Winter family · also called Dark Winter
Deep Winter Color Palette
The Deep Winter color palette, also called the Dark Winter color palette, is dark, cool and jewel-like: black, midnight navy, sapphire, burgundy, emerald, garnet and deep fuchsia, with optic white and icy pastels for contrast. Copy any hex code from the grid below.
What is the Deep Winter color palette?
Deep Winter (also called Dark Winter) is the deepest cool palette: black, midnight navy, sapphire, burgundy, emerald, garnet and deep fuchsia. Colors are dark, cool to cool-neutral and fairly clear, like jewels.
People who lean Deep Winter often look striking in high-contrast, dark outfits. Light, warm or dusty colors can make them look tired or washed out, while deep jewel tones make skin look clearer and features more defined.
Typical Deep Winter characteristics
- Undertone
- Cool-neutral: cool, with enough depth to handle a little warmth.
- Depth (value)
- Deep.
- Chroma
- Medium to high. Jewel-like.
- Contrast
- High.
Deep Winter colors with hex codes
35 colors in four groups. Click or tap any swatch to copy its hex code. Screens and fabrics vary, so treat the values as a guide rather than exact shopping targets.
Deep Winter neutrals 10 · Your basics: coats, trousers, bags and shoes.
Deep Winter core colors 14 · The heart of the palette (these are also the virtual drapes in the ColorWhim tool).
Deep Winter accents 8 · Extra shades for tops, scarves, prints and statement pieces.
Deep Winter metals 3 · Jewelry, buttons, watch straps and frames.
Colors to approach carefully
Not forbidden, just harder to wear close to the face. Away from the face (trousers, bags, shoes) almost anything goes.
- Orange
#F28C28
Bright warm orange can make skin look sallow. - Camel
#C19A6B
Golden beige reads muddy next to cool depth. - Mustard
#C9A227
Earthy yellow tends to clash. - Peach
#F9C49A
Light warm pastels look weak against strong contrast. - Muted Olive
#8A8A5C
Soft, greyed earth tones can dull your features.
Is Dark Winter the same as Deep Winter?
Yes. Dark Winter and Deep Winter are one season with two names. Both describe the darkest corner of the Winter family: deep, cool, fairly clear colors. A Dark Winter color palette and a Deep Winter color palette contain the same jewel tones.
You may also see it written “Winter Deep”.
Deep Winter vs neighboring seasons
Seasons are neighborhoods, not boxes. If you’re unsure, these are the palettes Deep Winter is most often confused with.
Deep Winter vs Deep Autumn
Deep Winter and Deep Autumn are the dark twins. Both carry depth; Deep Winter leans cool (black, emerald, burgundy, sapphire), Deep Autumn leans warm (chocolate, olive, burnt orange). Compare emerald with army olive: if emerald clears your skin and olive looks muddy, lean Deep Winter.
Deep Winter vs True Winter
True Winter is cooler and brighter, with more icy colors and crisp primaries. If very dark jewel tones feel more natural than cobalt and magenta, stay with Deep Winter.
Deep Winter outfit ideas
Jewel accent
Black #111111 · Emerald #046A38 · Silver #C0C4CA
Black trousers and coat with an emerald top and silver jewelry.
Office
Midnight Navy #14213D · Optic White #FAFAFA · Garnet #7C0A1F
A midnight navy suit, crisp white shirt and a garnet accessory.
Weekend
Charcoal #333438 · Sapphire #0F52BA · Icy Grey #DADDE2
Charcoal jeans, a sapphire knit and an icy grey scarf.
Evening
Burgundy #6D1A36 · Black #111111 · Platinum #E2E2DF
A burgundy satin dress with black accessories and platinum or white-gold jewelry.
How to wear the Deep Winter palette
- Black and midnight navy are true neutrals here, not just safe choices.
- Pair a dark neutral with one jewel tone (black + emerald, navy + garnet).
- Optic white or icy grey give crisp contrast near the face.
- Rich, smooth fabrics (satin, silk, fine wool) echo the depth and polish of the palette.
Deep Winter makeup
Deep Winter makeup can be defined and cool: berry and plum blush, deep berry, wine or blue-red lips, charcoal and plum on the eyes.
- Foundation: cool to neutral, matched in daylight.
- Blush: berry, deep rose, plum.
- Lips: deep berry, wine, cranberry, blue-red. A clear red can be iconic.
- Eyes: charcoal, plum, deep navy, emerald accents; black liner usually works.
Deep Winter hair color
Dark brown, cool dark brown, black and blue-black fit the Deep Winter palette. Warm golden highlights tend to soften the contrast in a muddy way.
- Dark brown, cool dark brown, black and blue-black all fit.
- Golden highlights and warm copper tend to soften the contrast in a way that looks muddy.
- Dramatic silver can look stunning if you grey early.
Jewelry, metals & accessories
Silver, platinum, white gold and gunmetal suit Dark Winter. Bold, polished pieces echo the palette’s depth and contrast.
- Metals: silver, white gold, platinum, gunmetal.
- Prints: bold, high-contrast prints, dark florals, graphic stripes.
- Glasses: black, deep navy, burgundy or crisp dark tortoiseshell.
How to check if you’re a Deep Winter
The simplest check is a side-by-side comparison in daylight: hold two colors under your face and see which one makes your skin look smoother and more even, and which one emphasizes shadows or redness. Compare Emerald against Army Olive from Deep Autumn. If emerald clears up the skin and olive looks muddy, you lean Deep Winter.
You can do it with real fabric by a window, or with ColorWhim’s free virtual drapes: upload a selfie, see which seasons your photo leans toward, and switch between all 12 palettes around your face. It runs on your device and your photo isn’t uploaded. Treat the result as a starting point for exploring, and trust what you see in the mirror.
No photo handy? The color analysis quiz asks 13 quick questions about your coloring and shows which seasons you lean toward.
Deep Winter color palette FAQ
What colors are in the Deep Winter color palette?
Dark, cool, jewel-like colors: black, midnight navy, sapphire, deep royal, indigo, deep violet, plum, burgundy, garnet, cranberry, crimson, berry, deep fuchsia, emerald, pine and deep teal, with optic white, icy grey, charcoal and cool taupe as neutrals.
Is Dark Winter the same as Deep Winter?
Yes, Dark Winter and Deep Winter are two names for the same season.
Can Deep Winter wear brown?
Warm browns and camel are harder, but cool espresso and cool taupe work as softer dark neutrals.
What is the difference between Deep Winter and Deep Autumn?
Both are deep. Deep Winter is cool and jewel-like (black, emerald, burgundy), Deep Autumn is warm and earthy (chocolate, olive, burnt orange).
What lipstick suits Deep Winter?
Deep berry, wine, cranberry and blue-based reds.
Seasonal color analysis is a style framework, not science or a diagnosis. Use these palettes as inspiration and wear what makes you happy.