Not all style advice is created equal. Some style advice is just perfect for you – it’s like the person giving it is standing in your closet with you and just “gets it” – and gets you, too – they know just what to say that resonates for you on your style journey right now. Their advice is meaningful and helpful to you on your authentic style journey.
And in contrast, some style advice seems like it’s being given by an alien from another planet – it just doesn’t relate to you, it doesn’t resonate for you, and it doesn’t ring any important style bells for you. It might work for others – but it sure isn’t for you.
You’ve probably received style advice of both types (and much of other varieties too) along the way on your style journey so far, right? So how do you know if the style advice is right for you, or better left for someone else to follow?
What style advice is right for others but not you?
As you read the responses below, real answers from real women experiencing their real style, consider what your answer would be! The response below are grouped into the 4 Super Styles and are in response to our Facebook post asking this exact question.
We hope you enjoy this series of posts that illustrate some of the similarities between the Super Styles and how they experience and enjoy authentic style.
What style advice is great for others, but not for you?
The Style Strategist – iNtuition and Thinking (NT)
- “Shorten your skirts. Wear an uplifting bra. Add a belt. Skinny pants are so flattering. Have a great white shirt”. I think some of these aren’t followed due to health issues. But I agree that in any case, I would never be able to follow through with Stylebook or a similar program. I need a much less complicated way to organize things (INTP)
- “Black makes you look skinny. You should wear it more often”. (INTP)
- “Stick to the expected dress code”. (ENTP)
- “Buy some trend items each season to add to your basics”. Why mess with my system that is working? (ENTJ)
- “The ‘5 style items you must own’ sort of advice is totally useless to me. I don’t care about those rules and usually, it is recommending things which look awful on me anyway.” (INTJ)
Read more about the NT Style Strategist Super Style here.
The Style Aesthetician – Sensing and Feeling (SF)
- “Make a capsule”. I hate limiting my options (ESFP)
- “Jeans are classic and everyone can wear them”. I don’t! (ISFJ)
- “In front of a mirror, close your eyes and then open them + the first thing you see, take it off (because you’re wearing too much)”. I can’t imagine a better way to make sure you end up with the most dull, uninspiring outfit than that! (ESFJ)
- “When in doubt, wear nude pumps”. (ISFJ)
- “Things wear out – watch out for signs of wear”. My gear doesn’t wear out and I’m highly attentive to details so don’t need reminding to look for signs of things wearing out (ESFJ)
- “Two main things spring to mind, the first is a capsule wardrobe, it’s far too restrictive, and no fun, I love a stand-alone piece. Secondly, I don’t like my outfits to be too coordinated, it has to be harmonious but in a very subtle way, using scarves and necklaces to finish an outfit isn’t for me, I prefer built-in and fuss-free.” (ISFP)
Read more about the SF Style Aesthetician Super Style here.
The Style Dreamer – iNtuition and Feeling (NF)
- “Add more color”. (ENFJ)
- “ Use an app like Stylebook to enter all your clothes and create outfits in seconds!” (ENFP)
- “It usually starts with numbers: “The 15 things women over 30 should stop wearing now!”; “The 7 essentials every woman over 40 needs in her wardrobe”; “A 33-piece capsule wardrobe that works all year! I don’t like limits, especially arbitrary ones imposed by others. I prefer possibilities — endless possibilities!” (INFP)
- “Keep yourself from looking dated by updating your wardrobe with current trends. This may work well for some, and sounds like a great idea in theory, but as someone who loves the unique, it goes against the grain to wear what everyone else is wearing! I prefer to choose high-quality creatively timeless items but not boring classics!” (INFJ)
- “Restrict your wardrobe to a set number of items doesn’t work for me even though I like minimalism, fastening on an arbitrary number of items seems unnecessary.” (INFJ)
Read more about the NF Style Dreamer Super Style here.
The Style Pragmatist – Sensing and Thinking (ST)
- “Dress according to your mood”. What’s that got to do with anything? (ISTJ)
- ” The “advice” that I always routinely ignore is to go shopping with a friend. While the experience of the day is fun and enjoyable, having someone else involved in my decision-making process is not. I find other people are often subjective, projecting their likes and dislikes (including color) onto you.” (ESTJ)
- “I do not care about anyone else’s rules, but I must have a pocket knife, and gadgets in my pocket or bag” (ISTP)
Read more about the ST Style Pragmatist Super Style here.
Further reading
What To Do With Conflicting Figure Flattery Advice
Get the Full Details on Your Style Type in Your Style Type Report
Your Super Style gives you the broad strokes – your Style Type Report gives you the details you need to really make a shift in your style, including how you think and feel about your style, and what your style motivators are.
If you are already know your four-letter type, click here to get your Style Type report. If you are not 100% sure of your four-letter type, believe you may have been mistyped in the past, or simply wish to take a fresh look at what makes you, you – discover your Style Type here.
