Merriam Style hello! I would like to inquire about a service that you may be able to provide that is not listed on your website. Do you have an email I can reach you at?
I was wondering if you can tell me what type is Hailey Miller(@dreaming_outloud)? I really love her style but couldn't figure out if she was a type of natural or gamine, since I think I'm a soft natural. Also Crystal Westbrooks, since I think we have the same body. I'm still kinda confused.
Soft gamines look great in Short and tasseled hair Broken silouuhette Looks childlike in wrong lines Hair tasled and short High neckline Fitted at the edges Blended smokey makeup Fitted Small gathers Tuck shirt in Belt it Fitted at the knee Contrasting neckline Contrasting hemline Blended makeup Dont balance eyes and lips Softly blended lips Small rounded bags Or larger bag with sma rounded shapes High necklaces chokers rounded shapes minimal details Small and rounded accessories
I’m keeping my long hair. If I cut it short then I would look like a bobble head. Besides that I think this video is great and should only be taken as a guide line for personal taste.
It is great, indeed. I used long hair too, but short hair brings an edgy air to our looks. I'm sure there's one for you. On the other hand, I think high necks are not always a great idea, since some necks are pretty short.
Gamines have something called "The mermaid" effect when we have long hair, it's hair that looks like it is it's own thing. It looks beautiful on soft gamines that have more balanced features all around
This information was truly life-changing for me - I had no idea why high necklines, blurred red lips, and exposed ankles always looked good on me! Also I need a tousled lob instead of a waist-length hair curtain. Thank you so much!
I'm so happy this was helpful! I also need a tousled lob instead of my current hair style. I just go for messy buns for now (I'm soft gamine) and I think they also work. (So if you have longer hair you don't haaave to cut it if you really don't want to).
I love to do half up half down with my long hair and so sort of messy waves in it as it's naturally straight to have a messier effect and style a mermaid like hair. I just a hard time have a tousled hair effect as my hair is thick and straight so it doesn't hold anything for a long period of time ahah. I also love hoops earing on me but they need to be thin and not too long (not lower than my chin) maybe because it contrastes with my straight hair and visually break the line my hair creates.
Soft gamine here with waist-long hair and never, ever cutting it again! It gives me the fairy-vibe and it has so many possibilities! I do messy buns, messy braids (fish-tail braids look great, as well as a messy crown braids). I also do the half up - half down that Karen G mentions and it looks pretty.
THIS WAS SO HELPFUL. I thought about why its so hard for me to look ~sexy~ and not look like im playing dressup, this completely answered my questions.
Wish I had watched this video before last Halloween. I looked like a psychotic clown instead of a sexy vampire because of unbalanced make-up. I don't usually wear any, if that serves as excuse. ^^'
i'm a soft gamine, and i wear glasses. when wearing contacts (or no glasses), i find that smokey eye makeup looks pretty good on me and that the cat eye looks a bit awkward. however, my glasses have very large and rounded lens which adds softness to my face; add smokey eye and theres too much softness! so, i prefer to wear a dramatic cat eye look to balance out the softness of my glasses. just a thought for the bespectacled soft gamine folks out there with rounded glasses!
I am shockethhhh! Sarah Hyland and Jenna Coleman look soooo good when they wear their own lines in the dresses! Wow this blew my mind about the importance of the lines
this is a wonderful video and really helpful, we can see all the work you put into it, incredible!! That would be really great to see for each type but it will be a lot of work. I'm SG for sure! I just have a hard time with some high necks because I feel like trapped or strangled (sometimes they are too tight for my neck ahah) I thought I was not SG as I really love wearing v neck but all the other elements are SG (outfits, hair, makeup)
Eve Ning no, Kibbe did a list of celebrities with the related types as far as I know, and the pictures available are those you find on google you know, by the way they don't look the same to me. Also, if you knew this channel you would know she makes many videos more in dept than Aly. I love Aly but she doesn't go as in dept, and doesn't tell you what to wear if you example are a Theatrical Romantic but you want to wear casual. Aly isn't the only one allowed to talk about Kibbe's types you know, so grow up, get over it and follow both channels, 'cause they're both super useful.
@@DreamEverything considering how often Merriam refers to AlyArt by name, I think credit has already been given to AlyArt. Multiple times. And I agree with the comment above: they both have things to contribute on the topic, please grow up and be thankful more people are even giving out free, in depth info like this??
FINALLY! Harsh cat eyes are so hard for me to do (hooded eyes) and they always seem to make me look awkward. My pfp is one occasion where I think I actually got it right - by accident! I think I'll stick to tightlining and smoking out my eyes from now on. Much easier! Thank you!!
Thank you for this video! My husband has been telling me that I look great in short hair for years! And I didn't understand why. But now I totally see how right he was 😄
This morning I thought I was SC, and after watching this I think I’m SG!!! I don’t go for high necks because I have a large bust but I’m going to try some & see. I like the classic look and my jewellery matches, it is always small & rounded. I’m a combination. I am a S “clamine” 😉
Thank you so much for your insights. Growing up I never seemed to understand why I'd carefully pick gowns and do sensual makeup just as I learnt it online, but only to be laughed upon and being told I'm too childlike to be sexy, even when I'm an adult. But I stay home tying a simple bun wearing shorts and a tee and suddenly all eyes are on me. For years I'm frustrated for not being able to get more edgy than a teen, but now I can see where I went wrong. No wonder I always seem to think my clothes should be made for me and none else, unknowingly I'm talking about the fit, and why some people couldn't see how doing an umpire waist on a fitted formal theme never seem to go ugly on me eventhough I'm a little plump, unlike others.
Thank you for the video! I'm pretty much 100% sure that I'm a soft gamine now! This totally explains why I look best with dramatic eyes and soft lips. And why I pull off a high neckline well! I'm 36 and I get mistaken for a teenager often. You've given me some good advice to now look my best!
I like these videos because you’re not telling people to dress as a certain attitude/personality which I think some people offering kibbe advice do because it’s easy to find examples of “gamine looking cute/pixie” so their advice would be to ONLY dress cute/pixie. So thanks for your videos! Very helpful and informative :)
This was super comprehensive and helpful. (: I sometimes struggle as a soft gamine who a) has a very androgynous presentation/style and b) needs to dress maturely and professionally. I notice I go for high necklines, tucked in shirts, and straight pants fitted at the waist and ankles. Otherwise, my personal style is closer to that of a gamine, though with my round facial features, I worry about looking like a child in their dad's clothing. It's difficult wanting to look older when simpler clothing paradoxically makes you look younger and out of place. 🤔 Being short, there's also the struggle of balancing the silhouette. A broken silhouette undoubtedly looks great on someone who has a mix of angles and curved lines in their body, but I've also heard that you can elongate your body line by wearing a low-contrasting top and bottom.
I'm soft gamine too. Using hard garment helps. If wear soft (like natural type's garment) cloth it makes you look younger but hard and structured (not oversized) cloth makes you look strong and an adult. Not long but right length, fitted, hard garment and and structured line make Sg look adult. and even chunky details or accessories are good. I found no detail plain look makes Sg look even more childish. Not too big, but about 3-5cm accessories can be bold and make Sg look tougher.
This video was so helpful and now I know that I am soft gamine. So many of your points explained why I have liked certain elements in my clothes since childhood but why they sometimes didn't work eg high neckline but top not fitted enough.so much advice for petites is contrary to what works on a soft gamine! Thank you!
I'm not sure if I'm soft gamine or theatrical romantic. I took the test and I took the TR, but I identify myself way more with SG clothes. Maybe I just don't know how to analyze myself :p I have a softer body, but shaper face.. I'll study more.
Same here :D If i am correct, theatrical romantic is mainly yin, and has just a few yang answers for the skeleton. Soft gamine is more mixed. I hope it helps
Jayna Kelly i second this request! This video itself is great, I’m pretty well sure I’m a soft gamine but being in a small body makes it hard to tell on myself!
I second this request! I’m definitely a soft gamine but as I’ve gotten heavier, many soft gamine shaped clothing is either uncomfortable due to being fitted, or it accentuates where I’ve gained weight. I have found that Theatrical Romantics share some similarities, but are of course more Yin, and the clothes just fit me better. They don’t really fit my gamine personality though, so I try to strategically add some Yang to the TR styles. What’s frustrating about this is that it really makes me focus a lot on losing weight and many people misinterpret this as me being unhappy or self conscious. I do feel uncomfortable with the changes in my body sometimes, but I don’t feel ugly or tremendously insecure about it - I’m still considered “thin,” but extra weight on my petite frame is hard to hide once it crosses a certain threshold. The main problem I have with this is that I had developed a very specific and beloved personal style in my twenties, but those clothes and clothes like them just no longer fit, so I really struggle with feeling good about my appearance and figuring out how to find clothing that works. The answer so far has been to lean toward Theatrical Romantic, but its often just not enough personality for me! Anyway, long post, but I’d love to see a comparison of the two and possibly a discussion on how when your body changes you can borrow from other types! 😊
@@mandymouse1879 i have exactly same problem At first I thought I'm TR and started to wear makeup recommended to this type but it didn't fit at all what really looks amazing on me the soft gamine make up So I really became confused!!
@dreamland I dunno it might be because people often say that when soft gamines try to dress to look older or more sophisticated they look like a child dressing up in their mum's clothes
This is a great video, thank you. Every slide made me say "YES" lol. Pretty sure I'm soft gamine, certainly play this up when dressing for work as I work with mostly men and have to have authority, yet am only 5'4" and have a kind of cute / youthful look (in my 30's). The best work clothes SO fit into what you described ... halter-neck tops, boxy short blazers with contrasting hem (have a few lace contrast Karl Lagerfeld brand cardigans that work beautifully) , higher neckline with bare shoulders, lace contrasting with skin-tone ... ugh I feel seen haha. Yes to shorter skirts (I'm short so even mini-skirts aren't that short), absolutely yes to fitted waistline, 3/4 sleeve to expose small wrists (look atrocious in floor-length gowns) ... dress at min. 18:30 is a total win, wearing a shirt very like this in my work profile pic ... ugh the floral collar and jumper with the hair and makeup at 20:30 is a total dream. ABSOLUTELY yes to a plain pencil skirt with a high-neck top and tiny bow around the neck ... absolutely yes to blended make-up, and 100% behind either big eyes and no lipstick or soft matte lipstick and minimal eye makeup. Slightly messy hair completely works too ... yes to small rounded ear-rings (love a good pearl stud in any colour), and yes to higher necklaces that hit the clavicle ... and finally small rounded cross-body bags are the only thing I get anymore :) Sorry mammoth post :) Thanks so much!
I never knew I needed this. I came from the confused with the kibbe test video and saw that the gamine dress was exactly what I would wear. So I came to this and it helped alot.:) Blotted lips and lighter eye makup does fit me too. I have shoulder length hair because long hair look too tired on me.
Queenie Baggins I think it's possible if you wear necklaces that sit on the collarbones! Or chokers too. I live in a hot and humid country, so sometimes I use necklaces to substitute a high neckline top.
... Oh... You enlightened an old question I had... Listening to the common body typing (V, H, pear, etc.) I should not wear that type of collar, as my shoulders are wide and angular... But I can't deny the fact that these collars are great on me, others are also thinking that. Now I know why... Same with many things (like high neckline) from the common body typing it's a no but in reality it's more than a yes for me (I'm a gamine ^^). Well... I also struggle with high necklines, but I love collars like these so thanks for the info ! :)
@@leilazerrouki7040 same. My shoulders are broad (because of sport training in youth). It makes me a bit out of proportion. But it also has something good to me
I think for a Westerner I tend to look childish in the ‘wrong lines,’ but since I am Asian, no one has said anything about me looking adorable or younger than my age. Actually, some have said I look about 6-7 years older than my actual age (I’m a teen, people thought I was mid-college age😂). I guess it’s because Asians tend to have rounder faces and more petite bodies in general, so I find it pretty interesting that what looked normal to me was considered childish or ‘playing dress up’ in some of the slides.
I feel like soft gamine can pull off wing liner if they smudge it under the eye and also match the eyeliner with a contrasting eyeshadow. I also tend to do eyeliner straight across instead of flicking up to give a dough eye look
I love this, thank you! Will you please do a video on how Christina Ricci is a romantic rather than a soft gamine? She has a certain beauty I assumed was gaminish, & I think it would help clarify the difference between the 2. It would also be helpful to see when Christina looks good in romantic styles vs non romantic like you showed with Jenna's type. I loved it, thanks!
Wow!! You actually described everything so well & no the video was not too long. I can’t believe this video was made 6 years ago. You explain this very clearly. After watching many videos on this topic I think I FINALLY get it 😅 thank you for being so thorough. Great work ❤ just subscribed
bless your heart. this video helped me so much. thank you so much for taking the time to analyze these styles and make this video for us. I have an especially difficult time trying to find anything soft gamine that isn't too girly, frilly or innocent for my style, which is a bit more edgy and militaristic inspired with some feminine fabrics and lines. It's a constant battle trying to strike balance between yin and yang with slightly more yin, when I'm usually more drawn towards yang. this video really helped me to realize that I can still get the same effect while when you use the lines, fabric, fit, and certain juxtapositions in both yin and yang that can really help get that same point across, without jeopardizing what you want your look to say. Thanks Merriam, hope you have a lovely day
Man I wish I had known some of this when I was in my 20s because I literally was told I looked 12 until after I hit 30, on an almost daily basis. Well at least I have it now! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and interpretation.
Very interesting I've ben following a lot of this advice without thinking about it, I've always tucked my shirts in, loved high waisted and cropped pants, and have added a contrasting tie to most of my loose dresses, just on instinct.
Great and informative video! I recently lost a lot of weight and am trying to rebuild my wardrobe. I now have a much clearer idea of what to look for when shopping for clothes. Thank you!
Wow this was life affirming! I never considered that I was a gamine because I thought you had to be petite and boyish, and I would by no means describe myself that way. But I couldn’t understand why my answers were all over the place, like literally every type but classic. I thought I was a soft classic, but the recommendations included things I know don’t look good on me, like mid length flowy skirts. I think the stereotype that gamines look like kelly ripa really prevented me from seeing the obvious. I have always gravitated to a blocked off lower and upper body, line of demarcation at the waist, fitting at the waist, wrist and knee, no jewelry except a small necklace worn high near the neck, tousled hair, small ditsy prints. And the makeup, I can do a strong eye, maybe strong lip, or none, but never both, totally weighs me down. In fact, “weighed down” is how I would feel in a lot of things that didn’t look right on me. But mainly-totally awkward and childish, like I tried to pick out my clothes without my moms help. Thank you for making these videos, it really opened my mind. I have always felt an intuition about what looked good on me, but when I tried to wear things someone with some similar features would wear it always looked off. I think the gamine can see them self as any type but not quite that type. The clothing recommendations are just intuitively wrong. Yes my cheek bones are broad and my jaw is strong like a natural, but my waist is tapered and my shoulders are sharp and narrow, I look like I’m wearing a burlap sack in anything too loose and flowing, especially if there’s no waist. My facial and body flesh is round but waist, arms, hands and feet are long, and my legs are like a naturals except moderate. My eyes and lips are also moderate and don’t match any of it. My hips and chest are round with pointy bones. A plunging neck line looks ridiculous and unnecessary, a bandage skirt makes me look slightly encased, a strong shoulder or flowing blouse just make me look wide, large prints and jewelry as well as long sharp lines and dramatic makeup just make me fade into the background. And as far as the petite thing goes, I’ve got a really big and round head! I think that is the reason I have always been perceived and young or ‘too young’ even though I think of myself as moderate tall and moderately curvy. it’s a quality we attribute to literal babies. I totally get the child thing now, children have fewer features that distinguish them from the other gender, girls have the same flat chests as boys, boys have the same small stature and roundness as girls, and yet there are feminine and masculine features that stand out as boy or girl. This is how I thought I should feel when I found my Kibbe type 😆
Thank you for the video , it helps a lot! I still don't know if i am soft gamine or soft natural even if its really different , could you do a video about the soft naturals please ??
Sure! I can see how soft natural may be confusing because first of all, 'soft yang' is confusing, and second, 'soft natural' is even more confusing because it has a mixture of answers (but a very specific type of mixture). I'm going to put together a Kibbe Q+A soon once I get a chance to sit down and film, and will talk about that!
I second the request for a soft natural video like this one! Would LOVE to have this kind of in-depth visual guide, especially to deal with the trickier aspects of dressing a soft natural body (adding visual weight to the hips, removing visual weight from the shoulders/bust, and finding flattering office attire that doesn't look too casual). Thank you, Merriam! Loving the channel so far!
This made the recommendations really easy to understand, hope you'll be doing videos on the other types as well, especially the yins or the ones that could get mistyped with SG, then I can finally try the whole look on and know for sure what type I am, will be waiting c: And congratulations on the website.
Yes! The goal is to do an in depth video on each type but then also do combination videos (like, 'the elegant look for each type, 'the professional look for each type' etc). Do you mean you want to see style recommendations for romantic and theatrical romantic? Feel free to email me if you want more help with finding your type. :)
The only things I knew were that I have to cover my shoulders, have high neck line, pencil skirts, fitted mini skirts, and that every hairdresser always wants to cut my hair short, which I once did and it looked amazing, but I prefer longer hair. Now I get why. This is so helpful. Thank you.
Hi Merriam, I've been browsing your videos and loving your in-depth insights into the body types and style. I am a soft gamine and I feel like I have a very specific conundrum and would love to hear your take on it. So, I'm totally on board with the whole combination of opposites thing that I see in myself, however... My face is a lot more yang heavy and my body is a lot more yin heavy. I have sharp facial features - sharp nose, eyes, lips - with the only slight softness coming from my cheeks and jaw line. Picture Emma Watson with a soft jaw. It looks more boyish/gamine and I struggle to find makeup looks that suit me. On the other hand, my body looks almost romantic - soft arms, comparatively flat chest and stomach, but a very narrow waist and large hips (and short legs - woe is me...) ... So what in the world am I supposed to wear? If I dress for my body, my face stands out too much. If I dress for my face (more gamine) I just look chubby and awkward. I'm pretty slim overall but I have trouble finding soft gamine clothes that my hips don't look enormous in. I wouldn't say I'm an hourglass... More like a bottle gourd. It just seems like I can't do anything right with my style. I hope you can touch on mismatched face/body in gamines at some point. I'm looking forward to what you do next.
I am very similar to your description! I'm glad Kibbe type sums up what I've found by myself in my teenage years. Basically, everything has to fit well, be soft but structured. For the outfits: - structured but very well-fitted (avoid oversize shoulder pads) shoulder details can balance the hip line. Also, don't hesitate to show your skin and pick boat collar, heart-shaped decolletage and off-shoulder tops and dresses. You can get inspired by 50's pin-up lines. - Short Blazers and perfectos, short trench are your best friends. - Stay away from skinny jeans, pick straight wide legs or bootcuts/flare jeans. A classic black pants perfectly tailored with thin fabric can be stunning if associated with a glamourous push-up black top with narrow waist and wide bottom (a modern twist on the pin-up look). You can also pick A-line skirts if the fabric is soft and follows the curves (avoid stiff denim skirts), even tutus à la Carrie Bradshaw. - Curvy dresses that follow the line is my favourite item. They allow me to move, be comfortable, yet being elegant and sexy in the Adele style. If you have high contrast in your colour palette, you can totally be inspired by her. - Whenever I want to be casual, I put on a solid colour and a pair of jeans, or a small soft cashmere top like Keira Kneightly or Emma Watson. I can also choose total midnight blue or total black look in the parisian way and just add a classic red lip to balance this "too simple" combo. - Whenever I want to be playful, I use vivid colours or small accessories like brooch, earrings, rings, capeline/bob hats or low boots with a beautiful coloured leather, but simple design. My outfit must be balanced, though, or I'll look to much childish for my face (imagine a Lisa Eldridge, Liv Taylor or Maggie Q face with a childish kawaii look: it's a no-no for my oblong face! I can handle a romantic babydoll look but not a cartoonish-kitsch one!) For the make-up: If your eyes are deep-set like Emma Watson or Kristen Stewart, try to: - make their color pop with the right wash of light colour on the mobile lid. You can choose foiled liquid or pearly/metallic mineral products, or a classic light pressed satin eyeshadow. - avoid deep smoky looks, but you can try some classic gradiants like Jessica Chastain eye looks. - Graphic lines like the neons crayons 60's cut crease in trend right now can be a bold and playful choice (Flamboyant Gamine inspiration). - You can also go for a sultry deep look with a slightly classic cat eye liner (but not foxy). - You can play with some luminous lips colours (I like fushia lips for spring looks, you can try a beautiful raspberry, lilac, or a clear vivid red depending on your contrast and warmth level). - Pick fresh blush over overly-bronzed look. You can contour your face depending on its shape (only forehead and chin for me). Subtle highlighter (wet or satin, not glittery) is a must to build the top of the cheeks. Hope it'll help.
Thank you! I saw Aly's video ( and, because of her, now I know I'm soft gamine), but I found it a little bit confused on a way that even after I've seen it, I didn't get what kind of clothes should I wear. Your video was a great complement.
Honestly, I think both a relevant. Forex. I know I am a soft natural, but when I was looking for my type I just could not see the difference btw SG, SN and SC. In fact, online i found a lot of people are actually confused between SN and SG even though in theory this types should be so easily distinguished. When I had a look on our web, I realised that especially some of the dresses could well be dresses for soft classic, but actually one or two could almost pass for SN. I think you are very specific in your videos and that they are one of the few that spot the core of the dilemma people are having.
I think it would be very helpful. A lot of stylists here on youtube also mismatch a lot of types. Rihanna gets the romantic type not TR etc. For example. So there is even more confusion.
this is the best youtube channel on the kibbe style i found on internet! thank you so much Merriam! i just found your website now, and I can't be happier. Your content is amazing!
I'm looking at this video in a whole new light after getting my style report. 😂 I never would have thought I'd be SG!! I'm going to start binge-watching your videos again, and hopefully I'll be able to wear clothes that suit me well. I'm already doing colour-blocking for my daily outfits, and I've cut my hair short, so that's a start. 👍🏻
Brilliant video! I am really looking forward to you publishing one on the romantic type (and perhaps the ingenue type?). Regarding retailers, I would prefer that you use retailers that sell all over the world, such as HM. Even If it is possible to send to countries such as Norway, one has to pay extra for tolls and fees and then the final price of the garment might be unreasonable high.
Thank you! I'll try to include HM or look into other retailers as well! Here I thought Macy's would be nice because it's everywhere in the US so people could go in person to return items. But anyway, HM is everywhere too! Are there any others that you know of? I'd really appreciate it. I'll do some research on my own too. :)
You have just answered so many things! I always knew that short necklaces (but not chokers because I have a short neck) looked better on me and that wearing both lipstick (especially if it's too crisp looking) and smoky eye makeup at the same time look bad on me! I just thought it was me but now I know it's because I'm a soft gamine! Also are there any other options for neckline other than high neckline? I always feel like a nun! I think low straight necklines with fitted cap sleeves or deep v necks with fitted sleeves and waist look really good on me. And high waisted pants (especially mom jeans which have fitted/exposed ankles lol) with fitted crop tops look great on me too. My tops always just have to be ultrafitted! Which sucks when I'm feeling fat!
Agree on the make up tips. I cant do both bold eyes and lips. I've also always done the blurred lip make up somehow. Cant rock bold lips. Also hair yes.
Thanks for this video! Very complete. I'm happy to hear about more ''casual'' cloths. Can't wait to learn more about other types and look at your website!
Thank you Merriam! I’m still trying to work out my body type but I’m thinking soft gammine might be it now. Thinking about what you said and which outfits have looked and made me feel my best in the past. Thanks so much.
This is so good, thank you. Because i am having some issues with the lines that are on the kibbe test i can not see my body type. I can see tha i am a mix of soft and sharp but i don't know. I got natural but i look so bad in the lines. Hope the future videos help, this One helped a lot cause i got flamboyant gamine also, but i dont look good in the clothes. I usually wear something classic with true gamine lines and i dont look that bad... I just need more images. Your videos, and Aly's are so good
@@astonish_injurer5598 I feel the same as the OP. None of the types really 'fit' me. I am a mix of yin and yang, but not in a random way, nor in very balanced way. My literal lines are a mix of yin and yang. Not very sharp like dramatic, not blutn like natural, nor round and small. Rather 'narrow, long and curved' if that makes sense. The long and narrow woudl be yang, but the curved would be yin. Like an S. A very narrow, elongated (or it looks elongated due to it's narrowness) hourglass figure ; far from enough curve to be the sexy soft dramatic. All my facial features also being elongated and rounded. Not small, wide and rounded, but clearly elongated (example: my nose) not blunt either: I have very little angles, wether blutn or sharp. Also, it never made sense to me why there are two kinds of yang lines (sharp yang and blunt yang - dramatic and natural) but onyl one kind of yin line, romantic, with then the balanced lines of classic and the mixed lines of gamine. It seems a bit unbalanced overall.
@@astonish_injurer5598 Not whatsoever. I'm skin and bones, pretty much - with a little fat in between in the 'right' places which gives me a narrow hourglass figure. There's one thing I'm sure about and that's that i have next to no B, except perhaps my nose and my cheeckbones, depending on the interpretation.
@@astonish_injurer5598 I guess, in a way. I just am far from a 'stereotypical' theatrical romantic. I dunno. You can take a look here: gitesstyle.tumblr.com/ (Those pictures are put there for the sole purpose of linking to it whenever I have these discussions)
@@gittevandevelde2208 I see flamboyant gamine in your pictures...the recommendations might work -fitted, tight base and on top something looser and asymmetric. Definitely more fitted stuff looked the best, in my opinion :) The natural, draping stuff does not really work.. but i'm no expert, I just think it's fun trying to type other people. It's easier than typing oneself..anyhow, your figure is amazing!
@@sandyp939 Haha, thank you! Yes, I have been moving towards gamine- flamboyant gamine but I still seem to have quite a bit of classic influence, so I go for somethign between that.
Great video. Loved how you went through the looks and explained why they were Soft Gamine. Very helpful for me even though I am not a Soft Gamine (I am a Dramatic Classic - thank you!!). I would love a video on a Dramatic Classic but any of the body types would be useful.
Yes! I'm happy you're finding it useful! I was going to suggest in future videos that even if it's not your type it might still be helpful to learn the other types' lines so that you don't think it's yours if that makes sense. For example the dark button down shirt and dark skirt in the video being more of a natural look with the top buttons unbuttoned. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you! You mean the design of my website? I programmed it myself and I also painted the cover photo actually. :D The programming of the website took forever, but I have some programming experience so it wasn't a total disaster haha. :)
I’m a soft gamine but I feel like high necklines look horrible on me with the exception of turtlenecks. I’m going to try the style again. Thanks for the tips!!!
I prefer long hair on myself though. Jenna looks great with long or short polish or messy 🤷🏻♀️ when you’re naturally beautiful a lot can be pulled off!
I also love a cute look! I sincerely hope that you didn't have a 'Nabokov Lolita' phase in high school, but that you only had a 'Lolita style' phase in high school.
@@merriamstyle sigh I was in a bad /abusive relationship and obsessed with the book along with her style. It was a very unfortunate and dangerous time for me )-: But I do still like some of my old outfits!
@@lorenaaleman7914 Any type can have Ingenue essence in the face, but I would say that Soft Gamine is closer to teenage girl, whereas Theatrical Romantic is closer to young woman.
Hi Guys, I'm offering personalized style reports now! merriamstyle.com/style_report.html
Merriam Style hello! I would like to inquire about a service that you may be able to provide that is not listed on your website. Do you have an email I can reach you at?
Sure! You could email me at merriamamani@gmail.com.
I was wondering if you can tell me what type is Hailey Miller(@dreaming_outloud)? I really love her style but couldn't figure out if she was a type of natural or gamine, since I think I'm a soft natural. Also Crystal Westbrooks, since I think we have the same body. I'm still kinda confused.
Soft gamines look great in
Short and tasseled hair
Broken silouuhette
Looks childlike in wrong lines
Hair tasled and short
High neckline
Fitted at the edges
Blended smokey makeup
Fitted
Small gathers
Tuck shirt in
Belt it
Fitted at the knee
Contrasting neckline
Contrasting hemline
Blended makeup
Dont balance eyes and lips
Softly blended lips
Small rounded bags
Or larger bag with sma rounded shapes
High necklaces chokers rounded shapes minimal details
Small and rounded accessories
Thank you!
I’m keeping my long hair. If I cut it short then I would look like a bobble head. Besides that I think this video is great and should only be taken as a guide line for personal taste.
It is great, indeed. I used long hair too, but short hair brings an edgy air to our looks. I'm sure there's one for you. On the other hand, I think high necks are not always a great idea, since some necks are pretty short.
You can make the illusion sith chin or shoulder length bangs
agree, also so many soft gamine celebrities look good in long hair so I don't agree at all with people who think that gamines all need the cut
Truuuust me, chop that hair; don't get a Dora cut obviously. But there are SOOOOI many haircuts that will look great
Gamines have something called "The mermaid" effect when we have long hair, it's hair that looks like it is it's own thing. It looks beautiful on soft gamines that have more balanced features all around
This information was truly life-changing for me - I had no idea why high necklines, blurred red lips, and exposed ankles always looked good on me! Also I need a tousled lob instead of a waist-length hair curtain. Thank you so much!
I'm so happy this was helpful! I also need a tousled lob instead of my current hair style. I just go for messy buns for now (I'm soft gamine) and I think they also work. (So if you have longer hair you don't haaave to cut it if you really don't want to).
I love to do half up half down with my long hair and so sort of messy waves in it as it's naturally straight to have a messier effect and style a mermaid like hair. I just a hard time have a tousled hair effect as my hair is thick and straight so it doesn't hold anything for a long period of time ahah. I also love hoops earing on me but they need to be thin and not too long (not lower than my chin) maybe because it contrastes with my straight hair and visually break the line my hair creates.
Soft gamine here with waist-long hair and never, ever cutting it again! It gives me the fairy-vibe and it has so many possibilities! I do messy buns, messy braids (fish-tail braids look great, as well as a messy crown braids). I also do the half up - half down that Karen G mentions and it looks pretty.
Merriam Style so helpful!
THIS WAS SO HELPFUL. I thought about why its so hard for me to look ~sexy~ and not look like im playing dressup, this completely answered my questions.
Yay I’m happy to hear that!!!!!
Same here! Half an year later :)
Same -Soft gamine here!
Wish I had watched this video before last Halloween. I looked like a psychotic clown instead of a sexy vampire because of unbalanced make-up. I don't usually wear any, if that serves as excuse. ^^'
i'm a soft gamine, and i wear glasses. when wearing contacts (or no glasses), i find that smokey eye makeup looks pretty good on me and that the cat eye looks a bit awkward. however, my glasses have very large and rounded lens which adds softness to my face; add smokey eye and theres too much softness! so, i prefer to wear a dramatic cat eye look to balance out the softness of my glasses. just a thought for the bespectacled soft gamine folks out there with rounded glasses!
I am shockethhhh! Sarah Hyland and Jenna Coleman look soooo good when they wear their own lines in the dresses! Wow this blew my mind about the importance of the lines
Please do this for ALL of the types!!! I am a romantic.
this is a wonderful video and really helpful, we can see all the work you put into it, incredible!! That would be really great to see for each type but it will be a lot of work. I'm SG for sure! I just have a hard time with some high necks because I feel like trapped or strangled (sometimes they are too tight for my neck ahah) I thought I was not SG as I really love wearing v neck but all the other elements are SG (outfits, hair, makeup)
Eve Ning no, Kibbe did a list of celebrities with the related types as far as I know, and the pictures available are those you find on google you know, by the way they don't look the same to me. Also, if you knew this channel you would know she makes many videos more in dept than Aly. I love Aly but she doesn't go as in dept, and doesn't tell you what to wear if you example are a Theatrical Romantic but you want to wear casual. Aly isn't the only one allowed to talk about Kibbe's types you know, so grow up, get over it and follow both channels, 'cause they're both super useful.
@@DreamEverything considering how often Merriam refers to AlyArt by name, I think credit has already been given to AlyArt. Multiple times. And I agree with the comment above: they both have things to contribute on the topic, please grow up and be thankful more people are even giving out free, in depth info like this??
I love soft gamines! They can experiment with so much things and details it's unbelievable! And they look so lovely and edgy
I must be alone in preferring the adorable look more, i think it's more unique
Same, I love cute, girly fashion so I sometimes dress in a more romantic style
It is difficult to be taken seriously in adorable clothing .....
not alone, geek sheek is my thing
@@Iden_Elihio_1999 never for me.
@@maribart4237 Are u tall ?
I am definitely soft gamine, I’ve always struggled looking child like! High necklines and waist emphasis have always been my friend
FINALLY! Harsh cat eyes are so hard for me to do (hooded eyes) and they always seem to make me look awkward. My pfp is one occasion where I think I actually got it right - by accident! I think I'll stick to tightlining and smoking out my eyes from now on. Much easier!
Thank you!!
This was so useful. I've always thought petite women had to wear only one colour to look taller
I really like that you talk about the problems soft gamines have when shopping. Thanks for the outfit examples for the every day look.
I feel like chokers are a SG's best friend
Yes! And smokey eyes!!!
Crazy Crystal Sea I look terrible with Smokey eyes.
Omg I love chokers. Lol
Thank you for this video! My husband has been telling me that I look great in short hair for years! And I didn't understand why. But now I totally see how right he was 😄
This morning I thought I was SC, and after watching this I think I’m SG!!!
I don’t go for high necks because I have a large bust but I’m going to try some & see.
I like the classic look and my jewellery matches, it is always small & rounded.
I’m a combination. I am a S “clamine” 😉
WHERE has this been all my life! I've been wandering aimlessly with my personal style. It's all starting to come together.
Thank you so much for your insights. Growing up I never seemed to understand why I'd carefully pick gowns and do sensual makeup just as I learnt it online, but only to be laughed upon and being told I'm too childlike to be sexy, even when I'm an adult. But I stay home tying a simple bun wearing shorts and a tee and suddenly all eyes are on me. For years I'm frustrated for not being able to get more edgy than a teen, but now I can see where I went wrong. No wonder I always seem to think my clothes should be made for me and none else, unknowingly I'm talking about the fit, and why some people couldn't see how doing an umpire waist on a fitted formal theme never seem to go ugly on me eventhough I'm a little plump, unlike others.
you are so smart. its the first time I completely understand the concept of wearing your right lines. thank you so much
Thank you!
Thank you for the video! I'm pretty much 100% sure that I'm a soft gamine now! This totally explains why I look best with dramatic eyes and soft lips. And why I pull off a high neckline well! I'm 36 and I get mistaken for a teenager often. You've given me some good advice to now look my best!
I like these videos because you’re not telling people to dress as a certain attitude/personality which I think some people offering kibbe advice do because it’s easy to find examples of “gamine looking cute/pixie” so their advice would be to ONLY dress cute/pixie. So thanks for your videos! Very helpful and informative :)
This was super comprehensive and helpful. (: I sometimes struggle as a soft gamine who a) has a very androgynous presentation/style and b) needs to dress maturely and professionally. I notice I go for high necklines, tucked in shirts, and straight pants fitted at the waist and ankles. Otherwise, my personal style is closer to that of a gamine, though with my round facial features, I worry about looking like a child in their dad's clothing. It's difficult wanting to look older when simpler clothing paradoxically makes you look younger and out of place. 🤔
Being short, there's also the struggle of balancing the silhouette. A broken silhouette undoubtedly looks great on someone who has a mix of angles and curved lines in their body, but I've also heard that you can elongate your body line by wearing a low-contrasting top and bottom.
I'm soft gamine too. Using hard garment helps. If wear soft (like natural type's garment) cloth it makes you look younger but hard and structured (not oversized) cloth makes you look strong and an adult. Not long but right length, fitted, hard garment and and structured line make Sg look adult. and even chunky details or accessories are good. I found no detail plain look makes Sg look even more childish. Not too big, but about 3-5cm accessories can be bold and make Sg look tougher.
I relate to this comment a lot! Also sorry my hand slipped and I accidentally disliked it for a sec lol, liked it now haha
Look up Janelle Monae - she's petite but looks badass 😎
This video was so helpful and now I know that I am soft gamine. So many of your points explained why I have liked certain elements in my clothes since childhood but why they sometimes didn't work eg high neckline but top not fitted enough.so much advice for petites is contrary to what works on a soft gamine! Thank you!
"Not suggest that every soft gamine dress like dominatrix" You better believe I do. 🤣🤣
6:20 looks like someone photoshopped her face on a different womans body🤔
bc they did fbcbhfdhfd
I'm not sure if I'm soft gamine or theatrical romantic. I took the test and I took the TR, but I identify myself way more with SG clothes. Maybe I just don't know how to analyze myself :p I have a softer body, but shaper face.. I'll study more.
Same here :D If i am correct, theatrical romantic is mainly yin, and has just a few yang answers for the skeleton. Soft gamine is more mixed. I hope it helps
Same problem
Especially if you are overweight like me
I have the exact same problem!
Can you do soft gamine vs theatrical romantic?
Jayna Kelly i second this request! This video itself is great, I’m pretty well sure I’m a soft gamine but being in a small body makes it hard to tell on myself!
I second this request! I’m definitely a soft gamine but as I’ve gotten heavier, many soft gamine shaped clothing is either uncomfortable due to being fitted, or it accentuates where I’ve gained weight. I have found that Theatrical Romantics share some similarities, but are of course more Yin, and the clothes just fit me better. They don’t really fit my gamine personality though, so I try to strategically add some Yang to the TR styles. What’s frustrating about this is that it really makes me focus a lot on losing weight and many people misinterpret this as me being unhappy or self conscious. I do feel uncomfortable with the changes in my body sometimes, but I don’t feel ugly or tremendously insecure about it - I’m still considered “thin,” but extra weight on my petite frame is hard to hide once it crosses a certain threshold. The main problem I have with this is that I had developed a very specific and beloved personal style in my twenties, but those clothes and clothes like them just no longer fit, so I really struggle with feeling good about my appearance and figuring out how to find clothing that works. The answer so far has been to lean toward Theatrical Romantic, but its often just not enough personality for me! Anyway, long post, but I’d love to see a comparison of the two and possibly a discussion on how when your body changes you can borrow from other types! 😊
I would love this too! @@mandymouse1879
She has
@@mandymouse1879 i have exactly same problem
At first I thought I'm TR and started to wear makeup recommended to this type but it didn't fit at all
what really looks amazing on me the soft gamine make up
So I really became confused!!
Dressing up sexily so men see me as a literal child and lower their guard and then i steal their credit cards.
Tari Tangeo LOL
@dreamland I dunno it might be because people often say that when soft gamines try to dress to look older or more sophisticated they look like a child dressing up in their mum's clothes
This whole comment is wrong.
I laughed because this comment really suprised me. Everyone trying to not look like a child but you found your new game
lmmaooooo
This is a great video, thank you. Every slide made me say "YES" lol. Pretty sure I'm soft gamine, certainly play this up when dressing for work as I work with mostly men and have to have authority, yet am only 5'4" and have a kind of cute / youthful look (in my 30's). The best work clothes SO fit into what you described ... halter-neck tops, boxy short blazers with contrasting hem (have a few lace contrast Karl Lagerfeld brand cardigans that work beautifully) , higher neckline with bare shoulders, lace contrasting with skin-tone ... ugh I feel seen haha. Yes to shorter skirts (I'm short so even mini-skirts aren't that short), absolutely yes to fitted waistline, 3/4 sleeve to expose small wrists (look atrocious in floor-length gowns) ... dress at min. 18:30 is a total win, wearing a shirt very like this in my work profile pic ... ugh the floral collar and jumper with the hair and makeup at 20:30 is a total dream. ABSOLUTELY yes to a plain pencil skirt with a high-neck top and tiny bow around the neck ... absolutely yes to blended make-up, and 100% behind either big eyes and no lipstick or soft matte lipstick and minimal eye makeup. Slightly messy hair completely works too ... yes to small rounded ear-rings (love a good pearl stud in any colour), and yes to higher necklaces that hit the clavicle ... and finally small rounded cross-body bags are the only thing I get anymore :) Sorry mammoth post :) Thanks so much!
I never knew I needed this. I came from the confused with the kibbe test video and saw that the gamine dress was exactly what I would wear. So I came to this and it helped alot.:) Blotted lips and lighter eye makup does fit me too. I have shoulder length hair because long hair look too tired on me.
This isn't even my body type, but it was so interesting to watch! Great job!!
It would be great to see one for naturals :)
I am soft gamine..but I struggle with high necklines 🤔
Queenie Baggins I think it's possible if you wear necklaces that sit on the collarbones! Or chokers too. I live in a hot and humid country, so sometimes I use necklaces to substitute a high neckline top.
... Oh... You enlightened an old question I had... Listening to the common body typing (V, H, pear, etc.) I should not wear that type of collar, as my shoulders are wide and angular... But I can't deny the fact that these collars are great on me, others are also thinking that. Now I know why...
Same with many things (like high neckline) from the common body typing it's a no but in reality it's more than a yes for me (I'm a gamine ^^).
Well... I also struggle with high necklines, but I love collars like these so thanks for the info ! :)
@@leilazerrouki7040 same. My shoulders are broad (because of sport training in youth). It makes me a bit out of proportion. But it also has something good to me
Me too.
love the vid, but just to point out the ones of jenna in 'sexy' dominatrix like outfits are definitely photoshopped (if that matters)
Yes it's quite an important point... most images in any media are heavily photoshopped and so probable that the real type is affected...
This was the most helpful styling video I have seen. Thanks!
I think for a Westerner I tend to look childish in the ‘wrong lines,’ but since I am Asian, no one has said anything about me looking adorable or younger than my age. Actually, some have said I look about 6-7 years older than my actual age (I’m a teen, people thought I was mid-college age😂). I guess it’s because Asians tend to have rounder faces and more petite bodies in general, so I find it pretty interesting that what looked normal to me was considered childish or ‘playing dress up’ in some of the slides.
We -Asians- need to have our own Kibe guidelines 😅
I feel like soft gamine can pull off wing liner if they smudge it under the eye and also match the eyeliner with a contrasting eyeshadow. I also tend to do eyeliner straight across instead of flicking up to give a dough eye look
I love this, thank you! Will you please do a video on how Christina Ricci is a romantic rather than a soft gamine? She has a certain beauty I assumed was gaminish, & I think it would help clarify the difference between the 2.
It would also be helpful to see when Christina looks good in romantic styles vs non romantic like you showed with Jenna's type. I loved it, thanks!
Christiana Ricci is Soft Gamine.
Wow!! You actually described everything so well & no the video was not too long. I can’t believe this video was made 6 years ago. You explain this very clearly. After watching many videos on this topic I think I FINALLY get it 😅 thank you for being so thorough. Great work ❤ just subscribed
I've been doing so many of these things without realizing them.. it's good to know though. ...I can consiously do it now:D
I would love if you could make a video for romantic, and theatrical romantic. I can't fit myself in any of Kibbe's style.
bless your heart. this video helped me so much. thank you so much for taking the time to analyze these styles and make this video for us. I have an especially difficult time trying to find anything soft gamine that isn't too girly, frilly or innocent for my style, which is a bit more edgy and militaristic inspired with some feminine fabrics and lines. It's a constant battle trying to strike balance between yin and yang with slightly more yin, when I'm usually more drawn towards yang. this video really helped me to realize that I can still get the same effect while when you use the lines, fabric, fit, and certain juxtapositions in both yin and yang that can really help get that same point across, without jeopardizing what you want your look to say.
Thanks Merriam, hope you have a lovely day
Man I wish I had known some of this when I was in my 20s because I literally was told I looked 12 until after I hit 30, on an almost daily basis. Well at least I have it now! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and interpretation.
In my opinion, I look more child-like with short hair 😣
Go for shoulder length and add soft playful layers it’s ok to be in the middle like me 😊🤷🏻♀️
Very interesting I've ben following a lot of this advice without thinking about it, I've always tucked my shirts in, loved high waisted and cropped pants, and have added a contrasting tie to most of my loose dresses, just on instinct.
Great and informative video! I recently lost a lot of weight and am trying to rebuild my wardrobe. I now have a much clearer idea of what to look for when shopping for clothes. Thank you!
Wow this was life affirming! I never considered that I was a gamine because I thought you had to be petite and boyish, and I would by no means describe myself that way. But I couldn’t understand why my answers were all over the place, like literally every type but classic. I thought I was a soft classic, but the recommendations included things I know don’t look good on me, like mid length flowy skirts. I think the stereotype that gamines look like kelly ripa really prevented me from seeing the obvious. I have always gravitated to a blocked off lower and upper body, line of demarcation at the waist, fitting at the waist, wrist and knee, no jewelry except a small necklace worn high near the neck, tousled hair, small ditsy prints. And the makeup, I can do a strong eye, maybe strong lip, or none, but never both, totally weighs me down. In fact, “weighed down” is how I would feel in a lot of things that didn’t look right on me. But mainly-totally awkward and childish, like I tried to pick out my clothes without my moms help. Thank you for making these videos, it really opened my mind. I have always felt an intuition about what looked good on me, but when I tried to wear things someone with some similar features would wear it always looked off. I think the gamine can see them self as any type but not quite that type. The clothing recommendations are just intuitively wrong. Yes my cheek bones are broad and my jaw is strong like a natural, but my waist is tapered and my shoulders are sharp and narrow, I look like I’m wearing a burlap sack in anything too loose and flowing, especially if there’s no waist. My facial and body flesh is round but waist, arms, hands and feet are long, and my legs are like a naturals except moderate. My eyes and lips are also moderate and don’t match any of it. My hips and chest are round with pointy bones. A plunging neck line looks ridiculous and unnecessary, a bandage skirt makes me look slightly encased, a strong shoulder or flowing blouse just make me look wide, large prints and jewelry as well as long sharp lines and dramatic makeup just make me fade into the background. And as far as the petite thing goes, I’ve got a really big and round head! I think that is the reason I have always been perceived and young or ‘too young’ even though I think of myself as moderate tall and moderately curvy. it’s a quality we attribute to literal babies. I totally get the child thing now, children have fewer features that distinguish them from the other gender, girls have the same flat chests as boys, boys have the same small stature and roundness as girls, and yet there are feminine and masculine features that stand out as boy or girl. This is how I thought I should feel when I found my Kibbe type 😆
I wish there was more examples of celebrity soft gamines . great video 🙂
your voice is relaxing :)
Thank you. Loved this. I'm going to live by it... it all makes perfect sense now.
the blurred red lip is my go to everyday makeup! i really loved this video💖
Thank you for the video , it helps a lot! I still don't know if i am soft gamine or soft natural even if its really different , could you do a video about the soft naturals please ??
Sure! I can see how soft natural may be confusing because first of all, 'soft yang' is confusing, and second, 'soft natural' is even more confusing because it has a mixture of answers (but a very specific type of mixture). I'm going to put together a Kibbe Q+A soon once I get a chance to sit down and film, and will talk about that!
I second the request for a soft natural video like this one! Would LOVE to have this kind of in-depth visual guide, especially to deal with the trickier aspects of dressing a soft natural body (adding visual weight to the hips, removing visual weight from the shoulders/bust, and finding flattering office attire that doesn't look too casual). Thank you, Merriam! Loving the channel so far!
I love this I learned so much one of the best soft gamine explanations and visuals I’ve found so far.
This is really great! Please do a Flamboyant Gamine video! :)
Please make one for gamines and flamboyant gamines too! Love this!
The most beautiful body type in my opinion 😍
This made the recommendations really easy to understand, hope you'll be doing videos on the other types as well, especially the yins or the ones that could get mistyped with SG, then I can finally try the whole look on and know for sure what type I am, will be waiting c:
And congratulations on the website.
Yes! The goal is to do an in depth video on each type but then also do combination videos (like, 'the elegant look for each type, 'the professional look for each type' etc). Do you mean you want to see style recommendations for romantic and theatrical romantic? Feel free to email me if you want more help with finding your type. :)
Merriam Style yes, style and explanation of the lines, just like this one for the soft types, R, TR, SN etc
Oh...you just called me out.
Thank you for this video. I get so mad every time someone calles me "cute" I throw away that outfit. 😂
The only things I knew were that I have to cover my shoulders, have high neck line, pencil skirts, fitted mini skirts, and that every hairdresser always wants to cut my hair short, which I once did and it looked amazing, but I prefer longer hair. Now I get why. This is so helpful. Thank you.
Hi Merriam, I've been browsing your videos and loving your in-depth insights into the body types and style. I am a soft gamine and I feel like I have a very specific conundrum and would love to hear your take on it. So, I'm totally on board with the whole combination of opposites thing that I see in myself, however... My face is a lot more yang heavy and my body is a lot more yin heavy. I have sharp facial features - sharp nose, eyes, lips - with the only slight softness coming from my cheeks and jaw line. Picture Emma Watson with a soft jaw. It looks more boyish/gamine and I struggle to find makeup looks that suit me. On the other hand, my body looks almost romantic - soft arms, comparatively flat chest and stomach, but a very narrow waist and large hips (and short legs - woe is me...) ... So what in the world am I supposed to wear? If I dress for my body, my face stands out too much. If I dress for my face (more gamine) I just look chubby and awkward. I'm pretty slim overall but I have trouble finding soft gamine clothes that my hips don't look enormous in. I wouldn't say I'm an hourglass... More like a bottle gourd. It just seems like I can't do anything right with my style. I hope you can touch on mismatched face/body in gamines at some point. I'm looking forward to what you do next.
[Esc] reality u
I am very similar to your description! I'm glad Kibbe type sums up what I've found by myself in my teenage years. Basically, everything has to fit well, be soft but structured.
For the outfits:
- structured but very well-fitted (avoid oversize shoulder pads) shoulder details can balance the hip line. Also, don't hesitate to show your skin and pick boat collar, heart-shaped decolletage and off-shoulder tops and dresses. You can get inspired by 50's pin-up lines.
- Short Blazers and perfectos, short trench are your best friends.
- Stay away from skinny jeans, pick straight wide legs or bootcuts/flare jeans. A classic black pants perfectly tailored with thin fabric can be stunning if associated with a glamourous push-up black top with narrow waist and wide bottom (a modern twist on the pin-up look). You can also pick A-line skirts if the fabric is soft and follows the curves (avoid stiff denim skirts), even tutus à la Carrie Bradshaw.
- Curvy dresses that follow the line is my favourite item. They allow me to move, be comfortable, yet being elegant and sexy in the Adele style. If you have high contrast in your colour palette, you can totally be inspired by her.
- Whenever I want to be casual, I put on a solid colour and a pair of jeans, or a small soft cashmere top like Keira Kneightly or Emma Watson. I can also choose total midnight blue or total black look in the parisian way and just add a classic red lip to balance this "too simple" combo.
- Whenever I want to be playful, I use vivid colours or small accessories like brooch, earrings, rings, capeline/bob hats or low boots with a beautiful coloured leather, but simple design.
My outfit must be balanced, though, or I'll look to much childish for my face (imagine a Lisa Eldridge, Liv Taylor or Maggie Q face with a childish kawaii look: it's a no-no for my oblong face! I can handle a romantic babydoll look but not a cartoonish-kitsch one!)
For the make-up:
If your eyes are deep-set like Emma Watson or Kristen Stewart, try to:
- make their color pop with the right wash of light colour on the mobile lid. You can choose foiled liquid or pearly/metallic mineral products, or a classic light pressed satin eyeshadow.
- avoid deep smoky looks, but you can try some classic gradiants like Jessica Chastain eye looks.
- Graphic lines like the neons crayons 60's cut crease in trend right now can be a bold and playful choice (Flamboyant Gamine inspiration).
- You can also go for a sultry deep look with a slightly classic cat eye liner (but not foxy).
- You can play with some luminous lips colours (I like fushia lips for spring looks, you can try a beautiful raspberry, lilac, or a clear vivid red depending on your contrast and warmth level).
- Pick fresh blush over overly-bronzed look. You can contour your face depending on its shape (only forehead and chin for me). Subtle highlighter (wet or satin, not glittery) is a must to build the top of the cheeks.
Hope it'll help.
@@lapislazulis2378 wow thank you xo
@@lapislazulis2378 do you know what type is Rachel bilson? Sg or a TR?
Thank you! I saw Aly's video ( and, because of her, now I know I'm soft gamine), but I found it a little bit confused on a way that even after I've seen it, I didn't get what kind of clothes should I wear. Your video was a great complement.
I just had a look at your shop for s.gamine section Could you make a comparision between: soft gamine, soft classc, soft natural?
Hi! Do you mean of the body types themselves or a comparison of the clothes?
Honestly, I think both a relevant. Forex. I know I am a soft natural, but when I was looking for my type I just could not see the difference btw SG, SN and SC. In fact, online i found a lot of people are actually confused between SN and SG even though in theory this types should be so easily distinguished. When I had a look on our web, I realised that especially some of the dresses could well be dresses for soft classic, but actually one or two could almost pass for SN. I think you are very specific in your videos and that they are one of the few that spot the core of the dilemma people are having.
I think it would be very helpful. A lot of stylists here on youtube also mismatch a lot of types. Rihanna gets the romantic type not TR etc. For example. So there is even more confusion.
Thanks! I think I’m soft gamine. This helps. I’m going to study all your vids and go shopping and try some things on to see for myself.
Wow! So much of this is a real eye-opener for me! Thank YOU pls make more!!!
Thank you!!
this is the best youtube channel on the kibbe style i found on internet! thank you so much Merriam! i just found your website now, and I can't be happier. Your content is amazing!
Wonderful! Thank you! You have such a nice voice
Please do soft dramatic next ♡
Thank you for this video - so clear! I just found out I'm a soft gamine.
I understood why everyone call me kiddoo🤣
I'm looking at this video in a whole new light after getting my style report. 😂 I never would have thought I'd be SG!! I'm going to start binge-watching your videos again, and hopefully I'll be able to wear clothes that suit me well. I'm already doing colour-blocking for my daily outfits, and I've cut my hair short, so that's a start. 👍🏻
Wow you're really efficient that you already got a haircut!! Let me know if you have any questions at all!
Are you planning on doing one of these videos for all the types? Super helpful!
This is an amazing video thank you. You explain things really well. Would love more videos like these for the other types - especially soft dramatic!
Brilliant video! I am really looking forward to you publishing one on the romantic type (and perhaps the ingenue type?). Regarding retailers, I would prefer that you use retailers that sell all over the world, such as HM. Even If it is possible to send to countries such as Norway, one has to pay extra for tolls and fees and then the final price of the garment might be unreasonable high.
Thank you! I'll try to include HM or look into other retailers as well! Here I thought Macy's would be nice because it's everywhere in the US so people could go in person to return items. But anyway, HM is everywhere too! Are there any others that you know of? I'd really appreciate it. I'll do some research on my own too. :)
Mango is big in Europe, but I see that they don`t have so many stores in the US. Zara is also very big.
H&M please! It's all over the world whereas Macy's is not.
You have just answered so many things! I always knew that short necklaces (but not chokers because I have a short neck) looked better on me and that wearing both lipstick (especially if it's too crisp looking) and smoky eye makeup at the same time look bad on me! I just thought it was me but now I know it's because I'm a soft gamine! Also are there any other options for neckline other than high neckline? I always feel like a nun!
I think low straight necklines with fitted cap sleeves or deep v necks with fitted sleeves and waist look really good on me. And high waisted pants (especially mom jeans which have fitted/exposed ankles lol) with fitted crop tops look great on me too. My tops always just have to be ultrafitted! Which sucks when I'm feeling fat!
Wow, this was awesome. Thank you SO much.
Agree on the make up tips. I cant do both bold eyes and lips. I've also always done the blurred lip make up somehow. Cant rock bold lips.
Also hair yes.
Thanks for this video! Very complete. I'm happy to hear about more ''casual'' cloths. Can't wait to learn more about other types and look at your website!
Thank you Merriam! I’m still trying to work out my body type but I’m thinking soft gammine might be it now. Thinking about what you said and which outfits have looked and made me feel my best in the past. Thanks so much.
This is so good, thank you. Because i am having some issues with the lines that are on the kibbe test i can not see my body type. I can see tha i am a mix of soft and sharp but i don't know. I got natural but i look so bad in the lines. Hope the future videos help, this One helped a lot cause i got flamboyant gamine also, but i dont look good in the clothes. I usually wear something classic with true gamine lines and i dont look that bad... I just need more images. Your videos, and Aly's are so good
@@astonish_injurer5598 I feel the same as the OP. None of the types really 'fit' me. I am a mix of yin and yang, but not in a random way, nor in very balanced way. My literal lines are a mix of yin and yang. Not very sharp like dramatic, not blutn like natural, nor round and small. Rather 'narrow, long and curved' if that makes sense. The long and narrow woudl be yang, but the curved would be yin. Like an S. A very narrow, elongated (or it looks elongated due to it's narrowness) hourglass figure ; far from enough curve to be the sexy soft dramatic. All my facial features also being elongated and rounded. Not small, wide and rounded, but clearly elongated (example: my nose) not blunt either: I have very little angles, wether blutn or sharp.
Also, it never made sense to me why there are two kinds of yang lines (sharp yang and blunt yang - dramatic and natural) but onyl one kind of yin line, romantic, with then the balanced lines of classic and the mixed lines of gamine. It seems a bit unbalanced overall.
@@astonish_injurer5598 Not whatsoever. I'm skin and bones, pretty much - with a little fat in between in the 'right' places which gives me a narrow hourglass figure. There's one thing I'm sure about and that's that i have next to no B, except perhaps my nose and my cheeckbones, depending on the interpretation.
@@astonish_injurer5598 I guess, in a way. I just am far from a 'stereotypical' theatrical romantic. I dunno. You can take a look here: gitesstyle.tumblr.com/
(Those pictures are put there for the sole purpose of linking to it whenever I have these discussions)
@@gittevandevelde2208 I see flamboyant gamine in your pictures...the recommendations might work -fitted, tight base and on top something looser and asymmetric. Definitely more fitted stuff looked the best, in my opinion :) The natural, draping stuff does not really work.. but i'm no expert, I just think it's fun trying to type other people. It's easier than typing oneself..anyhow, your figure is amazing!
@@sandyp939 Haha, thank you! Yes, I have been moving towards gamine- flamboyant gamine but I still seem to have quite a bit of classic influence, so I go for somethign between that.
Great video. Loved how you went through the looks and explained why they were Soft Gamine. Very helpful for me even though I am not a Soft Gamine (I am a Dramatic Classic - thank you!!). I would love a video on a Dramatic Classic but any of the body types would be useful.
Yes! I'm happy you're finding it useful! I was going to suggest in future videos that even if it's not your type it might still be helpful to learn the other types' lines so that you don't think it's yours if that makes sense. For example the dark button down shirt and dark skirt in the video being more of a natural look with the top buttons unbuttoned. Thanks for your comment!
That was very useful. I like your website. Very interesting design.
Thank you! You mean the design of my website? I programmed it myself and I also painted the cover photo actually. :D The programming of the website took forever, but I have some programming experience so it wasn't a total disaster haha. :)
please so a vid for flamboyant gamine style recommendations! love this vid.
The website looks great! I can’t wait for a romantic section!
I’m a soft gamine but I feel like high necklines look horrible on me with the exception of turtlenecks. I’m going to try the style again. Thanks for the tips!!!
Why is a high neckline on gamines important? What exactly does it do?
I think its because it creates a colour block and creates shorter lines.
This is a great detailed video! Thank you!
One of the best video ever!!
This video is soooo well made! I wish you had one on soft natural body type 😕
I prefer long hair on myself though. Jenna looks great with long or short polish or messy 🤷🏻♀️ when you’re naturally beautiful a lot can be pulled off!
i really don’t mind looking childlike! makes me feel cutesy - especially since I had a Nabokov Lolita phase in high school aha
that being said I still have no idea if I’m SG or TR
I also love a cute look! I sincerely hope that you didn't have a 'Nabokov Lolita' phase in high school, but that you only had a 'Lolita style' phase in high school.
@@merriamstyle sigh I was in a bad /abusive relationship and obsessed with the book along with her style. It was a very unfortunate and dangerous time for me )-: But I do still like some of my old outfits!
@@lorenaaleman7914 Any type can have Ingenue essence in the face, but I would say that Soft Gamine is closer to teenage girl, whereas Theatrical Romantic is closer to young woman.
Please do Theatrical Romantic next!
I would love to see a video like this for Theatrical Romantic! 🖤
Im so confused I feel like SG but also TR toooo 😭😭 Would u consider making a comparison video of these 2 types? It would be fabb 😍😍😍
Loved the video! I learned a lot!
Thank you so much for your interpretation and input! Very helpful!
Merriam, could you do a video like this for flamboyant gamine as well, please ...! Thank you
Thank you. I loved the video. Learned a lot.
Congratulations on your website! it looks great can't wait to see more
If I find out I'm a soft gamine I'm gonna scream because I'm gonna have an identity crisis but all of these problems are very similar to mines
Please make one about the soft natural 🖤