Blues can be tricky for Soft Autumns. Traditionally, blue is seen as a cool color—crisp, icy, sometimes even a little aloof—but Soft Autumn doesn’t do icy or aloof. This season calls for softness and warmth, and yes, that even includes blue. The trick is finding shades that look like blue met brown (or gray) for coffee and decided to settle down. These aren’t bold ocean blues or sharp navy suits. They’re the kind of blues that show up in faded denim, weathered paint, and stormy skies.
When blue gets cozy with a bit of warmth, it transforms. Add a hint of soft green or muted brown, and suddenly blue doesn’t feel cold anymore. It feels wearable. This is where you find colors like warm slate, chambray, and soft navy. They still read as blue, but they play nicely with Soft Autumn’s other shades instead of stealing the show or clashing with the undertones.
Let’s explore further:
Warm Slate. A beautiful and unexpected blue for the Soft Autumn palette, warm slate is like a breath of fresh air – think misty autumn mornings and cloudy skies. Slate is usually a cool, gray-toned blue that feels subdued and almost steely. The Soft Autumn version keeps that soft gray influence but adds a touch of warmth that makes it feel soft and wearable rather than sharp or steely. It pairs especially well with other earthy shades like olive, warm taupe, or soft pumpkin. Because it leans just a bit warm, it blends naturally with the overall softness and richness of the Soft Autumn palette, offering a nice alternative to brighter or cooler blues.
Chambray. Soft Autumn’s chambray blue is a relaxed, easygoing color that feels like your favorite worn-in denim shirt. The color itself is a soft, muted shade of blue with a subtle taupe influence. It often appears dusty or faded when compared to classic denim. As usual, this color can run on the VERY cool side, so we should look for versions that have a touch of yellow added. When you find the perfect shade of chambray, you’ll see the beauty of it as it matches just about every other color in our palette!
Soft Navy. This rich hue is a staple in any wardrobe, and for good reason! Navy is a classic neutral that has a reputation for being professional and polished. For Soft Autumns, opt for a navy that leans slightly more teal or even a tad purple. We want to stay away from a true deep navy that appears crisp or inky as this color can be bright, cool, and quite dark. Our soft navy is a bit faded and less saturated giving it just the right balance of depth without harshness
Blues to Wear
Below are some examples of blues that us Soft Autumns can pull off. As mentioned earlier, this color is one that you might find tricky to navigate. So, some of these may not be your particular best due to how your complexion handles the natural coolness of the color. Notice how these blues range from lighter to darker and some lean a little green.
Blues to Avoid
These blues will not flatter anyone in the Soft Autumn palette. See how gray, light, bright, and/or dark these blues are.
