I don’t usually think about my clothes as having personality. I just buy what I feel like in the moment, or what I like or need, or deals too good to pass up. Maybe you’re like me. If you are, you don’t often consider that your clothes are talking about you, much louder than you words, to everyone within earshot eyesight!
Your clothes are an expression of yourself. They should express your personality, your tastes, and even your priorities. You can tell a lot about someone based on what they wear, and not just their favorite color (or what they ate for lunch.)
There’s even some “science” backing up why people gravitate towards certain clothes. Studies show that certain personality and character traits tend to like similar colors, patterns, textures, and styles.
There are roughly six different clothing personality types. Sometimes they’re called other names, and sometimes there are only five listed, but I think this covers the bases best. They are: Classic, Dramatic, Romantic, Ingénue, Natural, and Gamine.
This is important: you might not fit perfectly in one category. In fact, you probably won’t! You are a unique and multi-faceted being! You’ll probably have a primary personality with a touch of another one. For example, a “natural” with a touch of “romantic” when you actually do want to get dressed up. Or maybe you’re like me, a “classic romantic.”
Read through the following descriptions and notice the images. What fits you best?
Classic
Personality:
- You are looked up to as an “ideal lady.”
- You choose quality over quantity.
- You are responsible and mature for your age.
- You are very organized, and wise with your money.
- Generally, you are calm and outwardly composed.
- You appreciate clever humor and wittiness.
Style:
- You have a small wardrobe filled with only what you love and need, such as one classic purse that you take everywhere.
- Your closet isn’t cluttered with things you never wear; you keep it pared down to versatile pieces that mix and match well.
- Your look is simple but elegant.
- You wear structured pieces well, such as blazers, pencil skirts, and
- Your accessories are fashionable and refined, but never over the top.
- You like fine, durable fabrics such as linen and soft leather.
Dramatic
Personality:
- You always have drama in your life, it seems to follow you!
- You love a good time, and like lots of attention.
- You’re ambitious and a dreamer, sensitive, and melodramatic.
- You like to be in control.
- You are fun to be around and friendly, but really a private person.
- You’re a risk taker, and love to make a statement with your outfits.
- You shop like it’s your job, or therapy!
- You may have an issue with overspending.
Style:
- You usually go for the latest trends.
- You wear a variety of colors, but especially love dark purples, reds, and black.
- You’re great at accessorizing, and you usually choose chunky pieces.
- You enjoy bold patterns and luxurious fabrics.
- Your closet is full of stunning high heels and dramatic boots.
- Your closet is overflowing!
Romantic
Personality:
- You’re feminine, charming, and passionate.
- You’re empathetic, compassionate, and loyal.
- You feel things deeply.
- You take any occasion as a reason to dress up, especially in dresses and skirts with high heels!
- You’re expressive and artistic.
- Nothing says “Love” to you like a surprise bouquet of red roses.
Style:
- Ravishing reds, purples, pinks, and floral patterns are your favorites.
- You love detailed pieces with ruffles and lace.
- Texture is important to you, so you wear fabrics that are velvety, silky, furry, soft, or luxurious.
- You love diamonds, pearls, and dainty but dramatic jewelry.
- You wear your hair long and curly, or up and elegant, usually with dramatic eye makeup.
Ingénue
Personality:
- You are the epitome of a girly girl!
- Sweet, youthful, pretty, innocent, and dainty describe you well.
- You love art and music, and a good book.
- You’re a dreamer, alluring, and curious.
- You love retro and historic things.
Style:
- Dainty florals, sheer fabrics, and pearls are staples in your wardrobe.
- You love pastels and small patterns – especially polka dots and anything with a cute animal!
- Lightweight fabrics and flowy tops are your favorites, and you combine them with oversized cable knit sweaters and wide belts.
- You wear a lot of skirts and dresses.
- Modcloth and Anthropologie are some of your favorite stores.
- Your accessories are unique and eye-catching, and you love bows, cameos, and ribbons.
- You have your hair long, or cut short in a pixie style.
Examples of Ingénues: Carey Mulligan, Zoey Deschanel, Taylor Swift
Natural
Personality:
- You are a sporty, low-maintenance gal.
- You’re strong, with angular features.
- You make a great friend, team member, and are very loyal.
- You’re a hard worker, but like to kick back and relax too.
- Materialistic things aren’t a high priority for you, you care much more about people!
Style:
- You’re hesitant to try new trends; you prefer to stay in your comfort zone.
- You need comfortable clothes, so you like cottons, denim, and low maintenance knit fabrics. No dry-cleaning or ironing please!
- You have a few staples: handbag, belt, shoes, that you wear with everything.
- You don’t wear jewelry often, and keep your hair and makeup simple.
- Good fabrics for you include cotton, linen, tweed, denim, and wool.
- To get out of a rut, or just dress up an outfit for a date night, try adding easy accessories, like earrings, a hat, or fun shoes.
Examples of Naturals: Amy Grant, Lauren Conrad (though she also has a touch of romantic to her style personality), Emma Watson
Gamine
Personality:
- The party starts when you arrive!
- You’re loud, optimistic, and confident.
- You’re spunky and energetic.
- You love fun, and need people.
- Sometimes you speak before you think, and your bold attitude can get you into trouble!
Style:
- You love bright colors and bold patterns.
- You wear lots of accessories, and favor chunky, statement jewelry.
- You love funky, eye catching pieces, including vintage items that pop.
- Dramatic haircuts and colors are ideal.
- You don’t just follow the trends, you set them!
Homework
As you’ve read through the different style personalities, did you find some that fit?
One style isn’t better than another. It’s all about what fits you best. But if you’re fashionably challenged, this could be at the root of your problem: you love one style but you’re dressing another, or mixing all of them, and most of what you wear just doesn’t fit your personality.
Your Fashion 101 homework for this week is to create a Pintereste board featuring YOUR style personality! Consider your style personality, what you would like it to be, celebrities who embody that style, and pick clothing and accessories accordingly.
You have all week to complete it and post it on facebook. Have fun with this!
More Fashion 101:
- How to Choose Colors that Flatter Your Skintone
- Three Reasons to Get Out of Sweats and Into Style
- How to Flatter Your Figure
- Where to Find Good Fashion Advice
- Define Basics: What Do You Really Need?
- Five Questions to Ask Before You Buy
This Week’s Giveaway [CLOSED]
The lovely Bracey from Handmade and Lovely is giving one very lucky winner a rosette headband!
Bracey is a talented college student at Clemson University in South Carolina. In her free time, she makes creative vintage jewelry and hair accessories.
Leave separate comments for each entry!
