So far we’ve worked out our body type and our optimum colours, but there’s another element to our personal appearance that you’re not likely to consider; it’s personality.
Yes, that’s right, evidentially style has a personality.
Mary Sheehan-Warren, author of ‘It’s so you: fitting fashion to your life’ says that knowing and understanding your fashion personality is important for three main reasons:
‘1. It fosters your self confidence because you will wear things in which you will feel confident and capable.
2. It helps you to avoid purchases that end up in the back of your closet, saving you money.
3. It provides a consistent theme for your wardrobe. You save time in decision making and always appear polished and complete.’
The four personalities:
Sheehan-Warren suggests that there are four fashion personalities, though it is possible to have a combination personality. They are as follows:
The relaxed fashion personality – You like to keep things simple. You like to feel comfortable an avoid structure. The pitfall to this fashion personality is the tendency to “frump out” so make sure you don’t become too recklessly carefree about your appearance!
The classic fashion personality – You like structure and love timeless accessories like scarves, pearls and pay a lot of attention to details. You prefer a tailored look but your look can become a little boring or pretentious.
The romantic fashion personality – You love anything that is pretty and soft. You are attracted to beauty but sometimes this can mean that your look is ‘girlish’ and your work style is not always sending the message that you’re serious and ready to work.
The expressive fashion personality – You see dressing as an art form and take an opportunity to try something different. But you can get caught up in fads which lack longevity and you also need to tone down your extremes in the workplace wardrobe.
Sheehan-Warren indicates that a fashion personality is more to do with a how an ensemble look is put together. In her book she gives the example of a simple black dress as the base for an outfit.
The relaxed personality adds only a simple pair of shoes and a leather handbag; the classic personality adds matching necklace and earrings, structured shoes and a satchel handbag; the romantic personality wears an antique choker, a decorative hair comb, a pair or maryjanes and a clutch purse and’ the expressive personality adds a brightly coloured scarf, large hoop earrings, embellished shoes and an oversized bag. One dress, four ways.
What’s your fashion personality?
A. When I get ready for a special occasion I tend to…
- Keep it simple. Sometimes I apply a little makeup to improve my colouring
- Apply my makeup with a conservative use of colours, but always careful to look polished.
- Apply my makeup to create a soft, delicate look.
- Apply my makeup to achieve flair. I tend to use noticeable colour on my eyes and lips.
B. Generally I like to wear my hair…
- In a simple, no-fuss haircut; maybe a pony tail.
- In a timeless cut that can be stylish through any fashion trend.
- In curls, long and flowing or soft and current.
- In new and innovative styles that follow current trends. I am not afraid to try new trends.
C. If I had my own clothing store, I would name it…
- Navy Blues, Back to Basics, or Simple Style
- Classic Treasures, Sharp Image, or Lauren Taylor
- Victoria’s Attic, Wistful Thinking, or Scarborough Faire
- All that Jazz, Chica’s, or Never Limited
D. For my photograph on the book jacket of my autobiography, I would choose to wear…
- A pair of jeans and a knit top.
- A straight skirt or crisp pants, a blouse with a collar, and a smart jacket.
- Something very pretty like a dress of skirt and soft sweater and matching pearls.
- Something that really shows I am different.
E. When I shop…
- I find what I want in a catalogue pretty quickly. Otherwise I’m efficient with large retailers.
- I expend a little extra effort to find quality. I have my favourite retailers and I’m willing to pay a bit more for the right look and proper fit.
- I use both department stores and boutiques, although I have to feel inspired and uplifted. Spring is my favourite shopping season.
- I use a mix of shopping techniques, including a few visits to some off-beat places to put together a look that’s different.
F. When I go out in the evening I like to create a look that is…
- Simple, understated.
- Elegant, tasteful.
- Feminine, soft, and flowing.
- Striking and fashion-forward. Something that makes me stand out from the crowd.
G. Theme I use when choosing accessories is…
- Simplicity: Do I have to wear accessories?
- Timelessness: I like to wear jewellery (maybe even a scarf in a pinch) in classic themes.
- Romance: it has to be pretty.
- One of a kind: I’m willing to try new things.
H. An ideal winter coat for me …
- Can zip into a duffel bag. It’s sporty and has pockets
- Is tailored and made of wool.
- Has fur or faux fur trim and a large hood. I like a soft silhouette.
- Is in a strong colour with novel details.
I. If I were stranded on a deserted island (in a moderate climate) with only a sewing machine and a lifetime supply of fabric, I would wish the fabric to be…
- A solid colour; especially a neutral. A knit would be best.
- A solid or simple print in primary colours. Denim, khaki, or a light-weight wool would be very acceptable.
- A beautiful print in fluid fabric. Or, maybe cashmere or angora to stay warm. Can I get a bolt of lace too?
- Any fabric, and I could use some island materials to accessorise.
J. For me, the ultimate compliment about my style would be…
- “She is so natural. She has a simplicity about her and an understated beauty.”
- “She is a tasteful, well-groomed woman with an eye for quality and detail.”
- “She is feminine, pretty, and reminiscent of more chivalrous times.”
- “She is interesting, exciting, and wears things I could never look good in.”
If you chose:
Mostly 1’s you have a relaxed fashion personality
Mostly 2’s you have a classic fashion personality
Mostly 3’s you have a romantic fashion personality
Mostly 4’s you have an expressive fashion personality
Tied for two? Well that’s ok, just read the tips for both personalities and after awhile you’ll find that you tend to favour one personality more.
Tips for your fashion personality:
Relaxed
- Go for high quality knits that wash well. Keep your trackies for sport.
- Avoid faded denim even for casual wear. Go for a darker denim with more structure and never wear these as business casual.
- Buy wrinkle free fabrics or avoid buying clothes that will need ironing regularly.
- Wear makeup even when you don’t feel like it!
- Ensure that your look is polished for work and tighten up that business wardrobe.
- Avoid completely frumping out – even at home! There is a difference between being relaxed and being a slob.
- Scrutinise your hairstyle. Is it working for your face or you do you just keep it the same because it’s easy to wear?
Classic
- Buy high quality clothes made from wool, cotton, silk etc
- Avoided faded denim. If denim doesn’t make you feel elegant, avoid it.
- Iron when necessary.
- Update your look when necessary and wear makeup even when you don’t feel like it.
- Incorporate versatile elements in your wardrobe such as a crisp white blouse, straight black skirt or snappy jacket.
- Check all accessories and update with more up-to-date versions if necessary.
- Scrutinise your hairstyle. Is it dated? Can you get a modern take on it?
Romantic
- Avoid any outdated floral or paisley prints.
- Try a sweater or simple cardigan in cashmere and accessorise with pearls, as a way to balance your girlish look with a bit more maturity.
- Continue your romantic detailing through accessories such as earrings, brooches and necklaces.
- Don’t neglect your shoes. Keep them clean and up to date.
- Leave headbands and girly hair clips at home and away from the office.
Expressive
- Update your wardrobe and don’t be afraid to discard fad items. They will not return
- Purchase high-quality garments that can be versatile
- Avoid getting too dressed up during the day. Consider the purpose of your dress for the activity you are undertaking
- Throw away any brightly coloured stockings
- Stick with your natural hair colour
- Consider the age-appropriateness of your clothes
- Keep embellishments to a minimum for the office
Originally posted 2014-01-23 03:42:31.
Thank you for the article, I am going to use it to give a class to teens next week. Very useful.