Discover your color palette and your style type.

Finding Your Best Colors as an Ingenue

12/16/2019

This post is part of a series exploring how to make the best use of your color palette.

Two women with the same color season might wear their color palette very differently. Part of that will be because they manifest the colors differently within their own bodies.

(For example, Light Spring Alicia Keys will probably choose different neutrals than Light Spring Scarlett Johansson.)

But part of what determines a woman's best palette colors is her lines -- the qualities of her beauty you'd notice even in a black-and-white photo. In other words, her style type.

I've talked about a Dramatic's intimidating palette, a Natural's easygoing palette, a Gamine's high-energy palette, and a Classic's reserved palette. Today, I'll talk about an Ingenue's sweet, innocent palette.

If you're an Ingenue, the colors you look right in are your palette's version of candy colors: your light pinks, light yellows, light blues, light purples, light peaches, and light greens. You could also think of these as popsicle colors, or Easter egg colors.

You might say "my season's pastels" as a simple shorthand for yourself. I avoid that terminology because, in the more saturated color seasons, the light colors technically aren't pastels; although they're light, they're still quite vivid, not soft. But on an Ingenue woman, those very light colors will give a soft, gentle, pastel-like impression, even if her color season is Bright; the effect of the colors exists relative to her own coloring.

Actual pastels...

Lupita Nyong'o's a Bright Winter, and this pink is probably quite saturated in real life. But on her it reads as pastel-ish. (And so beautiful! She has a lot of Ingenue.)

Ingenue has both a high-energy aspect and a gentle aspect to its color use. The gentleness is because Ingenue represents the qualities stereotypically associated with femininity. You can see the gentleness in the individual colors of the palette.

But because it's a youthful essence, Ingenue has a high-energy quality as well, and this comes across when you playfully combine your Ingenue colors. Feel free to combine any of your gentle Ingenue colors with any of the others. The effect is still feminine and sweet, because the palette is feminine and sweet. (If you were a Gamine, freely combining your palette's version of primaries, the effect would feel very different.)

Your palette whites and light grays are great neutrals for you; they communicate innocence. Mix in whites and light greys wherever it feels right.

Are you an Ingenue blend? How have you created Ingenue looks with your palette colors? Please share in the comments!

37 Comments

Melina

12/19/2019 04:06:05 am

Ah, first to comment! :) I am an Ingenue blend, and a bit confused now, as I'm not really flattered by light *anything*... I hardly ever wear the lightest colours of my palette (I'm fairly sure I'm one of the Dark seasons), & the only light colours I feel I can flatteringly wear are light pink and cream, but I rarely wear either. I'm most likely a R-I-E-D, with the first 2 the most important ones, so I guess the whole blend has an effect at this.

Jennifer

12/19/2019 11:00:48 am

Melina, my thoughts are that if you don't like to/can't wear the lighter Ingenue colors, you could try to wear Romantic colors of your palette which I believe are deeper/richer, and bring in the Ingenue element through Ingenue styling/shapes/textures, etc. But curious to see what Rachel advises.

12/20/2019 03:45:56 am

Jennifer, thanks, yes, that's just what I've been doing ;) I rarely wear anything light, guess that's the R and D effect in my blend (plus probably my season), I just seem to have a natural tendency towards dark. So that's why the advice given here, that and Ingenue (and Ingenue blends) is flattered by light colours / pastels / gentle colours baffled me a bit.

12/20/2019 04:01:53 pm

How interesting! I have the opposite issue. As a light summer, Ingenue color is great on me -- my palette skews very candy colored. However, I am not at ALL ingenue in styling. It is close to the worst lines I can wear.

In kibbe styling, I've been typed as a soft dramatic. In TIB styling, I'm some sort of ethereal blend - romantic ethereal ...ish. So ingenue lines are far too small and delicate and cutesy. But if you take the colors of my palette (LS) and take the rich jewel tones (romantic? i think) and then lighten them (ethereal) -- it often ends up landing me in colors that *look* rather ingenue.

I'd be really curious to hear about two-way blends for colors. Because it seems dramatic-ingenue might go for darker colors or black, a classic gamine would go for unexpected...yet traditional colors? It's just interesting to me how some style IDs overlap in terms of best colors.

12/21/2019 04:12:09 am

W, yes, very interesting :) And three-way ID blends have even more overlap (or contrast) than two-way ones, and that's long intrigued me. Especially as I have plenty of contrasting IDs in my blend, being (by my own analysis) a R-I-E-D. And glad to hear you say that Dramatic-Ingenue might go for darker colors or black, as that's me exactly, though those are not my only IDs. ;)

(Intriguingly, In Kibbe I've been typed as a Theatrical Romantic (by a lengthy online test), which is kind of a blend of R and D. As usual, Kibbe styling misses a few essences that this system has...)

12/25/2019 12:17:49 am

REID would be quite a lot to choose from! I can see how that would get tricky to narrow down.

I really love Rachel's system. I also have come to have a new-found appreciation for the Kibbe system, too. I don't find them to be opposing anymore. I think they compliment each other. It's kind of like how knowing your MBTI type can help you know yourself better, and so can knowing your enneagram number. Both systems have their strengths, both have gaps, and taken together, they can give you even better insight into your blind spots.

I find that the guidelines for soft dramatic help me as a starting point. The fabrics, size, overall lines of SD work great. I have an almost entirely yang/dramatic skeleton, but a very 'soft' yin face and flesh. The Kibbe system does a good job of explaining how to dress for my body.

But the 'diva' description that Kibbe gives for SD scared me off. That kind of approach would be like a costume on me: not fitting my personality or vibe or face at all. I really needed Rachel's insights about ethereality, or I would have been totally lost. I do really well with ethereal styling -- and with a dose of tasteful, luxurious classic styling, even though classic lines and garments are awful on me.

So, yeah. I've found that Rachel's system elaborates on the Kibbe gaps, and that the Kibbe system still has some really great thoughts and insights. I like them both! They fulfill my desire to analyze and understand the world around me. ;)

1/4/2020 03:40:25 pm

Melina,
It is a conundrum to figure out! I'm still learning myself, but in this article Rachel specifies that it's not actual pastel colors -- as in light cotton candy colors necessarily -- that are ingenue colors, but the lightest colors of your own seasonal palette. So if you're a deep season, look for the "lightest" pinks and purples of your palette, which might not read objectively as pastel, but on you, they would read as colors in the spirit of ingenue. See her example above of Lupita Nyong'o. For me, I am possible a bright spring Ingenue blend so my own pastels would certainly be brighter than what someone thinks of as pastel, yet still read as innocent and gentle on me. I need to experiment with this myself!

1/7/2020 03:19:21 am

Thanks, Jennifer :) Yes, an icy pink is one of the few light colours I can do flatteringly (and I now feel I'm most likely a Winter, not sure which one).
I just wonder if, for me, my other essences (esp. R & C) override the Ingenue colour-wise to a big extent, and that'd be a cause for my reluctance for light colours... (I have just re-done the calculator with the result of 25% each of Romantic, Ethereal, Ingenue & Classic, so what I've said earlier about D here doesn't apply anymore. :) How could I ever have confused C & D, I don't know! ;))

12/19/2019 04:22:10 am

Just to add, that gathered sleeve shape in the picture of (lovely) dresses and with the caption "Actual pastels..." underneath is one of the most flattering for me, probably THE most flattering :) Realized this long before I knew anything about style ID's, and for sure this is a clear sign of Ingenue. :) As are also these skirt shapes pictured here, very A-line (though for me it can be knee-length at most, anything over-knee is not that flattering).

12/19/2019 09:32:37 am

Lovely! Thanks Rachel!

Marissa

12/19/2019 04:02:36 pm

Thank you for posting this. I'm an Ingenue blend (REI). I'm going to have fun creating looks using Ingenue colors in my Soft Summer palette.

Another Rachel

12/19/2019 04:47:27 pm

No wonder I like wearing pink so much!

Amy

12/19/2019 05:05:50 pm

I'm a light summer classic ingenue and I LOVE these colors! Thanks for the inspiration!

12/21/2019 05:43:20 am

Hi, Rachel- I know this is the worst post to say this on... but would you please consider updating/adding pins to the RNG board? It’s been over a year since it was updated! I only ask because I noticed you’ve been revamping the boards this week. I would more than appreciate it!!!

12/22/2019 07:50:43 pm

Ah! I meant REG , not RNG! REG is so hard to shop for because it’s so unusual and often times I accidentally end up purchasing Ingenue items b/c of the overlap in overall femininity and attention to details. Such as butterflies, scallops, that “u shaped” scalloped lace on the REG board (which looks a lot like NI crochet material), E vs I florals, the overall gentler color combos, even the bows on REG board are hard to differentiate between Ingenue.....

For example, I was considering purchasing this online but I can’t tell if it’s RI or RE? Also, I would not necessarily choose to place it in a crown bump manner like Rachel advises for RI’s on her “Hairstyles for Your ID” post- but where would be the best place for an REG to place this (if it’s not ingenue)? https://www.ulta.com/mini-stone-jaw-clip-set?productId=pimprod2006328

12/21/2019 08:36:05 am

I’m an NI with some E, and I is definitely the main influence on my colors. Before I knew I was SA, I was drawn to the pastels in LSp and LSu and tried so hard to make them work. Things made a lot more sense when I finally found “my” pink. I absolutely agree that lighter neutrals make much more sense on an I.

It’s interesting how many monochrome examples you show. I live in prints and frequently wear pink+green+neutral (usually coordinated around a print) and other multi-color combos. I wonder if that’s reflective of having red hair and blue eyes or possibly my other essences.

12/22/2019 04:05:41 am

I'd posit that other good neutrals for Ingenues include chocolate or pastry browns (Ingenue seems to thrive on all things confectionary) and navy (which I suspect is because it has such a strong schoolgirl connotation--plus, it's very demure but still has some color energy to it).

12/23/2019 09:29:40 am

Yes, that's true for me at least; dark chocolate and navy are some of the few neutrals I can comfortably do, along with my staple black ;)

12/22/2019 12:53:33 pm

pastry browns? Rachel adviced Ingenue to avoid earth tones.

12/22/2019 11:48:38 pm

I don’t think every brown reads as earth tones. Fawn, cocoa, and milk chocolate don’t look earthy especially in context with Ingenue pink, light blue/turquoise, and purple/lavender. I’ve found those browns to be useful in leather goods.

12/23/2019 04:40:11 am

EP, you have N, so brown goes well with your style I don't know how it looks if a person is only I or EI, and what about navy? Isn' t it classic & gamine?

12/23/2019 01:22:18 pm

There is a lovely brown dress on the ECI board. I don’t think Naturals exclusively own all browns even if it might be their signature color, just like other ids might wear pink but Ingenues would probably wear it more and in bigger blocks.

I’ll let others comment on navy. It works for me as my little black dress alternative, but I almost never need that level of formality.

12/23/2019 05:39:15 pm

EP, you are talking about blend with classic, that changes everything.
Melina, are you ECI?

12/24/2019 06:58:57 am

Pr, no, I'm R-I-E-D, as far as I've been able to figure it out (with emphasis on the first 2 essences), but thus an Ingenue blend, anyway ;) And I don't do earth tones well either, the dark chocolate or some oranges are about as earthy as I can go.

1/3/2020 01:23:53 pm

Slight correction to above, I now believe my essences to be R, I, E & C, in this order of importance. ;)

Lena

12/25/2019 01:53:07 pm

Is this top just NI or is there a 3rd essence in it that I might be missing? https://shopmollygreen.com/products/judith-long-sleeve

Ella

1/1/2020 05:23:09 am

Looks NI to me.

12/29/2019 07:33:48 pm

Fingers crossed the Ethereal post will provide examples of “gentle” and pseudo-low-contrast color pairings for higher contrast springs who look their best in brighter colors and multicolored outfits! Also looking forward to the Romantic post. Out of REG, the R & E are the essences which I’ve always had the most trouble understanding. And growing up I always felt strange once I realized that I’m not a Natural like the rest of my family (and most others TBH). Only non-natural in my fam is my mom who is a poster child for RDG. Thank you for the Gamine post, Rachel - that post has been IMMENSELY helpful as is!! :)

12/31/2019 09:55:53 am

Does anyone know how I can add modernity to my Ingenue wardrobe without accidentally adding Gamine or Dramatic? I appreciate the modesty and standard “prettiness” of Ingenue, but it can feel a bit too outdated/traditional. Even over the top precious or silly at times.. yet I don’t have Gamine and wearing Gamine makes me look like I’m trying too hard.

I do agree with what someone said earlier about new Gamine concepts in fashion being created all the time while Ingenues just keep wearing the same babydolls, butterflies, Keds, and sweater sets from the 50’s - 90’s.

1/2/2020 12:50:53 pm

I'm not sure if by modernity you mean fashionable or something else, but hairbands, poufy sleeves, polka dots, heart jewellery, voluminous billowy dresses, and Laura Ashley-inspired floral dresses are all very on-trend judging by what I see in stores. Check out the fashion from designers Molly Goddard, Simone Rocha, and Cecilie Bahnsen for inspiration, their aesthetic is very Ingenue.

1/3/2020 01:21:00 pm

T, I was wondering the same - at least on Rachel's boards, most Ingenue clothes are from the 40's - 50's, esp. Classic-Ingenue! I'm not sure why one would have to stick to specific decades for those IDs, surely those elements are (much) more timeless than that..?

1/2/2020 03:16:42 am

Also- Rachel, I think Choi Soo-Young May be an NGI! I know you occasionally add celeb style icons to Style Guides, and she nails her style ID almost every time!

1/2/2020 07:58:58 am

Based on Rachel's style identifier chart, I think I am an Ethereal-Classic with some Ingenue influence. My season's pastel colors work well in simple, classic silhouettes, but are too much with added girlish details like gingham, florals, peter-pan collars etc. I can wear an Ingenue print or silhouette with my more reserved Classic colors, not a total look. Looking forward to the post on Ethereal colors!

Elise

2/17/2021 10:00:57 pm

I'm ICG. Thinking out loud here of how I can combine Cut, Color, and Design in different ways to combine my three style IDs. Maybe others can take this Cut, Color, and Design idea into their own 3 Style ID combinations!

I could wear a simple top with a very tailored fit (C) with color blocking (G) in pastel colors (I).
I could do a dainty top with small frills (I) in my palette's neutrals (C) but make sure they are bolder neutrals (G) like my palette's navy or charcoal?
I could wear a moto jacket (G) in a light (I) neutral shade (C), like my palette's beige.
I could wear an A-line dress with a Peter Pan collar (I) in a single solid color (C) that's a bolder color (G)
Or a simple shift dress (C) with color blocking (G) in pastels (I) -- or instead, with a bolder color (G) of pink (I) -- or playful stripes (G) in my palette's white and yellow (I).
Or a (G) style dress (help me out here, what dress style suits a Gamine? It's hard thinking of boyish looking dresses, I just keep imagining C's clean lines and I's sweet playfulness...) with (C) a single solid color and (I) that color is pastel.
I could wear a polka dot top (G/I) in nude peach (I) with tailored pants (C) cropped to my ankle (G/I) in my palette's navy (C for the neutral color, G for the contrast with the peach) and a thin brown belt (I) with brown flats (C).
I could wear a very classic and clean (C) pantsuit - cropped pants (G) - in my palette's brighter colors (G) - with a cute headband and small earrings (I).
What else?

Related, can any of these three wear floor length dresses? Or do they need to have that cropped/fitted/reserved/youthful look? Can a ICG look very formal in e.g. a wedding dress?

9/20/2022 12:45:33 pm

Elise, none of those is an elongating essence, so no, they couldn't wear floor length dresses, at least in principle. Though C is more formal than I or G, so for the C element it might be somehow fudgeable. :)

9/20/2022 12:42:20 pm

It's fun reading back my older comments here, and I still have the same conundrum - I just can't wear light, even though I'm now fairly sure I'm leading with Ingenue, ie. it's probably my main essence ;) Any light, in any significant area (like a garment), even my season's. But I guess the only option is to do exactly what Rachel writes in the corresponding Ethereal article:
"If you don't love the Ethereal tones in your palette, focus on your second or third [or fourth] essence for your color schemes, and bring Ethereal into your look in other aspects."
(Just replace the Ethereal here with Ingenue ;))

9/23/2022 08:33:04 am

Ah, except this one light pink summer dress, which is one of my long-time favourite garments! :) Ah well, seems I *can* wear some light, after all ;)

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Finding Your Best Colors as an Ingenue

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