Discover your color palette and your style type.

Style Types: The ROMANTIC

4/29/2019

Romantic beauty is feminine beauty in its mature, womanly form.

It may be the easiest type of visual feminine to spot, because it's the kind of feminine beauty hetero men are most interested in -- so it's a beauty we often see portrayed in popular culture.

Other systems call this type Sensuous, Soft, or Alluring. They're beating around the bush.

The straight truth is this: Romantic beauty is sexy beauty.

Kat Dennings

Jennifer Lopez

I initially searched for a better way to word this, because I have been afraid of coming across as objectifying Romantic women.

Of course, it could be argued that Style Identity Analysis is inherently objectifying, because it analyzes women based purely on their physical qualities.

I don't believe this is true, though. We're not ranking women, or judging their inherent worth, based on their appearance; we're analyzing appearance for the purpose of helping all women have tools to feel simultaneously authentic and beautiful -- if that's something they want. The point of Style Identity Analysis is to empower women in their own authentic beauty.

Yet talking about Romantic women's appearance is difficult for me because, traditionally, women have been judged by how well we conform to the standard of Romantic beauty. And we're all pretty sick of it, aren't we?

Even the Romantic women, who "win" in that system of judgment, may be tired of being valued for their feminine beauty.

Is it possible for us to celebrate Romantic beauty without implying that Romantic women's worth lies in that beauty?

I believe it is. I hope it is.

Because there's no way around it: Romantic women embody sex appeal.

Aishwarya Rai

It goes without saying that Romantic women are no more or less sexual than any other women. But visually, they read as pure womanly sexuality. Romantic women tend to have sensuous mouths, smoldering eyes, narrow jaws, and large foreheads.

Think about what happens to the female body at puberty. Push those changes to the extremes, and you're picturing a Romantic's best look. Romantics are flattered by clothes that create the impression of an extreme hourglass figure. They benefit from cinched waists, hip emphasis, cleavage emphasis, and butt emphasis.

Let's put aside that this may be the embodiment of the hetero male fantasy. What's important is that it's the Romantic woman's particular form of beauty. For that reason, and no other, we celebrate it.

Dark hair tends to read as Romantic because human hair naturally darkens with sexual maturity. (Just as light hair reads as youthful because prepubescent children tend to have lighter hair than adults.)

Fran Drescher

Sade

A flush in human skin is an indicator of sexual arousal. Palette-appropriate reds, which echo that flush, look perfect on Romantics.

Anita Marshall

Romantics look like themselves with half-closed eyes, a cocked eyebrow, and a knowing smile -- or no smile at all. This "come-hither" face is silly on pretty much everyone else, but on Romantics it's perfect. It looks wise and confident.

Eva Mendes

Sherilyn Fenn

Feminine beauty is defined by the curving line. Perhaps because a curved line is more visually complicated than a straight line, Ethereals and Romantics look great surrounded by a lot of detail. (While Naturals and Dramatics are unattractive in highly detailed contexts.) A Romantic looks gorgeous in ruffles, gathers, ruching, elaborate hair, and ornate jewelry.

Deepika Padukone

Kate Dillon

Red roses symbolize romance and sexuality, and a Romantic woman's beauty is like a red rose: beautiful, delicate, detailed, and composed of curving lines.

So you're a Romantic, but you don't want to be defined by your sexy appearance. As a woman, I completely get that.

But if you instead choose shapeless, roomy clothes, you risk looking dumpy and unprepared. (Though a Natural could pull this off.)

When you honor your Romantic beauty by choosing feminine, figure-hugging clothes, it reads as dignified and self-aware.

But you can also perfect your Romantic beauty with an over-the-top use of jewelry or profuse detail near your face. This is a great choice for Romantic women who don't want to wear figure-hugging clothes.

Cardi B

Deepika Padukone

The more jewelry you put on a Romantic, the better she looks. The rest of us start to look silly or mannish very quickly.

If you know what looks good on you, but you don't know your style identity, try the Style Identity Calculator.

A version of this post was published in May of 2015.

24 Comments

Molly

4/29/2019 02:25:09 pm

Calling all HELP! I’ve finally narrowed down my ID to Ingenue (thanks Janelle and Ella)! But I can’t figure out the other one or two essences that are obviously there. There’s clearly a pattern to these styles but I can’t put my finger on it!

Despite having Ingenue, I never seem to get compliments until I add Romantic features exactly as described in this post (very touchable texture, Romantic fit, jewel tones colors, revealing skin and assets, luxe jewelry, etc). Plus the only hair and makeup I can get to work on me are very Romantic colors as well. Is it possible to be Romantic and Ingenue?

Additionally, I don’t see Ethereal in myself but it’s a somewhat recurring theme in my best items names, color names, and celebs I’m compared to.

Lastly, Natural is the only essence that consistently looks bad on me no matter how hard I try (but if that’s what you see feel free to comment it)! Granted, the photos of the outfits in my link ARE casual, but that’s EXACTLY why I took pics of them. Dresses and heels so easy for me to wear but thats just not my personality (and not suitable for everyday) so I don’t wear them often. That being said, pants are kinda harder for me to pull off. So when I get complimented on an outfit with PANTS, I know the outfit and colors must be really indicative of my Style ID! I love the outfits in my link because I can wear them everyday with compromising my ID or accidentally adding Natural.

I should also preface that I have Spring coloring- I know Spring colors items tend to make outfits look more Romantic than they are. I’d hate for that to wrongly influence analysis.

SO, here is my link of my favorite and most complimented everyday outfits. They are in order from favorite to least favorite (sorry I had to take these pics on the floor LOL): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-wG7QllrfRUSEyEJ3pVKJnWSlJHkXDoL

Julia

4/30/2019 12:22:23 am

Hah, I really would describe most (not all, but likely 80-90%) of those garments as Natural. I am, however, by no means an authority on the issue, and am as curious as you are to hear from someone more versed than me whether that really is so.

Almost all of those garments, however, have the loose/casual/relaxed look that I know I find quite difficult to pull off: loose T-shirts - any kind of T-shirts really - are my worst enemy, as well as "mom" or "boyfriend" jeans (but skinny is good).

Of course, my idea of Natural could be totally off, but - if so - I would love to be corrected!

4/30/2019 02:40:55 am

Ah! I think I need to invest in a wardrobe update soon! I still have some work to do :) So, for YEARS I sunk into Natural, sometimes I wouldn’t even pair it with Ingenue OR Gamine (youth essence is most necessary for me as I’m rather babyfaced). I knew I was not looking good at all but I was dealing with some personal issues on inside. But I’m in a much better place now praise God!

Believe it or not, these are outfits are actually progress from me getting out of that Natural hole I dug for myself! But clearly I’m still stuck in there a bit and there’s some still jumbled up in the mix. 😂 (Like those capris you mentioned, I shouldn’t have added those my link... I gave them away a while ago! I’ll fix that now.)

It’s just that I’ve been dressing in a Natural way for so many years now. But I have to get OUT of the hang of it for the greater good! :) A big reason I posted these pics are because I’ve slowly been ridding myself of my natural items yet, sure enough, and I’ve been looking better and better (and getting more compliments too)! Additionally, I really do look so much better and alive with a defined waist, I’m just too lazy... I’m going to begin working on that too! I must admit though... I do wish I had one of those nice toothy Natural smiles. I have one of those doll-like, stiff smiles that I’ve never liked (think Emma Roberts, Kerry Washington, etc). I won’t let it stop me from smiling though :)

I did want to ask... Did you see any other essences at play in the photos, or were these outfits pure natural? I thought there was at least youth essence in these (Ingenue) and maybe even a third essence present.

Danielle

4/30/2019 11:38:09 am

Molly. check out my pinterest boards and see if you can find your style-ID there. I don´t have all 3 blends yet but maybe it can be helpful anyway :https://fi.pinterest.com/aboutstyling/boards/

Megan

4/30/2019 12:05:04 pm

Hi Molly, I see a lot of Natural in the clothes you linked--though I will say that unless a person consciously tries, it's pretty hard to not buy clothes with Natural, because modern fashion is largely in that aesthetic.

I also see Ingenue in the cuteness of some of the tops and the daintiness of a lot of the jewelry you've posted. Possibly classic as well, although that I'm less certain on.

You say you look best in dresses and heels--maybe posting some of those outfits that you look your absolute best in would be a better indication of your ID?

Have you tried the Style ID calculator? You can also compare pictures of your face to the Pinterest boards on this site.

4/30/2019 12:53:16 pm

Hey again Julia! I just wanted to say thanks for both of your comments. It caused me to look at my link and, as embarrassing as this sounds, like 25%-50% of the items in that folder I have never (and would never be comfortable) going out in public in. I’m sorry about that, that’s completely my mistake. I originally made this photo album for myself before sharing it with y’all, and all of the Natural items I added were to make note of COLOR of them which I liked. But due to the natural cut and material, I’ve literally never worn them (I wear them around the house as pajamas). But of course you guys would not know that haha- you would assume since I stated these were my best items that I’d at LEAST be able to wear these items in public🤣 I would post pics of me in dresses and heels but honestly I’m a little too shy to post my face publicly online in discussion board. Plus it was so long ago since I last dressed well for myself... that the only pics where I look great, and aligned with my Style ID, are rather outdated. I know that sounds so sad but it’s true😂 But I will take a look at those old photos again, for myself, as a guide. I really was glowing and looking great in those outfits and I want to get back to that.

And yes! Exactly as you mentioned, because I can’t pull off those Natural items, I keep forgetting that people can (and best) suit those items. Those are items I see others wear but I’ve had to avoid like the plague all my life. ***I totally agree that Natural is so prevalent in stores and beauty philosophy nowadays. I have assimilated so much that I’ve been compromising my own Style ID to fit into the Natural mold society pushes.*** It’s crazy to me that, while Natural is supposed to be comfortable, I cannot even comfortably go out in public in Natural items without looking & feeling ridiculous. But Naturals really can go out wearing cotton/linen natural shape items and look AMAZING. Somehow it just meshes for them.

Anyways, your comments helped me realize that I’m much more feminine than I previously realized and I really have ignored dressing properly for myself for almost a decade now. Every clothing item that has been “almost right” wasn’t “great” because a masculine essence was cutting into the femininity (D & N especially). Before, it was frustrating when that happened, but thanks to this blog, now I can understand why (and how to avoid it)! This blog has even helped me to shop faster and more confidently! I’m going taking a look at the RI, EI, REI, and IC blend boards now. I don’t have the ID calculator but I think I’m going to invest in it now! I am so glad I found this blog! You know, even looking back at my life... I’ve always had a long “ballerina” neck and thin soft arms/legs but I also have very full lips, full derrière, and almond eyes that contrasted my more delicate features. (Which I used to get snide and backhanded comments for😒). Representation matters for very feminine types, very masculine types, and everywhere in between... and this blog certainly offers that! :) Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Julia!

Bridgett

7/12/2019 07:20:53 pm

Hi Molly! I think I can understand where you are coming from. I'm a Light Summer most likely.

I think Spring colors could easily be created into an R look, but just as easily many other essences, and Winter seems like it could pull off R with it's available super easy.
Just like Rachel mentioned darker hair color could seem R, Winters get a lot of bright red and dark red lipsticks and color depth, which I would advantageous, I think in trying to demonstrate mature femininity.

If you get compliments wearing R or feel you look good in it, even if uncomfortable with it in general, or the idea of wearing it in daily life or even out of the house wearing it, at least in daily life-- you probably have a decent amount of R.

II'm I-R-E (in that order).

Apparently, like me, I is your biggest essence. Despite having supposedly tons of it, I also feel weird/foolish/off/not my best, without adding some R. There was a lot Rachel mentioned in this post that works really well for R, that I look my best incorporating into my clothes, and my hair is naturally more R than I.

If you feel more comfortable in pants, there are soft textured pants (even softer "jeggings" that stretch more and are colorful, that are capri style, that can work for R and I). Floral styles... If you like the idea of velvet jeans, I bought some at Christmas time on sale at Old Navy for $30 that were slim fit, ankle length, with a side zip that are quite comfy and have stretch. There were other similar very feminine comfy pants like that too. Without the front zip and button. Other places have similar pants that have less of a masculine look or detailing, or feminine prints. and textiles

And as for shorts, there are often zip in the back or subtle elastic higher waisted vintage looking ones, sometimes with a floral print or bow at the waist, chiffon like material if simple, so on. Eyelet for Ingeune. Even if something you feel really you need to feel comfy or secure reads more Ingenue. you can always add another piece with more Romantic elements that's still practical -- like scoopnecks, ruching,, your deeper Spring colors or a larger floral print, if you wear belts it could be more R scale with an R design but practical... Some flats shoes or sandals could be comfy but have a bit more drama or larger scale detail that doesn't get in the way if you wanted. If you like particular types of jewelry, maybe there is something similar but a little more complex or having a little larger size with a little extra detail (but doesn't have to be too extravagant). Or wear two pieces of jewelry instead of 1.If you like to wear something in your hair, even if it still practical, it could shimmer a little, have a little intricacy in design...

If Even if you just wanted to see how you felt about occasionally wearing an I+R dress that wasn't really fancy, just had the basic elements.

I used to dress very N and started wearing more skirts and dresses and then found them more very comfortable (the type I war, at least). With the I there, it isn't like you would have to go super ostentatious to look great, either, Just some softer textiles. more, often larger curves, jewelry and details can be a bit larger and softer, etc. You can make it your own how it would work for you or try new things at your own pace.

And I can relate to feeling a bit incomplete or off without something E in your outfit -- on its own or built into your clothing for what you are wearing to feel totally "right" Hope you find if you can see what that is coming from!

Another Rachel

4/29/2019 06:57:47 pm

Thank you for the tips on looking romantic but not so much “sexy”. I live in a very conservative area so figure-hugging isn’t appropriate but I still want to look like myself.

Melina

4/30/2019 03:52:48 am

"But if you instead choose shapeless, roomy clothes, you risk looking dumpy and unprepared."
Exactly! That's me, can't do shapeless :) Which is why I also think the popular saying of someone beautiful that she would "look good even in a potato sack" (or any version of this saying) is so very wrong - it implies exactly the opposite, that shape of clothes (or anything else) does not matter if you're beautiful - we here know that is *not* true in the slightest! ;)

Kellie link

4/30/2019 12:20:45 pm

Naturals can wear the more loose fitting and unconstructed clothing. Natural lines are the least flattering in Classics.

4/30/2019 01:01:15 pm

Hey Kellie! Your comment is on point! I’m rather feminine leaning, but also considering Classic Ingenue, and incorporating Natural into my style has yielded the worst results (and is exactly what led me to this blog). It’s hard for a non-Natural to shop nowadays, as society is currently pushing it a lot. It seems like it’s in every store and even expected of all people to dress that way!

4/30/2019 02:18:18 pm

4/30/2019 02:40:33 pm

I would see great outfits or dresses on women and then try it myself and couldn’t understand why they look fabulous and I looked like an unmade bed ! I would look like I didn’t know how to dress myself. Now understanding how the systems work I know why . I am not a Natural but it would make life easier. I am more Ingenue and Classic with some Gamine. Looking at older pictures off myself helped too . The fitted checkered pink with touches of green and white and floral print looked a lot nicer on me than the shapeless oversized t shirt . I think helped too I could be more objective about the younger me it actually became obvious. So yes the system helps I don’t feel boxed in by it because I felt lost trying to make clothes look right on me that didn’t. There are a lot of Natural clothing out there true but I can still wear jeans but the with the right fit and a blouse or sweater that is more my style.

5/1/2019 09:23:25 am

Molly, you can´t find your style-Id just by picking out clothes that you like. You have to try different clothes and see what lines and shapes harmonizes with the natural lines of your face. That can be difficult. Can you be objective about yourself? We can't help you here because we don't know how you look. If you want me to have a look at your photos you can send them to : danielles.styling.com

5/1/2019 09:59:43 am

I meant of course: [email protected]

5/1/2019 11:57:18 am

Hi Danielle- thanks for all your messages. If I was dressing the way I *really* wanted I wouldn’t be on this blog LOL! Haha yes, the pics in my link are not just ones that I like but ones that I have seen work best with the lines of my face best over the years. I guess I could’ve clarified that. (I just don’t feel comfortable publicly linking a pic of my face in this thread.) Also over the years I’ve gotten that hang of my ID’s general colorscheme (within my appropriate seasonal palette), so if I see an item that aligns with that I’ll usually put in my cart.

And yes I definitely know how to be objective about myself and what does/doesn’t work for me- my struggle was determining exactly which essences my “bad” items consistently fell into (so I could rule out that essence). But it’s so crazy how I (and others, I’m sure) have been subconsciously aware of the 7 essences for as long as I can remember! I’ve always known to avoid Natural and that Ethereal essence did not work for me despite a few people comparing me to Ethereal celebs. I know from experience that those essences don’t work with the lines of my face (I think people have a tendency to compare me to Ethereals since I’m rather feminine leaning).

Thanks for sharing your email address to message you privately. But, per Julia’s suggestion, I did use a friend’s Style ID calculator last night and the both of us consistently came up Romantic Ingenue (and I hadn’t mentioned any of my thoughts about my ID to her). Just as I suspected, I was one of the “completely feminine” blends, as the blogger here describes it (such as E.I. Lily Cole who doesn’t any masculine essences in her ID). I feel so at home with R.I., and it puts the lines of my face into context, making me look like me again. And I no longer feel the need to wear a mask of the other essences. Now I better understand my features and how my countenance reads within our society, relative to others. I cannot wait to get the resources this blog offers for R.I.- I’ll be able to use all the tips and information to nail my style every time!!! Thankful for all the help I received on this journey!! 💕

5/2/2019 01:16:01 am

Romantic beauty strikes me as very courtly -- like, something you'd see on a member of the Court in a refined palace. Dupika there looks like a queen. Or I'm thinking of Jane Seymour in The Scarlet Pimpernel. Or that girl who played Lizzy in the '95 Pride and Prejudice. She has a very "knowing" look, as opposed to Kiera Knightley's more fresh and free Lizzy. And any time I see a man who looks hot dressed as a prince or a Victorian era vampire (as opposed to ridiculous), I figure he must have a lot of romantic.

I guess calling it "sexy" is confusing to me, because all of the style types have sex appeal in their own way? I find thinking "courtly" (or "courtesan," maybe) is helpful to me to narrow it down.

katherine

6/5/2019 12:08:51 pm

Agreed -- I've been officially typed as Romantic, and before being typed I had assumed that couldn't be me, because these adjectives do not apply to me in the slightest. Basing it on "sex appeal" at all, I think, is missing the point too; being overweight I am not generally considered, by men, the heterosexual male fantasy.

Tabitha

5/2/2019 03:11:45 pm

Ooh what a timely post! I’ve had a similar experience as many of you who have commented. I quickly identified the items on RCI page and I’m confident that’s my ID at this point. Molly and Kellie- I feel your pain!

Are there any RCI’s on this Romantics page , or in general, that I can research?

5/2/2019 06:25:46 pm

Perhaps the example of Aishwarya Rai here? Although I could see her as RID... Does anyone know her ID?

5/3/2019 11:05:16 am

Yeah, I'd guess that Aishwarya doesn't have Classic--her features are full and complicated, and I think she looks best with a lot of detail, not the minimalism of Classic.

Maybe a young Monica Bellucci is RIC? The Romantic seems more evident than the Ingenue, but I think she may have both, along with some of the balance and average-sized/positioned features that characterize Classic.

5/4/2019 03:16:20 am

I think Monica Bellucci could be a EDR. She could have some Classic too.

5/4/2019 03:14:20 am

I think Aishwarya Rai has Romantic and Ethereal. I suspect she also have one of the masculine essences but I don't know which one. My advice is : don't spend so much time wondering about the style-ID's of celebs. Many of them have done plastic surgery. I think Aishwarya Rai is one of them.

Diana Patterson link

8/10/2024 05:21:57 am

"Great insights on the Romantic style type! Love how the details highlight elegance and femininity. Thanks for breaking down this classic look!"

Truth is Beauty

Style Types: The ROMANTIC

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