Ingenue Style Essence:
A Comprehensive Guide

I. Characteristics

Note: The following characteristics are typically associated with this style essence. Don't get hung up on them; you may look different but still have this style essence.

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Being the petite yin essence, the characteristic shape of the ingenue style essence is the circle. Consequently, the physical appearance of individuals with the ingenue style essence is generally petite and soft with small and rounded facial features.

Ingenue body types give the impression of petiteness. Shoulders tend to be rounded and sloping, and the body has gently defined curves.

Individuals with the ingenue style essence tend to look more 'sweet and gentle' compared to others. They are often drawn to cute things.

Their features communicate innocence and a childlike playfulness.

Physical Features

I. Vertical line

The ingenue essence is one of two 'petite' essences. Therefore, individuals with the ingenue style essence typically have a short vertical line, meaning they appear short. Often, they are actually short (5'5 feet and under), but it's also possible for a person to simply appear short despite their actual height. This is what is referred to as a short vertical line.

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II. Body type

Individuals with the ingenue style essence tend to have a petite or short body type. They often have gentle, feminine curves. Shoulders are typically rounded and sloping.

‍III. Facial features

Individuals with the ingenue style essence often have a round or heart face shape, giving their face a soft appearance. Facial features almost always remain delicate and childlike even into adulthood. Eyes may be wide-spread and are often round and large. The eyebrows are also often soft and rounded, never really arched. Lips may have a bowed shape.

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Ingenue / Gamine / Romantic

All three of these style essences share some characteristics, but they are not the same.

Both the ingenue and the gamine essence are 'petite' essences, meaning their silhouette is compact. However, the gamine essence is a yang essence. Its clothing therefore features square shapes and sharp angles. The ingenue essence, on the other hand, is a yin essence, and its shapes are round and soft.

Like the ingenue style essence, the romantic essence is also a yin essence. However, where the ingenue essence is petite and gentle, the romantic essence is mature and sensual.

III. The Ingenue Style Essence

The ingenue style essence is a yin essence, its particular type of yin being decorative, small-scale yin.

Since the characteristic shape of this essence is the circle, ingenue clothing features soft, flowing silhouettes, compact shapes, and intricate decorations and trimmings.

The ingenue style essence creates a gentle, cute image and an overall visual impression of innocence, sweetness and femininity.

The ingenue style essence can be associated with the themes of innocence, gentleness and femininity. Daisies, cherry blossoms and other small flowers best represent this style essence.

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Elements of an ingenue outfit

The Ingenue Silhouette

The ingenue silhouette is a circle - soft and rounded, with no edges.

The silhouette is softly moving, meaning thin, lightweight fabrics are ideal.

The ingenue silhouette is compact and benefits from small details, decorations and trimmings.

IV. Styling Principles

The best garments for any style essence are those that mimic and repeat that essence's natural lines, shapes, and themes.

The characteristic shape of the ingenue style essence is the circle. Consequently, ingenue clothing is compact and flowing with rounded lines and edges. The visual impression this essence creates is one of youthful innocence.

To achieve this look in clothing, Ingenues look best when they incorporate the following style principles into their wardrobe:

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Compact Shapes

The ingenue style essence is a petite essence. Therefore, Ingenues look best in compact, small-scale designs and shapes. Long and oversized garments will overwhelm this essence. Shorter dresses and jackets, short skirts, and shorts are all better suited than long and narrow designs.

Similarly, accessories should be delicate and dainty.

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Vintage Designs

Vintage styles work incredibly well on the ingenue style essence because of their affinity to small, intricate details and the love for trimmings.

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Pastel Colours

The ingenue style essence is a delicate, gentle essence. Colours are therefore toned down. However, since the ingenue essence is not a formal essence, but a playful one, colourful pastels are the perfect colourful mixture for it.

Pretty Trimmings

Even though ingenue clothing designs are petite, they are not simple. Far from plain designs, the ingenue essence benefits from decorative, playful trimmings such as ruffles and bows. This highlights the feminine playfulness of this essence.

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Whimsical Patterns & Small Floral Prints

Patterns and prints are best when they are small-scale. The best patterns for the ingenue style essence are playful and whimsical. Small florals and botanicals are also great choices.

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Light-Coloured Lace

Lace is a great material for the ingenue style essence because it comes in delicate, intricate designs - a signature stye of this essence. But light-coloured lace is preferable because it communicates innocence. Dark lace (a signature style of the romantic style essence), in contrast, portrays sensuality - not something the ingenue essence is known for.