What is the difference between a 4 Season and 12 Season Color Analysis

4 vs 12 Season Color Palette: Which Color Analysis Model Is Best?

In the world of color analysis, there are different models widely used to identify someone’s most flattering shades & colors. I’m going to talk about two of them.

First, there’s the classic 4 Season model which categorizes people as Winters, Summers, Springs, and Autumns; and has been used since the 1980s.

Next, we have the more refined 12 Season Color Palette model which breaks down each of the 4 season into subcategories, creating a more comprehensive palette of appropriate colors.

I think it’s helpful to see a breakdown of the pros and cons for each model.

4-Season Color Analysis

Advantages:

• • Simple and straightforward: Easy to understand, uses the broad categories of Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn.
  • Quick results: Faster to categorize someone into one of the four seasons.
  • Good starting point: Presents a basic understanding of which colors might generally flatter cool or warm undertones.

Disadvantages:

• • Lack of nuance: Doesn’t account for the subtle variety of contrast, depth, or softness of an individual’s coloring.
  • Limited accuracy: May leave some people with colors that are “almost right” but not fully flattering.
  • Broader categories: Individuals with complex undertones or varying levels of warmth and coolness might not fit neatly into one of the four seasons.

12-Season Color Analysis

Advantages:

• • Greater precision: Breaks down each of the four seasons into three subcategories (e.g., Light Summer, Deep Autumn), which allows for a more personalized palette.
  • Enhanced accuracy: Considers factors like depth, softness, and contrast, allowing for a larger palette of colors that complement an individual’s unique features.
  • Versatile wardrobe creation: A more detailed palette helps build a cohesive wardrobe where colors work seamlessly together.

Disadvantages:

• • More complex: Requires a more in-depth analysis, which can take more time and effort to determine the correct season.
  • Potentially overwhelming at first: The additional subcategories might take a little time to learn how to hone in on just the right colors.

The choice between the two models comes down to how precise you want your color recommendations to be. While the 4-season model provides a general guide, the 12-season model offers a tailored approach that better suits those looking for a truly personalized color palette.

Both the 4 season color analysis model and the 12 season color analysis model have their pros and cons.

While the 4 season model is simple and easy to understand, some Color Analysts, like Sara & Lucinda of colorclassinc.com, and I agree that it tends to oversimplify a person’s complex features, and doesn’t account for the unique variations and full range of human coloring. Many people just don’t neatly fall into one single season.

The 12 season color palette builds on the original 4 season model, but adds additional sub seasons. Using this more detailed approach may be a bit more complicated, but it allows for a more comprehensive and refined analysis of someone’s best colors.

Using a 12 season color analysis model enables me to give my clients a more individualized & customized color palette. There is great value in this. Applying what they learn has some amazing perks: shopping for clothes becomes easier & faster. Less money is wasted on clothes they never wear. Putting together outfits becomes a breeze, and they feel more confident than ever.

With my clients, I use the 12 Season Color Palette because I can more comprehensively analyze their unique features to find their very-best colors.

Book your Color Draping and 12 Season Color Analysis Today!