Is there something you keep buying because you think it should work but it never does? I’ll tell you, I still fall for this one item every now and again, even though I know better. Understanding your own style preferences provides a kind of immunity from buying mistakes. By not making buying mistakes you can have a powerful impact on the problems associated with too much clothing in the world, not to mention your budget and peace of mind. In this article I explain how Enneagram subtypes inform style preferences.
What’s that thing you keep buying because you think it should work but it never does? For me, it’s sweatshirts. After years of wondering what to wear whenever everyone else was wearing a sweatshirt, I finally started translating “sweatshirt” into “sweater” in my head and feeling more like myself.
Enneagram Subtypes: Defining the Instincts
So, what is the enneagram? In broad terms, it is a personality typology system. Unlike Myers Briggs, which describes your cognitive wiring, and is the foundation of your visual identity journey with me, the Enneagram more describes The core motivations that drive our egos. It’s less who we innately are and more a strategy. There are nine Enneagram types and I don’t necessarily think your Enneagram type is important in defining your signature style. But I do see a connection to The Enneagram survival instincts.
The three instincts – self preservation, sexual, and social – combine with the types to create 27 subtypes. The definitions I am using come from the book Enneagram Through the Ages by Damian C. Russell (Amazon affiliate link).
Self-preservation:
- Attuned to personal comfort and physical needs
- Pays attention to security, well-being, and personal boundaries
Sexual:
- Is it tuned to attraction dynamics
- Pays attention to attraction and chemistry issues in relationships
Social:
- Is attuned to social dynamics
- Pays attention to bonding and interpersonal interactions
The other thing to note about these instincts is that everyone has all of them, but in different order of preference. It’s generally spoken of people being dominant in one, with another one second, and the third repressed. I think that could carry over into style as well.
How Enneagram Subtypes Show Up in Style
Enneagram Self-preservation Subtypes
The focus of the self-pres enneagram subtypes is physical safety and personal comfort. That could look like:
- Prioritizing comfort and practicality
- Preferring to blend in over standing out, possibly by wearing neutrals
- Wearing looser fit clothing to facilitate maintaining personal boundaries
- Having an adaptable wardrobe with layers and functional features
- Seeing classic and durable clothing as an investment
Enneagram Sexual Subtypes
The focus of sexual subtypes is intensity and attraction. That could include:
- Choosing clothes that highlight their best features
- Emphasizing tactile or sensual qualities in fabrics and fit
- Preferring to stand out over blending in
- Wearing more form-fitting or body-con clothing
- Dressing to attract attention or make a statement
Enneagram Social Subtypes
The focus of the social subtypes is group dynamics, belonging, and social status. Style strategies could look like:
- Dressing appropriately for the social context
- Choosing clothing that facilitates fitting in with various groups
- Selecting items that can serve as conversation starters
- Wearing clothing that fits as expected or wearing loose with fitted
- Preferring versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down
Make Fewer Buying Mistakes!
My enneagram subtype is social. Hence, my challenge with sweatshirts. When sweatshirt weather rolls around, I see everyone else in sweatshirts and have the desire to fit in. But my Style DNA doesn’t resonate with sweatshirts. I have one now that is kinda kelly green, with puffed shoulders and really cool seaming, and it’s still just ok.
But a sweater, that’s better. So I have a bright yellow cashmere sweater with sweatshirt detailing. And that’s my “sweatshirt”.
Did you notice there were notes about fit for each of the instincts? I think a great project for you to do for homework would be to try on some outfits and decide how you like your clothes to fit. Understanding your own style preferences provides a kind of immunity from buying mistakes. And we all want to make fewer buying mistakes.