HoC Style day - Natural Ingenue

[KittyB52]

I had a style day with HoC last week and it was really good. I already knew I was a style disaster (that's why I was there!), and picking out the clothes to take along was interesting, as I couldn't find anything in my (crammed full of stuff I never wear) wardrobe which I loved. I took along my current work clothes, which I pretty much wear as I can't roll up wearing jogging pants and a hoodie.

As we went through the different styles, I couldn't see any which appealed to me much, although there were bits of the Natural and Ingenue personalities which sounded like me. The shape assessment and style questionnaire confirmed that I am very 'yinny', and so I ended up as a Natural Ingenue.

I have had a quick look online, but I can't find much in the way of inspiration (the few boards I can find are filled with willowy models in peter pan collars or 'ditsy' dresses). To make matters more, um, interesting, I am short and I'm a Bright Spring (different colour analysis scheme - am having a colour review to find out what that translates to in HoC colours). This is clearly going to be a massive change for me, as I don't think of myself as a girly girl - most of the time I don't really think of myself as feminine. I never wear skirts or dresses.

I know there must be some other Nat-Ings on MN, maybe even some Spring ones? Are there any good Polyvore/Pinterest boards to look at, or any celebs whose style might inspire me?

How about this:
www.pinterest.com/brophy82/warm-spring-natural-ingenue/
or this:
inlovewithcolour.com/2013/12/29/spring-natural-ingenue/

I am just looking at styles - I'm a natural through and through (or scruffy, as I've always known myself to be!) and warm/dark autumn - I wish there was somewhere that you could input this kind of information and it automatically came up with clothing you could buy...

I know a couple of spring nat Ings and will try and summon them to your aid

Some of my favourite looks on my nat ing friends are denims with lace top, ankle boots and small small scale jewellery (Maybe with a tweed or cord fitted blazer on top). They also really suit knee high riding boots with jeggings and a feminine detailed top. I think the key to their outfits is getting the balance between the two style elements ....so if you are a jeans person you can stick with them but look for femininity in the tops and jewellery you buy.

Hello I'm a spring nat / ingenue I've been called over by my lovely friend Gilly .

Like Gilly said I wear skinny jeans with either lace tops or blouses with small prints or a plain top with a cardigans . I add small brooches to the cardi's for that extra detail .
I also love adding different colour belts ( belts are so under rated !!) they have been a wonderful addition to my wardrobe . I have a selection of thin belts in an array of colours . I use them to pull a blouse in or add to a dress !
I love wearing dresses and have found some great buys in Yumi , I think you have to do this all in baby steps as I remember at the beginning feeling overwhelmed . It's trying and seeing what feels right ....

Oh, that Pinterest board! lovehearts Gorgeous, gorgeous colours, and I love the photo of Darcy Bussell.

I am more of a jeans person BUT due to being larger of thigh, I wear whispers bootcut jeans. I can't do skinnies because I will end up with the dreaded Parsnip Leg. I also can't usually do knee high boots as I have short legs. I'm not making excuses, honest!

I quite like the sound of the lace tops with cardis, although I'm guessing the cardis need to be quite fitted and thin knit?

I think babysteps is definitely the way forward. It will take a while to get me from my stompy, frumpy, slightly masculine work clothes into something a bit more feminine and delicate. Getting my legs out in a skirt or dress might need to be something for next year.

Thanks for the advice so far.

The type of jeans you wear doesn't matter, it's just that they would be the Nat part of your outfit, so you need to make sure that you use the rest of your outfit to incorporate the ing.

If I were in your shoes I'd buy a few nice tops, lace or small scale print (doesn't have to be floral, any small scale print) and some fine mint cardis in coordinating colours from your palette. Then a few bits of nice Ingy jewellery...a charm bracelet, small pendants, small drop earrings if you wear them. Maybe a handbag with a bit of detail on it and a print scarf. Hope these ideas help.

KittyB52, I know how you feel! I was diagnosed as HoC Natural Ingénue too. I struggled to see myself as innocent and girly, it came as a shock! But that was in 2010 and I've never looked back. I feel the most comfortable in my own skin ever.

Everyone's version of their style type is different. Here is my interpretation: www.pinterest.com/j9loveslace/natural-ing%C3%A9nue/. I was very inspired by David Zyla's "Sunset Summer" description too ("elegant bohemian"). I suspect I'm more Natural than Ingénue, so I think that means I get away with looser-fitting clothes and a bit more fabric. I don't have a defined waist so generally speaking I'm better with empire line than anything else. I say all this because you might look at the board and not be able to relate, but it's the overall look that's important. And girly doesn't have to mean pink and frilly and lacy, I don't really wear pink. It took me a while to figure out the sweet spot between the two types that fit me best. I think the Natural takes the edge of the very innocent/girly. It's a very satisfying juxtaposition I think.

How do you feel about leggings? They are a wardrobe staple of mine. Jeans and a lace top would totally work, with ballet pumps or sandals.

I'd highly recommend creating yourself a Pinterest board. I think it really helps to solidify outfits and the look you're going for. Start off pinning something you know fits the bill and that you love (that's important!) and build it from there.

Hope that's helped! Happy to answer any questions if you have any :)

Gillybobs Scarves! I have about 40 of them, I tend to wear them like comfort blankets. So any excuse to buy more is fine with me. I did look in the shops for some jewellery at the weekend, but there was a LOT of chunky stuff about - real 'statement' jewellery. I also wasn't sure if I should be wearing gold (most of the smaller stuff I saw was gold) as my watch and wedding ring is silver tone. I think I have some ideas about what to buy though, and will be trawling through the Accessorize site later on.

JewelleryObsessed Great name. And what a gorgeous Pinterest board!

I am not sure about leggings, I suppose it would depend on the length of the top, and also what shoes I'd wear with them. I'm not ruling them out though, as I think I might be wearing more of them for casual outfits. Workwear is totally different, and I suspect that will be more of a gradual, subtle adjustment.

Good idea about the Pinterest board, am off to start one now.

Thanks again for the advice.

Yipppeeee kitty! Team Natural Ingenue for the win

Like jewellery I pretty much live in leggings and dresses these days. Footwear-wise I wear them with ankle boots or riding-style boots in cold weather and ballet pumps or Chinese-style slippers in warm weather. See headless photo!

Like mum I find Yumi has tonnes of stuff for us Nat Ings.

I've adjusted to feeling comfortable wearing much more 'feminine' stuff over the past three years since I was HoCd but like the others have said it's been a journey to discover what looks and feels good.

The main thing I've found is that it's given me an appreciation for my actual shape (as opposed to the fantasy one I'd spent my adult life dressing around). I've got a small waist and curvy boobs and hips and I find that dresses+leggings are flattering and also really comfortable (important for us Naturals!). I can easily look two sizes bigger if I don't define my waist in some way whereas jewellery says she's better in empire line.

What are your 'best bits'?

p.s. I'm a bright spring too