Are you a winter, spring, summer or autumn? When it comes to your next trip, let the colour-analysis trend steer you to perfectly matched destinations.
The original 80s fashion trend – which matched your natural hair, eye and skin undertones to clothing and makeup shades, led by Carole Jackson’s seminal book Color Me Beautiful – has recently resurfaced across social media. For the uninitiated, the trend categorises people into four overarching seasonal palettes: spring, summer, autumn and winter. To find out which one you are, you can get professionals to analyse your skin, hair and eyes to determine which clothing will be complementary – or you can just work it out yourself on TikTok.
But rather than harmonising your natural features with fashion alone, perhaps you could go one step further – by using colour analysis to inform which travel destinations best match your natural attributes. Do thundering waterfalls really complement your natural complexion, or is it hiking on remote islands that brings out your inner glow? Read on as we prescribe your perfect trip – no guesswork necessary.
Summer: Complement your soft side in France
Our modern grasp of harmonious colours stems from the 19th-century Impressionist painters’ understanding of the seasons. Humans are part of the natural world, so it makes sense that we would also fit into one of four seasonal aesthetics – and if you’re drawn to cool, muted and light tones (light neutrals, greys, soft pastels) then you might just be a summer palette. The low-contrast colours of summer complement those with blue or pink undertones, typically with light blue, grey or soft hazel eyes and ash blonde to mousy brown hair.
So, that’s the diagnosis done. Now, where to go? When it comes to travel, we see summer types cycling through Provence or wandering the seaside commune of Deauville after a day in Monet’s garden on the Short Break through Paris and Normandy. Both lend themselves to the languid, laidback nature of summer and summon scenes of swans gliding gracefully across lakes or rolling hills speckled in pink wildflowers. You amid all this Gallic majesty is like a delicate Degas dancer seizing their moment in the spotlight. Arise, your time has come.
Autumn: Explore the earthy tones of Morocco
When you look at an autumnal landscape, you see rich, warm and darkish hues – think yellow, brown and red leaves, golden sunlight and muted forest greens. An autumn person’s undertone – while it can range from fair porcelain to deep bronze, black or olive – is always warm. If you tan easily, have freckles or a natural melanin-rich look, and your hair is golden blonde, copper, chocolate or dark brown – you’re probably an autumn palette.
This means you might fit right in strolling through the maze of alleyways in Morocco‘s warm-toned Fes el Bali medina or spending a night under the stars in the rust-shaded Sahara. On the Premium Morocco in Depth adventure, you can do it all – go glamping among the dunes in a remote oasis, pick up some regional cooking tips in a hands-on class and wander the Roman ruins of Volubilis. And for the best suited-to-you snapshots from your trip? We suggest taking pictures at golden hour. Really brings out the colour of your eyes.
Winter: Embrace the cool landscapes of Iceland
With high-contrast features – typically a light skin tone and dark hair – the winter colour type is the only season that can effortlessly pull off both stark white and jet black. And while some might argue that black is a neutral everyone can enjoy, winter people are the lucky ones whose features really pop in high saturation. If you’re wondering where to take those natural good looks of yours, consider the jewel tones of the aurora borealis, vast landscapes covered in frost and snow, and the thundering waterfalls of Iceland.
The winter colour palette is all about mystery and drama, which is why you might be drawn to the Golden Circle in Depth adventure. On this trip, you can bring out the striking blue of your eyes as you hike across the glassine Solheimajokull Glacier, embrace the magic of the midnight sun or soak your frosted fingers in the steamy waters of the Secret Lagoon – the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, which dates back to 1891 near the geothermal village of Fludir. Admire your reflection in its shimmering surface. You won’t be disappointed.
Spring: Feel fresh in colourful Portugal
Spring colour palettes blossom when surrounded by warm pops of colour. Like a field of fresh tulips, spring bunnies have a palette that’s full of coral, pink and red – even the greens and blues have a warm yellow base. Typically, you’re a spring colourway if you have a golden or peach undertone, warm-hued hair (like strawberry blonde or golden brown) and vibrant eyes (in shades of blue, bright hazel or green).
As spring is all about colour, wandering through the yellow-hued medieval villages and wine houses of the Douro Valley on the Premium Portugal trip is your happy place. To supercharge the adventure, you could also tag on time in Portugal’s mid-Atlantic islands, tasting fresh spring-bright pineapple and hiking through lush flower-studded landscapes on the Highlights of the Azores adventure. This nine-island archipelago really does have it all, including the best pasteis de natas in the world – coloured in custardy yellows, of course. Gorge on them, knowing that – dear spring traveller – you are exactly where you are meant to be.
Colour-hop your way around the world on a small-group adventure with Intrepid.
