Fashion Styles: How to Dress as an Ingénue or a Gamine

Do you have big, round, doe eyes full of innocence? Are you sweet tempered, shy and gentle, maybe even a little naive? Or perhaps you're in the mood to play the innocent, the damsel in distress, the princess in need of knight in shining armor so all the boys will come running to your aid! Maybe you're happy as the wholesome 'girl next door'. All of these are facets of the gamine or Ingenue.

The Ingenue usually has a slim, girlish figure. She likes clean lines, a boxy or A-line shape with an American Classic look under European influences.

Since the outline is boxy, the textures are kept feminine with soft materials such as silk, satin, cashmere and velvet, with touches of lace or a small ruffle and small print. Conversely, wedge boots and riding boots are combined with dresses so they aren't overpoweringly feminine. It's all about balancing playful boyishness and coy femininity.

The look is kept "cute" with big buttons for that urchin look, girlish jewelry, thin leather belts and big handbags. Scarves are added around the neck or on your head to make the look more chic than little girl. It's all about balancing girlish charm and adult sophistication.

The ingenue or gamine can be sexy, but in a sweet or arms-length playful way. Yes, the ingenue is a tease with batting eyelashes, sly smiles, whatever-do-you-mean eyes and coquettish glances. Think Southern Belle attitude!

Check out the examples by designer and then by celebrities who love this fashion style to get familiar with the gamine look, and then go indepth with our list of the essentials that any ingenue or gamine needs as the foundation of their wardrobe. Mix and match, keeping an eye on that balancing act that we've already discussed.

(Photo of Darla Baker modeling in Cynthia Rowley Spring 2006 Show of New York Fashion Week taken by Peter Duhon.)