Discover your color palette and your style type.

Can Older Women Ever Pull off Youthful Styles?

5/21/2018

We women are frequently told that, once we are past a certain age, there are childlike things (like miniskirts and polka dots and bows) that we just can't pull off anymore.

But the truth is, some of us could never pull off these items. And some of us continue to look fabulous in them well into old age.

That's because childlike elements suit women with a lot of Gamine essence (youthful, masculine beauty) or a lot of Ingenue es sence (youthful, feminine beauty). And there are plenty of older women who are strongly Ingenue, or Gamine, or both.

Betty White and Jane Goodall are two examples I use a lot, but also see Audrey Hepburn in her old age, Whoopi Goldberg, Debbie Allen, and Roseanne Barr. Some people never stop looking adorable.

One of my favorite things is seeing older women killing it in Gamine and Ingenue styles. It comes across as incredibly confident because it's obvious that these women really see themselves. They look in the mirror and know what they look like, and embrace it by coordinating their style choices with their natural geometry.

Don't let the fashion industry tell you what to think on this issue. Be guided by what you actually look like.

If you're strongly Ethereal, Natural, Dramatic, Romantic, and/or Classic, you'll probably want to avoid traditionally childlike fashions -- even if you're still a teen. (I'm an Ethereal Natural, and even as a child I wasn't flattered by polka dots or bows or cutesy patterns.)

But if you're strongly Gamine, you can feel confident in booties, funky eyeglass frames, tights, miniskirts, bright colors, playful jewelry, and everything else whimsical and funky. And if you're strongly Ingenue, don't hesitate to sport ringlets, tiny floral prints, peplums, ruffles, Mary Janes, babydoll silhouettes, and everything else girlish and sweet.

Not sure what your Style ID is? Figure it out yourself with the Style Identity Calculator, or invest in a Virtual Analysis.

61 Comments

5/21/2018 12:12:24 pm

Yes! Every time I see another "don't wear this after 30" article, I'll point to this. I think what many people think of as "dressing youthful" is slavishly following trends -- and that's never a good look for anyone. Genuinely flattering fashion knows no age. Also this:

"But the truth is, some of us could never pull off these items." -- Yes! This is me. I could never do youthful styles. Ever. Even as a child, I had this very otherworldly look. If I'd have realized I needed ethereal elements years ago, I would have saved myself a lot of headache.

Meanwhile, my gamine mother is crushing the prepschooler look as she nears 70. Tights w/ mini skirts and mixing patterns and all! Such a needed perspective! Thank you for this!

5/21/2018 05:48:29 pm

Does ability to wear staccato lines (the booties and miniskirts/tights you mention) point to the presence of Gamine, or can that come from Classic (not the funkiness so much as the silhouette)? Despite being typed as ECN, I've been wondering if I could have a small amount of Gamine as I definitely look better in cropped pants (as long as they have a flare/bootcut), booties, and even miniskirts if they are tailored/have C and N elements. I am perplexed by this as my style ID emphasis "elongation" so much. Elongated clothes can make me look a bit "dwarfed" by fabric, and if there's no waist emphasis or tailoring in the torso I look dumpy. (My body has way more R than is convenient, considering there is nothing remotely R in my face.) Does this point to Gamine?

5/21/2018 05:55:47 pm

I also look great in certain mod styles, which should not suit my style ID. I'm thinking of how Rachel typed Jessica Paré (who, incidentally, is said to look just like my mom!) as Gamine even though she wouldn't seem like it until you see her in those particular styles.

5/22/2018 03:19:20 am

That does sound like you have a significant amount of Gamine. You may be a four-way combo, or perhaps you're actually an ENG or ECG. Have you tried the Style ID Calculator? Or comparing a photo of yourself to the style boards on the main site? (I've found it helps to ask, "Do this face and these clothes harmonize? Does this face look like it belongs on this style board, or would it stick out?")

5/22/2018 03:50:26 pm

Hmm, I'm definitely considering Gamine now (though W's comments about the cropped pants increasing the elongated effect/the fairy-like ankles are also intriguing). I assumed I didn't have Gamine because, while I'm bi, I look absolutely terrible in stereotypical queer lady haircuts (pompadours, etc) and the button down/bow tie/low-slung pants look (again, the R in my body prevents me from wearing literal men's clothes, I look so dumpy - but I look awesome in lots of "menswear" cut for a strong hourglass figure, particularly with a flared pant). However, I was looking back at old photos a couple of nights ago and I found that an elongated (collarbone-length), blunt bob with a little wispy tousle and eyelash-skimming bangs (kind of like tousled, updated medieval pageboy with mod influence) was super awesome on me. Most awesome than almost any other cut I've had other than the Jane Birkin hair I default to (which itself has some G?).
Looking at the various boards, with G, I have to combine it with something else (the CG or ENG - the Stevie Nicks sort of looks - are particularly good). I also can carry looks with some very restrained, minimal edge, which I thought might come from D, but I actually think comes from G. This also explains why I can wear bangs.

5/23/2018 03:08:29 am

Naturals can wear cropped pants so long as they're relaxed in fit; Gamine cropped pants are tight and tailored.

Sarah Stewart

12/4/2022 02:32:06 pm

How can Jessica Pare be Gamine when she is 5ft 8' -5ft 9''? I would guess she's Dramatic or Soft Dramatic.

Nancy

5/22/2018 03:04:07 am

Staccato lines cannot come from Classic. Staccato lines come from Gamine.

5/22/2018 12:02:43 pm

I can't speak to your style, but I know that while my style guides recommend elongation, I can pull off certain cropped items, mostly pants. I wonder if that's classic, or just it being away from the face. But I have no other gamine, and yet some shorter lines look ok. Maybe they heighten the contrast with the elongation? Make it appear longer?

5/22/2018 01:06:37 pm

Speaking to AM, there. I'm in the ENC realm as well, and also find cropped lines aren't bad, provided that they blend with the overall vibe of ethereal delicacy (maybe the exposed ankles look fairy-like??)

5/22/2018 05:11:17 pm

All good points. Conventional style advice does tend to emphasize how cropped pants (particularly with a high waist) makes legs look longer, and this works for me. I think ankles are also typically a delicate area of one's body, and emphasizing those delicate bones has an E element.

Gabriella

5/23/2018 02:15:21 am

Ladies, not all cropped pants are Gamine pants. Romantic pants have a narrow or tapered ankle. Even Ingenue pants can be cropped, showcasing the ankle.

Rachel

5/23/2018 11:06:58 am

Cropped pants, when they're loose, do work for Ns. I think it's because the looseness makes them more visually similar to comfortable shorts than to capris or slacks, so they actually read more like *elongated shorts* than shortened pants.

Loose or baggy elbow sleeves and 3/4 sleeves also work for Naturals, for the same reason - they read as elongated short sleeves, not shortened long sleeves.

Gabriella

5/23/2018 03:42:48 am

AM, your hourglass figure could come from Ethereal. Ethereal curves are soft, elongated s-shapes. The Gamine body is boyish with no curves.

5/23/2018 10:12:28 am

Hmm, maybe ability to wear cropped pants is indeed not automatically a sign of G - I absolutely can't wear tight cropped pants, or most tight pants in general. My best pants are straight (C) or wide leg (N), but tailored/in a high-quality fabric (C), preferably flared (E). I'm still not convinced I don't have a smidge of G - again, the bangs, and the mod styles/some other staccato lines - but it's not significant.
I know Rachel has also mentioned that tweaks for one's individual body might be in order without necessarily impacting style ID.

Trisha

5/22/2018 04:44:07 pm

Are you ladies looking at your face or body when considering style ID? I believe it is more important to consider the face than body characteristics, because people look at your face first and subconsciously read it a certain way. If the clothing on the body jarrs with the face, even though it might seem to "fit" with the body, it somehow feels and looks wrong. I wouldn't have believed this until I had my own style ID done and "saw" it, now this fact seems to jump out at me when I look at people around me!

Mary Ellen

5/22/2018 06:41:34 pm

I am a 63-year-old Natural-Enginue. Having been freed by Rachel’s wisdom in beauty, I am now comfortable to wear hearts, flowers, and bows, ... I had been told by others before that these were “too little girl”. I can see that these dainty details flatter me much fore than “classic styles”. Classic styles make me look frumpy.

5/22/2018 06:43:07 pm

What do we think Meghan Markle's style ID is? C, N? Her take on Classic really appeals to me.

Nancy

5/23/2018 02:24:36 am

DNG? I've been thinking of DCG too, but I'm not sure she has Classic.

5/23/2018 03:14:58 am

I know I liked the dress she wore to her reception a lot better than her wedding dress, which struck me as too plain and flat for her features, so maybe not Classic. I think Nancy's on the right track with a Gamine blend.

Katja

5/23/2018 03:38:03 am

I can see Gamine in her and she is flattered by Dramatic lines. I'm not sure about Classic or Natural, but my guess would be Natural. I think Classic is too restrained for her.

5/23/2018 10:01:52 am

I thought she was a Natural Classic as well. I think she has a dramatic coloring, but I definitely see her as the Natural Classic.

Kamila

5/23/2018 03:32:08 pm

I think that she is C-I-N. I can rule out Gamine and Dramatic for sure.

Nouveau

5/23/2018 01:36:03 am

I'm a Gamine+Dramatic in my mid-50's. Rocker Chick is not my style, but boyish, playful, striking outfits are my very best look. And for anyone who's just starting in Gamine style, I encourage you to do something a bit extreme with your hair; don't be afraid to get that hairdo that you're secretly yearning for! My Gamine look really came into focus when I cut my hair in a short, spiky 'do! :)

Miranda

5/23/2018 10:26:19 am

My guesses for the dominant elements of my ID go back and forth so much, especially between Gamine and Ingenue. I don't think either of these is dominant, but I think one or both is there to some degree. Horizontal lines are good, for sure, but that goes for both of them. Some boyish elements are good, but it can definitely go too boyish fast.
I wonder if Gamine plus one of the feminine IDs (probably Ethereal for me) can be tricksy like that and misleadingly look like a little bit of Ingenue - or also if Ingenue plus a masculine ID can sometimes look a bit Gamine.
Or they can both be there, of course.

Rachel

5/23/2018 11:10:34 am

Because it's a childlike masculinity, Gamine is a little less masculine than Natural and Dramatic. It's somewhat closer to androgynous. (Same goes for Ingenue.) Gamine's androgyny comes mainly in its need for detail, which D and N don't share. (Ingenue's androgyny comes mainly in its need for crispness, which Ethereal and Romantic don't share.)

Miranda

5/23/2018 11:41:33 am

Thank you, that is very helpful!

5/23/2018 04:38:11 pm

I find I still get confused by the masculine/feminine distinction. I have a very hard time *seeing* masculine/feminine in clothing -- Or in myself. I still don't quite understand how that translates from the outfit to the face and back again.

Ex) I've been told I'm a classic - everyone who has commented upon my appearance says this. I do best with a very, VERY minimal (almost insanely minimal) style. I thought this was classic, but classic often gets too fussy - too ladylike. At the same time, I also look great with super-edgy haircuts (we're talking asymmetrical undercut, side shaved, the whole bit). So then I was thinking dramatic-classic (this is my kibbe type)? But I need light colors and fabrics - ethereal is an element. So ED? but ED gets pretty costumey. Then I need a casual vibe, but N is not good in lines/shapes/anything else.

Eh, thinking out loud here. I get confused. All I know is I'm EDNC something and yet, short, tight cropped pants, miniskirts w/ leggings and short hair looks good. ????

5/26/2018 10:00:17 pm

Replying to W. - since we seem to be in the same style ID territory with some similar concerns, would you potentially want to exchange emails and chat more specifically about our ENC questions? I identify so much with the minimal-but-not-fussy Classic vibe, as well as the ability to pull off random more avant-garde elements that seem more D in character - though more in clothing than hair/face details for me.

And props again to Rachel for this fantastic system. I had some photos taken this weekend in which I wore an top that actually suited my style ID and colors (my season is still a bit unclear, I'm probably a SA), and rather than the clothing itself sticking out, my face, my expression, and the picture as a whole was vibrant yet perfectly blended with all the elements and surroundings. It was incredible! At the same time, I was wearing a pair of pants that were an E cut but a G pattern, almost Winter shade, very bold print, and in the pictures where the pants are visible, the silhouette is good but the pattern of the pants is all I see, they completely overwhelm my face. I'm still experimenting with some aspects of my style ID - such as how makeup sometimes dramatically shifts my ability to carry "heavier" items - but I want to thank you again and compliment you for defining a system that actually works! (I also took some pictures with some very G and R friends, and it was so interesting to see how our surroundings/the contrasting lines influence our features... in the photos where I am alone, in my correct colors and lines and styles, in a hazy natural setting, I looked very feminine and my Classic features stood out, while in the pictures with my very G/R friends I look rather masculine, very otherworldly, my features and bone structure appear very extreme. Only in my correct lines/setting did my delicacy, balance, femininity and ease come across.)

One question about SA - the biggest hurdle to determining my season is that I share the LSp/LSu quality of looking very, very natural with lightened hair, even ultra-light hair that is pretty far from my natural ashy brown (I usually do ashy highlights that blend almost seamlessly with my root). I also look great in a lot of light blues, but that's not the primary obstacle for me. My question is, can SA do "wheat" blonde hair that matches a SA yellow in the same way LSp can do LSp light yellow hair? (I know this is not recommended by seasonal color analysis, but being able to genuinely fool people with your hair color - and not attract comments about your shade, because it looks like it grows out of your head - is an important clue to determining season, I think?) I'm thinking of Gisele-type highlights that repeat the muted wheat/neutral golden shade that's present in some SA eyes that are otherwise blue/green.

5/30/2018 05:51:43 pm

Hi AM,

(tried to reply earlier, but the messaging system wasn't working).

I don't know about haircolors, I wish I could help. I always go to my stylist for advice (she used to do draping, so that's helpful). Do you know anyone who drapes? I don't know SA very well. I'm in LSu territory, where I have a lot of blondes available to me, but I have to be careful not to go so light I become a blob of pale. I stick close to my natural dark half strawberry/half ash blonde because it works much better than blonde-blonde.

So... I don't know how to share deets via the forums, but I was thinking about your comments and I personally went back and tried the style calculator again (again!) and this time, I tried a different metric. I took 3 fave forward-facing, smiling pics of myself. I imagined that all 3 were sisters, and then went through each board on the calculator, asking myself 'What items/outfits would I put on ALL 3 of these women?' I couldn't change a thing, that was the rule. I then put the number of items into the calcuator as the score.

Now, I think that sort of broke the calculations a little, but I found it more objective than asking myself about 'looking good', which I could just NOT be objective about. Also, I found when using 3 pics, I ruled out a lot of 'maybes.' The results were pretty surprising to me. E is great. D is AMAZING. ED...ok. EDC - awesome. And I picked up enough Classic that the final tally was EDC.

So, I'm kind of a 'have to see it with my own eyes' sort of person, but I came away really convinced. I found that to be a helpful way to seeing the pieces that worked well.

I then took Rachel's Shopping Guide - I had skimmed it before, but I took her advice of making a pinterest board of all the items. Should have done that from the start - it was SO helpful. Made me appreciate how much work went into those (thank you, Rachel!) Skimming over the items, I didn't really 'see' it. Looking at EDC elements one at a time, then together in a board, really helped me see the overall feel of it. It's a lot less 'fussy' than I feared - the pinterest boards seem to be extreme 'niche' examples of the types. They don't fully get into the range of the types. That's where the shopping guide came in handy.

So... yeah. I definitely find that one of the challenges of E and D (and I would imagine, G and I) is that they seem to be siblings. They don't look alike, but then they do, then they don't.... They each 'carry' as you say, elements of the other type. I can lean heavily (heavily!) into dramatic, but can't avoid ethereal. I can go very ethereal, but can't loose the dramatic. I think I have a lot of both, but they are so fluid to begin with, it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

Just some random thoughts! Wishing you luck as you figure it out. (and again, props to this system! Rachel, you've got an amazing eye for this!)

Tomas

5/27/2018 04:38:35 am

Testing

Tomas

5/29/2018 09:07:14 am

There is a problem with your comment function.

Tomas

5/29/2018 09:17:23 am

I can only write comments with my iPad (Safari). When using other devices I get the error message "There was an error submitting your comment. Please try again."

Katja

5/30/2018 05:21:49 am

W, if you do best with a very minimal style and if you look good with super-edgy haircuts you probably have Dramatic. You don't think Natural lines suit you, but you need a casual vibe. Have you considered Gamine? Do you look boyish or youthful?
When you look at your face, what do you see? Do you see masculine features or feminine features? Do you have big bones? (masculine) Or do you have delicate bone structure? (feminine) Do you have small, close set eyes? (masculine) or do you have big, wide set eyes? (feminine) Is your mouth straight and narrow? (masculine) Or are your lips full? (feminine) Do you have a big nose? (masculine) Or a small nose? (feminine)
What face shape do you have? Is your face long? A long face reads as Ethereal, Dramatic or Natural.
Straight lines are masculine and curvy, flowing lines are feminine. Hope this helps!

5/30/2018 05:57:44 pm

Hi Katja,

These are all good tips! I think I'm in the realm of EDC, as I mentioned to AM above -- I got into details there of how I think that's the place for me. It's not so much features, because I'm so very masculine/feminine balanced, I struggle to name what's what. Maybe that's classic. I dunno.

But as for the lines of clothing, that I think I've gotten closer in naming. I think I look my best in something casual-but-considered; a kind of intenionally unintentional minimalism.

And even as I reply to you, I stop to wonder if the 'casual' vibe I'm craving is actually... Ethereal? Can ethereal be casual? I mean, I feel best when I wear something that is so effortless and light, it just feels like it's an extension of myself. Like the clothes aren't trying to draw attention to themselves as clothing. They're not costume, they're not intentionally ethereal, they're just insubstantial. They almost aren't there (except, you know, they are, because nudity is frowned upon).

I guess I favor a version of casual that is not rugged in the slightest. More... thoughtless. An 'oh, this old thing?' So maybe that's classic? A pair of perfectly fitting, perfectly clean jeans and a tucked in floaty top and a totally wild, shiny, oversized cuff bracelet. That's my go-to. It's definitely not gamine, which is awful on me. So yeah, some type of EDC that's super-chill. That seems to be working.

5/30/2018 11:21:59 pm

W,
Thanks for your detailed response above! It's great to hear about everyone's style journeys and to use them as comparison points for embarking on our own. When it comes to blonde hair, do you think E might help people pull off lighter hair, in the same way R suits darker hair because it expresses maturity? Like, lighter hair both appears otherworldly/like a halo, and it approximates going grey? My hair color is actually something I'm pleased with, that I've worked with over the years, but studying SCA and realizing how many of my past makeup and clothing choices were absolutely horrible has made me question the hair color too. I think I can solidly accept that my lightened hair does look good, though - SCA makes it clear why certain blondes don't work for me, but my extremely subtle highlights are solidly within my palette.

I think we share the same need for a sort of "undone" look, though it's interesting yours doesn't come from N - I do wonder if the flowiness of E can contribute to "undone" cuts being flattering. I also think that making your own Pinterest board is a great step - while the existing boards are awesome, and I took a few pins from them, there are many possible interpretations of each type and the minute individual features of your own face and body will dictate how the lines are expressed in clothing. I also enjoy pushing into the "costume-y" potential of E and D in a way that is closer to the pure-E board than the ENC board - my personal aesthetic has always leaned pretty high-fashion (which made me think I was D for a long time) and I enjoy finding ways to incorporate more daring lines and items, like really long coats and extreme flares, into a casual wardrobe. Though I will say, EC mixed with a masculine ID can't go too feminine - the best lesson I've learned from this board is that I need to keep my looks pretty androgynous if I want the masculinity in my face to be properly balanced. It's floored me how the past month or so of dressing in androgynous/undone-yet-polished/slightly floaty outfits, with lots of E in accessories/makeup, has almost completely eliminated those days when I would look in the mirror and just not feel pretty. I'm seeing that all those years of feeling like there was something wrong with my face were simply a matter of improper clothing/hair/makeup/colors.

Also, amazing haircut! I can confirm that you definitely have D if that looks amazing on you, as that haircut would be an utter nightmare on me. It has almost a mythic/fantasy vibe to me in addition to the obvious D edginess - it's interesting how E can express itself in seemingly two poles depending on the other essences, the otherworldly on one hand and the delicate/ancient on the other. They often converge, but I think there's an interpretation of E (with D) that could look seriously sci-fi, with a lot of space influence, retaining that floatiness/ephemeral quality while also looking totally at home in alternative/futuristic styles that aren't too "hard."

5/31/2018 01:10:15 pm

"It's floored me how the past month or so of dressing in androgynous/undone-yet-polished/slightly floaty outfits, with lots of E in accessories/makeup, has almost completely eliminated those days when I would look in the mirror and just not feel pretty."

^ Yep. This is SO accurate! Completely hear you.

And yes, I can get pretty far into futuristic looks. I have to be careful though, because actual cyberpunk wear has a lot of G and N elements. (though it's SO cool!) I have the ENC, ED and EDC guides (I might be addicted) and the futuristic looks of ED really appeal to me. I find I tend to 'mute' them with the traditional, 'normalizing' effect of Classic.

But yeah, those guides are really helpful once I took the time to break it down. It also helped me understand why some things I owned and loved actually fit the style type. Take the elements independently (cigarette pants, kimonos, sculptural jewelry), and they seem sort of incongruous. Put them together in a board, suddenly a pattern emerges. It's been cool to see!

Nancy

5/30/2018 08:36:30 am

AM, A SA can do "wheat" blonde hair. A SA looks great in highlights. You don't know if you are a LSP or a SA? A LSP is bright and a SA is muted. A LSP needs bright, but light colors and a SA needs muted colors. A SA has a deeper and darker coloring than a LSP.

5/30/2018 10:59:10 am

I definitely think SA fits then! If I'm coloring my hair, I can only do wheat/dark ash blonde highlights that are close to my natural shade; allover blonde looks fake and my face turns bright red. I would also say I'm quite muted, pretty dusty - deciding between SS and SA was challenging because I'm *so* neutral, but I look marginally better in gold jewelry and if I have to choose, I do lean slightly warm.

Also, Katja, the comments function seems to be working again!

Katja

5/31/2018 02:09:19 am

AM, if you like your natural hair colour you don't have to dye your hair. I believe we all look our best in our natural hair colour. That is the most flattering colour for us. If you do want to make highlights in your hair that's fine as long as it flatters you and looks natural on you. When changing your hair colour you should never go to far from your natural colour.

Gabriella

5/30/2018 09:49:59 am

W, if you look great with super-edgy haircuts you are not likely to be Ethereal or Classic unless you have a lot of Dramatic as well.

5/30/2018 06:02:47 pm

This is good to keep in mind. I think I've got a LOT of dramatic, then, because I've currently got an undercut pixie with chin-length fringe* and I've gotten a bazillion compliments on how well it suits me. Crazy good stuff.

*This is my hair: http://hairstyleology.com/hairstyleology/wp-content/uploads/wsi-imageoptim-Textured-Platinum-Undercut-Pixie-with-Long-Side-Swept-Bangs-and-Metallic-Silver-Shadow-Roots-Short-Hairstyle-1024x1024.jpg

5/30/2018 06:03:38 pm

I should say, this is the pic I used as reference. That isn't actually me. XD

Katja

5/31/2018 02:01:57 am

W, could the 'casual' vibe you are craving actually come from Ethereal? Well, it's hard for me to tell, since I haven't seen you. But Ethereal is not a formal essence anyway.

Lena

5/31/2018 02:49:54 am

Since this is a post about Gamines and Ingenues, what other essences do you think Audrey Hepburn had? She was a Gamine, but she must have had some other essences too. I think one of them could be Classic. Could it also be Ingenue? In my opinion she looked very feminine. I think she must have had some feminine essence in her styleID.

Rosetta

5/31/2018 03:05:14 am

Such a great article - I just *hate* it when women are told they cannot do or wear this or that due to their age! In the UK there's even a saying "mutton dressed as lamb", which means an older woman dressed like a younger woman, and IMO that's very disparaging... Like this article states, it's not about your age as much as your style. If only more people understood that!!

Rosetta

5/31/2018 03:06:24 am

And great that the comment function bug on this site has finally been fixed (the one Tomas wrote about above)! ;)

Alex

6/1/2018 06:08:20 am

Fascinating!! What do you think Jane Goodall's style ID is?

Katja

6/1/2018 01:18:58 pm

My guess is that she has Ethereal and Gamine. Maybe some Classic or Natural too.

Alex

6/3/2018 01:35:36 pm

That makes sense! Thank you, Katja!

Helen

6/1/2018 03:38:54 pm

Lovely post. This make me wonder, would you consider Catherine Zeta Jones as a Romantic Gamine (perhaps with some Ethereal or Dramatic)? I've seen her mentioned as Romantic yet there's certainly a youthfulness about her.

Katja

6/2/2018 03:29:16 am

I don't think she has Gamine. She has Romantic. Maybe Classic? Dramatic? Natural? She does look young, maybe she could have Ingenue?

Katja

6/2/2018 03:33:49 am

Kc, what do you think Jane Goodall's, Audrey Hepburn's and Catherine Zeta Jones' style IDs are?

Helen

6/2/2018 06:42:31 pm

Great question, Katja. KC, I've also wondered similarly about Lisa Bonet. She is on the Ethereal main page and I agree she is Ethereal but, as many others have commented, she also appears to have a sultry element. Furthermore, she seems ageless (she looks like a sister to her daughter Zoe). She sticks out on the Ethereal page, looking considerably different than the others Ethereals (both the white and ethnic examples). It's as if she sits on a different end of Ethereal. Perhaps a dash of Ingenue and Romantic in her too?

Helen

6/2/2018 07:18:50 pm

Sorry, please excuse my typo. I meant "perhaps a dash of Romantic and Gamine".

Katja

6/3/2018 03:35:06 am

Hi Helen, Lisa Bonet is an Ethereal/Natural/Gamine with a dash of dramatic and Romantic. Her primary essence is Natural and Ethereal and her secondary essence is Gamine. ENG is actually an unusual style-ID. Clever of you to notice this!

Shawna

6/6/2018 11:48:24 pm

So if your style ID is Etheral Ingenue you can't ignore the Ingenue and yet it conflicts with Ethereal? Mine is Ethereal Ingenue and Romantic and I get slightly different percentages when using the calculator over and over. I am either all balanced or more Ethereal. My instinct is to prioritise Ethereal in my style and then not worry about getting too feminine as ( lacy, frilly, pearly ) since my Style ID is all very much this kind of feminine, I will probably pass on polka dots and bows.

Helen

6/9/2018 11:30:40 am

Hi, Shawna. You may feel slightly more at home with Board 49 here: https://www.truth-is-beauty.com/style-id-calculator-boards.html

It looks to be REI but with a touch of something else. While still youthful, it has a tiny bit less of the frilliness you described; perhaps KC or Katja can tell you what essences Board 49 consists of. Best of luck with your essence endeavors- once you discover your sweet spot, it is so worth it!

Katja

6/10/2018 10:15:24 am

Helen, I think board 49 is REI.

Shawna

6/10/2018 02:59:53 pm

Hi Helen, board 49 is REI and I chose it and ranked it highly when I did the style calculator. :-) My appearance is more Ethereal and Ingenue than Romantic so I think the Romantic adds or addresses the fact that I don't read entirely as a child and you pretty much can't add too much feminine detail to me in terms of ruffles, lace and curved lines. the EI board also suits me quite well and the RE board does also but perhaps less so. When Ingenue gets crisper/stiffer it looks wrong on me. I can pull of some Natural Ingenue but not Romantic Ingenue. As I process this I am getting a better handle on where and how these essences show up in me. Basically if you dress me like a young bride I look pretty damn good. I'm thinking that the best direction for me is going to look sweetly boho with a light touch since I tend to live in jeans. Thanks for your kind encouragement. It's astonishing to me how good this direction is. In a way I was getting it right when I was much younger but of course I thought I had to 'mature' and outgrow that style.

Shawna

6/10/2018 06:12:08 pm

I'm really glad to see I am not the only one who is prone to putting multiple comments on one post. Re-reading always brings up more thoughts. As I process my style ID I make progress in understanding it and in seeing how right it is. The point that someone without Ingenue in their mix won't have pulled off the elements well or at all even when young really hits me. I can see how the Ingenue elements I suited when young and still suit now are the same. What doesn't look good I think might have to do with stiffness. Full skirts are not good and when I thought frills were bad on me it was because I was considering stiff frills and over-sized ones. They definitely need to be soft. It's easier for me to see where the Ethereal and Ingenue in me are, but not so much the Romantic other than that an extra dose of soft femininity doesn't seem to hurt. Maybe that's all it is. I also wonder if the Ingenue in me is why I am always attracted to Gamine looks even though they really don't work on me. It's as though I subconsciously understood that a youthful vibe was important.

Truth is Beauty

Can Older Women Ever Pull off Youthful Styles?

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