HoC Gamines?

[BabCNesbittsSeasonalGreet]

Did an HoC style day yesterday and apparently I'm a dramatic gamine, which does feel like a good fit, although I find it hilarious to think that anyone would describe size 14 me as gamine.

Anyway, the only thing is that I can't seem to find anything in shops at the moment that suits that style? The consultant recommended Oasis but I'm not loving anything in there right now. So I wondering where other HoC gamine types (if you're out there!) get their clothes?

[Meganhunt]

Hi, I'm a HOC Classic gamine. I think the gamine is more about height but can't remember all the details! I like Jigsaw, Hush and LK Bennett for work. What is your season? I'm a sultry winter so tend to go for Grey/white/navy/red combos which seem to work well with Gamine, I think.

[AmberNectarine]

Ooh, another me! I'm a Dramatic Gamine. I get my clothes from lots of different places, but particular success with Helmut Lang, Topshop, TK Maxx (great for quirkier stuff) and Uniqlo (basics). But really I'm a bit of a magpie for DG stuff and tend to buy it as and when I see it.

As it is Winter I'm favouring either a fitted jumper, skinnies and over knee boots combo or a short skirt with biker boots at the moment.

[AsBrightAsAJewel]

I agree, I was diagnosed a gamine at a size 16, which I did wonder about when I got home and started googling!

Doesn't the first category give you your dominant type, i.e. you are dramatic with some gamine? I'm gamine with some ingénue. For gamine I'm reading French Chic, but I'm probably wrong.

[BabCNesbittsSeasonalGreet]

I think I'm meant to be a gamine with dramatic tendencies, which she said was dramatic gamine, but that I could possibly have gone the other way!

Megan, I'm a blue autumn, but I've been a bit crap at sticking to my colours, and in fact, a bit crap at shopping generally!

Amber, hello to another DG! Being a magpie sounds like the best way - it doesn't seem like a look you can put together in one fell swoop on the right shops! I'll need to poke around in TK Maxx - I've found it overwhelming in the past but now I can narrow it down more easily, I might not be hyperventilating after ten minutes.

[Gillybobs]

bab you've got it right... the dramatic is the adjective, gamine is the noun

My sister is Dramatic Gamine and rocks a sharp little bob, fitted clothes with some edge, cute brogues or pointed flats, jewellery with sharp angles. It's a fab style type so enjoy! Just stay away from anything floaty, oversized or scruffy. It's all about being neat, tucked in and sharp.

[BabCNesbittsSeasonalGreet]

Ta, Gillybobs! I do like the look of it, and have in my mind what I'm looking for, but I'm just finding it hard to find 'neat', 'sharp' clothes at the moment - everything seems draped and relaxed. Do you know where your sister tends to shop?

[NeitherHereOrThere]

Have you tried shops like Mint Velvet, Zara, Gap and Boden? I think its a matter of having to spread your search across several shops and it will take time to build your wardrobe.

Also have a look at your existing wardrobe to identify gaps - it could be a few tops, a blazer or a pair of shoes/boots.

Also think about colour combinations to create a bit of drama.

What is your hairstyle like?

[AmberNectarine]

Yes, gilly has nailed the description. I think getting a sharp haircut and a strong lipstick can really help. I have a very short, graduated bob with a long fringe which I can either wear full or swept to the side. Having a Gamine hairstyle helps me get away with clothes that aren't amazingly DG.

A great DG look is a collared shirt under a fitted jumper with jeans and pointy flats. Very easy to do day to day.

[BabCNesbittsSeasonalGreet]

Well, I've been wearing a pixie cut for about six years now, so at least I've got that sorted!

My wardrobe is ALL gap (rather than Gap) at the moment - I used to dress in this style, but had the idea that after DD was born I should dress more 'classic', so I've just not been buying anything because it all seemed so joyless and boring. I'm thrilled that apparently it's still fine for me to knock around in 60s mod dresses etc!

[AmberNectarine]

I went through that 'dressing like a mum' stage after I had my first. Ridiculous really as I was only 25! Was so glad to be given 'permission' to go nuts!

[greenpeg]

natural gamine here - and size 14 - yes I found it hard to get my head round the idea you had to be petite to be a gamine.
Neat, fitted, a bit boyish - I always think on TinTin (not sure that's that helpful though!)

[BabCNesbittsSeasonalGreet]

Ha! I love that image!

[FinallyHere]

Hello, another blue autumn (waves to babc) and natural gamine (waves to greenpeg). Pity there is never much for us in the shops.

But when i do see something, in the right size, shape and colour, i know to buy several , to keep me going.

Party season is always a bit of a challenge for me, could love just to wear a fleece but.... Sigh.

Would love to hear of things people have seen recently, save myself some research.

[Gillybobs]

Bab my sister loves topshop and zara, probably gets 80% of her clothes from there

As Amber says, shirt under jumper plus ankle grazing jeans or trousers are a great look,always accessorised with an edgy necklace. For evening replace top half with a neat fitted shortish top and pointy courts or kitten heels. Bags are best small and neat too I believe?

I love Carey Mulligans gamine style

[Gillybobs]

If you search on Pinterest there are plenty of Gamine boards to pour over for inspiration