Well done on participating in the exercise to explore and identify your top 5 style values. We hope you found it an interesting and worthwhile activity. At this stage, you should have identified your top 5, and bottom 2, style values.
If you haven’t yet identified those, take your time with the Quiz to identify style values, do so now before continuing and do note down your order of preferences, as your answers won’t be saved in the system.
With your top 5 style values identified, let’s continue your exploration of the impact and influence your style values have on your style choices.
On the 24 pages in the Module 2 Part 2 PDF coming up, you’ll be provided with detail on each of the 12 universal style values. You can read through your top 5 style values and note what captures your attention. Then you’ll be invited to reflect and respond to a series of questions about your top 5 style values.
It’s time to download the second PDF in this module so you can explore your style values.
6 Life Values Defined by Eduard Spranger
Before you move onto the 12 universal style values – let’s look briefly at the 6 life values as defined by Spranger. You may want to take note of which resonate with you, and which are less important to you.
 Theoretical
Discovery of Truth takes a ‘cognitive’ attitude that divests itself of judgments regarding the utility or beauty of objects |
 Economic
What is Useful takes a ‘practical’ attitude. Utilitarian |
 Aesthetic
What is Beautiful judgment from the standpoint of form and harmony |
 Social
Love of People prizes people and relationships |
 Political
Influence and Power interested in individualistic leadership and renown |
 Religious
Unity with a Higher Power observes tradition or self-denial |
12 Universal Style Values
- Aesthetic
- Conceptual
- Economical
- Exploratory / Creative
- Frugal
- Influential
- Modesty
- Sensory / Kinaesthetic
- Simplicity
- Social
- Status
- Theoretical
Let’s now delve into each of the 12 Universal Style Values in more depth.
Aesthetic
- Must be well designed.
- I love beautiful clothes with gorgeous patterns or details.
- I always like to co-ordinate outfits well.
- Must look harmonious, the colours and details must go together, I’m stylish always.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message /
Statement |
Clothing Cues |
| Beauty of design. Harmony, loveliness.
Individual expressiveness. Deconstruction is a threat. |
Focus on beautiful clothing.
Beautiful style, colours textures and patterns. Cost is not the issue. |
Beauty of the clothes is important.
It’s important to have total harmony. |
Colorful, decorative.
Artistic mix of textures. Harmonious. Well-designed. |
Conceptual
- I really don’t care about clothes or what I wear (or what anyone wears).
- Clothing is superficial – it is what’s inside that counts.
- Nobody notices what I wear anyway.
- Clothing just stops me being naked.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message /
Statement |
Clothing Cues |
| Clothing is of little importance – simply a means to be covered (not naked). | No attention to clothing.
Will not see value in clothing. Will not see value in conversation about clothing and style. An attitude that those who care about their clothing and image are shallow and superficial. |
Other topics are so much more important. Clothes don’t matter.
Intellectual pursuits are more important than physical coverings. |
Wears anything just to cover up.
Uncoordinated clothing. Old or mismatched clothing. |
Economical
- Cost-per-wear is an important part of my purchasing decision.
- Good quality that lasts is important.
- It is versatile and not expensive to care for.
- Mix and match wardrobes are the best as it makes the best use of my resources.
- I value my time, space and energy so like to make the best purchasing decisions.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message /
Statement |
Clothing Cues |
| Practical.
Nothing is wasted. Values their money, time, space, energy. Acquire wealth. Looks for versatility in garments to mix and match. |
Comparative shop.
Sales to get best for least cost. Will sew and mend. Likes to have garments that they can dress up and down. Versatile wardrobe. |
It’s important to get the best buy, the best dollar value. It’s important that clothes last a long time.
It’s important to be practical. It’s important to conserve – the environment is fragile.
|
Quality clothing at low prices – on sale.
Easy care clothing, washable. Durable fabrics. Work with a color scheme so they can mix and match. Classic, timeless styles. Vintage clothing. |
Exploratory/Creative
- Must be unique and creative.
- My outfits are unusual and unexpected.
- I’d hate to turn up somewhere and discover someone else was wearing the same outfit.
- If someone copies what I wear I’ll change how I wear it so I’m always different.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message /
Statement |
Clothing Cues |
| Creativity.
Individuality. Thinking outside the box. Explore options. |
Focus on uniqueness and the unusual.
Experimentation in dress. Wearable art. |
Creativity is important.
Individuality is important. |
Add your own touch/flair to an outfit.
An unusual mix of colors, textures. A unique combination of styles. Hand-woven or hand knit fabric. Hand-printed designs. Self-designed, self-made. |
Frugal
- I hate spending money on clothes and buy as cheap as I can.
- Clothes just wear out or go out of fashion so there is no point in spending much on them.
- I only shop the sales rack.
- Many of my clothes are years old.
- I hate paying full price for anything.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message /
Statement |
Clothing Cues |
| Low cost.
Functional clothing. Don’t waste money. Convenience. |
Focus on bargains.
Comparative shopping. Sales shopping. Never buy full price. Shop rarely. |
Clothes are expensive and buying clothes full price is a waste of money (there is always a sale on).
I’m not sure what works for me so I buy cheap so I don’t buy expensive mistakes! |
Easy-care.
Wash and wear. Minimal ironing. Man-made fiber blends that don’t need special care. Simple basic styles. |
Influential
- What you wear speaks volumes about your person, your power and influence.
- I take pride in my appearance.
- My image is important to me.
- I well-tailored clothing.
- I understand the power of image and how other people perceive who you are by what you wear.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message /
Statement |
Clothing Cues |
| Power, authority leadership.
Influencing outcomes diplomatically. Appreciate the power of clothing and image. |
Focus on dress to impress.
Influence. Dress appropriate for the situation, will dress formally. |
Image is important.
Appearance is important. It’s important to influence others. |
Tailored clothing styles.
Expensive high fashion. One-of-a-kind. Sophisticated, understated. |
Modesty
- I don’t want to attract too much attention and prefer to slip under the radar.
- My religious beliefs give me a set of rules which relate to the way I dress.
- I prefer a modest cut as I don’t believe showing much skin is appropriate.
- I’ve got a poor body image and don’t like showing it off.
- I’m at an age where I don’t think it’s appropriate to show off much skin.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message / Statement | Clothing Cues |
| Can be based on religious beliefs.
Part of an orderly universe. Don’t want to show skin due to age or body image. |
May focus on the spiritual.
Relationship with God is of utmost importance. Modesty and simplicity. Likes to be covered and not draw attention. Feel more comfortable when not too much skin is revealed (can be body image related). |
It’s important to appear modest.
It’s important to have the body covered. It’s important to not attract attention to myself. It’s not necessary to show skin. It shows respect to others and self to be covered. |
Non-revealing body concealing styles.
Loose fitting, plenty of ease. Opaque fabrics. Fewer clothes. Attire may be based on religious beliefs. |
Sensory/Kinaesthetic
- I can’t think if my clothes aren’t comfortable.
- Fabrics that don’t irritate my skin
- It is easy to move in and is comfortable.
- Can’t stand labels and tags and fabrics that itch.
- I hate stiff fabrics and like everything to have stretch.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message / Statement | Clothing Cues |
| Sense of touch, feel, sensation.
Comfortable to wear. |
Focus on feel of fabric and fit.
Soft fabrics. Loose or stretch fabrics. Looser fit. |
It’s important to feel comfortable.
It’s important to be able to move freely and not be confined by clothes. |
Soft fabrics.
Non-irritating fabrics. Loose fitting styles. Body revealing, freedom. |
Simplicity
- I prefer simple clothes and hate anything complicated or difficult to get into. I think of my style as minimalist.
- Fussy clothing with lots of details or patterns aren’t for me.
- I like to have a capsule wardrobe where everything works together.
- Uniform dressing appeals to me.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message / Statement | Clothing Cues |
| Simplicity of design and detail.
Minimalism is considered an ideal |
Appreciates natural fibers.
Uniform dress. Feels most comfortable when clothes are easy to wear and don’t distract from thought or life. Takes a minimalist approach to life |
It’s important that my clothes don’t distract me.
It’s important that my clothes are simple in design. |
Simplicity of style.
Fewer clothes. No frills, flounces or extraneous detail. Easy to get on and off . Uncomplicated. |
Social
- I like wearing clothes similar in fashion and style to my friends/peers.
- I often call the host and check on the dress-code.
- I know my friends or partner will like it, so I wear it and won’t wear anything they don’t like.
- I check what my friends are wearing to an event to make sure I fit in.
- Everyone’s wear it on Instagram.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message / Statement | Clothing Cues |
| Other directed.
Concern about fitting in and belonging. Concern for others about fitting in. Everybody at ease. |
Focus on conformity to significant others.
Dress appropriately or like others. Would likely not dress better than others. |
It’s important to appear like part of the group.
It’s important to put others at ease. It’s important to keep harmony with others |
Appropriate for the occasion.
Like friends or peer group. Like fashion leaders. Current trends. |
Status
- I like designer labels.
- Wearing the latest fashions shows I’m important and know what’s in right now.
- I dress to impress.
- It is important to wear the best you can.
- People notice what you wear and labels tell people you are doing well.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message / Statement | Clothing Cues |
| What you wear matters and you want to appear successful and show that you’ve made it. | Dressing to Impress.
Seeks admiration. Dress better than other. Celebrity conscious. Fashion conscious. |
It’s important to impress others.
Want to be noticed and admired. Enjoy the symbols of success. |
Name brands.
Designer labels and logos. Well put-together outfits. Current fashions. |
Theoretical
- I wear good quality natural fibers.
- I care about where and how the clothing I wear is made and it’s ethically produced.
- My clothing must be environmentally friendly.
- I always check the label before I buy so I know what it’s made of and what laundering it requires.
- I will often thrift shop as it’s a way of recycling.
| Description of
Importance |
Behavior | Message / Statement | Clothing Cues |
| Discovery of facts, truth.
Wants the real thing – no fakes. Preserve quality. Beauty not only consideration.
|
Focus on product information – fiber content, care label.
Environmentally friendly. Quality.
|
It’s important to have the ‘real’ thing – no fakes.
Quality is important. It’s important to meet my needs. An orderly system is important.
|
100% wool, real leather or suede, natural fibers or ethically produced fibers.
Reflects personal style. A well-organized wardrobe.
|
Style Values Explorations
It’s now time to open your Module 2 Part 2 PDF Page 30 and start with the explorations for this part of the module!
