Style staples for the seven essences—plus self-typing tips

Determining your style essences can be hard. A simple tip that may make it a little easier:

Think about the most iconic, defining fashions of each of the 7 style essences. Then consider which of those fashions have historically most flattered your face.

For example, if you can always pull off a graphic Tee, that’s a great sign you have a lot of Gamine.

But if you feel like graphic Tees are so unflattering on you, you don’t even like lounging around the house in them, that’s a great sign you don’t have any Gamine.

Determining how you look in each of the following iconic styles may give you helpful clues to your essences. And if you already know your essences, some of the following pieces may end up being your go-to style staples.

Gamine style staples: shorts and Tees

If you have a lot of Gamine, your defining styles are casual and playful, like graphic Tees, fitted denim shorts, and sneakers.

Tip: Naturals and Gamines are both their best in casual clothes. But Gamine pieces tend to have shortened silhouettes that are fairly close to the body. So consider how you look in relatively fitted vs. very baggy Tees—the latter will likely bring in some Natural.

Bonus: If you can pull off very short hair, that’s a great indicator that you have Gamine. But don’t rule out Gamine if you can’t pull off a pixie—it’s possible that you do have Gamine but also have a lot of one or more of the other essences, none of which are highly flattered by very short cuts.

Romantic style staples: glam dresses and accessories

The Romantic essence embodies conventionally feminine glamour. If you look your best in plunging necklines, body-hugging silhouettes, and details that exaggerate your curves like ruching, you likely have a lot of Romantic.

Tip: Highly Romantic faces can often pull off a ton of detail—an amount that would overwhelm the other essences. Luxurious details and accessories, like the black gloves above, and elaborate, blingy jewelry are particularly flattering.

Bonus: The iconic Romantic color? Red. So if (your color season’s version of) deep, passionate red is your best hue, that’s a clue you have Romantic. (Though Dramatics also tend to be flattered by deep reds.)

Dramatic style staples: severe blazers and color-blocking

If you have a lot of Dramatic, your wardrobe staples include striking pieces, like blazers in bold colors and intimidating, angular cuts.

Tip: Many blazer styles also have other essences, like Classic and Gamine. To make sure your blazer is Dramatic, ensure that it’s an elongated, narrow cut and that there’s something striking about it that makes it not read as “basic.” This might be a deep moody color, a large geometric print, a unique cut, or a very low neckline.

Bonus: Dramatics are gorgeous in intense colors and color combinations. If you can pull of monochromatic looks, like head to toe black, or bold color blocking, like mixing black and red, that’s another sign that you have Dramatic.

Classic style staples: basic blazers and conservative colors

If you feel you’re easily overwhelmed by complicated styles, you may have a lot of Classic. Classics look amazing even and especially in simple fashion, like basic blazers and button-downs.

Tip: Classic and Dramatic fashion have some overlap—both can feel formal and minimalistic. The big difference is that Classic feels restrained and conventional, whereas Dramatic feels bold and avant-garde.

Bonus: As a Classic, you’ll be great in neutrals and other understated hues.

Natural style staples: Roomy sweaters and jeans

Naturals have the talent of looking breathtaking in casual fashion, like roomy sweaters. If you look your best in carefree, oversized pieces, that’s a great clue you have Natural.

Tip: Like Classic fashion, Natural fashion can feel minimal and restrained. The big difference is that Classic pieces feel more formal—styles you could easily wear to an office job—and Natural fashion feels more casual—something you’d feel comfortable in while taking a walk or relaxing at home.

Bonus: Denim is an iconic fabric for Naturals and Gamines. Shorter and more fitted jeans flatter Gamine, whereas looser and full-length jeans flatter Natural.

Ingenue style staples: pretty blouses and dainty jewelry

If you have a lot of Ingenue, your defining styles have small circular shapes and details, like eyelet lace, tiny round buttons, and puff sleeves.

Tip: Ingenue and Ethereal have some overlap in vibe, as both appear gentle. The difference: Ingenue styles will be composed of shorter shapes and typically feel more conventional and down-to-earth, whereas pure Ethereal pieces are elongated and typically have a dressier and more fantasy-esque vibe.

Bonus: Ingenues tend to be overwhelmed by elaborate jewelry but are fantastic in dainty pieces with small circular shapes.

Ethereal style staples: Angelic flowy dresses

Ethereal pieces tend to appear mystical and angelic, the opposite of down-to-earth. If you’re gorgeous in flowy, narrow, very long dresses in soft or sheer fabric with gentle waist emphasis, you may have a lot of Ethereal.

Tip: Ethereal has some overlap with Romantic—both styles appear formal and conventionally feminine. The big difference is that Ethereal typically appears more elongated, composed of oval versus circular shapes. Ethereal also typically appears less intense in color and silhouette—the waist may be emphasized, but the overall silhouette will be flowy vs. body-hugging.

Bonus: Hair with a wispy, floaty texture can be really harmonious on Ethereals—it fits the angelic Ethereal vibe.

Of all the essences, Ethereal styles can be some of the hardest to find in stores and to integrate into your day-to-day wardrobe—so you may want to virtually drape yourself to assess your Ethereality.