Finding clothes that fit perfectly can be quite elusive. We’ve all experienced the disappointment of trying on outfits that looked stunning on hangers but looked off when worn. You know that one blouse in your wardrobe with an amazing design that doesn’t seem to match anything you style with it, yeah, that one.
Before shopping for clothes, a person must consider three key elements – body shape, the colours that suit, and essence. When harmoniously blended, these three elements form the foundation for your styling needs. Whether you’re going to a fancy dinner party or want to look cute as you run errands — this is your go-to style dossier for all occasions. Having this knowledge will guarantee you always have the right fit at hand. However, it’s important to note that learning to style yourself appropriately may not come simple; much like honing a skill, it requires dedication, patience, and practice.
Body Shapes
Your body shape is essentially the form your body takes, depending on the distribution of fat and muscles. There are five distinct body shapes – round, pear, inverted triangle, rectangular, and hourglass. Hourglass is the most commonly accounted for in the fashion world, thereby, the easiest to dress for.
The key to dressing for other body types lies in achieving symmetry – aiming to strike a balance between the top and bottom halves.
For people with an inverted triangle shape, where the upper half is larger than the lower, creating balance can be achieved by opting for clothing with fuller bottoms, such as circular skirts or Palazzo pants. This harmonises the proportions between the upper and lower body. Similarly, individuals with a more petite upper body and broader lower body can create balance by wearing clothing that adds fullness to match the width of the bottom.
The goal of balancing body types is to create the illusion of fullness in areas lacking in depth.
Essences
If you’ve ever seen two celebrities – or anyone at all – wear the same outfit but look extremely different in them even with similar styling, then you should know that their essences are at play.
Essences are style identities determined by the natural lines of a person’s body and facial features — together, they reflect the inner self and true complimentary style.
Style essences are characterised by a spectrum of two primary lines – Yin and Yang. The Yin type of beauty has soft, rounded features, while Yang has dramatic and angular features. A person is often the blend of both but can lean more towards one end of the spectrum than the other.
On the Yin/Yang spectrum are seven essence blends – Dramatic, Gamine, Natural, Classic, Romantic, Ingenue, Angelic.
The features commonly linked to style essences are as follows:
Dramatic
You are striking and bold, commanding attention wherever you go. You are tall, sometimes average height with prominent cheekbones and sharp jawlines. Your style is intense and you can pull off unconventional looks like no one else.
Dramatic essence can be best summed by feline prints, extravagant design elements, and experimental pieces. People of other essences might look overdressed in certain clothes, but never you. You embody a boldness and pull off any bold outfits. Although your style can falter or look underwhelming whenever you’re dressed in something relaxing or soft.
Gamine
You are petite with sharp features that come off as quirky or childlike. Your energetic and whimsical vibe reflects in your style. You’re a Yang just like the dramatic but two things set you apart — your boldness is slightly playful and unconventional designs are not your thing. The gamine style leans more towards shorter dresses that are often straight in design with intricate details, like geometric patterns. You’re not afraid to mix bold colours and patterns. Men’s clothing and boyish styles look amazing on you.
Singer, songwriter Chidinma Ekile has Gamine essence in her blend. Where another celebrity like Tiwa Savage may look off in this, on Chidinma it looks amazing and complements her boyish appeal.
Natural
You are characterised by strong muscles and broad shoulders with a tall, sturdy frame that is definitely not masculine. Natural essence gives off a sporty and active vibe with an easygoing charm. While your facial features may display some irregularities, there’s a relaxed quality that adds to your natural allure.
As the casual Yang on the style spectrum, you prioritise functionality and comfort. You exude an earthy aura that’s all about nature, therefore, your colour palette reflects the outdoors. Earthy tones and natural fabrics like linens, leathers, and cotton are your forte. You look best in loose, unstructured garments that embody a relaxed chic style or bohemian charm.
Whether donning activewear or flowing lengths, oversized shapes or plain tees, with little effort, you strike the perfect balance between casual and stylish, but never appear to be underdressed.
Reality TV star, Phyna, is an example of what happens when you dress in an essence that’s not in your blend. Phyna dresses in lots of dramatic outfits but they often look costume-like on her. Here are pictures of her in suits meant for different essences. The first is supposed to be dramatic but on Phyna, it looks oversized, gimmicky and doesn’t flatter her essence. On the other hand, she thrives in the second outfit that’s more relaxed and simple.
Classic
You are of average height with balanced facial and body symmetry. Your cheekbones are not striking, neither are they rounded — a perfect balance of Yin and Yang.
Simplicity and moderation are your forte; there’s a formal elegance to you. You thrive in traditional pieces that are timeless and refined, with limited colours, textures and streamlined silhouettes.
When you put together an outfit, there’s always a cohesive blend with your accessories and outfit; nothing stands out or calls for attention. One caveat is your balanced Yin/Yang makes you easily overwhelmed by bold and extravagant design details or come across as childish in delicate whimsical designs.
Jemima Osunde is classic. Even though she sometimes plays with her style and strays too dramatic, it doesn’t come off as loud or sharp, there’s still a formal elegance to her look.
Romantics
Your curves are rounded, your lips full, your eyes are large and alluring. You have a heart-shaped or soft triangle-shaped face with dark, full hair.
Romantic essence is the deep sensual Yin linked with glamourous and mature femininity. You shine in corsets or form-fitted dresses that accentuate your curves. Draped heavy-silk or satin dresses and darker-shade laces are made just for you.
Romantic essence is associated with themes of indulgence, luxury, roses and shades of red.
Diana Erubor is a romantic but when she’s dressed as a Gamine, it looks odd on her.
Ingenue
Your body is petite and your face is heart-shaped or round with a doll-like appearance. You are often described as cute, sweet, gentle and delicate.
Unlike the Romantic essence with deep sensual Yin, your Yin is small-scale and exudes youthful femininity. The clothing styles associated with Ingenue themes are those of childlike innocence. So short and flouncy playful dresses, compact shapes, girly silhouettes, soft fabrics, pastels and light-coloured laces are the best fit for you.
Angelic
You are tall and lean with a face that is small and rounded or oval. Your visual impression is reminiscent of otherworldly mythical creatures like mermaids, fairies, goddesses, and the cosmos.
The angelic essence appears soft in an ethereal manner. Your style includes artistic elements made from beadings, shells, gemstones and fine luxurious fabrics with silhouettes that gently flare from your body.
Remember, appearances vary, and you may exhibit this style essence without having all the features. Essences are imperative, to know what fits and what doesn’t. When people dress outside their essence blend, it can come off as overwhelming or underdressed.
How Style Essences Are Determined
Look at your face and body features in their entirety. What features do you possess more? If you have a chiselled jawline and prominent cheekbones then you lean more towards Yang. If your face is round or oval with more volume then you’re more Yin.
Take pictures and see what style lines flatter you most. To avoid the risk of bias, ask your friends for perspectives. They might not get the right adjectives by finding commonality in what they say, you should be on the right track.
What hairstyles do you pull off best? This provides great insight into knowing what essence blend you possess. If you shine in a Pixie or low cut, then you might have some gamine in your blend, while full bouncy curls lean towards the romantic essence.
Finding your essence blend is no easy feat. If after these steps you still haven’t been able to figure it out, then you start by crossing out the essences that you are not.
A person can possess a blend of multiple essences; however, the degree to which each is present will differ. For example, having around fifty percent romantic essence, thirty per cent dramatic, and twenty per cent natural might mean your outfit would exude Romantic while other essences play out with your hair, shoes or jewellery. This way, your essence can be represented in your outfits.