We live in a world driven by micro-trends and the fashion industry constantly bombards us and over-complicates style. Why? To make us feel “not enough” and keep spending money. One-minute, sleek minimalism is everywhere; the next, we’re being told to pile things on and embrace extreme maximalism. It can feel dizzying and we end up feeling lost.

If you are tired of chasing trends, feeling like you’re wearing a costume, or trying to look like everyone else, it’s time for a shift. Authentic personal style is timeless. There is only one you, so why dress like anyone else?

If you missed Part 1, we broke down how your body architecture, personality and lifestyle form the foundation of your personal style. 

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” -Oscar Wilde

What you wear isn’t superficial; it’s psychological. When we feel insecure and uncertain, we go small. But when we feel confident, we are present and available, and able to fully operate in our unique strengths.

Personal style is about identifying what makes you feel the most like yourself. It gives you permission to lean into what you’ve loved all along. It’s the unique formula that takes you from simply being “dressed” to looking completely “put together” in a way that works WITH and FOR your body, personality, and lifestyle.

The Six Style Archetypes

Psychoanalyst Carl Jung observed that throughout history and cultures, characters naturally boil down to several basic archetypes. In fashion, these archetypes dictate the scale, details, accessories, etc. we need to feel like ourselves – as well as the “sabotages” that ruin an outfit.

Here are the six foundational style archetypes: 

1. The Dramatic

• The Vibe: Striking, memorable, and bold. (Think of the captivating villain, like Malificent a powerful wizard, or celebrities like Lady Gaga or Tilda Swinton).
• The Need: Extreme, bold and memorable statements in their outfits
• The Sabotage: Being BORING.

2. The Classic

• The Vibe: Timeless, elegant, and understated. (Think of a story’s narrator, the grounded parent, or style icons like Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton).
• The Need: High quality and clean lines.
• The Sabotage: Feeling MESSY.

3. The Natural

• The Vibe: The adventurer or the free-spirited pirate. It can go boho, casual and/or sporty.
• The Need: Rich textures, movement, and effortless layers.
• The Sabotage: Feeling too CONSTRAINED or buttoned up.

4. The Gamine

• The Vibe: Youthful, fun, and whimsical – the delightful comic relief. (Think Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, or the timeless Audrey Hepburn).
• The Need: Whimsical, unique details and precise tailoring.
• The Sabotage: Getting SWAMPED in oversized clothing.

5. The Ingenue

• The Vibe: The Princess. Girlish, delicate, and sweet. Reese Witherspoon has elements of Ingenue.
• The Need: Pretty, feminine details and soft touches.
• The Sabotage: Feeling FRUMPY.

6. The Romantic

• The Vibe: Womanly femininity, glamour, and luxury. (Think Old Hollywood screen siren or a warm, nurturing Fairy Godmother).
• The Need: Sensual fabrics, drape, and glamour.
• The Sabotage: Feeling MATRONLY.

Your Clothing Personality:

Humans are complex creatures – rarely is anyone just one single archetype. Think of the old Disney movies: original princesses were straightforward Ingenues. Today, they are jumping on horses and saving themselves, in a personalized mix of Natural and Ingenue.

Therefore, our framework combines the six into 23 distinct Clothing Personalities (Men have 17 combinations from five archetypes, but we can talk more about that another day!). Additionally, no two people will do the same Clothing Personality the exact same way.

The real magic happens where these elements meet:

1. Your Clothing Personality: Your unique blend of personality traits and physical presence translated into clothing and accessories.

2. Your Individual Body Architecture: The cuts, shapes, and geometry that naturally complement your frame and give the impression of balance and proportion.

3. Your Seasonal Color Palette: The shades that honor your natural coloring (bonus: purchasing items in your colors naturally coordinate to create an effortless capsule wardrobe! See previous blog post on Color Analysis).

4. Your Lifestyle: What pieces are going to truly support your day-to-day activities?

It’s a worthy investment to enlist the help of a Professional Stylist trained in Style and Color Analysis to guide you to your ideal formula for feeling “put together,” but here are a few small exercises to leave behind the noise and help you start thinking about your own personal style:

How do you want to be perceived? What are your “vibe words”?

It is incredibly insightful to think through the words you want people to think of upon first impression – and just as importantly, the associations you want to avoid.

Additionally, I think it can be helpful to:

• Look back at what you loved to wear as a kid. What did you feel amazing in before the world told you to be self-conscious?
• Scroll through your photos. Which are the photos of yourself that you love so much you saved, displayed, or posted on social media?  

My Personal Style Journey

I’ve learned that my personal style formula relies on cool, soft colors, neat, fitted clothing, and whimsical, pretty details. Looking back at childhood photos, I see those exact same elements represented. I’m not saying everyone is born with an innate sense of their own personal style, but there MAY be Signs. : )

The best part about discovering your personal style? It doesn’t require an unlimited budget or a closet full of brand-new clothes. In fact, some of the most authentic style journeys begin by stepping away from the pressure of traditional retail and exploring pieces with personality, history, and individuality.