Claire, what is wrong with Classic -after all there is classic beauty, right
Anyway they tag classic as Sophisticated Lady - isn`t it where your love of French chic comes from

I'm soft classic and it does seem to fit me. My "perfect" dress is a classic wrap dress with some added draping...I think I lean more towards classic (which I think is really what we think of today as "tailored"...it was the 80's so "classic" meant something a little different, I think, than it does today)...i.e. minimalist and non-fussy. But I do like a little bit of draping and softness...pure crisp, clean lines need to be softened because of my curves. Excellent food for thought. Thanks again for posting it. I actually found a blogger who is soft classic and she kind of looks like me!

Okay, I just want to clarify that to me, "Diva" has only positive connotations or I would never have used it about Sveta, even if she did use it about herself! I was thinking of diva in the sense of "admired and glamorous" not "haughty and spoiled."

And I don't think there is any question that Sveta is admired and glamorous! Soft dramatic really does seem perfectly to capture the tensions at the heart of your style.

Of course I ran off to do the test, too.

Like Claire, I found myself scratching my head, completely unable to bring any objectivity to the effort. Am I this or am I that? I have NO idea!! What's the standard?

When I answered the questions as best I could, I came up with Dramatic Classic. Which, in a way, makes sense, especially when you add the descriptor "Tailored Chic" and the advice that jackets should be the centerpiece of my style. (Waving at Rae and Declawed, happily! I know that's true for you, Rae, 100%!)

But when I looked at the visual collages, I thought I fit far more into the gamine category, and not just because I happen to be wearing my hair short, either.

So now I am unsure. Maybe the answers to all my questions were wrong. How is one supposed to judge?

Having said that, Claire—Classic seems to fit you! And you are in beautiful company.

Sveta, thank you so much for helping my clarify my own style. Today is my first time since the New Year that I've opened up YLF (because of sick kids and being busy at work), and it was inspirational (and a bit daunting) to see all of Angie's posts on defining style.

Among the forum members, yours is the style I feel best represents of where I want to go in my own style. Thank you for helping me articulate! Drama and contrast are definitely part of it, and I didn't realize that the reason, in large part, is to complement my own rather bold facial features.

Now I am off to do the test! (Dramatic Classic is the closest match for me which makes good intuitive sense with respect to my style and inclinations)

As for your own style, I would call it "Tempered Drama" rather than "Soft" which can imply romanticism - and your "softness" does not.

Just popping back to say, I hope a lot of people do this...it will be sort of like finding our body type twin. Finding our style type twins! For example, now Jeneva and Shannon will be able to note the similarities in their styles and look to each other for inspiration! And I really can see how both could fit the soft classic descriptor even though there are differences. Neat!

Suz, I hope so too! (-: I think there is a LOT of room for individual interpretations of the styles, which is fun.

The quizz Denise linked to was the first time I got any insight at all into my style. I came out with an overwhelming majority of As and no Es. I guess my style has a lot of drama going on and no softness. When I think about it, that makes sense. I am attracted to dramatic, architectural pieces of clothing and I don't like a lot of softness and draping--unless there's a structure under all that draping so it just doesn't flop--and definitely no frills. Now I have a better understanding of my antipathy toward certain items, like pussy bow blouses.

As a pale-skinned Southerner of Irish and English descent, I'm a far cry from Sveta's cultural background, yet I understand where she's coming from. Growing up in a sea of pretty, girly girls who were much more prototypically feminine than I was and in a milieu where that model was seen as desirable, I stood out, since I was taller, longer limbed and broader of shoulder than my peers. Mine was not the silhouette that was coveted.

Once I realized that delicate and I were never going to be on speaking terms, I made my peace with it and didn't look back. I took my natural penchant for drama and ran with it, My mother would have probably said run amuck with it, and there's some truth to that.. During my later teens, I do remember sewing and wearing a cheongsam-style dress in a lacquer-red color, and the mid-thigh taxi cab yellow terry beach coverup I made had hanging bell-shaped sleeves that ended in points!

On another note, I must say that the first time I ever saw Sveta's pictures in a WIW posting my first thought was, that woman is gorgeous; she looks just like a Bond girl.

If I had seen a picture of Sveta in a magazine when I was a teenager (unfortunately I had Cheryl Tiegs and her ilk), I would have adopted her immediately as someone whose style I wanted to--and felt I possibly could--emulate.

Wow, I'm off to do this too. I'm at the start of my style journey & really struggled with even attempting to define my own style (not sure I have one yet). I know I like high contrast & a bit of drama but that's it so far.

Jenava, it is interesting, I was sure you would have Dramatic as a part of your type because you do have that flair. However as this test is based on the bone and facial structure and face features I think Soft Classic fits you because you have pretty balanced features.
Suz, no worries about that Diva thing, I was sure you meant it in the most positive way! As for your Dramatic Classic definition I think it fits you. And you are right, it is so interesting to find your type twins here. Even when we have different styles (because our personality also plays a big role in our style in addition to our physical features) it will be fascinating to watch for some similarities here. I am really looking forward to it!
mamaKate, I understand Soft being a feminine quality in this definition while Dramatic is an opposite of it. It really fits with how I always saw myself: like big and masculine and in the same time even at the thinnest of my teenage years I always had full hips and thighs which is a very feminine feature. Anyway, the best thing I got from this test is a realization that my current style is really aligned with my physical and inner qualities (dominant strong Yang and a bit of feminine Yin) and that`s why I feel fab now even though I could not articulate it. It is because my body and my spirit are in harmony with my current style!
I think like any style test or exercise this one may not have answers for all questions and peg hole every single woman out there in a definite style category. However it was extremely helpful for me and gave me that final push to identify my style which I could not get from anything else. So Kate I know exactly how helpful it was for me and I just wish I had it in my self-esteem troubled teenage years. And thank you for the compliments, they brought tears to my eyes!
DragonflyJane, I hope it will help you too!

This was interesting and I find I am pretty much a Soft Classic (overwhelming Cs, then an equal mix of e and b) I knew I'd be similar to Jeneva as I relate to a lot of her style.

Sveta I love all of your bold combinations and the air of confidence you display in your poses. I definitely see the dramatic in you.

I'm so pleased you found it helpful - like others have said, since I first joined YLF I have enjoyed your style - it always seemed to me that you had it absolutely 'right'.

I've done the test, but I can't work out how you work out what types you are - I had 9 Bs and 7 Cs (and I also found it very difficult to be completely objective!). Can someone point me in the right direction?

ButterflyLady, in addition to counting all answers you also should see what is your dominant answer for each o the 4 categories: this is what helped me. Then if you look at the descriptions on the bottom you will see that for a certain style you should have Yin or Yang in the certain category. If you want you can send me your answers and i can have a look
Jjsloane, another Soft Classic here - you have a lot of twins on YLF!
Nobody is Soft Dramatic though....:(

Love the photo of you in the assymetric leather jacket! I was looking at it again in a new thread and it made me realize that I *don't* want to keep the faux leather moto jacket I have now. I'm just not a moto jacket kind of gal and I initially got it because of the assymetric closing. I *am* a fan of assymetric style. While I am unlikely to find a jacket like yours, I like it so much better than the generic moto style I have, that I am happier to have none.

Thanks Sveta - off to have another look ....

... I think I need to read the forum there, I still don't know what columns A, E, C and B are!? Am I a Natural (mostly B answers) Classic (7 Cs)?

Just went and took the test and my answers seem to be split! I had 8 "c" and 3 "d" and 3 "a" plus 2 "b". I can't decide whether I'm a dramatic-classic or a soft-classic but either way I'm definitely mostly a classic. I guess I lean more towards dramatic classic based on facial structure since I have a long narrow face and somewhat angular features, chin and narrow eyes. The description for ways of dressing seemed more in tune for me also if I skew towards dramatic-classic. Great test for helping to resolve the yin/yang aspects of ones appearance.

I also found these definitions and categories interesting and definitely experienced a few aha moments. Sveta, I'm smiling because you've found something that captures the true essence of your style, and it really does. I especially love that you had already defined your style...you perhaps had just not articulated it in this way. Maybe the lesson here is for us to trust our instincts and resist being swayed too much by what others are wearing.

Sveta--so happy for your style revelation! It definitely fits with what you've shown us. Bold and dramatic but always a hint of softness to balance. I'm always blown away by your WIW's!

I looked at the quiz but I don't think I am good at analyzing my own body proportions. How does an apple fit into this? I don't think I'm busty or hippy. I think I was mostly D's and C's but am not sure if those are the right answers. Not sure what that makes me.

If you click on the style/wardrobe tab near the top of the page (right after the seasonal color tab) you will get a menu and lots more to read, explaining the differences and what to do if you're split. That helped me a lot.

The book they are talking about, by Kibbe(?) looks quite dated and reminds me a lot of the original Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson that I read in High School. It had a style section and I pegged myself as a Classic even way back then. Like Kibbe, she didn't take personality into account as much as facial features and stature/shape. Some of the references to curly perms are amusing; you just have to filter the dated stuff out and "modernize" the advice in your mind.

Reading the material on the site (widely quoting the book) has definitely pushed me forward towards accepting where I really want to go with my style, and now I don't have to feel bad about it since that is the direction my appearance *wants* to go anyway! I had a major "AHA!" too, Sveta, regarding my style persona, so THANK YOU and Denise for sharing this with the forum. Good stuff!

You look fantabulous and I am glad it is finally making sense to you. You have always had a strong personal style in my eyes.

This is such an eye-opening and inspiring thread. I love the words "soft dramatic" as applied to you. There is also a huge warmth to you personality that comes across even more strongly in person than in photos - your stature and poise are elegant but not intimidating, and you are so approachable. Additionally, you are one of the people I most think of when the concept of "effortless style" comes up, because your honed-down and utterly true-to-you wardrobe really makes you look at home in what you wear.

I am so glad this link was useful, Sveta! It was Vix who directed me to the color forum, and in it I discovered Kibbe. It makes perfect sense to me. I am equally a Dramatic and a Classic Dramatic. My face is pure Dramatic but my body is more symmetrical and not tall, so therefore a Dramatic Classic. Most of all, the article and readings confirmed the style direction I was taking and has made me more sure of my current choices.

I will point out that the Kibbe book is old and the pictures are dated, so take the style advice with a grain of salt. I believe the information is more useful in a conceptual sense, although it won't make sense for everyone (Mo and Vix). It sets you in a direction and the thinking that you should dress to highlight your natural features, rather than fight them, makes perfect sense.

I really liked this link on exploring resistance to your true image identity:
http://seasonalcolor.yuku.com/.....xNFGJjrTo4

it so resonated with me, I was forever perming my hair and adopting a soft romantic Boho look. Although I feel like I can successfully integrate Boho elements into my style, I will no longer do a pure Boho look.

Here is the general Kibbe link, start here, read a bit then take the test:
http://seasonalcolor.yuku.com/.....xNE4pjrTo4

Soft Dramatic absolutely defines you, Sveta! Your WIW with the cape is perfect, as your features (cheekbones) can carry off the drama of the clothing. The designers should hire you as their model!

Thanks so much for the link to the Kibbe site, as that is exactly what I've been trying to figure out, not just the clothing for my build or coloring, but what suits my features. I love Sveta's simple dramatic style but could just not pull it off. I've been drawn to selecting tops and jackets with collars or larger lapels as they seem to broaden my more narrow cheekboneless face. And notice how when people post their WIWs with their heads or faces obscured that it's much more difficult to decide if the outfit is "working". I love Sveta's simple dramatic style but could just not pull it off.

Janet's style is one of my favorites -- adore her jackets and jewelry -- and I'm always impressed by how her style and colors "matches" her features so well. Even though I'm tall, slender and have brown hair I could not do justice to her outfits.

Still have to ponder more of Kibbe's wise words, because of course I turned out to be one of the Soft Classics, for whom he doesn't seem to offer too much advice. Maybe we just need to choose clothing that doesn't overpower us.

Sveta, Soft Dramatic definitely fits you!
Many thanks to the link for this quiz as well as Angie's blog topics this week. I took the quiz yesterday and my closest match is Dramatic Classic, which surprised me (the dramatic part). Suz, we can be close to twins both in body and style. That doesn't surprise me because I would wear any of your outfits except that I don't look good in hats.
I set the idea of Dramatic Classic aside to come back later to retake the test, but the more I thought about it, the more sense the classification makes. I do like drama but have tended to tone it down or fight against those tendencies for years. I think the drama part can be demonstrated in different ways...bombshell drama is different from artistic from retro, etc. Drama can be done with color or be monochromatic with texture and so many other ways. Most of the time I suppose I use accessories, especially the statement necklace and scarves. Now to go back to read all the responses.

I initially resisted the idea of "soft classic" for me because I do feel like I'm drawn more towards the dramatic. But, I'm interpreting the "classic" bit as permission to have a base of tailored, minimalist, luxe pieces and then build on that with just a tiny bit of pleating, draping, sheerness, luxe texture and harmonizing or monochrome colors.

What an intersting read, the site is not to user friendly I had a hard time finding things, all of ya'lls links helped quite a bit. I def. See you as a dramatic Sveta, Your height and color choices and the unique items you put together are great. You are a dramatic no matter what you wear, you wear it with panache". Always look like you have a handle on your style. I took the test and it said Flamboyant Natural, is that an oxymoron?? LOL. I think it is correct however when i think back on the pieces I choose and feel best in. The lightbulb came on when it said I can wear either cool or warm colors and I have found that to be true, thanks to YLF feedback, whenI post patel outfits or jewel tone outfits. So intersting! Thanks for theis enlightening read!

Vildy, I have a soft spot for bold asymmetric pieces and now I know why! I think it is very liberating to understand what you really like and be very picky in your choices (remember Angie's PPP?)
ButterflyLady, it looks like you maybe Natural with strong Classic tendencies.
Meredith and Natalie, I don't think it is a precise science, more like a guideline for us to understand our own body and face.
Kyle, I would love to know what your AHA moments were!:-)
Claire, high five for another AHA moment.
Kari, thank you very much for your kind words. I would never thought about my style as effortless but I do feel more confident now than before when I was trying to wear "pretty" things to be more feminine...
Denise, while it is so much 80s it is still true in general I think. I did filtered through the dated stuff right away but had the same revelation you had: that we should not fight with our natural features but rather go along with them. Thank you again for the link - see what have you started here?
Gingko, I think he does not give too many tips for Classic types because they are the easiest to dress: if you are balanced you can go either way and won't look out of place?
Joy, this is the greatest part of this test that it has you thinking and discovering yourself!
Jenava, I am sure you are right. We know so much about ourselves on some subconscious level and now you can see it more clearly!
Ginny, I hear you about the site friendliness but the content is good! I am happy the light bulb came on for you as it did for me!

Soft Dramatic definitely sounds like your style. I think we all need to know where we fall in fashion and how our look reflects back from what other people also see!
Great thread Sveta, you always look fabulously styled!!

Yay! I finally have a moment to jump in I saw this yesterday with no time to comment, but a lot has developed since then and it's all good!

Sveta - this is a great breakthrough. Like someone ealier said (Amy?) you had already found your beautiful, distinctive style groove and this provides the articulation for it (and some lovely validation that it is really YOU

I'm also seeing how others are coming away with good insights (descriptors) for themselves. Fun to read how you ladies are seeing some truths in the descriptors and the way you feel fab.

I took the test and poked all around for additional help because I ended up with 7 C's (so pretty classic, I guess). But then the rest were split 2 A's, 2 B's, 4 D's, 2 E's. The D-Es seemed to come from my softer body type (flesh!) and the A-Bs more from my bone structure and facial features. So, does that explain my Jekyll& Hyde style -- one day I dress dramatic, the next day I swing soft??

Denise - I liked Kibbe's comments on resistance to your identity. Pretty potentially heavy stuff to ponder, but how freeing it could be to gain that level of insight into ourselves. . . !!

classed as pure romantic

but really none of the above.