Dark colours in winter and light colours in summer - in the two ‘main’ seasons, the choice of colours for your outfit is clear. But what about the in-between seasons? SANVT gives helpful tips for choosing clothes in spring and autumn.
In northern Europe, we are (still) lucky enough to experience four different seasons. Cosy Christmas market visits in winter, blossoming springs, balmy summer evenings and leafy autumn walks. Yet, this all demands a changing wardrobe - at least four times a year. While for some, every change of season offers the opportunity to try out new outfits, there are people who feel overwhelmed by the constant tweaking and would prefer to wear just jeans and a T-shirt all year round. But would fashion be so much fun if it wasn't also a little challenging?
Clothing colours in the seasons: A mirror of nature
Because putting together an outfit is different in every season, fashion is also differentiated by colour depending on the season. Basically, seasonal colours reflect the shades of the four seasons of nature. Each season has its own traditional colour schemes. In winter, the sun sets earlier and it is generally darker. Therefore, the fashion industry tends to focus on darker colours at this time of year.
The colour scheme becomes more complicated in the transitional period, i.e. in spring and autumn. While the light shades in summer symbolise the abundance of sunlight at this time of year, the colours between the (main) seasons reflect the changes in nature. As this means the transition from warmer to colder (autumn) and vice versa (spring), there are differences between the two transitional seasons for the colour selection of the outfit.
Spring colours: pastel shades and subtlety
The temperatures outside are slowly rising and the flowers are starting to bloom again - spring is one of the most popular seasons for good reason. Nature awakens from its winter slumber and has a similar effect on many people. So it's time to put the dark-coloured jumpers back in the attic and make room for something more colourful.
But by more colourful, we don't mean expressive colours such as bright red or bright yellow. In keeping with the ‘transition’, the spring colour palette is also more subtle.
In addition to light long-sleeved T-shirts in pleasant pastel shades such as baby blue, pink, mint green and lilac, chinos, skirts or jumpers in generally lighter colours such as cream, beige and light grey are also suitable in spring. If you want to be even more mentally prepared for the upcoming summer, you can also wear individual items of clothing, such as a light scarf or hat in fresh colours, like yellow, coral or peach for the rest of the outfit.
When it comes to in-between seasons fashion, it is important that outfits do not have to be styled in the corresponding seasonal colours throughout. Rather, a balance between seasonal colours and contrasting counterparts is important, whereby the corresponding transitional colour should take centre stage. In spring, for example, choose individual items such as a light-coloured jumper combined with jeans or chinos in a neutral colour to make the whole outfit more friendly looking.
Spring colours at SANVT
At SANVT, we want to offer our customers timeless premium essentials that are hard-wearing and robust thanks to the use of high-quality materials and will therefore last you a long time (not just for one season). But we also value sustainability when it comes to our colour palette. Instead of focussing on short-lived fashion trends, we offer a year-round collection instead. And what would a year-round collection be without spring and autumn colours?
Light, friendly and mood-booster colours for sunny spring weather: Influencer Helmut Barroso (on the left) wears the Smart Chino in Navy, paired with a White Crew-Neck T-Shirt and the Oxford Shirt in Light Blue. Paloma (on the right) wears the Boyfriend T-Shirt in Black, styled with elegant shorts in creme and a blazer in creme as well.
Autumn colors: earth tones and depth
When the first leaves appear on the ground outside, you know that the third season is slowly beginning: autumn. The leaves on the trees change colour to golden, brown and rust-red tones and life gradually moves cosily indoors. The wardrobe changes in line with the outside environment. Shorts and T-shirts are relegated to the depths of the wardrobe and space is made for cosy jumpers and long trousers. As well as the classic warm earth tones such as rust red, mustard yellow, olive green and brown, darker, neutral colours such as dark grey, navy blue, dark green and dark red are also suitable for autumn outfits. Alternatively, muted tones also harmonise with the autumn look.
Outfit ideas for cosy autumn winter: SANVT model (on the left) is wearing the Boyfriend Sweatshirt in Dark Red and Influencer Julius God (on the right) is wearing the Perfect Sweatshirt in Dark Green, styled with a pair of blue jeans and accessoires, like a grey beanie, black sun glasses and a minimalistic necklace.
Overall tips for clothing in-between the seasons
The transitional periods can be a challenge when putting together an outfit, not only in terms of colour but also when choosing the type of garment. Both in spring and autumn, the weather can change abruptly from warm late summer weather in September to wet and cool November days. Our first tip is therefore: layering or the well-known ‘onion look’ in German. When layering, you start with a light vest, such as a T-shirt or top, and put on as many layers of clothing as you like, getting heavier and heavier as the fabric thickness increases. This way you are prepared for spontaneous changes in the weather throughout the day and can always take off a layer of clothing if you get too warm.
Our next recommendation is accessories. For example, combine a cool statement cap, hat or lightweight scarf with your outfit. Not only will you add a stylish touch to your look, but you'll also be protected from the sudden April sun or from the rain with a hat or scarf.
Another tip from SANVT is to combine items of clothing from different seasons during spring or autumn. For example, style a skirt with a thick jumper or shorts with a denim jacket.
Colours in the transitional period
The different seasons have a big influence on the choice of the different components of an outfit. While the seasons are one thing, another factor is that fashion adapts accordingly to the changes outside. The result is different colour schemes for each season. While lighter colours tend to be worn in summer, many fashion connoisseurs focus on darker colours for their outfits in winter. In the two transitional seasons, the change in the external environment should be reflected in the choice of colours. While pastel shades represent the arrival of summer in spring, more neutral tones such as dark blue or olive green tend to be worn in autumn. Make sure that your outfit in the transitional period is not only chosen in its seasonal colours, but also combine other colours.
In addition to the seasons, another factor also plays a role in the colour selection of your outfit: your skin undertone. Find out your personal skin undertone for men and women find out which colours suit you best.