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Myers Briggs & Style Type

DonnaF

Veteran

A passing mention made me realize I hadn't checked out Imogen Lamport's Inside Out Style blog for awhile. And lo and behold, I saw that she had linked Myers Briggs to style types, or rather, how one approaches style. I haven't read them all, but I found that my *type* (INTJ) very much describes me. How about you? (And no, I'm not going to spend $47 to get a longer description!)

https://16styletypes.com/16-style-types/

Dressing

68 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Me too! I went down that rabbit hole.

The Eclectic Stylist: INFP

THE STYLE ORIGINALINFPs strive to have their wardrobes reflect their core inner values. For example, if they value simplicity or environmentalism, their clothing may feature organic fabrics, or they may purchase only gently used clothing (never new or mass produced). If they value beauty, they may consider their wardrobe choices a way to add beauty to their surroundings and develop an artistic approach to style. If they value humility, they may dress to not draw attention to themselves. The antithesis of ‘dressing to impress’, style and clothing form an integral yet subtle part of an INFPs ability to be true to themselves.

May the games begin !

nemosmom

Veteran

Hmmm....

The Subtle Stylist: INFJ

The Style Enigma

INFJs can envision the perfect ensemble for an occasion in their
minds eye. They just know an outfit or certain items are right, and
create and hold a vision of their stylish self as their guiding light.
If they can’t find, create or manifest this vision on one or two
shopping forays, they often keep wearing what is already in their closet
rather than settle for something less than their ideal. While fashion
may not be at the top of their priorities, INFJs usually understand that
dressing right might just add credibility to their ideas.

It seemed spot-on until I got to the "if they can't find...in one or two shopping forays, they keep wearing what is in their closet rather than settle for something less than their ideal." Oh heck no.... I have done LOTS of settling! LOL.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I’m the same type as you, Nemosmom!

nemosmom

Veteran

Jenn - *hi five* I don't know many of us in real life! I seem to be surrounded by E's...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Another "subtle stylist" reporting. We are disproportionately represented on this forum.

I loved the description of Angie's type: Or at least the name: The Expressive Stylist: the Style Connector. Perfect or what?

The Expressive Stylist: ENFJ

THE STYLE CONNECTOR

ENFJs often seek to dress for those they will be with. For example, “business attire” may change if clients are older, younger, in a creative or a conservative industry, entrepreneurs struggling to get a business off the ground, and so on. ENFJs are amazingly aware of the feelings of others and are often adept at sensing how people are reacting to them and what they are wearing. ENFJs are also keenly aware that their own mood can be affected by not feeling put together or by straying too far from their own sense of style.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm ENFP, the Style Inspirer.

"ENFPs see their wardrobes as a possibility playground. They know that
the right outfit will mirror the genuine warmth, social skills and
infectious enthusiasm that makes it easy to engage with others quickly.
Connecting is effortless when the stylish ENFPs outfit resonates with
their inner vibrancy and optimism. Partly because blending in with the
crowd would thwart the easy rapport they seek, they do not want to wear
what everyone else is wearing. Some types purchase outfits, ENFPs see
individual pieces that might be creatively blended in different ways,
with different accessories, for different moods, occasions, or simply
for variety."

I think this is somewhat true of me. It can be difficult to decide what to wear on any given day!

deb

Veteran

The Style Enigma (INFJ) reporting in. When I read "The Style Enigma" I started laughing.

Anonymous

The Subtle Stylist: INFJ
THE STYLE ENIGMA

It seems many of us are this

INFJs can envision the perfect ensemble for an occasion in their minds eye. They just know an outfit or certain items are right, and create and hold a vision of their stylish self as their guiding light. If they can’t find, create or manifest this vision on one or two shopping forays, they often keep wearing what is already in their closet rather than settle for something less than their ideal. While fashion may not be at the top of their priorities, INFJs usually understand that dressing right might just add credibility to their ideas.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm in your corner, Firecracker! Am ENFP too It sounds right... playground, variety, a means of socialising...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh how funny! ESFJ describes me well! Will cut and paste once on the desktop

Bonnie

Veteran

Another INFJ chiming in. I thought we were a rarity.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m between INTJ and INFJ. I think my actual style falls between the two descriptions. Here is the one for INTJ

The Independent Stylist: INTJ
THE STYLE SCIENTIST

INTJs often approach their wardrobe as another problem to be solved, considering how and why things work for them and their wardrobe. It’s displeasing to see themselves look poorly pulled together in the mirror. Style is about creative self-expression, not about standing out or drawing attention by being different. INTJs don’t want to replicate what others wear; instead they will analyze how style is created and then, as establishing their style becomes more important, take a scientific, analytical approach to understanding how successful style works, then execute.

I don’t think anyone is pleased when they see themselves looking not-pulled-together. The analytical part is part of why I stayed around YLF after that wedding—I’d never realized that how you dress is a thing that can be approached rationally and with a plan. I had always pretty much stuck with the first thing that works with an item. From the INFJ description, I think the bit about “seeing” something in my mind’s eye is accurate, even though I don’t usually think visually. I can imagine how an outfit will feel to wear, and I work towards that. That’s why I can use clothes as weight loss rewards. On “settling”, I don’t buy things I don’t like—but sometimes I convince myself that x won’t be a problem, and then it is.

Suz, what a great description of Angie!

rachylou

Veteran

Actually, FI, that’s rather profound. A Boom moment. Many are dismissive of clothing. And even when they’re not, as in my family... well all the effort went to analysing aesthetics, ‘what is beauty?’ But that leaves out the whole business of GETTING clothes and the process of FINDING good combinations. What hooked me on Angie was stumbling across her Outfit Formulas, her methodologies of working out needs, how to shop. Really, before Angie, all I used to do was just go into stores and buy cute stuff... lot of chaff and churn.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

So, I'm back, now on desktop.

"The Charming Stylist: ESFJ

THE STYLE ADVISER

ESFJs strive to dress appropriately and are aware of the impact of style in their interactions with others. Having a great sense of style harmonizes with their natural ability to quickly develop rapport with others. Often passionately interested in style, clothing and all that it conveys, their clothing is an authentic representation of who they are being today. ESFJs may find it necessary to adapt their style to be most pleasing to whomever they are with and for whatever they are doing or with a particular goal in mind, and are often relied on as trusted style advisers to friends and family."

And this is also so funny: My dream wardrobe:
"Beautiful curated with wonderful fabrics, interesting details and tailored to perfection so that everything fits along with rows upon rows of necklaces, shoes and handbags in a room painted in a soft neutral with a velvet poof, 3 way mirror and a crystal chandelier. I can picture it perfectly in my head (ESFJ) "
Not so far from the new wardrobe we built not much more than a year ago?- no velvet pouffe ( think "poof" is the wrong word!) but velvet linings of the jewellery drawers, a large mirror, and sadly no chandelier. Soft neutral paint, tick. Rows upon rows of shoes, tick. Wonderful fabrics, interesting details, tick.
Not so sure that my INTP DD2 though( my opposite in every way) would see me as a trusted style adviser though.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Rachylou, there was a boom? I don’t think I heard it, unless you mean the realization that improving an outfit can be a logical, analytical procedure instead of guesswork. That was a revelation indeed.

As much fun as this is, the descriptions are kind of like horoscopes or having your fortune told. I mean, who doesn’t dress according to their values like the INFP description Shevia posted, and wouldn’t we all like that wardrobe in Jenni’s ENSJ description?

rachylou

Veteran

I’m thinking most don’t dress their personality values but rather their tribal values...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t know Rachy, I’m not too sure what my “tribe” is? I know you’ve talked about tribes before. It’s not a concept that resonates with me.
I think this personality stuff is quite spot on- but maybe my personality makes me think that!

rachylou

Veteran

That’s interesting, Jenni! Not being sure of your tribe. No one has ever talked to you about being ‘one of us’?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Not really, what do you mean? Maybe it’s not a Kiwi thing? We’re a small enough country to be a tribe all our own self? We also have real tribes, they’re called iwi which is a Maori word for an actual tribal grouping. Not that I belong to one.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The way the word “tribe” is used in the US has no connection to or respect for actual tribes. It means the people who are most like you, “your people”, where you fit in. If you google “find your tribe” you’ll see a ton of sites with instructions on how to do that.

A friend on a different blog replies every time Myers-Briggs comes up with a bunch of research saying it’s not scientifically valid. I don’t remember why. I know my type, it makes sense to me, and when I meet others (there aren’t many INTJs), we often see the commonalities immediately. So I like it.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, by tribe, I mostly mean the social network/group, family and beyond, that provides a person with their means of survival. It’s the group that, if exiled from, a person would be hard pressed to find their next meal or job or place to stay.

I don’t suppose it’s easier to know your group’s appellation in a giant, diverse country. But it’s interesting... out of college, the majority of my first professional job offers were from British people. My dad came to the US on a British passport, I spent summers in the UK as a kid... It’s like I got just enough inculturation for that to be my network to my first career job... my first boss even TOLD me he hired me because of how I dressed... Sloane-y (!)

ETA: yes, what FI said...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks! I just Googled it thanks to FashIntern. There were NZ sites for it too. I’m wondering if I’m just slightly too old for it to be as much of a thing for me.
Anyway maybe YLF is my tribe xx
( Sorry DonnaF for thread hijack!)

rachylou

Veteran

I should tell my Shop O’ Punk story again: I worked in a Shop O’ Punks in college. Had a co-worker from Tennessee, the Deep South in the US. Well, he had the hair and the moto and combat boots. One day, I come to work and there’s a new guy... only it’s not. It’s him. He was going home for a visit, so he crew-cut his hair and put on a pair of Keds so he wouldn’t get beat up!

Style Fan

Veteran

INFP. Same as Shevia. And yes the description fits. My style goals for the past few years have been about 'reflecting core inner values'. Love the description for Angie.

Helena

Veteran

INFJ and exactly what Nemosmom said lol!

I'm always skeptical of I have my type right; I had to do this once at school as a kid, about Grade 7, and I was ENFP ... So which is right? Maybe I've lost touch with something ... Who knows? #rabbithole

In any case, Bonnie, I think INFJs are overrepresented in groups like these because there is some degree of privacy, as well as a general theme of getting into the depths of things ...

Liesbeth

Veteran

Another intj here. The description fits me to a tee ;).
And FI: 'I’d never realized that how you dress is a thing that can be approached rationally and with a plan'. YES! Once I realized that, I became so much happier (though also sometimes a bitcompulsive) about my wardrobe.
Also I really don't like to copy outfits, I would instead like to really understand the 'chemistry' of colors, lines and all that make up visual harmony/interest.

Meredith

Veteran

INTJ here. This explains my spreadsheets.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Right back atcha, Liesbeth. The copy/chemistry distinction is how I feel too.

LaPed

Veteran

INTP who sometimes types as INFP. The INTP description rings more true for me (plus, Shevia already posted the INFP profile).

The Complex Stylist: INTP

THE STYLE THEORIST

INTPs may take an enthusiastic interest in a strikingly independent way to style and to advancing their own style journey. However, they may first need to convince themselves that paying attention to style is a worthy pursuit that can facilitate others’ acceptance of their intellectual ideas. INTPs style decisions are often manifested after much mulling over and incubation time, so much so that an independent check may be required to ensure that their situation (environment, audience, goals) still match the style choices they have finally made.

While I'm often drawn to the INFP notion of dressing according to inner values, I end up complicating that goal with other criteria...

Let's make up a set for Enneagram next! 5w4 here.

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