When it comes to style, are you a Minimalist Millionista, an Earthy Empress, a Rising Sophisticate, a Boardroom Bombshell, an Avant-Garde Innovator or a C-Suite Sweetheart?
Each style archetype reflects a unique personality and set of characteristics, helping you build a look that’s all your own.
Instead of trying to emulate someone else’s style, discovering your personal style archetype will guide you towards a wardrobe that feels authentic, empowering, and aligned with your professional goals.
In this post, we’ll explore the six style archetypes, how you can identify yours, and how embracing them will make shopping, dressing, and showing up at work easier—and more powerful.
WHAT ARE PERSONAL STYLE ARCHETYPES?
Personal style archetypes provide a framework for understanding and defining your style based on your personality and preferences. Each archetype embodies a specific superpower, message, and key style components that help align who you are and how you want to be perceived with your clothing.
Unlike trends, style archetypes are deeply personal and offer a way to embrace a style that feels genuinely you.
Finding your archetype allows you to select the style elements that resonate most with your personality while also fulfilling your professional objectives.
WHY KNOWING YOUR STYLE ARCHETYPE MATTERS
Identifying your style archetype helps you understand your personality and acts as the foundation of your personal style.
It brings clarity and purpose to your wardrobe, allowing you to:
Gain confidence and clarity in your wardrobe choices
Align your appearance with your personal and/or career goals
Express yourself authentically in a way that feels true to you
Saves you time and money by choosing pieces that resonate with your archetype
THE 6 PERSONAL STYLE ARCHETYPES EXPLAINED
Here’s a quick overview of the six personal style archetypes. Each one represents a distinct style with its own unique message and superpower. By understanding these archetypes, you’ll be able to see which style aligns most with your personality and professional goals.
You may resonate with one or more of these styles!
The Minimalist Millionista is traditional and businesslike.
This archetype conveys professionalism, stability, and an appreciation for tradition with a neat, tailored approach to dressing.
The Earthy Empress is casual and approachable.
The Earthy archetype gravitates towards relaxed, comfortable dressing, exuding a friendly and accessible look.
The Rising Sophisticate is elegant and refined.
This archetype communicates a sense of sophistication and self-assuredness. If you're a Rising Sophisticate, you will prefer high-quality fabrics and refined silhouettes.
The Boardroom Bombshell is striking and bold.
This archetype commands attention and portrays confidence and authority with highly structured styles, bold or high contrasting colours, and statement pieces.
The Avant-Garde Innovator is original and artistic.
If you're an Avant-Garde Innovator, you'll love mixing patterns, colours and textures. This style signals a willingness to think outside the box.
The C-Suite Sweetheart is feminine and supportive.
This archetype exudes warmth and approachability and favours gentle colours, delicate fabrics, and details like lace, ruffles, and floral patterns.
WHICH STYLE ARCHETYPE ARE YOU?
Knowing your style archetype can be a game-changer, allowing you to approach your style with clarity and confidence.
Ready to find out which one reflects your unique self?
Take My Style Archetype Quiz to discover your primary style archetype and gain the insights you need to make confident, empowering style choices every day.
HOW TO LEVERAGE AND USE YOUR STYLE ARCHETYPE
Once you know your archetype, you can get dressed with purpose and align your image with your identity and the message you want to send to those around you.
You’ll have a primary archetype, but you will also have other archetypes that play a supporting role, adding personality and variety to your wardrobe. When you understand your complete profile and mix of archetypes, you’ll be able to build a style that feels authentic and empowering.
My primary archetype is the Rising Sophisticate, with complementary archetypes of Minimalist Millionista and Boardroom Bombshell.
The truth is, each of these archetypes will look and feel uniquely yours—shaped by the nuances of your individual personality.
For example, the overall aesthetic of my style is all about refined cuts, and I love high-quality fabrics like silk and cashmere. I love clean, uncluttered lines—the Minimalist in me appreciates a crisp, neat look (yes, I iron everything, including my jeans!). But unlike the typical Classic, I don’t gravitate toward anything too traditional or plain—that’s just not me.
The Boardroom Bombshell in me loves a bit of flair. I nearly always add bold red or fuchsia lipstick, coloured nails, or a statement accessory. I also love a splash of leopard print, a striking shoe, or a unique design element that brings a bit of drama to my look.
Depending on the occasion, my mood, and the audience, I play up different parts of my personality. For example, I may go for more dramatic elements at a speaking engagement, where I want to convey authority and leadership. In a more intimate workshop setting, I’ll scale it down to create a more approachable vibe so I can better connect with those around me.
When you dive into the Archetypes, you're really doing a deep dive into who you are and what clothing best expresses the unique facets of your personality.
When I’m shopping or putting outfits together, I will reflect on my archetypes and think about how they align with who I am, how I want to show up, and the message I’m sending.
If you’ve ever wanted a defined style that feels authentically yours, discovering your style archetypes is key.
They help you create a signature look that reflects your true self, adding purpose and ease to every aspect of your wardrobe.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I resonate with more than one style archetype?
Yes! We’re all multifaceted, and most people connect with a primary archetype along with one or two secondary archetypes. These complementary archetypes can add variety and personality to your wardrobe, allowing you to adapt your style for different occasions while staying true to yourself.
How do I incorporate multiple archetypes into my style?
You can express different parts of your personality by emphasising different archetypes and style elements, depending on the setting, mood, or occasion. For example, your primary archetype might provide the foundation of your style, while complementary archetypes can add flair and help personalise your look even further.
Can my style archetype evolve over time?
Absolutely. As your life circumstances, goals, or personal tastes evolve, your style archetype can shift too. Revisiting your archetype periodically can help ensure your style remains aligned with who you are and where you’re headed.
How do I apply my archetype in a professional setting?
Using your archetype in professional settings can help create a consistent, memorable image that reflects your strengths and ambitions. Focus on style elements from your archetype that communicate the qualities you want to project—whether that’s confidence, creativity, or approachability.
Ready to dive deeper? Discover your unique blend of style archetypes and how to apply them to your style in my Signature Style Archetypes Course.
This mini-course will guide you to embrace the aspects of your image that reflect both your professional aspirations and true self - so you can dress with confidence, authenticity, and purpose every day.
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