TRÈs chic irresistible spitfire
Sot Gamine
The position of the Soft Gamine on the Yin/Yang scale: an original combination of Yin and Yang, with a touch of extra Yin on top.
Yin is expressed through a petite size and body lines (curves, rounded features). Yang has some influence on the bone structure, giving it a slight angularity.
The Soft Gamine is a Pure Gamine with additional influence from the Pure Romantic, and these romantic traits are like a creamy rose atop a spicy dessert made of contrasting energies. "Spitfire chic" — that’s how David Kibbe described the Soft Gamine.
Yin is expressed through a petite size and body lines (curves, rounded features). Yang has some influence on the bone structure, giving it a slight angularity.
The Soft Gamine is a Pure Gamine with additional influence from the Pure Romantic, and these romantic traits are like a creamy rose atop a spicy dessert made of contrasting energies. "Spitfire chic" — that’s how David Kibbe described the Soft Gamine.
Face
Facial features are always slightly doll-like:
- Large round eyes
- Round, full cheeks
- Full lips
Bone Structure
Soft Gamines tend to be petite in height—165 cm (about 5′5″) or under.
Their bone structure is delicate and small, with a subtly broad, angular quality:
Their bone structure is delicate and small, with a subtly broad, angular quality:
- Shoulders that are slightly angular, with a gently square or tapered outline
- Hands and feet that are small but a bit broad or softly rounded
- Arms and legs that are generally on the shorter side
Body Line
The figure is soft, with curvy, voluptuous shapes and a tendency to gain weight. The bust and hips are pronounced, with a naturally defined waist. The arms and legs are usually soft and full, especially the upper thighs.
When gaining weight, a Soft Gamine’s body becomes very rounded, with excess weight primarily accumulating in the bust and hips. The forearms and upper legs can also become quite soft. The face typically appears quite full as well.
Soft Gamines often give the impression of being overweight, even when they are not, due to the unique combination of rounded curves and delicate bone structure.
When gaining weight, a Soft Gamine’s body becomes very rounded, with excess weight primarily accumulating in the bust and hips. The forearms and upper legs can also become quite soft. The face typically appears quite full as well.
Soft Gamines often give the impression of being overweight, even when they are not, due to the unique combination of rounded curves and delicate bone structure.
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Based on those in David Kibbe's 1987 book Metamorphosis
Brief recommendations
The shape of your clothing should follow the lines of your body: rounded, yet defined and structured; with distinct edges at the shoulders and a clearly emphasized waist.
— Spitfire Chic!
David Kibbe
The author of Metamorphoses
Silhouette
The best silhouette is dynamic and broken, with curved lines and sharply tapering contours at the wrists, ankles, and knees.
A Soft Gamine is recommended to avoid:
- Harsh geometric silhouettes with heavy straight lines
- Wide shapeless or overly soft and flowing silhouettes
- Simple symmetrical silhouettes
- Elongated vertical or strong horizontal lines
Hairstyle
Soft Gamine hair can be of any type. However, the texture is usually soft and silky if the hair is fine, and light or airy if the hair is curly or wavy.
When styling, your hair should look soft and tousled, with a rounded shape or edges softened by light, shortened strands—especially flattering when framing the face.
The haircut can be short, with soft layers at the crown. Asymmetrical cuts also suit you, as long as the hair is slightly tousled to create the volume you need.
Soft Gamine hair length typically ranges from short to medium.
When styling, your hair should look soft and tousled, with a rounded shape or edges softened by light, shortened strands—especially flattering when framing the face.
The haircut can be short, with soft layers at the crown. Asymmetrical cuts also suit you, as long as the hair is slightly tousled to create the volume you need.
Soft Gamine hair length typically ranges from short to medium.
A Soft Gamine is better off avoiding:
- Strict geometric haircuts
- Simple sleek cuts with blunt ends
- Overly elaborate, teased hairstyles
- Very long hair
- Messily loose hair
Hair coloring
A Soft Gamine's hair color should be rich and vibrant. Highlighting fine strands around the face or at the crown can help create the effect of tousled, voluminous hair, which suits the Soft Gamine beautifully.
When coloring their hair, a Soft Gamine is advised to avoid excessive lightening or overly bold and contrasting highlights.
Makeup
Soft Gamine makeup is bright, fresh, and light.
You should highlight your large eyes, rounded cheeks, and curved lips. To do this, opt for bold and vibrant colors rather than pastels.
During the day, slightly radiant textures will suit you, while very shiny makeup is a great choice for an evening look. This kind of makeup should be applied using circular motions only, avoiding sharp or angular lines, so that the entire face appears to be made up of soft curves and swirls.
You should highlight your large eyes, rounded cheeks, and curved lips. To do this, opt for bold and vibrant colors rather than pastels.
During the day, slightly radiant textures will suit you, while very shiny makeup is a great choice for an evening look. This kind of makeup should be applied using circular motions only, avoiding sharp or angular lines, so that the entire face appears to be made up of soft curves and swirls.
A Soft Gamine is better off avoiding:
- Harsh lines and outlines
- Heavy dark or neutral pastel colors
- Minimal makeup
Dresses
Fitted, with emphasis on the shoulders, a defined neckline, cuffs, and intricate or playful details. Asymmetrical, tapered or flared hem, but not overly voluminous.
Evening option – a voluminous dress that highlights the waist.
! Avoid: stiff, strictly tailored dresses, wide and shapeless dresses, straight symmetrical lines, and overly tight dresses.
- Tapered blouson dresses
- Knitted dresses
- Bustier dresses
Evening option – a voluminous dress that highlights the waist.
! Avoid: stiff, strictly tailored dresses, wide and shapeless dresses, straight symmetrical lines, and overly tight dresses.
Jackets
Very fitted and figure-hugging, short and proportionate. Clearly defined small collars with a curved or rounded shape.
- Contrasting trim, structured, tapered cuffs, and shoulder accents.
- A lot of detailing – small sharp pleats, decorative trim, appliqués, edge stitching, epaulettes, pocket flaps, etc.
Coats and outerwear
Fitted, body-hugging, with an emphasis on the shoulders, featuring clear, intricate, or playful details.
Shortened, tapered, or form-fitting lower part.
Small, rigid gathers, sharp, rich finishes; light, somewhat stiff, sufficiently elastic, slightly draped fabrics.
! Avoid: rigid, strictly tailored designs, wide and shapeless styles, overly tight silhouettes, straight symmetrical lines.
Shortened, tapered, or form-fitting lower part.
Small, rigid gathers, sharp, rich finishes; light, somewhat stiff, sufficiently elastic, slightly draped fabrics.
! Avoid: rigid, strictly tailored designs, wide and shapeless styles, overly tight silhouettes, straight symmetrical lines.
Sweaters
Very fitted and close-fitting around the cuffs. Sometimes with a small sharply defined collar.
- Ribbed trim and intricate details (appliqués, beads, sequins, stones), small lively patterns in the shape of curls, outlined and curved.
- Fluffy and with long pile (angora, boucle, etc.).
- Thin knitwear – very form-fitting, in the style of a blouse, close-fitting around the neckline, waist, cuffs, and shoulders.
Skirts
Short or knee-length, with small stiff pleats at the waist and tapered at the bottom.
- Tulip skirt.
- A long skirt tapers at the knee, gently widening to the bottom, has an uneven hem and ends at the middle of the ankle.
- Asymmetrical hemlines, hemlines with contrasting trim.
- Moderately puffy skirts, with elegant flounces at the bottom.
Pants
Fit to the figure, emphasize the waist with sharp pleats or soft pleating, taper at the ankle.
- Short pants.
- Tight pants.
Tops
Soft and drapey, flowing silhouette, with clean and crisp, most often high or closed necklines. Very fitted at the neck and cuffs.
Emphasized, slightly oversized shoulders (gathers, pleats, corrugations, soft shoulder pads).
Ruffles or lace in the bodice area.
Materials: silk, pure cotton, muslin or cambric (including linen).
! Avoid: too strict cut, shapeless tops.
Emphasized, slightly oversized shoulders (gathers, pleats, corrugations, soft shoulder pads).
Ruffles or lace in the bodice area.
Materials: silk, pure cotton, muslin or cambric (including linen).
! Avoid: too strict cut, shapeless tops.
Lingerie and swimwear
Tight-fitting, clearly contoured and accentuated at the waist.
- Lightweight, stretchy, dense or slightly drapey fabrics.
- Bright, rich colors, unusual color schemes with a combination of many shades.
- Contrasting, curved, intricate, sharply-defined prints in medium and small sizes.
- Fun, original details with clear shapes.
Bags
Small, rounded shapes, with thin straps and little intricate trim.
Very slim briefcases made of very soft leather.
Bags with a metallic sheen, antique-style bags and beaded bags are suitable for evening.
! Avoid: shapeless large bags, sharp geometry, bulky briefcases, symmetrical shapes.
Very slim briefcases made of very soft leather.
Bags with a metallic sheen, antique-style bags and beaded bags are suitable for evening.
! Avoid: shapeless large bags, sharp geometry, bulky briefcases, symmetrical shapes.
Accessories
Small, clearly rounded hats with minimal trim (veils, feathers, etc.).
Small caps that hold their shape.
Contrasting to the hem of thin stockings or tights.
Belts that are narrow to medium width, clearly shaped.
Contrasting colors, curved or somewhat intricate buckles.
Material: very elegant leather, reptile leather or fine fabric.
Small caps that hold their shape.
Contrasting to the hem of thin stockings or tights.
Belts that are narrow to medium width, clearly shaped.
Contrasting colors, curved or somewhat intricate buckles.
Material: very elegant leather, reptile leather or fine fabric.
Jewelry
Rounded and clear shapes (circles, curls, ovals, drops, etc.).
Unusual and funny shapes with emphasized curves.
Revitalizing, bright jewelry, large beads.
Earrings that fit on the ear, wrist bracelets and unusual brooches.
! Avoid: small, intricate, dainty and dangling jewelry, bulky and massive jewelry.
Unusual and funny shapes with emphasized curves.
Revitalizing, bright jewelry, large beads.
Earrings that fit on the ear, wrist bracelets and unusual brooches.
! Avoid: small, intricate, dainty and dangling jewelry, bulky and massive jewelry.
Shoes
Lightweight and sleek, with a tapered toe and heel, finished subtly and intricately.
! Avoid: angular shoes, symmetrical shapes.
- Fully open toe and strappy shoes, open toe and heel shoes.
- Very feminine flat-soled shoes.
! Avoid: angular shoes, symmetrical shapes.