Which style personality is your personal brand?

Like with any good branding, a consistent look and feel builds recognition in the marketplace. And a carefully curated visual identity speaks volumes for you.

My previous Dress for your Personal Brand Success blog shared what the styling industry refers to as ‘style personalities’.  What may at first seem superficially external, is deeply internal. It’s the outward expression of who you are. It sends cues to those around you.

Alongside my marketing career and studies, I also worked in fashion retail for 13 years. For 11 of those years I had the privilege of working for a world-renowned Australian company.

I loved the energy of being on the shop floor - it was the ultimate storytelling forum. It was as a stylist that I learnt that everyone has a story - if you choose to listen for it. And what you wear matters. It empowers your visual identity.

Style personalities are regularly shared by stylists, using varying archetypes. Of the most common, here is my own edit of core style personalities. You will most likely identify with at least two of these, with one likely appearing more dominant.

Note, I’ve used celebrities or characters for dramatic effect to aid your understanding of each. Consider these a spectrum. Some will likely feel like they sit on an extreme end. But, you might find you sit more comfortably in a dialled-down (or even dialled-up) version.

Style Personality: Natural

If you’re among the Natural style personalities, comfort takes priority. Naturals tend to prefer relaxed, practical and minimal styles. Often opting for natural fibres and tones.

Your hair and makeup tend to also reflect your natural preferences.

But, natural doesn’t mean unpresentable. This visual identity can be effortlessly polished. For your personal brand, a natural style personality appears approachable and unpretentious.

Examples: Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and Johnny Depp.

Style Personality: Classic

For those among the Classic style personalities, timelessness is key. Classics gravitate toward tailored, functional styles. With longevity as the focus, you tend to prefer quality fabrics in neutral tones.

Classics’ hair and makeup will usually be elegantly polished.

For your personal brand, this style conveys a sense of reliability.

Examples: Kate Middleton and Prince William.

Style Personality: Elegant

The elegant style personalities aim for highly polished, understated elegance. You tend toward minimal styles, opting for timelessness over fleeting trends.  Like the Classics, you prefer quality fabrics and neutral tones. But, you modernise your preference for a classic style with a chic touch of personality.

Like your style, your hair and makeup are also elegantly understated, yet polished.

For your personal brand, this exudes sophistication.

Examples: Audrey Hepburn, Victoria Beckham and George Clooney.

Style Personality: Romantic

For Romantic style personalities, femininity is key. Your soft style often includes voluminous fabrics, ruffles and lace. Your wardrobe is sprinkled with neutral and earthy tones. But, it’s also rife with colour, particularly pastels. You never shy away from a detailed print.

As a Romantic, your makeup and hair are usually naturally inclined. Your hair usually features a soft non-intimidating wave.   

For your personal brand, this style type conveys a sense of femininity and warmth.

Example: Emma Watson.

Style Personality: Sexy

For Sexy style personalities, showing off your best assets is the priority. You’ll choose styles that are usually figure-hugging, sometimes also featuring a lower neckline. Neutral tones are a popular pick. But, brave colours also complement your more daring choices.

Your hair and makeup tend to be bolder than your Classic counterparts.

For your personal brand, the key is staying appropriate for the context. Especially important for work. If you can master the balance, this conveys empowerment.

Examples: Marilyn Monroe, Samantha Jones (Sex and the City), Kim Kardashian and Beyonce.

Style Personality: Creative

Creative style personalities don’t follow any rules. Your eclectic style is predictably unpredictable. Those around you learn to expect the unexpected from your non-conformist self-expression.

You likely don’t restrict yourself to a set colour palette or tones, and mix and match styles. You prefer to go wherever your mood takes you or wherever inspiration calls.

Your hair and makeup likely match your evolving style.

For your personal brand, this conveys the obvious - your creativity, as well as confidence.

Examples: Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) and Kayne West.

Style Personality: Dramatic

For Dramatic style personalities, the goal is to make a statement. You make an entrance. You command the room with your bold styles, shapes, colours, prints and accessories.

Your hair and makeup are always considered. At times it acts to offset the drama of your clothes. But, otherwise can be just as bold - as you prefer to not do anything halfway.

Your personal brand radiates self-confidence.   

Examples: Lady Gaga and Prince.

Perhaps these resonate or you identify with something different entirely. What matters is consistency. Use your unique style personality to help define you in a noisy marketplace. Even the most simplistic style personality can speak volumes. It builds recognition and trust for your personal brand. It leaves an impression for your personal brand.

So, which style personality are you?