Discover your color palette and your style type.

Tips for Determining Your Own Style ID

1/22/2018

The Style Identity Calculator asks you to compare your face to many, many pictures of clothes, and to notice whether or not those clothes flatter your face. Here are some tips to help you make that determination.

- Use a Happy, Forward-Facing Head Shot

When I analyze other people, I find that the type of picture used affects the results quite a bit. Over time, I've found I get the most accurate results with a happy face. I think this is because our best clothes complement our authentic selves, and our authentic selves are happy selves. "Happy face" doesn't have to mean an ear-to-ear grin, although it may; I suggest using the smile that you feel most flatters you.

It's important to use a photo of yourself looking directly into the camera. Most of us don't find this our favorite type of picture; we prefer ourselves at an angle. (I think that's because it narrows our jawline.) But a photo of a face at an angle distorts the dimensions of the face. A head-on photo reveals what you actually look like, and will give the most accurate results.

And do use a photo, not a mirror. Selfies are more trustworthy than a mirror; for some reason, it's much easier to objectively evaluate a frozen image of ourselves.

- Try to See Yourself Objectively

I hate to be yet another voice telling women not to trust their instincts! We get so much of that, don't we? Yet, for the sake of truthfulness, I have to say that many of us don't have an unerring instinct for what looks good on us. I suspect that most of us are drawn to color and style analysis because we realize we often aren't objective about ourselves.

Really seeing oneself is a challenge, absolutely. When you're able to do it, you're in a state of mind where you're viewing yourself rather dispassionately, as a visual image you're responding to on an aesthetic level, but not on a personal level, or with value judgments.

- Your Body Can Tell You When You're Seeing Beauty

The aesthetic reaction you're listening for inside yourself is a sense of liking or not-liking, attraction or lack of attraction. I personally sense this feeling in my chest: something in there warms and lifts when I'm seeing visual harmony.

To feel this reaction, you might try this: put your picture next to one garment that you're absolutely certain complements you. In another screen, put your picture next to a garment that you're certain is awful for you. Then flip back and forth. As you flip back and forth, pay attention to what changes inside you. You should notice a switch that goes on and off, or a feeling that flows and ebbs. *That's* the feeling you should have when you're seeing yourself next to your best clothes.

I also make a habit, if I'm feeling stuck, of going away from a picture for a day or so, then coming back to it. Seeing a picture with fresh eyes can help me notice my aesthetic reaction.

:-)

If you're still stuck, consider trying a Virtual Style Analysis.

27 Comments

1/22/2018 12:46:06 pm

So.... First of all, this is a great post. Like, really truly thank you.

Secondly, I feel almost personally called out (not really! but also kinda) because I have been going back to the style calculator MANY times, trying to figure out what works for me. I kept thinking I'll have this amazing revelation and come away with something totally NEW! And as a result, I've gotten myself pretty confused. All the styles you name & introduce on this blog are so cool looking and you make such a good case for each of them that I want to try to wear ALL of them (Maybe that's just me? But seriously, wwho knew ingenue+ethereal+dramatic was a thing? It is and it's cool!)

But if I'm REALLY honest with myself (and I mean really truly) I end up looking at a selfie like you recommend - and I get what I suspected from the beginning.: Natural Classic with a whole lotta natural - and that's great! Prep never goes out of style.

I would also add that for me, the color factor *drastically* threw me off. As a LSu, the ethereal/ingenue boards look more inviting at first glance. I really have to look past the colors to see the lines themselves are pulling me into 'eeesh' territory. Likewise, the preppy styles almost never come in my seasonal colors. You rarely see a LSu plaid, for example, or a LSu tweed.

Did anyone else experience this? I certainly found my color season ran totally counter to the 'expected' look of my best style.

You speak of analyzing the sensations felt when looking at one's face near certain clothes. So now I'm thinking... "Yup. That'll do nicely." No exciting WOW! factor with the clothes. No "Who woulda thunk it?" Just... "Yeah. Good.
That's gonna work for me." It's not exciting so much as peace-of-mindish, and I'm cool with that.

So again, thank you again Rachel. What you've got here in this blog is really amazing. :)

Beth

1/25/2018 03:55:38 am

My friend totally shares this experience, she is a Dramatic Classic Natural and a Light Spring, and I know she has a tough time combining the two, especially as her best colours are mostly very light.

I’m an ethereal romantic classic, and a True Spring, which I find really harmonise with each other, though I find if I’m not careful, colours can get too dark and edge into true autumn, especially if I go really romantic with my clothes.

Buffy

1/23/2018 12:46:57 am

So you’re saying it’s mostly about the face rather than the body?

Katja

1/23/2018 02:30:03 am

Yes, style analysis is mainly based on your facial features.

Kels

1/24/2018 11:41:19 pm

I really didn't want to accept that I am a Romantic Natural. All the clothes looked so frumpy and too old for me, and I felt like every other celebrity nowadays is pushing that look- but I showed the board to my closest friends and they were shocked at how well it lined up with my facial features as well as my body type. I had to recognize that while my personality is best suited by the Ethereal Gamine aesthetic, RN is the most natural on me. I often cheat by adding some things from the RNG or RNE boards so that I feel like I'm blending my booby, broad-shouldered, thick-thighed outsides with the playful sprite that lives inside, but when I'm making a big purchase, or crafting a Really Important Look, the RN board is a great resource that hasn't led me astray yet!

1/25/2018 07:17:50 pm

lol i meant to post this in the "So You Hate Your Style Identity" thread! Yike.

Miranda

1/25/2018 08:16:35 am

I actually used two pictures of myself - a selfie that I liked with a nice smile and my hair down, and a picture someone else took with a big dorky grin and my hair pulled back in a bun. I found that the dorky one was pretty useful. Instead of looking for what made my face look beautiful (I found that really difficult to tease out), I went through the boards with one question: "Would I feel comfortable smiling in this?" That was enough to narrow down my style to Ethereal Natural. I mean, I double-checked it with the nice photo, but the dorky one gave me a stronger reaction to work with.

Nancy

1/26/2018 04:18:22 am

Miranda, I think it can be useful to do what you did. I mean, if you are not an expert, how can you tell if your face looks beautiful? I also think that having your hair pulled back and wearing no makeup can help.

2/5/2018 11:47:12 pm

I take back my idea of using a dorky picture.
Originally I got Natural Ethereal (65/35), but some things weren't fitting, like how I look terrible in elongated jewelry. I realized that in the picture I used, I was feeling uncomfortable and awkward. So I went back through with a nice-yet-honest selfie and got Natural Ingenue (50/50).
I am buying another "What to Buy" guide even though I just bought the other one because I could not achieve that level of aesthetic synthesis on my own. Even the wrong one was utterly fantastic.

Mandy

1/25/2018 05:43:11 pm

I have been analyzed as a romantic ethereal ingénue through the calculator by myself, and I find that every picture I use as a try it again to make sure gives me the same result. I think that using a more happy and less made-up photo did help as well as having my hair pulled back because then I knew it wasn't the makeup or the hairstyle that was giving me a result but it was me being me. I wonder if it's best to appear un-madeup and natural or the way you look in everyday life? I also am still a little uncertain however but I don't think this is due to inaccuracy of results but rather a self-consciousness of viewing myself as "sexy" since to me it has a certain connotation. I think also I have viewed myself as a natural for a long time with more bohemian styles, that is what I have been used to and it's difficult to think of myself as different than I thought. The trends and styles are all so natural or gamine that it seems unpopular to dress up too much so it also makes me feel overdressed to embrace my id. So does anyone have any tips for how to embrace a formal and romantic id without feeling out of place or overly sexual? I am a practicing Christian and I am careful not to appear immodest but without some skin or sexiness I get a little too frumpy and my look suffers. Anyway, thanks Rachel for the great tips on how to best analyze yourself. Very helpful!

1/26/2018 09:21:30 am

Hi, Mandy! People often associate a Romantic with plunging necklines, revealing dresses and showing a lot of skin. But as a Romantic you don't have to dress like that. You can associate Romantic with words like sensual, glamorous or lush instead.
As an ERI you should not dress too sexy because of Ingenue and Ethereal. They don't read as sexy. Instead you can emphasize the sweetness and innocense of Ingenue and the angelic of Ethereal in your outfits. This style ID is very feminine and you do need waist definition and clothes that accentuate your figure without looking vulgar.
Lace is perfect for this style ID and for you. It is very feminine and it shows a little skin, but not too much.
Personally I wonder why so many feel pressured by their environment to subvert their own desires to look and feel great. I have always dressed up and I feel great. So I think that you should enjoy your feminine and formal style-ID and shine!

1/27/2018 12:42:46 pm

Mandy, here are some examples of casual clothes for an Ethereal-Romantic-Ingenue: waterfall cardigans, tunics with defined empire waistline, fine knit jumpers and sweaters that accentuate your figure, tapered, cropped pants(not jeans), palazzo pants in flowing fabrics, flats, for instance keds-style sneakers, high heel or flat sandals.
When it comes to jewellery I would advice you to wear Ingenue jewellery since they are rather small and modest.
Please write back and let us know what you think about our suggestions!

1/26/2018 09:34:25 pm

Hi Mandy--This is where I think a word association post on the Romantic style ID would've been helpful, but apparently Rachel's not doing those anymore :P. Katja's suggestions for thinking of Romantic as glamorous or lush instead of sexy are good; I would also suggest soft and womanly. Rachel's compared the three feminine style IDs to the maiden-mother-crone trinity before, so I also think of Romantic as rather maternal. When I picture a Romantic going casual, I think TV soccer mom--curvy button-up shirt with 3/4 or rolled-up sleeves to expose the wrists; sometimes the shirt is layered over a tank to reveal more decolletage without being immodest; tapered and cropped pants that emphasize wide, curvy hips and expose the ankles; rounded, delicate shoes on tiny feet. This may not be the look you personally are going for, but hopefully it gets some ideas flowing for alternate interpretations of your Romantic essence.

You've said that you tend to look best when you reveal a bit of skin, but you're worried about looking too immodest. Katja's right, you don't necessarily need to show a lot of leg and cleavage, nor do you need to wear tight "body-con" styles. Waist emphasis does sound like a must for your style combo, but Romantic styles can be "roomy" rather than tight in the bust and hips department--not to the point of being baggy, just honoring your womanly figure instead of squeezing into something too snug, if that makes sense. For Romantics, baring skin can simply mean the bare minimum of wrists/forearms, ankles/lower legs, and collar bones/decolletage. Cleavage is entirely optional. And the best news is that as a Romantic, this will simply look natural on you, not immodest or skanky :) Hope this was helpful.

Melina

11/13/2021 05:17:47 am

KC, what you said about "rounded, delicate shoes on tiny feet" sounded a bit strange to me, as it's not like all REIs have tiny feet - one's style ID is based on one's face, body doesn't come into it ;) Especially not the size of one's feet!

11/15/2021 10:02:08 pm

You're correct, but the TV soccer moms I was speaking of (especially the cartoon examples) seem to all have small feet in proportion to their bodies. It does seem to be a feature associated with Romantic in the archetypal sense, but not all Romantic women will have Cinderella feet.

1/29/2018 09:49:41 pm

Thank you both so much for the wonderful advice Katja and KC! It really is very nice that you put a lot of thought into your answers. I was inspired by what you said Katja about embracing my id and not being afraid of formal looks if that is what will make me shine! I love more formal clothing anyway so I just need to go with it and not be afraid to dress up more like you said Katja. I love the ideas of the casual clothing I can wear as part of my id, these are great suggestions that would definitely work well for me. These type of tops mentioned by you Katja sound very appropriate and fitting for me as well as the pants, shoes and delicate jewelry.I like that way that all sounds and plan to try those things out : )
Also a tv soccer mom sounds right up my alley as a everyday style to try. What you said about layering, curvy button-ups, cropped tapered pants and round delicate shoes and also waist fitted but roomy tops are perfect as some ideas to try too! I really appreciate the insights as to some alternative views on what romantic can mean also, not always so overtly sexual but a glamorous lush or womanly sensual feel instead. That helps, seeing it that way. Also the idea that "baring skin can simply mean the bare minimum of wrists/forearms, ankles/lower legs, and collar bones/decolletage. "" and the best news is that as a Romantic, this will simply look natural on you" is really great. I also was reminded that yes, as a blend I need not try to be too sexy anyway since the other two types are watering down the sexy element.
Thanks a lot Katja and KC! You both are so helpful! : )

1/30/2018 02:43:53 am

Nice to know that our suggestions are appreciated!

Alex

1/26/2018 06:28:16 am

Is it possible to have a small percentage of a particular essence, but have that small percentage be non-negotiable? I'm mostly Natural but have a bit of Ethereal - just a bit, but that bit seems really necessary. Too much Ethereal and I look silly, but no Ethereal at all and something isn't quite right. I seem to need a touch of s-curve and a touch of flow - not too much - but I need that touch. Does that make sense?

1/26/2018 09:44:13 pm

Well, if you need it, you need it :). I think it's cool how if you know your percentages, you can really individualize your style.

Needing that touch of Ethereal despite how small of a percentage it is might have something to do with having only two(?) style essences--it's easier to detect whether that small second essence is present or missing, whereas someone who has three essences plus a touch of a fourth can probably ignore the fourth one much of the time because it barely registers in the midst of the other three. That's my theory, anyway.

1/28/2018 01:32:05 pm

Thank you, KC!

(I call my style "Jedi Knight in blue jeans.)

(Speaking of which: what style ID is Daisy Ridley?)

1/28/2018 02:36:57 pm

I feel like Daisy definitely has some Gamine and some Natural. Maybe Classic as well? She looks strong, vital yet balanced, (and cute honestly) in comparison to her costumes in the movies. And if That Smile is any indication! When they attempt to do Ethereal or Romantic-themed photoshoots it often looks really strange on her.

1/29/2018 02:42:35 am

Im thinking Classic-Gamine-Ingenue...

1/29/2018 01:29:13 pm

I think Daisy is highly gamine, possibly some ethereal. Look at the cut of her star wars costumes: cropped, cropped, low contrast/floaty fabric (E) and more cropped. Hair back from her face, no jewelry, minimal makeup -- and she looks amazing and iconic that way. I think G (and E) for sure.

1/29/2018 02:18:10 pm

When I look at Daisy I see small but not round features, a toothy grin, rounded cheeks, and no particular feature overwhelming the others. I look at the cute Natural Gamine tousled bobs hairstylists choose for her and the way she's flattered by a lack of ornate ornamentation near her face, which I take to be a touch of a classic element. I could definitely see her as a Tomboy who can polish and class it up. I don't see any of the delicate elongation, or the pert curved features of the ethereal or the ingenue. I don't mean to argue, as I am relatively new to this, and don't want to derail, but where am I missing the mark?

1/29/2018 01:03:45 pm

So I'm all ready to go with prep (NC) when I randomly went a-looking through old photo albums (something I generally avoid).

As a reality check on the style ID, I began looking at pics where I looked good vs. where I cringed. Having pored over this blog and your descriptions of what "makes" a face look a certain way, I was struck by the ethereality of my own face I really have never noticed it so clearly before. I just thought I looked 'weird' -- apparently that is not an uncommon descriptor for ethereals.

So I found I could not be purely objective with the style calculator alone. I had to go back and forth and really look at my best pics / best looks AND the style calculator to find a more accurate read on myself (so ENC it is, but I'm way more comfortable with that EN now, thinking the C is minimal, mostly about quality fit.)

Again, thank you!

Kitty

2/26/2018 06:01:30 pm

I just feel so stuck between gamine and ethereal! I go back and forth..

I’m too tall and willowy in the body for gamine, too elongated in the face, Eyes too almond..nose too long..

But I’m not sure if my lines are too sharp (pronounced cheekbones) for true ethereal, and I don’t like frilly bohemian stuff-I prefer minimalist ethereal, like star wars type clothing

And I have no female friends to ask 😩

What do you do when you’re caught between two styles??

4/8/2018 12:17:26 am

You check out the Ethereal Gamine board! You can combine those two styles.

Truth is Beauty

Tips for Determining Your Own Style ID

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