The Dress That Made Me Question My Style Essence

Do You Have a Romantic Style Essence? Signs to Look For.

Yesterday, I fell in love with a dress.

Fresh out of the hell that is trying on several bra's in a over warm changing cubicle in Marks and Spencer's. Ready to resign myself to buying only expensive bra's that fit at the gorge, IYKYK. I got distracted by linen trousers, and as I was reluctantly leaving, I saw a indigo blue dress.

Even without seeing it on a model, I knew it was the type of dress that I would only ever dream of wearing. Wearing it would fulfil all of my medieval period drama fantasies. The panel at the waist was perfect, the ruching in the chest- decadent-  and the little tie - sexy. The colour also was beautiful.

Then it hit me.

This dress was pure Romantic Style essence.

But I don’t really do the Romantic style, do I?

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Several years ago, when I had a wardrobe edit, the stylist asked to see my Pinterest board of my ideal wardrobe. She quickly ascertained that I was a Natural Classic - clean lines, comfort, and wearability being key for me. Flamboyant shapes and cuts did not feel true to me, they felt like dressing up. 

However, as I delved further into style, I realised there was another archetype that resonated with me: the Romantic.

The Romantic is epitomised by being feminine,- hyper feminine some would say-  and has a core of siren, movie style glamour.

Images not my own, for reference use only.

As a Libra stellium ( I have four planets in Libra) and Libra being ruled by Venus, goddess of love- , romanticism, beauty, art, and pleasing aesthetics are core to my being. There are many suggestions to dress as your Venus sign, and from what I have seen, my Libra Venus aligns most closely with pure Romantic.

Images not my own, for reference use only.

If Natural Classic is how I present myself to the world, then Romantic represents my innermost heart.

Now, I cannot wear the Romantic style everyday. It would feel overdressed for my daily life. So my Romantic style essence tends to reveal itself in evening outfits. Most commonly in my love of velvet, and velvet adjacent fabrics. (Yes, I am avoiding saying velour. Velour does not fit with the Romantic essence, conjuring up images of pink juicy couture tracksuits. And tracksuits are definitely not Romantic.)

When I write my style reports for clients, I encourage them to incorporate their three style archetypes. But my own Romantic essence has always been hardest for me to include. 

Unless, of course, it’s been there all along- 

But I couldn’t see it.  

My Romantic style essence shows up in smaller, quieter ways:

Wearing perfume every day, whether hiking in the Highlands or working from home.

Knowing that red is one of my personal best colours.

Feeling underdressed without earrings.

Reaching for red lipstick—the one item that has stayed in my makeup bag for the last 15 years, and the one I feel most confident in.

Loving camisoles with lace edging.

Owning two velvet maxi skirts, three pairs of velvet trousers, and a gold lamé skirt.

Refusing to get rid of a turquoise velvet coat lined with Chinese silk—even though it’s too small—because it is simply too beautiful to give away.

AND John Kitchener (Colour & Style guru extraordinaire) gave me Romantic as my core style essence. 

Which I have been ignoring for a year now. 

Maybe I should get the dress? Does anyone else struggle with their style essences?

Let me know in the comments!

Stay tuned for more style musings.

(Don't know what your style essence is? Message me.)

(Here is the dress for those that are curious!)