E, the consultation with Rachel was fun. Lots of great info, too. I think my posture and the ever-present heels throw people off when it comes to my height. All D answers? I'll have to re-read the quiz to see what they are.

Suz, no, just Kibbe's. In the book or all the bits that people posted on yuku. The only other version I have is the one Rachel customized for me. She is going to put her questionnaire on Signature/Style sometime next month - you might want to check there. On the subject of wardrobe changes and the new me: there's no new me, just the me I've been hiding behind some of the more classic clothes. So I like being able to express the cheerful, spunky side of me. I've noticed that as I wore bright colors this past year (that was new), I felt better and happier and more open. And people responded to that, which in turn made me feel even better and happier... you get the idea. So I'm thinking once I adjust the lines and details, I will rule the world! OK, maybe not quite, but I will be the best me I can be. Does that make sense?

Texstyle, thank you! Did you mean uniform as in the flight attendant look?

La Belle, wow, thank you, what a compliment! I'll try it again with a different pair of earrings (when they arrive) and post for comparison.

Zibbets and Golden, thank you!

Firecracker, I like your analysis of the effect of the pearls vs. scarf vs. both. Thank you!

I don't think I got *all* D answers, I just remember I chose D more often & then there was no correlation with D. I chose A frequently too I think; I know I didn't get much C. I took it so long ago though that the details are hazy. I'm curious to see the quiz Rachel comes out with next month: I loved the sample newsletter since it was all summer & all gamine!

That's so neat that people are responding to you differently since you started tweaking your look. And that you're happy with what Rachel suggested: money well spent since you can sew/knit your own wardrobe to spec.

Alexandra, I distinctly remember when you started adding that vivid lime green as an accent in your outfits -- it made you come alive! And that is nothing if not a "vivacious" colour. I think it suits you down to the ground, and I'm glad you're happy with your new descriptor and feel better represented by those terms. I am sure you WILL take over the world...and doubtless the world will be better for it, too.

E, I agree that there is a "roundness" to your angularity, if that makes sense. And I firmly believe we should dress in what makes us feel most ourselves, regardless of what this or that system might say. The systems are helpful up to a point and then we have to refine based on the experience of actually wearing clothes and the way we feel in them.

So, I took the test again, and once again came out DC. I do have a fair number of A answers but only one E answer, a couple of Ds, a few Bs -- and slightly more Cs overall (although the Cs are close to the As). And, when I read the descriptors, while DC is not perfect in every particular, it's definitely closer than any other. The "dramatic" part is absolutely key for me, though. If I lose that, I lose my joy in fashion completely. Strictly symmetrical classic seems to smother me. Add that dash of asymmetry and crisp detail and I come alive.

I do relate to all the gamine hairstyles, though, for sure!

E, I re-read the questionnaire last night and I wouldn't have picked hardly any D's for you. Yes, the sample newsletter is pretty cool. I subscribed to the Winter/Gamine one and this first issue was all dresses. I love it.

Suz, here's a quote I found on a blog recently:

I think that also applies to dressing. The more classic, dark neutral pieces were my armor. Shedding them and replacing them with my native bright colors was scary but it paid off big time and I think that made it easier to move forward into changing the clothing details and lines.

The Kibbe descriptions won't necessarily be perfect. To me, they're like color seasons/types in that they are essentially a box of crayons. You could give identical boxes of crayons to a hundred people and they'd paint you a hundred very different pictures. Not only will the pictures be of different things/people/landscapes etc., but some people will use only a few colors while others may use the whole spectrum.

That's interesting, Alexandra. I expect for many of us, colour is our first and easiest way in to change in fashion. It's easier for most of us to know what instinctively appeals there than with pattern, detail, and line -- at least I suspect so. We have a more emotional response to it.

Although having said that, I have always had a negative emotional response to a lot of small detailing or embellishment on clothing. I don't mean that I dislike it on others, but for myself I have never, ever cared for it, and whenever I would wear garments that included it, I felt costumed and uncomfortable -- almost the way I feel if I wear a mini-skirt and high heels (a definite "costume" look on me.)

I feel the opposite way about neutrals. For me they are not armour but the calm "ground." Not black, in my case (for me black is more of a colour to be used sparingly) -- but navy, winter white, taupe, grey.

On the other hand, I would also shrivel up and cry without my injection of colour! So all neutrals all the time would not be a good idea.

I love your idea of the descriptions as a box of crayons. I think that each of us can use them as a springboard to move forward in our own style journey. I think Sveta typed herself as a soft dramatic, and when she did so it was a great revelation. Her recognition came just when fluid fits were gaining acceptance, and her natural drama combined with the fluid fit launched her into her current style nirvana -- a place where almost every outfit she wears expresses her fully.

Alexandra, I took the illustrated quiz & didn't get many D's this time either, so I was probably misremembering my first results. For the record, I'm well aware I don't look like Selma Hayek or Jennifer Love Hewitt! lol This time I came up with mainly a mix of A's and E's, with 3 Ds for my arms and cheeks (and maybe my eyes? not sure) and a B for my shoulders. Is that about where you would have put me?

According to the bottom interpretation on that quiz, that likely puts me in soft gamine territory, and Rachel N's pin of Sally Fields as an unusual yin gamine looks a lot like me in a swimsuit. But really, I think the positive forum feedback I've gotten on yin gamine-type outfits, plus how natural I feel in small detailed & quite girl-y clothes, makes me think that it's a good enough fit anyway. Between my broader shoulders & smaller waist, perhaps I can fudge a little: full skirts with waist definition & a fitted top tucked in make me look curvier/more yin while waist (and bust) surrendering boxy blouses that hang from the shoulder make me look straighter/more yang.

Love your crayon analogy!

I had a different experience when I realised I needed muted colours to look my best: shedding the bright colours that I'd tried to make work in the past (because they're so pretty) was like taking a big breath and then letting it out. Suddenly I didn't have to work at 'fixing' my natural colouring, which of course looked washed out next to brights. Instead, it seemed to quietly glow (not to sound cocky), and I felt so relaxed and easy.

(I haven't been professionally draped like you, but once I read about the concept of bright/muted, it was very easy for me to see which one I favoured, even if I wasn't positive whether I was cool or warm.)

I'm having so much fun chatting w you & Suz on this thread. Hope I haven't rambled on too much!

I'm having fun reading the Alexandra/E/Suz exchanges.

Suz, I agree, color is probably the easiest piece for most of us. By small detailing, do you mean things like pintucks? Yes to the neutrals being the calm "ground" - they are for me too. But all over, they become armor. Sort of like having a strong house foundation (good thing) and continuing it all the way to the roof (not a good thing) - I want the windows and doors, hehe. So a big dose of bright color is a must for me. Thank you for sharing Sveta's story - her style is wonderful.

E, yes, I was thinking a mix like that was closer, not that I'm an expert or anything. From what I've read, gamines can define the waist or skip it as long as the silhouette isn't oversized. You've demonstrated both here on the forum beautifully. Please ramble away, I love reading what you write.

This has been so much fun and very enlightening. Thank you!

Alexandra, I think I meant the kind of detail that tends to look so wonderful on E.! Or even the "animated" detail that would work on a Flamboyant Gamine.

So yes, pintucks might fall into that category, although those can be crisp and appear almost like stripes, so might work in the right garment. Pleats are fine, even good (if stitched down at the hip). And pleats on a shirt (like a tux shirt) are great.

Mulling over it a bit more, I probably meant embellishment more than detail. It's funny -- in my home decor I have an appreciation for the ornate. In my clothing, not so much. Sometimes I am superficially attracted to items with a slight boho, or arty, or romantic vibe. But the attraction never lasts long. And when it cools, I end up feeling a kind of revulsion toward the item. That's not too strong a word for it! It's not a poison eye, because I enjoy the look on others (and, as I say, sometimes feel a slight yen towards it.) But it makes me feel costumed and uncomfortable.

Rounded shapes are particularly difficult/ problematic. Round collars, tiny round buttons, round patterns even feel a bit off (although I love the idea of polka dots and tend to buy them occasionally, I end up tiring of them unless they are the almost invisible kind).

But anything that feels "busy" to me will be off. And almost everything -- even pattern in and of itself -- can feel "busy." Weird, eh? So odd....

Thank you Alexandra! I didn't realise gamines could do either: the stuff I've read about yin gamine is "define the waist, define the waist," which certainly gets me closer to a culturally ideal hourglass, but would get a bit dull if I had to do it every single day I think. I'm looking forward to seeing what "animated detail" looks like, so I hope you post more outfits (here or on your blog)!

Suz, we're definitely so different on the embellishments & details! Rounded shapes are a slam dunk for me: the only problem is that culturally, rounded shapes are sometimes considered childish, so I have to be careful not to look too juvenile. But I remember the 'fussy' thread made me giggle, because what so many people described as fussy I would have categorised as 'wonderful details to wear & love.' Even at my very simplest, I'll add at least a brooch, I can't help it. Whereas I feel very uncomfortable in anything sharp or angular (as we saw on the jacket thread): I feel it makes my face look more asymmetrical too. I love that style on others, but I can't pull it off.

OK -- I'm pressed for time tonight, so I confess to deep interest but just a skimming reading of the interesting discussion to your original post. I'll come back to the Kibbe quiz myself later!

As for your original question: I love your new version best with both pearls and scarf. They each are fully visible, of similar scale, and both add visual energy near your face. Besides.....with the strict structure and classic silhouette, why the heck not?

I keep trying to tone things down. Not to be invisible, but to invite people in to the party instead of throwing off huge amounts of visual energy. I've been failing, largely, although I'm not sure I mind. I think I'm made for color as an expression of a creative personality type. Physically, I look my best in saturated brights and high contrasts, but I've learned there are a few midtones that seem to suit me (chambray blue), and optic white is a great, brightening canvas. So there it is. I don't know your personality well, although I suspect that you are sharply intelligent, curious, meticulous, and a loyal friend. The high energy contrast and color you're talking about will add a sense of fun to the mix. And having fun with fashion will make you feel more open and free.

Can't wait to see what unfolds!