Kibbe Flamboyant gamine

Body Type:

The Ultimate Guide

to Your Compact, Striking Silhouette

At Maeve Mélange, we celebrate the dynamic beauty of every body type, including the unique and high-energy Flamboyant Gamine. This silhouette thrives on contrast, balancing YIN and YANG (pronounced YAH-ng) with a dominant YANG influence (aka it’s the more angular of the Gamines). Slightly broad yet small, compact yet angular, Flamboyant Gamines stand out with a vibrant and mischievous charm.

What Defines the flamboyant gamine Image Identity?

Flamboyant Gamines (FG) are characterized by a small, slightly broad frame with sharp, angular lines. Their Kibbe accommodations (aka what makes them special) are petite and angular. Blair calls them “the shortest tall person I know” because they may be small, but they look tall because of the vertical elongation they have. It’s a myth that all Gamines are, in fact, petite in stature. Here at Maeve Melange we have FGs upwards of 5’8” (173 cm): that is not short! 

Here’s what mainly confuses people: Flamboyant Gamines have long waists that flow straight into their legs while also being slightly angular and broad. It’s these proportions that mess with your mind and make you think, “I know they’re petite, but they also kind of look tall…but also don’t?…wait…” Because of these optical illusions, FGs can wear some of the most fun clothing (if they want) and, as Blair says, they are the people that make you believe in fashion! For reference, Iris Apfel was an FG.


key features of a
flamboyant gamine:

  • Defined Musculature: Naturally toned, especially in the arms and legs

  • Angular Shoulders: Slightly broad and sharp (hence your mantra from Blair: “It’s a Box. You’re a Box. Wear a Box.”)

  • Proportionally Large Hands & Feet: Hands and feet tend to be noticeably larger

  • Short Vertical Line: Look both short and tall simultaneously 

  • Long Arms and Legs: Limbs often appear long in proportion to torso

  • Bold Facial Structure: Strong jawlines, and broad/prominent noses 

  • Contrasting Facial Features – A mix of YIN and YANG elements (Ex. large, expressive eyes + thin lips or vice versa)


You’re Not
A Flamoyant gamine If…

Flamboyant Gamines are defined by their angular contrasts—if any of the traits below resonate, you may belong to a different body type:

  • Your facial features are evenly balanced rather than a mix of sharp and delicate elements

  • Your arms and legs are fleshy or rounded instead of lean and compact

  • Your bone structure is overly broad or wide instead of just slightly so

  • You have an hourglass silhouette with a defined waist and balanced proportions

  • Your hips are wide and rounded rather than sleek and compact


Flamboyant gamine Female Celebrities

Iris Apfel, Tina Turner, Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel, Lily Collins, Penélope Cruz, 

Source: Getty Images, Bazaar

The flamboyant gamine

Style Code

Bold contrasts. Sharp edges. Playful rebellion. The Flamboyant Gamine thrives in structured, high-energy silhouettes with an unexpected twist. This body type is all about crisp tailoring, asymmetry, and striking details—like a mischievous, stylish rebel who refuses to blend in. Everything below is a base (aka your ‘chicken’), when we add your Essence on top (aka your ‘seasoning’) is when the vibe of who you are comes into focus. Not everything may feel applicable to you if you know your Essence.

Fabrics & Materials

  • Mix & Match Weights: Ensure top/bottom fabric are of opposite weights (FGs are obsessed with fabric weight balance) - but one must be of medium weight, and the other heavier weight (at least look medium to heavy weight)

  • Structured & Stiff: Crisp fabrics like poplin, gabardine, and denim create definition

  • Textured Fabrics: Rough-surfaced woven knits, ribbed knit, corduroy, cable knit, velvet

  • Tailored, Fitted Silhouettes: Skip anything too soft or drapey—structure is key (if you want a soft fabric, it needs to have a crisp look to it)

  • Avoid: Single outfits of one fabric type (soft, loose, heavy, medium), moderate to small prints, lightweight fabrics (silk, satin, chambray)

Necklines

  • Sharp Collars: Point collar, spread collar, club collars, mandarin collar, peak lapel collar, etc

  • Asymmetrical Cuts: One-shoulder, off-center v-neck, diagonal cut-out, v-neck, trapezoid, etc.

  • High or Low Necks: Turtleneck or plunging V; super clean without ornate fuss

  • Avoid: wide boat necks, plunging deep U-necks, draped/soft scoop necks, super high neck (turtleneck)

Silhouette & Fit

  • Mantra: “It’s a box. You’re a box. Wear a box.” Your clothes inevitably look best when there’s a tailored, boxy look to them

  • Opposite Lengths on Separates: If you’re wearing a cropped shirt then choose slim jeans, or if wearing a longer shirt then choose a mini skirt

  • Tailored & Narrow Foundation: At least one element has to be foundationally tailored to your body (Ex. dress, pants, shirt, etc), after that you can play with irregular/asymmetrical shaped separates & accessories

  • Lengths: Bolero jackets, blazer/jacket to top of the hip, above knee skirt/dress, mini skirt/dress, 7/8 pant, cropped pant

  • Color Blocking: 2+ colors on you at all times! (Ex. color blocking: different color top & bottom)

  • Avoid: Unbroken silhouettes (aka monochrome/single color head to toe), shapeless silhouettes, delicate ornateness, overly draped/flowing lines, excessive symmetry

Prints & Patterns

  • Bold, Sharp Edges: Houndstooth, chevron, triangles, diamonds, nature (leaf, flower, animal w/ points), etc

  • Angular & High-Contrast: Stripes, checkers, windowpane, and graphic patterns

  • Avoid: Rounded prints, tiny prints, overly feminine or romantic prints, colorless

Accessories

  • Geometric, Structured Shapes: Jewelry and accessories should be angular and bold (larger than a half dollar or 2.5 cm)

  • Contrasting Belts (Not Too Wide): Adds a pop of definition (max 2” or 5 cm)

  • Chunky Statement Pieces: Bold, playful, and dynamic (you can pull off big - I know, you think we’re nuts…but we’re serious)

  • Boxy or Asymmetrical Bags: Crossbody bags, or purses with defined angles/edges love you (and if you love ‘out there and weird,’ go for it!)

  • Square/Angular Glasses: Grab glasses with square, rectangle, or some sort of angular details (especially in fun colors!)

  • Avoid: Dainty jewelry, tiny jewelry, wire jewelry, no jewelry look, very little detail, tons of vertical/elongation, chandelier earrings, rounded shapes

Shoes

  • Angular: pointed toe, almond toe, tapered toe, square toe

  • Architectural Heels: blocky, triangular, wedge, or sculptural (think Balenciaga, Pierre Hardy, etc.)

  • Materials: Structured leathers, plastic materials, metals, high contrast (multiple colors, color blocks, metallics, etc), glossy finishes

  • Ankle Boots & Chunky Platforms: Playful yet polished

  • Loafers: A stylish, academic touch

  • Avoid: Rounded styles, overly soft, dainty flats

Tops

  • Short & Boxy Cuts: Think crop tops, or shirts that are more tailored with a box-like look

  • Sharp Collared Shirts: See necklines above for collar examples

  • High, Sculpted Necklines: Turtlenecks, Mandarin, Nehru, etc.

  • Sleeve Lengths: Cap, short, ¾, bracelet-length

  • Defined Shoulders: Shoulder pads on you are A+ (sculpted, not gathered)

  • Avoid: Billowy sleeves, flowing kimono sleeves, plain crewnecks, minimalist basics, conservative button downs with no interest, Peter Pan collars, ruffles, or overly round/girlish/dainty styles, draped jersey tees

Dresses

  • Best Lengths: Mini, above the knee (prefer no lower than mid-knee; maxi for special occasions w/ a slew of rules)

  • Best Types: Drop waist, collared, boxy shift, structured fit & flare, two-piece combo (especially color blocked or with belts!), shirt dress (aka what Blair has nicknamed the “shress”)

  • Details: Asymmetrical designs, contrasting details, sculpted elements

  • Avoid: A-lines, maxi (because of extra style rules), flowy gowns, soft jersey dresses, overly romantic dresses, prairie dresses, puffy sleeves, minimal sheath dresses with no detail

skirts & Pants

Skirts

  • Best Lengths: Mini, above knee

  • Best Types: Boxy, pencil, straight, asymmetrical hemlines

  • Materials: Structured leathers, corduroy, velvet, light/medium weight knit, high contract (multiple colors, color blocks, metallics, etc), glossy finishes

  • Avoid: A-lines, shapeless, wide/unstructured styles, flowy styles, deep gathers, soft folds (ex. pleats in flowy fabric), bouffant skirts

pants

  • Best Lengths: ⅞, cropped

  • Best Types: High-waisted (cropped/tapered styles), skinny, slim cut, boyfriend, tapered, boxy cropped (wide leg, culottes, kick-flares that stop mid-calf)

  • Materials: Heavy fabric (denim, wool, leather, etc) that holds structure or thin material that’s very clingy

  • Jeans: Cropped skinnies, ankle-length straight jeans, bold detailing (contrast stitching, color blocks, zippers), cropped wide leg

  • Pleats: Keep them stitched downward and lower (around hip area; think drop waist dress)

  • Avoid: Long, full-length, faded, distressed, flowy, unstructured

OUTERWEAR & JACKETS

  • Best Lengths: Bolero, cropped, end just above the hip bone

  • Sweaters: Sculpted in skinny ribbed knit or heavy & bulky in shorter/cropped style that are body hugging

  • Cropped Jackets: moto, denim, blazers

  • Blazers: Sharp shoulders (shoulder pads are A+), bold buttons, contrasting lapels, color-block details

  • Short Statement Coats: Pea coats, military jackets, trench (cropped at mid-thigh or shorter)

  • Bold Cardigans: Cropped, chunky, sharp edges

  • Vests: Cropped, leather, quilted puffer, tailored waistcoat

  • Avoid: Oversized, unstructured, overly billowy, crewneck shetland sweaters, soft/fluffy knit sweaters, flowing trench coat, draped cardigan, plain blazer, cocoon coat, blanket coat

Hair & Makeup

Hair

  • Short Haircuts Are Ideal: Compact, structured styles enhance your look & play off your angles (ex. Pixie cuts, asymmetrical/blunt bobs)

  • Long Hair: Can work, but should be stick straight, breast length, side bangs or middle part; typically looks best when up and away from the face in a tight ponytail or chignon

  • Details: Distinct hair color (clear & vivid; can be bright & fun if you want) with an over all one color process (we aren’t trying to soften you with highlights or a balayage)

  • Natural Curls: If you have natural curls, hear us, invest in your curly cuts and maintenance and ensure you’re rocking the curls! Work with them, not against them. They are not the bane of your existence, you have them for a reason, lean in, learn to love (and style!) them.

  • Avoid: blunt edged-symmetrical cuts, wash n’ wear natural styles, overly “soft” styles, anything that hides your face and angles

Makeup

  • Best Examples: Audrey Hepburn or Lily Collins

  • Defined Eyes: Smoky eyes, deep/sultry colors with vibrancy

  • Strong, Graphic Liner: Enhances sharpness and playfulness

  • Blush: deep color, not overly bright, highlight the angles in your cheeks

  • Lipstick: deep and slightly vibrant

  • Seasonal & Essence-Based Adjustments: Adapt shades to personal style

  • Avoid: Pastel colors, watercolor blended edges, only neutrals, overly ornate or glittery face

Brands for
Soft Gamines

Brands that love you back blend tailoring, playfulness, and detail with shorter silhouettes, crisp lines, and playful energy. Ones like the below are no brainers:

  • Milly

  • Alice & Olivia

  • Embassy London

  • Pom Amsterdam

  • Jaquemus

  • Essentiel Antwerp

  • Mira Mikati

  • Lisou

  • Ramy Brook

  • & Other Stories

  • Sézane

  • Mango

The flamboyant Gamine MindseT

Your style is more than fashion—it’s an expression of energy and contrast. The Flamboyant Gamine aesthetic is bold, structured, and full of attitude. When you embrace your sharp lines, playful asymmetry, and compact silhouette, you project confidence with effortless flair.


Discover Your
Personal Style

At Maeve Mélange, we celebrate the beauty of every body type, offering Style Analysis, Personal Styling, Personal Shopping, and inspiration tailored to your unique body type. Learn more about our services below!