Welcome to the second article in your Personal Style Discovery journey, your style archetype. Helping you define and refine your style. To ensure you’re going through the process from beginning to end, make sure to first read How to Find Your Personal Style.
For years, I stood in front of my closet feeling like I had nothing to wear, and this was especially true after I had a baby. It wasn’t that I didn’t have clothes; in fact, I had plenty of pieces that I thought fit my style archetype and had been carefully curated over the years.
I just didn’t feel like myself in them anymore.
While I’m not one for chasing trends, I would often find myself filling online carts on sites like Amazon with things that looked great on other people; however, I rarely considered whether they suited my personal style. As a result, I would often end up with a wardrobe full of pieces that didn’t really belong together.
It was very frustrating.
Eventually, everything changed when I finally sat down to define my personal style and uncover my style archetype. This completely reshaped how I saw clothes, my shopping habits, and my overall confidence.
I learned to appreciate my wardrobe once more, which has proven invaluable. If you’re currently rebuilding your confidence and style after having a baby, you might also enjoy my post on postpartum outfits.
So, if you’re in the same boat and looking to figure out your style archetype is, I break it all down in this post.
What Is a Style Archetype?
First of all, what is a style archetype? Your style archetype is a framework that helps you understand how different clothing styles, colours, and silhouettes complement your nature so you can determine how you want to look.
Below are the 7 core style archetypes most people identify with:
7 Core Style Archetypes
Natural
Vibe: Effortless, relaxed, unfussy
Style words: Casual, comfortable, down to earth
Key pieces: Linen shirts, denim, soft knits, sneakers
You love: Easy silhouettes, breathable fabrics, and, most importantly, clothes that move with you rather than against you.
Classic
Vibe: Timeless, elegant, structured
Style words: Polished, tailored, refined
Key pieces: Blazers, trench coats, crisp button ups, loafers
You love: Investment pieces that never go out of style and outfits that always look put together.
Romantic
Vibe: Soft, feminine, graceful
Style words: Delicate, elegant, pretty
Key pieces: Flowing dresses, lace, silk, florals
You love: Fabrics that drape beautifully and details like ruffles, bows, and soft pastels.
Dramatic
Vibe: Bold, striking, confident
Style words: Modern, powerful, high contrast
Key pieces: Statement coats, sharp tailoring, monochrome looks
You love: Minimal colour but maximum impact, fashion that makes a statement.
Creative
Vibe: Artistic, expressive, unexpected
Style words: Eclectic, playful, individual
Key pieces: Pattern mixing, bold colours, unique accessories
You love: Combining unexpected pieces.
Gamine
Vibe: Playful, youthful, quirky
Style words: Fun, chic, bold
Key pieces: Cropped jackets, stripes, ankle pants, retro details
You love: Mixing masculine and feminine pieces.
Elegant Chic
Vibe: Polished, elevated, intentional
Style words: Streamlined, luxurious, minimal
Key pieces: Tailored trousers, silk blouses, minimalist jewelry
You love: Neutral palettes, sleek lines, quality fabrics that convey luxury.
Most of us are a mix of 2 or 3, so learning your style archetype is like finally figuring out the why behind your favourite outfits.
The Moment It All Made Sense
When I finally took the time to define my personal style and my own style archetype, I realized I was a Natural and Elegant Chic.I love clean lines and simplicity, but I also appreciate polish and structure.
That small shift changed everything:
- I stopped buying clothes just because they looked cute on someone else
- I started prioritizing quality over quantity
- Most importantly, I began building a wardrobe that truly made sense for my lifestyle
Suddenly, getting dressed felt easy. I didn’t have to overthink it because my closet finally reflected me.
How Understanding Your Style Archetype Transforms Your Wardrobe
- You make intentional choices
As a result, you stop impulse buying and start curating your wardrobe, where each piece serves a purpose and perfectly fits your aesthetic. - You feel more confident
When your clothes match your inner vibe, therefore, you carry yourself differently and effortlessly confident. - Your wardrobe works together
Everything starts to mix and match beautifully. That’s when dressing becomes fun again. - You reconnect with yourself
Ultimately, finding your style archetype isn’t just about clothes, it’s also about self expression. In other words, it’s about dressing in alignment with who you truly are.
How to Find Your Style Archetype
The purpose of this post is for you to gain clarity on how to find your style archetype. So if you’re ready to feel more connected to your wardrobe, then start by paying attention to:
- What outfits make you feel the most yourself
- What fabrics, colours, and silhouettes do you naturally gravitate toward
- Whose style do you save or pin over and over
Your answers will reveal patterns and those patterns point to your archetype.
You’ll notice these points are similar to the points needed to determine how to find your personal style but these are more granular. Ultimately, your personal style is the bigger picture, involving the process of discovering how certain styles of clothing align with you and how you want to present yourself to the world.
Whereas your archetype is a framework that helps explain why you’re drawn to certain styles and aesthetics. Its all about visuals!
Take the Quiz: What’s Your Style Archetype?
To get started, answer these quick questions below to help guide you and discover your dominant style archetype.
1. How do you want to look when you get dressed?
A. Polished
B. Relaxed
C. Feminine
D. Bold and statement making
E. Creative and unique
F. Playful and modern
G. Minimal and refined
2. Which outfit looks most like you?
A. Tailored blazer, jeans, and loafers
B. Linen trousers and a cotton tee
C. Midi dress and ballet flats
D. Black jumpsuit with gold jewelry
E. Printed skirt and colorful accessories
F. Cropped cardigan and straight jeans
G. Monochrome neutrals with simple gold details
3. How would friends describe your look?
A. Elegant
B. Down to earth
C. Romantic
D. Confident
E. Artistic
F. Fun
G. Sophisticated
Style Archetype Quiz Results
- Mostly A’s → Classic
- Mostly B’s → Natural
- Mostly C’s → Romantic
- Mostly D’s → Dramatic
- Mostly E’s → Creative
- Mostly F’s → Gamine
- Mostly G’s → Elegant Chic
Embrace Your Evolving Style Journey
Remember, style is a journey that continues to flourish and evolve throughout your life. In fact, discovering your style archetype provides a valuable framework to help you navigate these changes with ease. It also helps you choose new pieces intentionally, refine your wardrobe thoughtfully, and express who you are with clarity and confidence.
In the end, it’s not about fitting into a box, but about understanding yourself on a deeper level so you can dress in a way that feels truly authentic, no matter how your life evolves.
Explore More from Step 1: Understanding Your Style
Understanding your personal style is a journey, and this post is just one part of it. If you’re goal is to define what your style looks like, start with:
- What Is Personal Style? How to Find Yours to lay the foundation
Each step builds on the last, guiding you toward a wardrobe that truly feels like you. Once you’ve identified which archetype you align with visually, the next step is to define your style personality, the traits and habits that make your style feel yours.
