Style type 7: Angelic – Ethereal

Illustration by Sue Tait Porcaro

This month we’re rounding out our analysis of the seven style archetypes by focusing on Ethereal – Angelic. If you want to get a sense of what this archetype looks like, consider the first one, Dramatic – Theatrical, and then apply everything that is just the opposite of that style. (Dramatic – Theatrical is at the far yang end of the style spectrum;  Ethereal  – Angelic is at the far yin end.)

If you haven’t yet read it, please review the blog post I wrote a few months ago about how the Angelic style type came about in the PSC system.

So what does it mean to be an Angelic? Well first of all, think about our concepts of angels: gentle, yielding, soft, expressing an “almost not there,” unearthly quality. They seem to be ascending rather than being grounded in terra firma. But also think about mermaids, almost anything oceanic, or the vastness of the sky. That’s where you’ll find Angelic – Ethereal types.

Many Angelics are on the tall side, but even if they are not tall there will be something elongated in their face shape, their hands, their feet and or legs. Their skin has a luminescent, almost transparent quality, and a very fine texture.

Cate Blanchet has many elements of the facial structure that defines an Angelic: high cheekbones, hooded eyelids, (rather than creased) oval face. Her Oscar-winning role in the film Blue Jasmine was a brilliant example of an earth-bound Angelic – someone who was easily untethered by unpleasant realities.

Then there’s Daryl Hannah, whose role in the movie Splash will forever define her in our memories as a mermaid. The innocence and vulnerability of her character magnifies those qualities we saw  in the Youthful – Playful style type last month -but taken to another level altogether.

And no description of this style type would be complete without a photo of Tilda Swinton, the poster child for the Angelic-Ethereal archetype.

As far as fashion is concerned whenever you see long cascading draping, or monk-like hoods, or sparkly luminescent fabrics, or fluffy open weave crochet or knit, or very refined details on accessories you’re probably looking at something angelic.

By their very nature any shoe in shiny gold or silver reads as angelic, as seen in these rose gold ballet slipper flats and wedges. But here’s another one that I just love because it shows you can be angelic and sexy: the snake print on these high heel sandals is in a soft luminescent color, and it almost looks like it’s made from some kind of mesh, not leather.

Angelic accessories can imply a kind of ancient secret society, or extraterrestrial civilization as in this beautiful gold ring to the right; the green pyrite ring on the left says “ocean.” And the gold mesh belt combines refined and delicate structure with the shimmer of gold.

Putting together a whole outfit for those with a lot of angelic can be a challenge, particularly in the winter when you have to wear something more substantial than chiffon, a very Angelic material. This open weave net sweater and soft pink skirt is a great example of how to do Angelic when the temperatures are cooler. The high neck long dress (very trendy right now) and the long fluffy sleeveless sweater (also on trend) is another good example.

Although most of us now wear hoodies, something with a hood (as if worn by someone who is monk-like or cloistered) is very much part of Angelic style.

And finally, because I always like to show something of couture, here is a piece by Chanel in all its angelic glory: cloudlike chiffon, shiny gold, otherworldly cuffs.

So how much Angelic do you have? My book, Shopping for the Real You, was designed to train your eye to recognize the details of each style archetype and then help you determine if you have a significant amount of those details in your own features.

Please join me for the next month on Facebook where I’ll be featuring many Angelic fashion images, celebrities, and some real life “angels next door.” And if you sign up for my blog (see “sign up for the blog” in the sidebar) you’ll get five free tips from my book Shopping for the Real You.

Here’s to all you earthbound angels and those that surround us all.

The post Style type 7: Angelic – Ethereal appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.