This post by Keturah got me thinking again about the Kibbe formulas for style types. I took the quiz again--and yet again, came up with Dramatic Classic. By which measure my body type and facial features are most harmonious with styles that are trim, tailored, sleek, angular, with long lines and geometric shapes. In fact, the only items on the quiz that deviate from A (angular/yang influenced) and C (classic, symmetric) answers are my blunt nose and my wavy hair.

The light bulb went on: what if I wore my hair straight (as I did for so many years, before I realized that my natural waves could actual be a "style," rather than something to tame into submission)? (Note: I did not consider changing my nose!) I gave straight hair a try this afternoon, and then tried to come up with an outfit that is a kind of Dramatic Classic (DC) fantasy style. I could have come up with something even more representative, I'm sure, but I wanted to stick with the skinny jeans, and I didn't want to cover them with a long layer, because they are new and I'm enamored with them!

Here are the fantasy and reality outfits (sorry, I didn't get a photo of the reality outfit with the reality hair--I got carried away and went straight for the blow dryer.)

1 (fantasy Dramatic Classic outfit): dark skinnies (Mother, The Looker); gray, ivory, and black hatchy-print tee (made by me); black boiled wool bomber jacket with pleather sleeves (Halogen); gray/pewter leather skinny belt; long, dangly earrings with a geometric swirl; black d'Orsay pumps (Vince); espresso and black satchel (Gryson, Natalie).

2 (reality outfit--imagine with my usual wavy hair): dark skinnies as above; gray, blue, and sage scroll print burnout knit tee (made by me); navy and gray birdseye knit sweater (Eddie Bauer); sage belt (Fossil); looped design marcasite earrings; taupe cutout booties (Kork-Ease, Stina); taupe shoulder bag (Aunts & Uncles).

I am not really a DC dresser. I don't like too much structure in my clothes; it just feels too formal for my lifestyle and personality. I am not sure what style I wear, in Kibbe terminology; maybe something like Soft Classic or Soft Natural. I think with my hair straight, many of my clothes look rather incongruous with my head. But I do kind of like the way the straight hair looks on my face. So maybe something of a style shift is in order.

In thinking about Angie's reality versus fantasy challenge this week, so far I've just come up with the fact that I wish I had more occasion to wear my fabulous pumps. I have three pairs. They are not very practical for my everyday life, but I love to wear them when the occasion arises! Otherwise, I pretty much dress as I wish each day.

Thanks for looking (and for reading if you've made it this far)! I welcome any of your thoughts and suggestions!