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Natural Style ID Word Inspiration

10/23/2017

Natural is one of the most difficult style identities for us to wrap our heads around. Most of us want to feel beautiful, but we have difficulty seeing the beauty in a style ID that's by definition masculine and unfancy. I say this as a Natural blend myself.

Here, I offer you some words to use as synonyms for Natural, to help you find the beauty in your own Natural blend.

"Raw" makes me think of things in their pure, unadulterated states. I've never enjoyed having to pretend to be someone or something I'm not. I feel like Natural gives me permission not to put on airs, permission to just relax.

"Relaxed" describes Natural's lines -- the lack of tailoring and construction in the clothing -- but it also describes Natural's vibe. "Pure ease," I sometimes think when I think about Natural. A feeling of complete peace and relaxation.

I love the comfort and simplicity of Natural. Since I was little, I've always been one to take my shoes off, to cut the tags out of my cloths, to loosen and untie things -- I've never enjoyed being belted or buttoned up.

I could have edited "sloppy" out of the word cloud above, but I left it in, because I think it's instructive with regard to Natural style: what looks sloppy on others looks just right on Naturals. Unfinished hems, untucked shirts, shirts falling off one shoulder, rolled sleeves -- these details look great on us Natural blends.

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20 Comments

10/23/2017 12:44:40 pm

I see great fashionable clothes for naturals everywhere I look! (Maybe because I'm not a natural, lol) Naturals can wear jeans and make it "a look." They can do the beachy wavy bedhead hair that is so popular right now. They can do the messy chic, slightly masculine French style thing so well, like Caroline de Maigret. They can look so cool and effortless. If I were a natural, I'd live in loafers, jeans and chunky sweaters with messy long fringed hair. Le sigh.

Alex

10/23/2017 03:24:13 pm

Do you have any suggestions for what to wear to formal occasions when you're a Natural?

Thank you!

Rachel

10/24/2017 09:27:30 am

Hi, Alex!

This isn't easy, just as it's not easy to advise a Romantic on what to wear on a camping trip. My advice is to stick with the Natural silhouette -- that way the lines will still flatter you -- and add some Classic refinement or Romantic femininity with fabrics and accessories. An evening caftan or a sack dress in an expensive fabric could work. Formal tank jumpsuits are awesome for Naturals. (I have this one, which I wear to weddings. I layer it with a jacket or cape in the winter. The top doesn't read as curvy on me, because I'm flat-chested: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d6/c0/ff/d6c0ff597d2be8f364f2b0047c7087a5.jpg)

11/8/2017 04:45:07 pm

That is very helpful! Thank you so much!

10/25/2017 05:35:56 pm

Maybe shantung or raw silk would work as a Natural evening fabric--they're sheeny but still textured. I've also seen lame' and brocade recommended in Kibbe circles.

Natural also has some interesting options for statement jewelry pieces--maybe a raw-cut gemstone pendant or a textured metal cuff? Baroque pearl jewelry might also work, but I'm not certain whether those are more appropriate for an Ethereal.

Saskia

10/23/2017 11:49:53 pm

I'd love to see you pair this with something like bright spring, which is the opposite of "loose and relaxed".

10/24/2017 09:17:39 am

Katja's advice here is right-on. In the context of a Bright Spring's overall coloring, her "Natural" colors will help to create a loose and relaxed feeling.

10/25/2017 09:32:20 pm

Your comment reminded me of a couple pictures used to illustrate Bright Spring on 12Blueprints.com--a windy coastal scene, and a seaside view from what appears to be a Grecian villa. Perhaps a BSp could interpret Natural style as easy, breezy beach girl?

Katja

10/24/2017 03:24:28 am

Hi, Saskia! In the bright spring palette there are some blues, greens and aqua that you can use to achieve a relaxed look. You don't find much beige or brown in this palette, but there are some grays that you can pair with your greens and blues to get an earthy feeling. You can also find a little red, yellow and orange in your palette that you can use to create a natural and earthy look.

Kay

10/24/2017 04:36:00 pm

I have Natural envy! I love causal, low maintenence clothes.

10/25/2017 03:15:15 am

Naturals have a lot of fashionable clothes to choose from and they look great in casual outfits. But when it comes to evening wear it 's difficult for them to look glamorous and at the same time stay true to their style ID. They don't look good in traditional romantic evening gowns for instance.

Nancy

10/26/2017 03:04:47 am

Much has been written about Naturals, Gamines and tomboys lately. That's fine, but I'd like to read a little about Dramatics, Classics, Ethereals and Ingenues too. Like the Natural style ID the Dramatic style ID is by definition masculine so we might have difficulty seeing beauty in it.
The Classic style can easily be considered as boring so for us Classic blends it would be useful with ideas on how to make this style ID more interesting.
The Ethereal style ID is a rather new style ID so it wouldn't hurt to learn some more about it.
In many systems the Ingenue is the same as Kibbes soft Gamine. But the Ingenue is nothing like the Gamine and it would be great to learn more about that.

10/26/2017 09:55:20 am

Thanks for the feedback, Nancy! I will plan accordingly. :-)

Kamila

11/13/2017 06:49:33 pm

Thanks for this post. I really like those word nets for differrent style IDs. I'm so glad that us Naturals finally get recognized more on this site, being called something else than ordinary or familiar. ;) So, we are raw and honest and earthy. Rings true for me. What I am curious about is, what style-ID is the most masculine, I can't decide between Natural and Dramatic. Initially I thought it's Gamine because it's the only Style-ID which is called "boyish".

11/14/2017 04:32:43 pm

Hi, Kamila!

If I thought it wouldn't alienate people, I would describe Naturals as "mannish." I use that descriptor in my own thinking. But no matter how much I'd like women *not* to take "mannish" as an insult, I think it may be a bridge too far for many women right now; -many of us are so invested in being "feminine."

To answer the question "Which essence is the most masculine?", I ask, Which essence could most easily pass a man? Here, I think Natural has a slight edge over Dramatic; Dramatic sometimes has a sleek quality that can read as a teensy bit feminine. Another way to think about it is, "Which essence looks the most like a man in very feminine lines?" Again, I think Natural wins. A commenter on another post mentioned Carol Burnett's character Mrs. Wiggins; that's a great example of a Natural woman looking very much like a man in traditionally feminine elements.

I'd rank Gamine third in masculinity, because Gamine's childlike quality brings in a bit of androgyny.

11/16/2017 04:45:23 pm

So interesting explanations, thanks! :)

Sophie

11/19/2017 09:15:41 pm

How would a Romantic-Natural (I was ID'd as one) go about dressing? I don't see much in the way of masculinity in my face or body. I know in a previous post you mentioned that it's best to dress for your face rather than your body. Can you give some examples of Romantic Naturals in their best clothes?

11/20/2017 05:18:08 pm

Hi, Sophie! Jennifer Aniston is a good example of someone who often nails Romantic Natural. Most of the time, she accomplished RN by keeping her lines very simple (N) but emphasizing her sexy curves (R).

Kelly

7/18/2018 07:39:04 pm

Do Natural's get to wear Leather? Or is that strictly Dramatic territory?

I see zero D in myself, but leather is fabulous on me.

James H. Adams link

8/17/2022 07:15:32 am

Great topic for beauty lover
keep it up,

Truth is Beauty

Natural Style ID Word Inspiration

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