Synesthetic style: How music can help you find your best outfits

I want to listen to music perpetually—while working, socializing, resting. I’ve lamented that there isn’t an enjoyable way to watch movies and shows while simultaneously playing Spotify.

But lately I’ve noticed that it’s harder to concentrate on typing faces while listening to music.

You might say “duh”—multitasking distracts from the individual tasks.

I do think that’s part of it. But I also think there’s another, more intriguing reason why it’s harder to analyze faces while listening to music.

Why music makes typing faces harder

Music, like faces, has abstract, psychological vibes.

So, if the music you’re listening to exudes different vibes than the face you’re analyzing, then you might mistype that face based on what you’re hearing.

For example, maybe you’re trying to type a tranquil, playful Ethereal Gamine face, but you’re listening to aggressive death metal.

Your metal music has a Dramatic vibe—edgy and intense—and so you may erroneously perceive the face you’re typing as having Dramatic.

Our senses are somewhat connected, like how a “warm” color that we perceive visually has some connection to “warm” when applied to temperature, right?

So while your eyes aren’t perceiving Dramatic, your ears are, and your body may conflate the two senses.

Should you invest in a sensory deprivation chamber

You don’t need a sensory deprivation chamber to analyze faces. I’d just avoid distracting sensory experiences while typing (especially if you’re synesthetic), which for me includes music-listening.

Basically having any salient sensory experience while you type can make it harder to type accurately.

What song is your face?

A totally important and practical question: if the style essences were music genres, which ones would they be?

I actually think the answer to this question is useful for better understanding the essences’ vibes and most harmonious fashions.

Here’s initial thoughts on music genres that embody each of the types, and how music can help inform your fashion sense.

Gamine—techno or “jazzy instrumental hip-hop”

If you’ve seen BoJack Horseman, the first 30 seconds of the theme song feel Gamine—bouncy, playful, clipped notes.

I’m not sure what you call this music genre. Some people call it “funky nu-jazz” or “jazzy instrumental hip-hop.”

If you have Gamine, you can dress how the beginning of the BoJack theme sounds—playful patterns composed of small shapes arranged in uniform or random order. Small triangular collars, short sharp jackets and skirts.

Fun colorful Gamine pattern and cropped, square-shaped cut.

Ethereal—shoegaze

Shoegaze’s quintessential dreamy, mystical quality is Ethereal.

“Only Shallow” by My Bloody Valentine is a good example, though parts do become heavier and may verge into evoking Dramatic.

“Sugar for the Pill” by Slowdive is a purer example of Ethereal music. Gentle and dreamy, it mimics floaty Ethereal fabric.

A dress with elongated, sheer, cascading Ethereal layers.

Dramatic—metal

Dramatic fashion can look scary, so it gets the scariest music genre. If you want a feel for how intense Dramatic outfits can be, check out some Metallica or Dillinger Escape Plan.

To visually embody metal music, you could clothe yourself in literal metal. Minus the Romantic crown.

Natural—country

Country music has a carefree vibe that fits with Natural’s ease.

I’d have to think about artists/songs that really embody the Natural vibe. Some of the more laidback Taylor Swift songs? But her music may tend to have other vibes like Romantic, too.

Clothes that are stereotypically associated with Country music, like denim and cowboy hats and boots, are great for Naturals. Here’s an especially Natural jacket—oversized, elongated, and faded with rolled sleeves.

Classic—classical

This predictable choice suits the vibe of the Classic essence: Classic features tend to have predictable, typical shapes, sizes, and locations.

Classic clothes are also predictable in that they won’t be unusually long or short, oversized or tight, sharp or curving in shape. They’ll be formal basics whose appeal transcends time.

Timeless music like Mozart or Bach may be some of your best Classic inspiration.

This blazer is a bit oversized for a Classic piece, but overall the outfit’s vibe fits the Classic essence: polished and understated.

Romantic—passionate ballads

Romantic music expresses deep (ideally love-related) emotions with fluidity and extreme passion. The first thing that comes to mind is Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Or “Alone” by Heart.

The Romantic essence has an intensity that rivals that of Dramatic—it’s just intense in a different way.

Romantic fashion elements include intense colors like passionate red, intense necklines like plunge or very curvy sweetheart, and very elaborate, embellished details.

A Romantic neckline—off the shoulder and sweetheart—and color. The tulle sleeves create large rounded shapes and add to the passionate vibe.

Ingenue—pop

Not sure if I agree with this designation. Ingenue music would be pleasing music that has widespread appeal. So pop feels like the easiest answer… but a lot of pop music incorporates other vibes, like Gamine, Natural, and Romantic, too.

Future posts may reflect more on this important question, as well as on other genres, artists, bands, and songs that embody the pure and blended types.