Why Look for a Fashion Archeytpe?
As I am growing older, I find myself attending more funerals and memorials than I’d like to and while sitting in a church, garden, or hall listening to eulogies, I contemplate my own. What will people say about me when I die? What impression have I left people with? Do my friends, children, niece and nephews view me as a specific character in their lives? Do I have a fashion archetype? I love to read fantasy, mythology, and magical realism. Since we are all the main characters in our own story, I wonder what mythologies we weave for ourselves. Do we create our own fashion archetypes? Are we consciously aware or do we subconsciously gravitate to thinking of ourselves as The Lover, The Caregiver, The Rebel, The Explorer, etc.
I recently read the story “The Moths” by Helena Maria Viramontes and the magical realism and symbolism sparked that conversation in me again. “The Moths” tells the story of a young Latina girl who lives with her family in a traditional Mexican-American household. She is tasked with caring for her sick and elderly abuelita. The girl (part Hero, Rebel, and Caregiver) feels stifled by the traditional gender roles imposed upon her. She begins to rebel against these constraints, asserting her independence through small acts of defiance. In the aftermath of her abuelita’s death, the protagonist recognizes the need to shed expectations and embrace her own identity, archetype, and personal mythology.
When the granddaughter spoke of her abuelita, hinting that she might be a bit of a curandera (Magician archetype?), it made me consider similarities and pairings of classic archetypes. Are there signposts for what type of person we are by the way we dress? The way we cook? The items we possess? The colors we surround ourselves with? I set off to explore not only that modern archetype can be illuminated through fashion, but that I could match the twelve classic archetypes with modern fashion symbols even if we are unaware of the curation in creating a fashion archetype.
The Science & Reserach Behind Archetypes
To start with, one cannot have a discussion of creating fashion archetypes without defining and recognizing the inherent psychological need for archetypes in society. Notwithstanding their presence in art and literature, archetypes and symbolism surround us in our daily life as well. I have used Jung’s classic archetypes in my writing. Hannah Bauman has a nice twist on Jung’s, swapping out the Outlaw for the Rebel, and instead of the Everyman, the Orphan. Leading social scientists Pietikainen and Rubin support this more cultural approach on the subject of archetypes and personal mythology. Pietikainen says, “The individually experienced symbols that arise from this are necessarily collective and universal, but [only] if we conceive this ‘collectivity’ not in quasi-genetical but in cultural terms.” Rubin expands on this idea “through an ever-evolving and editor-friendly story-based lens that provides a template for guiding our actions and influencing others.”
I posit, by using color, gender dress, and fashion, one can correlate a corresponding fashion archetype based on the clothing worn or how a person represents to the world, whether consciously or subconsciously. In the article “What is Color Symbolism” (IxDF), they suggest that: “People respond to color in three ways—biologically, culturally, and personally from experience.” I used this chart to help with matching colors to archetypes.
The Science of Fashion
Besides the use of color, several studies point to the style of dress or fashion as an indicator of archetype or character. On a small scale, Jane Hattrick’s article illustrates this point. She posits that lesbian woman consciously and often unconsciously dress a certain way to highlight or signal their sexual preference and personal identity, “Although I didn’t knowingly dress ‘like a lesbian’ I have always had a boyish dress style and ever since I was able to choose my own clothes,” as an example of unconscious signaling or symbology.
This idea of fashion defining us can easily be extrapolated and applied across genders and preferences is further illustrated by Eric Ping Hung Li who analyzed Chinese fashion brands that correspond with archetypal females. He identified six modern girl fashion archetypes constructed by global fashion brands.
In a broader sense, if we look across generation and throughout history, humans have been defining themselves through fashion archetypes since we began chronicling our existence. Analyzing historic fashion gives us additional insight to this observable occurrence. Heather Vaughan Lee’s book is a trove of American fashion with passages about the garb’s significance at that time.
For example, if one were to wear art nouveau style it would match with the Creator. The fashion was reflective of an aesthetic movement which used it to create loose bohemian dresses with designs that were intended to be both artistic and sensible.
Or what of the western cowboy aesthetic? Early on, Stetson hats became associated with legends of the West including “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Calamity Jane, and Annie Oakley and the iconic cowboy (Explorer/Hero?). “The cowboy image, with the hat as its symbol, was portrayed as tough, virtuous, freedom-loving heroes.” Because we have the breadth of historical fashion at our fingertips, and modern fashion is always derivative of the past, I used this analysis to make archetype pairings.
Therefore, based on my research, combining the use of color, historical fashion, and archetypal studies, I feel confident in making the leap and assessing fashion choices that symbolize each archetype.
The Fashion Archetypes & the Garb
The Caregiver: parent, protector
- Predominant Color: Soft, soothing pastels like light blue or lavender.
- Fashion Style: Comfortable and nurturing, with flowing fabrics and loose silhouettes. Accessorized with gentle touches like scarves or shawls, messenger bags, loafers, sandals.
The Creator: artist, inventor, writer, or musician
- Predominant Color: bold and vibrant colors like red or purple.
- Fashion Style: unique and eclectic, mixing different textures and patterns. Also embracing artistic flair with statement pieces like funky jewelry or colorful scarves, sunglasses, watches, rings. The sporty creator or musician may have iconic designer track suits, accessories, and expensive tennis shoes.
The Explorer: pilgrims, individualists, or wanderers
- Predominant color: Earthy tones like brown or olive green.
- Fashion Style: practical and functional, with a focus on utility and versatility. Utilitarian clothing such as cargo pants or hiking boots, accessorized with a backpack or travel gear.
The Hero: warrior, rescuer, soldier, and team player.
- Predominant Color: strong and bold colors like black or navy blue.
- Fashion Style: strong and commanding, with structured silhouettes and clean lines. Military-inspired clothing such as tailored suits or utility jackets, long jackets. Accessorized with medals, pins, or badges, may wear some type of hat, kilts and boots.
The Innocent: naïve optimist & romantic
- Predominant Color: soft and innocent shades like pastel pink, cream, and white.
- Fashion Style: sweet and romantic, with delicate fabrics like lace and gauze. In addition to flowy dresses or skirts, accessorized with bows or ribbons. Floral shirts, ties and vests, white cotton shirts and khaki trousers, canvas shoes, seersucker fabric.
The Jester: fool, a trickster, or a comedian
- Predominant Color: bright and playful colors like orange or yellow.
- Fashion Style: quirky and unconventional, with bold patterns and unexpected combinations. Moreover statement pieces like oversized glasses or colorful hats, whimsical bow ties, graphic t-shirts with humorous prints.
The Lover: loyal companion, pleaser, partner
- Predominant Color: warm and inviting colors like deep red, burgundy hues, or gold.
- Fashion Style: sensual and romantic, with luxurious fabrics and figure-hugging silhouettes. Add in elegant dresses or suits in rich fabrics like velvet or silk. Crisp white dress shirts with subtle patterns or textures. Sophisticated leather dress shoes or loafers, polished to perfection. Accessorize with luxurious silk pocket squares or silk ties in coordinating colors. Elegant watches with leather or metal bands, featuring intricate detailing. Statement cufflinks with romantic motifs or engraved initials.
The Magician: shaman, a healer, or a charismatic leader
- Predominant Color: mystical and enigmatic colors like deep purple or emerald green.
- Fashion Style: mysterious and charismatic, with flowing robes or dramatic capes or layered clothing. Symbolic accessories like amulets or crystals, ornate rings, leather-bound journals, soft leather shoes or boots, floppy hats.
The Orphan: everyman, the guy/girl next door, or the silent majority
- Predominant Color: neutral and understated colors like gray or beige.
- Fashion Style: casual and understated, blending into the background with simple and practical clothing. Additionally, A-line or basic shirtwaist dress in solid color or small “feed sack” kind of print. Basic jeans and t-shirts, accessorized with everyday items like a backpack or sneakers, classic knit beanies or ball caps.
The Rebel: revolutionaries, misfits, or outlaws
- Predominant Color: edgy and rebellious colors like black or dark blue.
- Fashion Style: non-conformist and defiant, fishnet stockings, off the shoulder shirts or dresses. Often asymmetric, leather jackets and ripped jeans, concert tees. Also prevelant, bold accessories like studs or spikes, chokers, chains, safety-pins, black eye-liner, dark reds or black lips and fingernails. Asymmetric haircuts, short, spiky, or long and teased.
The Ruler: boss, the king/queen, politician, or role model
- Predominant Color: regal and authoritative colors like deep crimson or royal blue.
- Fashion Style: elegant and commanding with obvious status symbol designer labels, with tailored suits or sophisticated dresses, designer handbags. Additionally, statement accessories like fine jewelry or designer watches. Tailored suits with power ties, designer watches, statement cufflinks, leather briefcases.
The Sage: scholar, philosopher, academic, and teacher
- Predominant Color: wise and contemplative colors like sage green or deep brown.
- Fashion Style: intellectual and refined, with classic and timeless pieces. Add in tweed jackets or cardigans, accessorized with glasses or a book, large tote bags or worn leather messenger bags. Signature vintage pieces that could be clothing, jewelry, scarves, or hats.
How Do We Define Ourselves?
Lastly, as with any set of criteria or (partially) defined lists, there is no steadfast rules or fashion police to shoehorn you into your archetype. This cursory outline may help you discover your archetype and develop your own personal mythology based on it. Does that mean we’re not a combination of archetypes? Does it mean that if we were once a Caregiver, we can’t have morphed into a Sage or vice versa? No. This fashion association is a jumping off point to aid in identifying classic archetypes through our fashion choices and how we present to others. Myths serve a variety of functions, and we must all agree we cannot have a myth or story without a main character or archetype. Therefore, we are the ultimate creators of our identity, archetype, and personal mythology.
Who am I you might ask? Based on my fashion choices, I present as mostly the Creator with a little Rebel and, oddly enough, the Innocent thrown in. I strongly identify with the Creator archetype. I hope that I am building a personal mythology as someone on this journey to be creative and artful in everything I do. The way I dress, the way I prepare food, the way I direct a play, the way I write a story, the way I decorate my house, and even in the way I love those around me.
Why am I, as a writer, writing about this? I use fashion as part of my story-telling and to highlight character’s personalities or archeytpes. I go into greater depth about fashion as character in an interview with Jillianne Hamilton.
If you have not given any thought to your personal mythology or archetype, take a minute to do some self-evaluation and see where you fit. Do you agree or disagree with my curated list? What would you change or add?
Who are you and what kind of story do you want to tell, today?
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Tam Francis is a writer, blogger, swing dance teacher, avid vintage collector, and seamstress. She shares her love of vintage through her novels, blog, and short stories. She enjoys hearing from you, sharing ideas, forging friendships, and exchanging guest blogs. For all the Girl in the Jitterbug Dress news, give-aways, events, and excitement, make sure to join her list and like her FB page! Join my list ~ Facebook page
