autumn
| Season | Traits | Signature colors | Metals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Winter | Deep, then cool | black, burgundy, emerald, sapphire, plum and deep teal | Silver, platinum, white gold and gunmetal |
| True Winter | Cool, then bright (clear) | true red, fuchsia, royal blue, emerald, icy pink, black and white | Silver, platinum and white gold |
| Deep Autumn | Deep, then warm | chocolate, brick, rust, olive, forest green, deep teal and aubergine | Antique gold, bronze, copper and brass |
If several Deep Winter colors look slightly off on you, try the neighbor that shares your strongest trait. Medium tones such as Auburn, Light Eggplant and Dusty Grape are the easiest way to compare.
All 12 color seasons
- Light SpringLight, warm and clear: peach, warm pink, buttercream, mint and aqua.
- True SpringWarm and clear: coral, poppy, golden yellow, grass green and warm turquoise.
- Bright SpringSaturated and warm-leaning: hot coral, poppy red, lime, turquoise and violet.
- Light SummerLight, cool and soft: powder blue, lavender, rose pink, mint and soft gray.
- True SummerCool and softly muted: rose, raspberry, cool blue, periwinkle, lavender and blue-green.
- Soft SummerMuted and cool: dusty rose, mauve, slate blue, soft teal, sage and gray-plum.
- Soft AutumnMuted and warm: sage, camel, terracotta, soft olive, muted teal and salmon.
- True AutumnWarm and rich: rust, pumpkin, mustard, olive, forest green and teal.
- Deep AutumnDeep and warm: chocolate, brick, rust, olive, forest green, deep teal and aubergine.
- True WinterCool and vivid: true red, fuchsia, royal blue, emerald, icy pink, black and white.
- Bright WinterVivid and cool-leaning: hot pink, true red, electric blue, emerald, violet and icy tints.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Deep Winter color palette?
Deep and cool: black, burgundy, emerald, sapphire, plum and deep teal. The full palette below has 33 colors with hex codes, including neutrals such as Pale Grey, Silver and Slate.
Is Dark Winter the same as Deep Winter?
Yes. Dark Winter and Deep Winter are the same season: the winter whose dominant trait is depth.
Deep Winter or Deep Autumn?
Both are deep first. Deep Winter leans cool (burgundy, sapphire, emerald, silver) while Deep Autumn leans warm (rust, olive, chocolate, gold).
What metals and jewelry suit Deep Winter?
Silver, platinum, white gold and gunmetal.
How do I know if I am a Deep Winter?
Deep Winters usually have medium to deep with a neutral-cool or cool undertone; it can also be olive. Take the color analysis quiz or compare yourself with True Winter and Deep Autumn, the two closest seasons.
Use the Deep Winter palette
Open the palette in the generator to build a wardrobe board, a brand palette or a mood board, then export it.