Stripes can be Natural. They're especially likely to be Natural if they are irregular, or various in size, or if they read as relaxed, not aggressive. Vertical stripes, which elongate the vertical line, are usually better than horizontal stripes (which are good for Gamines.) Checks and plaids can be Natural if they read as something you would find on a fleece -- they should look farmer-ish, not preppy. (Preppy plaids are Classic.) Large, stylized, somewhat abstract nature motifs read as Natural, as long as they're not aggressive-looking (which would add Dramatic) or neatly repeating (which would add Classic). Nature prints that are more photorealistic read as Gamine or Ingenue. (The youthful essences get more literal images.) Nature prints that feature flowers will automatically bring in Romantic (if they're larger and stylized) or Ingenue (if they're smaller and more realistic.) Paisleys are often Natural, because they're stylized nature motifs that read as a little "tribal" (which is a word I don't love; what's a better word?) A paisley that's very tiny or very detailed is less likely to read as Natural. Prints with abstract geometrics that seem to be randomly distributed and are largeish in size can be Natural. Go for blunt-edged geometrics; sharp-edged geomtrics will read as Dramatic (if they're large) or Gamine (if they're small.) Prints you find in textiles of indigenous peoples are often Natural. Again, the print is more likely to read as Natural if it's large and not incredibly detailed. A Natural print will not fee aggressive or high-energy. A print or pattern, by itself, adds a lot of detail to a look. And Natural style calls for a very low level of detail. So if you're a pure Natural and you're going for a print, keep your silhouette and garments extra simple, and your other details very, very plain.
Women who are pure Natural and Natural blends, what prints and patterns have you found work for you? If you're not sure of your style type, try the Style Identity Calculator or consider a Virtual Analysis.
18 Comments
Shawna
11/12/2018 12:45:10 pm
Not a Natural and don't seem to have any or very little N in me but I have recently realised that while I look bad in vertical stripes I am great in horizontal ones and really good if they go in different directions. That would seem to support my gamine diagnosis so the timing of your pointing out horizontals for gamine in this post is good timing for me. I'm getting rid of my vertical striped things which I never wear.
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W.
11/12/2018 08:24:58 pm
This is really interesting. I think I'm strongly natural, but I also find ethereal helps to temper it. I don't seem to wear 'boho' very well. Instead, I end up taking the natural style "loftier" -- the colors are lighter, the shapes elongated, the fabrics are textured, more detailed, but never heavy.
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Megan
11/13/2018 04:31:58 pm
That's an interesting thought about Natural being strong yet not aggressive or powerful... maybe Natural embodies more of a passive, calm strength, at least in comparison to Dramatic? Natural might have a kind of restrained power, as if Naturals look as if are capable of exerting power and force but choose not to?
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Alex
11/13/2018 08:37:50 pm
Natural is a tree - not aggressive, but very strong.
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W.
11/14/2018 08:59:50 pm
Ah, good point. I should return to that metaphor. :)
Melina
11/13/2018 02:51:45 am
Ah, stripes & most other prints & patterns are (mostly) N or G - no wonder I usually avoid them like the like plague :D They just don't work for me, and now I realize why. The only patterns i like at all is paisley, I guess there's enough R or E in it to make it work...
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Johanna
11/17/2018 02:34:29 am
Funny enough, I've been thinking about Paisley and where it fits in before this post came out. I've had a look at different paisley patterns and they seem to be quite different, so I was wondering, if it is at all possible to sort them into a certain category? They seem to go from child-like to floral to aggressive , small, bold..It made me really uncertain, where to sort them in
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Ella
11/13/2018 08:47:02 am
I was wondering whether my love of horizontal stripes was due to my classic or gamine element. Now I know and lucky for me I can wear vertical stripes and plaids too. I'm liking being an NCG more and more. Very helpful post, thanks!
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Ilona
11/14/2018 10:45:34 am
This is a great post! I really enjoyed the previous one, too. I've purchased Rachel's products for my style identity, but these two posts have given me more understanding of the types. Thank you Rachel!
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KC
11/15/2018 03:42:49 am
Between this post and the earlier one about Natural jewelry, I've become convinced that I have little to no Natural after all--the jewelry and patterns shown in these posts do not flatter me.
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Victoria
11/15/2018 11:57:14 am
I think a makeup free face always reads as more "natural" which might easily be misread as natural style ID, whether that type is present or not. I'm a Dark Winter RNG, and I can look extra N with a fresh face, even though I came out as split 30/30/30. With concealer, mascara and lipgloss I'm 100% in focus (it's my usual look) so that's what I used for the Style ID calculator.
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Nicole
11/16/2018 01:44:40 pm
Hi Victoria! :) I am RNG as well and I've been having a hard time finding a good makeup look. If you don't mind me asking, what lip gloss color do you use? I'd also love to hear any other beauty tips that you've found useful as an RNG (ie, makeup, style, hair, etc)!
Victoria
11/18/2018 01:15:06 pm
Nicole, makeup and hair are interesting for me with this combo! My best everyday makeup look tends to be simple. I do concealer, mascara, and a lip gloss. Maybe some highlighter, soft blush, and black/charcoal tight-lining on my upper lash line if I feel like it. So far, Buxom French Martini is my favorite everyday lippie. Sheer fig, it’s a MLBB for me. Their Dolly works as a bit pinker MLBB for me as well. For a date night, I will either wear a DW lippie with light eyeshadow and black liner/more mascara, or I’ll do sort of a plummy eye, and my regular gloss. I can’t go very dark or overboard with shadow, and if I do a lippie I have to keep the rest minimal. I also don’t ever wear foundation; I’ve tried them alllllllll and they just look too heavy. Maybe because of the natural, the gamine or both, these makeup looks are best and more is...not! For an event or a full glam kind of thing, the classic pinup look works best for me.
Victoria
11/18/2018 04:15:07 pm
Oh Nicole I forgot to mention that hats are a big part of my RNG style. They are my best accessory after earrings. Baseball caps, slouchy beanies, cloache, winter hats w/ and w/out pom poms, cuban fedora style, conductor hats, and small/medium brimmed fedoras.
ruth
11/16/2018 09:23:06 am
I am probably about 60% natural with a fair bit of classic and some dramatic. I absolutely adore medium - large scale paisley, it is a pattern that I will consider wearing in out-of-my-season colours as I love it so much.
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Megan
11/20/2018 06:39:31 pm
Loosely related to this post--yesterday I somehow ended up clicking through Google images of Leandra Medine (of "Man Repeller" blog) and I was struck by the fact that even though I'm 99% sure she doesn't use any form of Style Analysis to decide what to wear, and even though her outfits are often highly unconventional--she looked GOOD in most of them. Like, harmonious.
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Nicole
12/3/2018 05:04:59 pm
Hi Victoria,
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Victoria
12/5/2018 11:00:18 pm
Could not agree more about COMFORT! I won't wear anything uncomfortable ever, for any reason. Not shoes, not makeup, not a dress, not even for a minute. NOPE!
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