This type is retired. It belongs to the 1987 thirteen-type system. The current ten-identity system treats Gamine as a family centre rather than a final result. Read Flamboyant Gamine and Soft Gamine next.
The definition
Gamine was the even yin-yang contrast type in the 1987 book: compact, fitted, animated and never smooth or symmetric. Kibbe retired the pure type in the current ten-type system; readers who match it are usually directed to Flamboyant Gamine or Soft Gamine.
Gamine is retained as a reference because so many people still use the word. Current practice splits it: sharper and leggier leans Flamboyant Gamine, rounder and curvier leans Soft Gamine. The test never returns the pure type.
What you may notice
These are the cues the identity is usually described with. They are not a checklist, and a single feature does not decide the type: the overall line does.
- A small, compact frame with sharp, narrow bones.
- A mix of angular and rounded features rather than a smooth blend.
- Lean flesh and a straight bust and hip line.
- Large eyes and a lively, animated facial expression.
Read them as a description of a silhouette, not a rating of a body. The same cues can appear in other identities, especially near a family boundary.
The line in clothes
The styling direction follows the line. It is a starting point for silhouettes, fabric and detail — not a list of rules about what you are allowed to wear.
| Silhouette | Compact and fitted: short jackets, narrow trousers, waist emphasis, an animated outline. |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Crisp, matte and light — cotton, fine wool, gabardine. |
| Detail | Small, sharp and plentiful; high contrast and small geometric prints. |
| Friction point | Long lines, heavy fabric, oversized pieces and minimal detail. |
Gamine, Flamboyant Gamine or Soft Gamine?
The pure Gamine sits between the two current identities. If the line is sharper and leggier, start with Flamboyant Gamine; if rounder and curvier, Soft Gamine.
Height and the current rule
Usually under 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) in the 1987 description. In the current method, 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) and above is treated as a vertical dominant line; below that, the visual answers decide. Height is one input, not a verdict.
Test your read
The 18-question test returns a current identity, a runner-up and a confidence level. If Gamine is one of your top two, read this page and the runner-up page side by side before you settle.
Gamine: questions
Is Gamine still used?
It remains a family name, but the pure identity is retired. Current material uses Flamboyant Gamine and Soft Gamine.
What does yin-yang contrast mean?
It means the features do not blend smoothly: sharp bones can sit next to full lips, or a small frame next to long limbs. The contrast itself is the signature.
I tested as Gamine. Which current type should I explore?
Both. Compare the bone edge and the flesh: sharper and straighter points to Flamboyant Gamine, softer and rounder to Soft Gamine.