Yes, I too think that most, if not all, people have a mix of multiple types of energy. I recently had a consultation with John Kitchener of PSC regarding this. He calls the types of energy Style Essences and gives you a breakdown (percentage) of yours. That gives you an idea of how to use the individual elements - whole outfit vs. one garment vs. one detail. He also teaches you to take into account the various aspects of the outfit or garment - color, texture, shape, etc.

Last year, I worked through the exercises in The Triumph of Individual Style. Very eye-opening. I learned a lot but couldn't quite make sense of everything. The session with John helped me connect the remaining dots.

I liked the Triumph of Individual Style book too, because the stuff in it is geared to *your* body, *your* coloring, etc. The exercises are about examining your own features and then determining how you can echo those features in your clothing choices. Psychedelicate, if you like reading about style systems, I would highly recommend this book. I enjoyed it lots. :^)

In one of the exercises, you were supposed to determine how much certain features on your face showed curves or showed angles. When I did the exercise, I found that I was roughly half curved and half angled. The Soft Gamine category (from what little I know about it--I haven't read the Kibbe book) would have me pick almost exclusively clothes that emphasize some kind of curve (soft drapes, circular details, peter pan collars). But I like more how emphasizing my angled features creates more movement and excitement in my outfit. So that's what I choose to do. :^)

I'm glad you were able to fill in the gaps with John, Alexandra! It's always exciting to find another system of thought, because it allows us to think about our clothing options in new ways. So you don't have to become a slave to any system in particular, but each system gives you more tools and more ways to think about your style. It's good to have more options!

I have been exploring Kibbe as well lately and am increasing aware that I may end up in Theatrical Romantic. It worries me. I really have little to no sense of style myself- I would love to have guidelines of some sort... on length of items, necklines, waist definition, ornateness... Although we say - "Wear what you love !"... what if this lady LOVED this dress ?

Hi there, having done seasonal color, Kibbe, Dressing your truth, and every other thing of the sort I've gotten my hands on, I definitely agree with the idea of taking what works and leaving the rest. Much as I would LOVE to discover the magic bullet that is a life-changer, I doubt much that it exists.

Be true to yourself and let the rules give you ideas and direction - but not hold you back!

Sheila, what a great illustration. It really does look as if she's not at home in that garment.

Yes that is an example of a Kibbe Dramatic in a Romantic Dress... awfull!

It's also just a photo of a woman in a dress she doesn't look comfortable in - if she felt (I'm not saying she did) fantastic in it then I say what does it matter what we think or how we want to categorise her? I understand how these systems can be helpful to start to sort out what it is works for us but imo people make them in to cast iron rules. These rules then take the place of actually working these things out for ourselves. My other point was the "rules" are different depending on who you choose to believe & they also morph & change over the years

Wow! I had a consultation with PSC, maybe even John Kitchener about 30 years ago!!! I still use my swatches and what I learned. I remember that I was told that colors that work for me would just go to a lighter hue as I turned gray.

Donna... I am not sure I agree completely with going lighter and more muted as one goes gray. I think bright colors can be great contrast with gray/silver hair and if you wore bright colors... continue on !
I do think there are certain colors - such as the oranges, browns and greens that one must be wary of with gray hair... and maybe adjust the hue and saturation accordingly accordingly.