Have a Gamine Summer Even When Fashion says Long and Baggy

Dear friends. If you favour neat, fitted clothes and hemlines at the knee or slightly above, you have been out of luck for the last few years.

Or have you?

I realised just a couple of years ago that I look best in gamine styles. Since then, I've built a nice little wardrobe featuring old and new finds, and accessories that help to pull the look together.

Before we delve further, let's explore what gamine style is about.

Definitions of body shape, style personality and your personal "essence" emerged largely in the early 1970s with ground breaking work by David Kibbe, Harriet Tilden McJimsey and Belle Northrup (Belle created Yin and Yang typing in the 1920s and 30s).

Their books are still available today. Kibbe recently published a new one. They influenced the resurgence of interest in colour and style in the 80s and 90s, with books such as Color Me Beautiful by Carol Jackson.

GAMINE STYLE

Details and styles which work for Gamine types include: shift and pinafore dresses; Peter Pan collars; polo tops; flats and shorter heels; pedal pushers; small bags; small-scale quirky jewellery such as pin brooches; cropped cardigans; cute headwear, in proportion.

Gamines tend to be petite and are swamped by long skirts or dresses. Trousers/pants are best when narrow and fitted.

Of course, to say there's one gamine type and it fits all the women in this category would be too simplistic. Most of the style mavens define several different types of Gamine including soft and flamboyant.

Sometimes a Gamine can have characteristics of other style types. I've never had a formal style "diagnosis" but know enough about my shape and preferences to say I lean towards Gamine plus occasionally dramatic (flashy jewellery!) and occasionally classic (my love for matchy-matchy and my aversion to linen).

GAMINE SUMMER LOOKS

In the top pic, and the pic above, I'm wearing a genuine vintage green dress with a natty scarf. Gamines wear scarves best if they are small and either plain or with a small abstract or dotty pattern. I found the dress on Etsy; it is hand-made and washed beautifully. The scarf is for those analysed Spring (or anyone who loves bright colours!) from My Season Accessories.

You can see my leaning towards Dramatic in the ring I'm wearing, which came from the Courtauld Gallery.

To be honest I doubt if I would wear this outfit, even though the dress is very flattering. I feel a little too exposed. I'd be more likely to wear it in winter, with a roll neck underneath, opaque tights and boots.

ALL ABOUT THE COLLAR

I'm forever searching on eBay and Vinted for Peter Pan collar tops and dresses. There are usually plenty in black and white, but it's rare to find them in my Spring colours. The turquoise blouse above is the exception. It was brand new on eBay. The skirt is another Gamine staple, the brightly coloured and knee-length Boden skirt. I have several, bought pre-loved on eBay.

The bag echoes the chartreuse circles in the skirt, and was bought years ago.

The coral dress below is "vintage" Kettlewell, the Peta tunic from 2016. I bought it for £8 on Vinted. It's very similar to my Reiss coral dress, bought recently, which is unfortunate! Wearing it with a simple daisy brooch and a lovely Nephele bag (these are made of remnants so very good for the planet!).

Gold flats bought a few months ago from Oliver Bonas.

Kettlewell Peta dress (2016) in coral worn by over-60

On the subject of collars, polo tops are ideal for Gamines because of their narrow, fitted shape. This one is current, from Ralph Lauren. The yellow chinos were bought a few months ago from M&S. They're still in stock. Switching to trainers would instantly create a more casual look.

RETRO LOOK BUT BRAND NEW

Is This Mutton in navy and white knee length dress with 60s vibes from Voodoo Vixen.

There are a few brands that sell retro style clothes which are brand new. My navy and white Voodoo Vixen dress falls into this category. Check out also: Top Vintage, Madcap England, Retro Stage (US), Simple Retro, Hell Bunny (US), The Carnaby Streak and Joanie. There's also a Joanie Pre-loved site.

I find though that the very best quality is to be found in genuine vintage clothes from the 60s, the era I'm most interested in. I regularly scout charity (thrift) shops, eBay and Etsy for genuine vintage. To buy it successfully make sure you know your exact measurements, and compare them with what you want to buy. You can see two of my other vintage finds here:

The shoes are a year old from Jones Bootmaker. I'm not keen on buying footwear second-hand, unless it's never been worn.

GAMINE IN WINTER

In winter I lean towards pinafore or shift dresses with turtle or roll necks underneath; neat capes and fitted coats; cropped cardigans and jumpers/sweaters with crew necks. I am looking all year round for finds. Once you've built a wardrobe of gamine essentials, they will last for years. You won't fall victim to trends; you will always look like.....You, with a recognisable style.

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