Discover your color palette and your style type.

Gamine Word Inspiration

10/30/2017

(...inspired by a client who could not relate to "spunky"...)

"Spunky" isn't relatable for all Gamine-influenced women. Yes, Gamine is inherently youthful, but "spunky" may sound almost condescending to a grown woman.

How about "mettlesome" -- "full of spirit and courage"? I sure like that one.

"Spirited" is good too, IMO -- it gets at Gamine's energy.

"Brisk," I like too, as perhaps a more dignified but still accurate Gamine descriptor.

How about "spanking" as an adjective? Perhaps a bit silly, but so, so funny. It makes me laugh and smile, which is actually the effect a Gamine look will often have on the viewer. Gamine's witty, quirky style brings a smile.

"Offbeat" is great. "Kinky?" Hey, if it works for you, use it -- I can see it applying to a Romantic-Dramatic-Gamine blend. :-)

Gamine is definitely edgy -- not in an intimidating way, as Dramatic is, but in a playful way.

Gamine is playful. We all have a playful side, don't we? If you're a Gamine blend, find the playfulness inside you and express it visually through your Gamine style choices. Your idea of playfulness might be kittenish, or sportive, or wicked, or arch, or even devilish. Find the word that works for you, that focuses your mind and helps you shop.

Not sure of your style identity? Try the Style Identity Calculator.

40 Comments

Alexa

10/30/2017 12:44:42 pm

I was told that I am a 'Natural Gamine'. Individually, I think I understand Natural and Gamine, but how to combine them has always confused me, as they seem such opposites. Any insights would be very much appreciated!

10/30/2017 01:55:53 pm

Do you mean how to combine the styles in outfits, or how to reconcile/harmonize the different impressions these styles give?

Alexa

10/30/2017 02:40:18 pm

Well, both I suppose! :)

10/30/2017 05:51:09 pm

Impression-wise, I think there is some common ground between Gamine and Natural. They can both be described as sporty/athletic/active... They both also seem to read as fun, warm, and gregarious--people are drawn to both types for those reasons. Maybe some of those adjectives can give you a jumping-off point? And of course, there's always Rachel's advice :)

As for combining N and G in outfits, since they're both masculine, you'd want to stick with straight lines and little to no detail above all else. Both styles seem to favor square/boxy cuts. As mentioned above, both N and G have an active feel to them, so look for clothes you can move and play in. Try combining jaunty horizontal lines with relaxed vertical lines, short and fitted with long and loose (separates are probably your friend).

Rachel

10/30/2017 02:50:57 pm

Hi, Alexa!

I conceptualize this as "Tomboy," if that helps, but there are others ways to think of the combination. Try making one of the words into the adjective and one into the noun, using synonyms. So, for example, "Laid-back Mischief-Maker," or "Funky Weekender"... or you can combine two adjectives that you feel are at the core of each respective ID -- for example, "Witty and Casual," or "Relaxed but Funky." (The word "but" might make sense than the word "and" if you feel like the styles are really opposites.)

Alexa

11/1/2017 06:46:37 am

I'm not sure my mind quite works in the right way to conceptualize descriptive terms as an actual outfit - maybe that's my problem! I always seem to need very specific directions, such as wear trousers not skirts, or stripes but not florals, which is usually how I interpret gamine. I do think of myself as quite a tomboy, and often dress as such, but then sometimes I just want to wear a pretty dress and heels, so there is a feminine side to me somewhere!

10/30/2017 02:11:17 pm

I think the Gamine aesthetic is quite popular nowadays fashion wise (people like Alexa Chung incorporate G elements into their outfits).

Has anyone tried to type Regina Spektor? I think she exudes a lot Gamine in her energy and music, but I'm not sure about her physical appearance.

Katja

10/31/2017 04:37:45 am

I'm thinking Ethereal-Gamine-Ingenue...Maybe Natural too?

Anonymous

10/30/2017 02:24:59 pm

Do you have advice for how to dress as a Classic/Ethereal (primarily E)? Classic fashion is very structured and minimalist from what I've read, and Ethereal seems to be the opposite of that (flowy and delicate details), and E clothing is very hard to find, so I end up just sticking to Classic clothes that I don't feel very comfortable in. I don't see a lot of celebrities sorted into that combo, so I don't have much of a reference.

10/30/2017 06:07:47 pm

That is a tough combo! The word "Classic" always reminds me of Ancient Greece and Rome, and Ethereals are often typed as otherworldly beings, so maybe try for a modern-day Greek Goddess look? Some looks from the EC board that look doable include simple but flowing wrap dresses, Classic blouses or sweaters over long Ethereal skirts or pants, and sheer blouses in a Classic cut. I hope some of this is helpful?

Katja

10/31/2017 03:31:12 am

KC's advice is good. You can also look for waterfall cardigans, sheer scarves and ethereal abstract prints . And if you look good in light colours you can use them from your palette.

Anonymous

11/2/2017 11:59:07 pm

Thank you so much. I struggled with this b/c I did not think the result of a combination of both C and E appealed to me aesthetically personally. I learned that I dress more G and N, with some C thrown in.

Anonymous

12/28/2017 05:13:45 pm

Just an update, I ended up asking my friend if I would look good in period clothes. I'm an EC, but doubted that I'd look good in period clothes the way usual E peeps do. My friend replied that no, I wouldn't, because most period clothes are too "bulky" for me and would look costume-y. She made an off-hand comment about how I'd look good in dress Sailor Moon wears as Princess Serenity. I immediately disregarded this, as empire waists are notoriously hard to pull off, but I did some research. It turns out that the dress in question was inspired by Dior's Paladio dress, which was in turn inspired by ancient greek columns. You were definitely onto something with the Ancient Greek aesthetic! I read in a tumblr blog that Regency Era fashions were inspired by Ancient Greek ideas. My friend mentioned that I'd look out of place in more "heavy" period clothing, but would look comfortable in simple linen dresses from the Regency era. For each subtype of E people I suppose it varies.

10/30/2017 04:29:20 pm

These word inspirations are wonderfully helpful in trying to identify one's style. I hope you will do them for all categories!

10/30/2017 05:54:13 pm

I second that :)

Erin

10/30/2017 05:40:20 pm

What do you think would describe the type that Jane Birkin and Francoise Hardy fall under?
Both have a youthfulness that is sort of but not truly gamine, quite a bit of natural, and a dash of tomboy, but also look great in some of the more subdued mod looks that aren't too Twiggy. Neither looks at home in flouncy clothes.
I haven't quite seen this combo defined yet.

Nancy

10/31/2017 05:19:05 am

I'm no expert, but could Jane Birkin be ENI?
I'm not sure about Francoise Hardy, but I see Dramatic and Natural in her. Maybe Gamine and Ethereal also?

Nancy

11/1/2017 03:48:31 am

Erin, what do yout think about my suggestions? Many of you ask questions , but when you get suggestions or advice you don't bother to say thank you or comment the answer. I find that strange. I never know if you read the answers or not.

Lena

11/1/2017 04:32:20 am

Could Francoise Hardy be a Dramatic- Natural?

Kels

11/1/2017 11:15:51 am

I've felt this way, too, about the suggestions! Anyway I think ENI fits Jane perfectly, and I think F.H. fits Dramatic Natural Ethereal startlingly well.

Erin

11/2/2017 01:56:39 pm

Hi Nancy! Thanks for your input. I'm just now seeing this.

The ethereal (at least as described on this blog) and ingenue parts are what I'm not sure about.

I think that Jane looks most amazing and natural in a turtleneck and short A-line skirt. Mod lines with a more natural feel, I guess? I don't love her in flouncy or flowing gauzy fabrics or anything too precious (like ingenue can wear).

Francoise has a little bit more of an edge- I could see some DN at play in her. Both have a tomboy aspect (I'm guessing that's some natural), which, to me at least, makes both look slightly off in overly precious girly clothes.

I feel like there's some undefined category or maybe a flip-side to a known category at play here. I think Alexa Chung also fits into this category. I love her in an A-line mini skirt but I don't love when she wanders into clothes that are too precious or school-girly, as she occasionally does.

Here's a pic of Alexa that I think sums up the look I'm describing. I've noticed that these women also tend to look amazing in classic French striped boat necks and pea coats, which veer into classic (maybe we need a Euro-classic sub category because it really has a different vibe than US classic...). Like Euro-classic/mod/natural, lol. A touch of collegiate-arty vibe, too.

http://thefervour.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/0d18e05ec5eecb82ed01d7955bc16776.jpg

Nancy

11/3/2017 09:33:22 am

Erin, in my opinion Rachel's style system covers every style there is.
I see Natural and Gamine in Alexa Chung. There might also be Dramatic or Ethereal. She shouldn't wear girly clothes because she doesn't have Ingenue.

4/23/2018 07:05:49 pm

I'm super late to this thread and not sure if anyone will read this, but I totally second the need to distinguish between "American" classic and Euro classic. I've been typed as ECN (accurately, I think, with stronger E and C than N), and while the category has helped me loads with getting rid of some of the absurdly Gamine pieces I've kept in my wardrobe for unknown reasons, and with my hair and makeup, I often default to a fashion style I would describe broadly as "Euro-classic" that doesn't exactly contradict my style-ID but has some unique features. Part of the reason I came to this site was that I feel the Euro-classic, "Instagram French Girl" look (inspired heavily by JB and FH), while it suits me really really well, has become so mainstream that I worry my style looks too trendy, as if I don't understand my 60s/70s references and am just throwing on cropped flare Levi's with suede ankle boots and a v-neck sweater/trench coat because I saw it on Instagram. This has been my style for years and years, since the end of high school, but I'm getting bored of it, especially with the mainstreaming of it - hence the need to check out what other elements might suit my ID, and this site is coming in very handily!

Euro-classic is definitely distinct, maybe its own style-ID, and has a slightly mussed, androgynous feel, but it's not Natural exactly. It has elements of Dramatic, but it's not really Dramatic either (I'm thinking of how you might see FH in leather pants and a turtleneck sweater - the leather pants might seem D, but they don't come across as intimidating in that look... more effortless, high-fashion but strangely casual. Very distinctly Euro). Quality is paramount - it doesn't need to be new (worn-in is probably better), but having some designer pieces, even if they're decades old and you bartered for them at a flea market, is almost a requirement for the Euro classic look. These are the differences I can articulate between Euro-classic and what is represented by the other essences covered so far. Sure, there's elements of DNC or ENC, and maybe it's a version of those essences' style, but it feels a little different.

I wonder, is there an additional group of lines that covers that "je ne sais quoi" in JB, FH, and AC? An androgynous essence that isn't youthful? A frail androgyny? It's something to think about. One element I'll also point out that I've noticed in myself since I've tried draping the ECN clothes is that "staccato" lines look great on these three women, but not necessarily in a boxy Gamine way. Like how they all look fabulous in A-line mini skirts but can't do the "precious" Ingenue looks. I personally, while very strongly Ethereal, can look good in more broken-up lines. In fact, while some elongated lines are great on me (long coats are almost a necessity, Ethereal "medieval" sleeves are great, and I can only wear very high-waisted bottoms - like, twelve-inch rises) I need less "flow" on certain parts of my body. Maybe it's the Classic. Maybe it's something else. Hmm.

Mariana

10/30/2017 06:56:48 pm

Rachel, this is helpful thank you. I like playful, roguish, and spirited. Some of these words hint at something subversive that I want in my look.

Mandy

10/30/2017 09:14:30 pm

I want to know some examples of some Romantic Ethereal Ingenue and also some Romantic Ethereal Natural celebs but it's hard to find. I can identify with both types but I wish I knew some other people I could look at that fit those types. Also Romantic Ethereal has Kat Dennings mentioned but I'm wondering if anyone knows some other people that can fit this type too. I am mostly REI (with a little natural and classic) so I would love to know even just a few people from that type. It's nice to have the style guide, but I want to know how I look compared with other REIs (and if I'm not REI after all than it would be RE or REN). I really want some faces to compare with. Anyone know a few names?? Thanks!!

Nancy

11/2/2017 04:13:07 am

Mandy, you asked for some examples of Romantic Ethereal Ingenue and Katja gave you some, but you haven't commented on that so I don't know if you are interested or not but here is one more: Amanda Seyfried is typed Romantic Ethereal Ingenue.

Mandy

11/2/2017 09:27:16 pm

I'm sorry I took so long to respond to Katja ( had a crazy week). I am still interested! She is a perfect example. Thanks!

Katja

10/31/2017 04:09:20 am

Women with the same style ID can look very different from each other, but here are some examles:
Jessica Brown Findlay is typed REN. (But I'm not sure if that is correct).
Liv Tyler is typed RE , possibly with Ingenue. (I Think she may have some Natural).
Meryl Streep is typed CNE. (I Think that is correct).
Jane Seymore may be RNE or RNI.
Christina Hendricks may be REI.

Nancy

11/1/2017 04:07:22 am

I see no Romantic in Liv Tyler. And no Ingenue. Maybe Gamine instead? What I see in her is Ethereal and Natural.

11/1/2017 04:20:54 pm

I agree with Nancy. I thought at first that I could see a bit of Romantic in Liv Tyler, but after comparing photos of her directly to the style boards, I've come to the conclusion that R clothes tend to wear Liv, while EN enhances her features. Neither Ingenue or Gamine suits her, though--too juvenile and cutesy.

Nancy

11/2/2017 04:52:16 am

Anyone tried to type Hillary Swank? She has a lot of Natural and I think she also has Dramatic. Does she even have Gamine? Sometimes I think I can see Gamine in her.

Mandy

11/2/2017 08:59:54 pm

Jessica Brown Findlay is someone I wouldn't have thought of but I can easily see the ingénue and also Romantic Ethereal Natural. I also saw some other ones that might work yesterday, Rosamund Pike and Bella Heathcote? These are some good examples, thanks. It makes it easier to see the differences now. Anyway, sorry to get off the gamine topic, gamines are so cute!

Katja

11/3/2017 02:55:42 am

I agree with you. Gamines are cute.
I believe Rosamund Pike could be Ethereal -Classic. I'm not sure if she has any Romantic.
Bella Heathcote could be Ethereal-Classic-Ingenue.

Mandy

11/2/2017 09:47:12 pm

Thanks for your answer! My apologies for responding so late, I accidently replied at the bottom of the page just now. These are great examples. Jessica Brown Findlay is similar to me so I'm glad you mentioned her! I look great in ingénue prints, and details but I don't see where the ingénue is coming from in my face which is why I'm confused. Anyway, these examples help!

Katja

11/3/2017 02:42:04 am

Jessica Alba is typed REN, but I would say she is more of a ENI.

Mandy

11/6/2017 09:37:18 pm

Yeah, you are right. I wish I knew how to tell!

Katja

11/7/2017 02:46:06 am

Jessica Alba look youthful and innocent. Romantics look mature and sexy.
Have you figured out your styleID now?

Mandy

11/9/2017 09:56:55 pm

Yeah, I think so. I do have a difficult look to type because I don't look like anyone else really. My husband says I look like Theresa Palmer though and the lady off the calgon bath beads box, lol. I can look good in romantic styles ethereal styles and ingenue but also some natural too but there are no 4 id types ( I got 25 percent of each). That's where I'm trying to decide because I got REI when I narrowed it down to 3 but it's just a tad too frilly on me I think, so oh well I can just switch from REI to REN and RE and it works : ). I've always had that issue, I'm just the one that doesn't fit anything exactly as a type but a combination. I really love Rachel's work and it makes so much more sense now. Thanks a lot Katja for the interest in and help with my question!

11/4/2017 02:56:24 pm

I've noticed that many of the "geeky" aspects of contemporary hipster fashion are essentially Gamine--i.e., witty hats, plaid and argyle, bowties, witty print t-shirts, skinny pants, pants that expose the (usually boldly patterned) socks, glasses with cartoonish frames, even the types of sneakers and loafers they favor (when not in chunky Natural styles--NG seems to be the core of the hipster look, with other elements sometimes added on). Could it be that Gamine can also be described as geeky, nerdy, etc? Or does it only look that way on people who aren't Gamine? Or could any style identity be interpreted in such a way as to let your geek flag proudly fly? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this, because geeky was NOT one of the words I'd have used to described Gamine before I noticed its presence in hipster fashion.

Janelle

11/4/2017 04:26:28 pm

KC,

I've noticed that as well. My fiance has always told me that he thinks I look good in hipster outfits. I later found out that I was 50% gamine, so it totally made since. (I'm also 30% natural, so...:) I usually didn't gravitate towards that much gamine, but I'm trying harder to incorporate it now. I think that some of the gamine elements by themselves could be considered somewhat geeky, but perhaps it would look a little less so on someone who has a good dose of gamine. (Though by design, I think the cropped pants, loafers, socks showing, etc. will give off a 'geeky' vibe at least somewhat regardless because those are the clothes that the geeks in movies and TV wear to give off that vibe.) On someone with no gamine, might come across more geeky than 'cool' or 'hip.' Those are just my thoughts--definitely an interesting question.

Truth is Beauty

Gamine Word Inspiration

Leave a Reply.

About Me...

Categories