Look who's back...
- Jamie Banks
- Jul 18, 2017
- 4 min read
I’ve had people mention recently they must have been blocked from my emails because they haven’t seen my latest posts. That’s when I sheepishly tell them they haven’t received any because I have not written one in nearly a YEAR.
Why you ask? Oh boy, so many reasons but here is the main one – fear. I have let my head stop my fingers from writing with a revolving door of thoughts that go something like this:
Does anyone really care?
There is so much material out there, what makes me think mine is any good?
Anyone can do what I do therefore it has no value
That’s a lot to unpack and way too heavy for this forum but it felt disingenuous to just come back and pretend like nothing happened. I’ve decided F**K it – even if just a couple of people like them and they happen to be family (here’s lookin at you Sista and Gary) it’s worth it. So here goes…
Did you know you have a fashion personality? Everyone does even if they're not aware. There are seven style personalities attributed to the way people dress and the subsequent messages they send into the world. I learned these style personalities from Dominique Isbecque, an image consultant I took a class from at the Fashion Institute of Technology (even though it was just one class I claim it as my alma mater and have the sweatshirt to prove it).
Most people are a combination of a couple style personalities, but if you analyze your overall look and demeanor you can recognize which ones fit best. Since we most identify with people in the public eye, I am going to use some of my faves to illustrate. I also included attributes for each archetype and current stores/designers that cater to each style personality.
Sporty – Jennifer Anniston
Jen is the perfect example of a sporty style personality. She prefers clean lines in fabrics that move. Sporty personalities aren’t limited to activewear – they are drawn to natural fabrics and look for clothes without fuss – no big ruffles, bold prints or details that attract attention.
Attributes: Casual, friendly, approachable, athletic, positive, straight forward, unpretentious, likeable
Traditional – Anna Wintour
Although she dresses with flair including color and prints, the Queen of Fashion sticks to traditional silhouettes, notably her uniform of a knee-length sleeveless shift dress with a sweater or jacket over her shoulders, reasonable heels and a statement necklace. Traditional doesn’t need to look “old” or out of style, it just means you prefer a more classic look.
Attributes: Conservative, businesslike, predictable, dependable, efficient, organized, reliable, trustworthy, responsible, conscientious
Stores/Designers: Ann Taylor, Theory, Chanel
Elegant – George Clooney
Unfortunately, it was easier for me to identify an elegant man than a woman. In the age of Snapchat and Instagram, elegance is scarce. George exudes elegance through his pores (and I LOVE him). He looks amazing in a tuxedo but looks equally as graceful in a deconstructed suit or casual clothes. An elegant fashion personality wears the clothes, but never lets the clothes wear them.
Attributes: Distinguished, stately, refined, reserved, dignified, polished, secure, meticulous, coordinated, cultivated, poised, discerning
Stores/Designers: Giorgio Armani, COS
Romantic – Taylor Swift
Although her lyrics suggest she hasn't been successful in the romance department, Tay Tay has romantic dressing down to a T. Off stage she favors soft draping, small scale prints and a muted color palette. The past few seasons have been tailor-made (I crack myself up) for romantics. Ruffles, lace and pastels have ruled the runway and the store shelves. I am confident I don't own one piece of clothing that falls into the romantic category so it's all yours Swifties.
Attributes: Gentle, soft, detailed, graceful, supportive, caring, sensitive, charming, understanding
Stores/Designers: Anthropologie, Reformation
Creative – Gwen Stefani
The ultimate in cool girl fashion, Gwen mixes pieces to create her own unique look. Even though she is only a year older than me, I want to be her when I grow up #fashiongoals. Creatives don’t follow fashion “rules” - they blaze trails and dress to showcase their individuality. They put items together in interesting ways that us mere mortals wouldn't think of and look phenomenal doing it.
Attributes: Artistic, original, whimsical, spirited, spontaneous, unconventional, imaginative, unique, resourceful
Alluring – Salma Hayek
This one is the most foreign personality to me because it’s the polar opposite of who I am. I feel like this personality is innate – either you're alluring or you’re not – there is no in between or faking it. I mean, there is no way Sophia Loren can be anything but alluring - even in her sweats (which I am pretty sure she doesn't own). Alluring personalities celebrate their womanhood with close-fitting clothes that enhance the feminine form - no mu mu's or caftan's need apply.
Attributes: Alluring, sexy, body conscious, daring, seductive, magnetic, captivating, provocative, suggestive, enticing, fascinating, glamorous
Stores/Designers: Dolce & Gabana, Herve Leger
Dramatic – Tilda Swinton
Dramatics are people who make an impression on others based on their style. They will often hear, “you look great, but I could never pull that off.” Not always over the top, dramatics look for architectural clothes that make an impact. Dramatics can't be bothered to dress for others and know that sometimes their clothes draw more attention than they do.
Attributes: Confident, commanding, striking, dramatic, sophisticated, assertive, demanding, remote, cosmopolitan, self-assured.
Stores/Designers: The Loeil , JW Anderson
Now that you are armed with this information, how would you assess your style personality? Once you identify what you think it is, you may want to consult others for their opinion. During my class I easily pegged myself as a Creative (duh) until everyone told me I was wrong and correctly identified me as mainly a Dramatic with some Sporty mixed in. This was helpful as it made me realize how I am perceived by others - not that I want to change who I am, but I can situationally adjust if needed.
Really think about the qualities that best describe you and whether or not your wardrobe is in sync with those attributes. You can make tweaks for certain occasions or just for fun. If nothing else, this information provides a great new game for you to play while passing time at the airport.
I'll be back with y'all soon.
Always in Style,
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