The Archetypes: Part II
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 7:36PM 
Photo of Blake Lively shopping at Chanel, courtesy of www.firstclassfashionista.com
Poor ol’ Carl Jung is rolling over in his grave again. The first time around, Everyday Glamour had boldly unveiled the 8 Salesperson Archetypes, which helped readers identify,analyze, and successfully cope with the strange and often bewildering behaviors of salespeople encountered amongst Manhattan’s luxury fashion scene. And now Everyday Glamour has done it again with a riveting sequel: Stay tuned to learn all about the 8 Fashionista Archetypes, in order to avoid typical shopping pitfalls and black holes. Recognize the dominant Fashionista Archetype deeply embedded onto your own Collective Unconscious Mind, then read the treatment plan, baby!
Disclaimer: This advise does not replace professional psychoanalytic treatment or counseling. Get a grip. This is a fashion blog.
Photo of Kim Kardashian, credit Chris Jackson/Getty Images, courtesy of www.newyork.cbslocal.com
The 8 Fashionista Archetypes:
1. Lauryn Fashionista, (AKA, The Child)
Lauryn is a naturally pretty, carefree fashionista with curves for days who hails from Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, the historic district. She loves to take pictures and carries her fancy Nikon camera with a titanium lens around her neck always. She has a Pomeranian named Ray Ray. On the weekends you will find her riding on the back of her boyfriend’s motorcycle, even in the rain. Creative and adventurous, Lauryn loves the thrill of finding something completely new and unique. She shops without a plan, usually for vintage. She goes with the flow. Clothing purchases are made according to how much positive vibration she feels from the garment in question. Treatment Plan: If you identify with Lauryn, then you probably have an attractive wardrobe, except that it is excessive and you are running out of room for all of your treasures. Also, you may have the odd feeling, (or vibration), that despite all your treasures, you are never quite pulled together. For you, the treatment plan is easy. Pull together a Core Wardrobe, write a list, and stick with the list for a spell.
Photo of Whitney Port shopping, courtesy of www.contactanycelebrity.com
2. Sally Fashionista, (AKA, The Heroine)
Sally is cute and sweet. She has flat hair but that’s ok, she has accepted it. Afflicted with the eyes-are-bigger-than-her-wallet syndrome, she rarely shops, but instead puts pictures of $2600 Rick Owen’s leather jackets and $1700 Alaia lace-up stilettos up on her Pinterest. She makes do with the clothing her mother sends her in care-packages, usually bought at TJ Maxx. Sally hits the jackpot big-time when her mom sends her something from Max Studio—usually Sally can exchange it for something perfect. Sally has a couple of gaps in her wardrobe and is pathetically shoe-deficient. Treatment Plan: If you identify with Sally, then perfectionism is keeping you from having a beautiful wardrobe. Consider that your leather jacket need not be a Rick Owens for you to look and feel great, and that, while beautiful, $1700 Alaia lace-up stilettos may not be congruent with your lifestyle anyway. Use the Bottom’s Up Shopping technique, and you will no longer need to win the lottery in order to express your true style.
3. Edith Fashionista, (AKA, The Mother)
Edith was very much like Lauryn Fashionista, (AKA, The Child), in her youth, except that Edith would never ride on the back of some guy’s motorcycle, even if he was really hot, because that is way too dangerous. Edith has matured into a very cute and lively lady who wears cropped pants with elastic waist bands, tunic tops that have slits up both sides, and sandals with Velcro closures. In the winter she pairs the sandals with whimsically printed socks. Sometimes she wears Doc Martin’s. Edith rarely shops for herself but compulsively shops for other people. She loves the thrill of a deal. When Edith gives a gift, she always tells the recipient the full retail value of the item as she hands it over. She will tell the recipient “the story of the dress”. She got it at TJ Maxx. It was the last one. Look at the label—it’s a Catherine Malandrino. Such a deal. Treatment Plan: If you most identify with Edith, then know that you are adorable and delightful and everyone loves and appreciates your generosity, and is impressed with your shopping savvy. Perhaps turn this skill occasionally toward your own wardrobe, not simply of others, and you never know, you may one day tell “the story of the dress” and it will be about your own dress, not someone else's.
4. Collette Fashionista, (AKA, The Sage)
Collette is a long-haired brunette with full lips and a piercing, intelligent gaze. She was born in London and was raised in Paris. On rainy days she likes to sit in the window banquette and read books like Madame Bovary. Although she shops twice a year without fail, once every Spring, and once every Fall, her wardrobe is very small. She saves up for high quality, under-the-radar clothes, like the ones you might find at Acne and L'Agence. Collette always looks modern, sexy, and her clothes always reflect the essence of who she is. Men fall in love with her instantly. Treatment plan: If you identify with Collette, then keep doing what you are doing and maybe one day you will become like Marlene Fashionista, (AKA, The Mentor)….see below for details.
5. Tara Fashionista, (AKA, The Trickster)
Tara is tall with long legs, a full bust, a tiny waist, and a perky little ass. She is gregarious and has a sexy, raspy voice, which she frequently lubricates with evening libations at Double Seven in the Meatpacking District. She wears a lot of H&M but tells people, “it’s vintage”. Sometimes the H&M price tags accidentally stick out. Tara does not understand why the manager at H&M rolls her eyes every time Tara makes a merchandise exchange. I mean she’s got the tags and the receipt and she always complies with the 7 day return policy. Tara thinks the manager at H&M is such a bitch. Treatment Plan: If you identify with Tara, then you look great but may I remind you that disposable fashion is bad for the environment. No, exchanging merchandise does not count as recycling, honey. Besides, you can vary your wardrobe with only a few key pieces. Why not consider building a Core Wardrobe? If you want to do it quickly, by building on some of your H&M purchases, then read 6 Week Update.
Photo of Paris Hilton, courtesy of www.rounk.com
6. Mindy Fashionista, (AKA, The Devil)
In high school, Mindy was a cheerleader and her boyfriend was the hunky quarterback. It takes Mindy a good 20 minutes to put her blond hair up into the perfect ponytail. Mindy has an aversion to accessories, except for the Tiffany’s Elsa Perretti heart necklace, but she only likes the sterling silver one, not the gold. She loves to wear twin-sets in pastel colors. Mindy accompanies her friends on shopping excursions and reminds them that a-line skirts are wonderful because they “hide a multitude of sins”. Treatment Plan: If you identify with Mindy, then you know full well that preying on your friends’ insecurities and encouraging them to hide their beautiful round hips in an a-line skirt is pure evil. Your friends would have so much more fun wearing a black leather pencil skirt. I know it, and you know it. Your treatment is to find a passion and pursue it. That should quell your jealousy.
7. Alicia Fashionista, (AKA, The Scarecrow)
Alicia is cool. She knows what’s up. Alicia has a perfectly straight bob which is achieved every morning with a the help of a flat-iron and a little Kiehl’s Straightening Crème. She knows that Tom Ford makes the best orange lipstick this season, called “Wild Ginger”. She knows where to get the best skinny jeans, (Rag & Bone), and she has the Proenza Schouler PS1 messenger bag in yellow. Women want to emulate her. Men are afraid of her. Treatment Plan: If you identify with Alicia, then you have a vast, overflowing wardrobe and yes, you are damn proud of it, too. Perhaps occasionally, your clothes are wearing you. I'm only suggesting you make a couple of changes. Edit your closet, keep the pieces that work best for your figure and identity, and donate the rest.
8. Marlene Fashionista, (AKA, The Mentor)
Marlene was very much like Collette Fashionista, (AKA, The Sage), in her youth, except that Marlene has always had a larger wardrobe than Collette, but you would never know it because everything is neatly stowed away in custom cabinets. Marlene stays slim by practicing regular pilates and by dining on red meat and arugula salads. She loves her vodka but only drinks a little bit. She shops very rarely, maybe once a year for one outrageously expensive designer piece. She loves to stick with a tight rotation of few stand out designer pieces that look incredible on her and she has no problem wearing the same pair of Alaia lace up stilettos with every outfit. Her look is sexy without being vulgar, but she does appreciate that vulgarity in small doses can be chic, especially in the evening. She is very comfortable in her own skin. Treatment Plan: If you identify with Marlene, then do not change one bit. Everyday Glamour Chicks, (E.G.C.’s), want to be just like you.
Reader Comments (12)
The perfect follow-up to the 8 Salesperson Archetypes (which btw, is on my EG greatest hits list)! You are a combo of Alicia and a young Marlene. I agree, I'm the Lauryn but I'm a Collette in training!
Love this post! I'll be reading all the treatment plans because there's likely something I can learn from them all.
moi
Yes, Ms. Anonymous, you are a Lauryn but you are transforming into the beautiful butterfly that is a Collette!
I, sadly, am neither Alicia nor a young Marlene, although I do very much appreciate the sentiment. I hope to one day develop into a Marlene, but actually, on second thought, I would be very happy to become a Collette and stay that way.
:D
I would have to say that the profile I relate to the most is Marlene but I shop more than once a year (try once every two weeks) and I collect shoes like some people collect art. Overall I love all these profiles and I'll have to pass this along to my friends =)
Thank you, Tisha! Welcome to Everyday Glamour!
You must have an amazing collection....where do you keep it all? Ah yes, perhaps custom cabinets? :)
Lady I was LOL ALL the way through!!! However, I didn't see lingerie mentioned so you need to create number nine for me please :-) I am seriously wondering if you could adapt this for a guest post on StyleOnTheCouch lady - amazing.
ps good you got the disclaimer in.
www.styleonthecouch.com
SOTC, but you are SO a Lauryn! ha ha! Glad you like. I would be honored to guest post for you. :)
ps disclaimer's are so important ;D
Wow! I am totally awed by your expertise and knowledge on this subject! As I read the Lauryn archetype, I realized that you only had to change a few of the details and you had a biography of me. And yes, my wardrobe is practically overflowing! But I’m very proud of myself for doing a spring cleaning of my entire wardrobe: getting rid of all the fall and winter clothes that I did not wear this year for one reason or another, and taking an honest inventory of my spring and summer wardrobes before I go shopping again. And I’ve also realized that my greatest weakness is that I’m the “Queen of Accessories” – I have tons of scarves, jewelry, hose and tights. Although I guess there could be worse weaknesses to have!
After reading your entire article, I have a confession to make: I secretly dream about being a Collette, with a passport stamped from locations all over Europe, an intriguing accent, exciting stories of adventure, and the fabulous ability to be perfectly dressed for every occasion.
Elise, that makes me smile! Well, I happen to have an ungodly amount of Wolford patterned tights, as you know. So yes, we all have our predilections....or should I say addictions? ;) In any case, so happy to hear of your wardrobe editing success. Oh, and I love your addition to the Collette description, with the passport all stamped up. That is completely fitting of a Collette.
I am working on being Collete thanks to your blog and your W E W with a little bit of Lauryn mixed in because I am not able to shop only twice a year yet.
That is wonderful, Denise!
I want to be a Collette someday, too. :)
You should've called Marlene Carine. I think Carine Roitfeld is an improved version of Marlene and Jie Kim from luxirare.com is definitely a Collette :))
:) Mona...but Marlene almost rhymes with Carine.... ;)