You might be surprised to know that only one type of person looks good in black. Are you that type of person?
If I were to go look in your closet right now, chances are I would see a ton of black. Here are some reasons why:
- Black goes with everything.
- Black is safe.
- Black is great for business-wear.
- Black is sexy.
- Black makes you look thinner.
- Black looks great on everyone.
But are all these statements true for everybody? Some might be true for you, but it totally depends on one major thing:
Your energy type.
What do I mean by “energy type?” Well, think about the most upbeat, fun, energetic, smiley, bubbly person you know. Now think of the most serious, studious, thoughtful, calm person you know. You can clearly see the difference in quantity and quality of energy between these two people. Energy type is more than just personality. It is an innate quality that we are all born with.
According Carol Tuttle, author of “It’s Just My Nature” and creator of the Dressing Your Truth program, there are four different types. Every person has portions of each of the types, but one will be dominant.
Type 1: The Bright, Animated Woman. The element associated with the Type 1 Woman is air. This woman exhibits high movement and energy, but also a lightness and brightness.
Type 2: The Soft, Subtle Woman. The element associated with the Type 2 Woman is water. This woman exhibits a lower, fluid energy. She is generally easy-going and tuned into others.
Type 3: The Rich, Dynamic Woman. The element associated with the Type 3 Woman is fire. This woman has a high, pushing energy. She is determined and driven.
Type 4: The Bold, Striking Woman. The element associated with the Type 4 Woman is earth. This woman has a very still, solid energy. Though often quiet, she has strong ideals and perfectionistic tendencies.
You might be surprised to know that only one of these types looks good in black. Now don’t go running for the hills or get scared that you might not be able to wear black any more. Afterall, this is America, and you can wear any color you want. However, certain colors really accentuate and bring out the most of your natural beauty based on your energy type.
Type 1 women (and men) sometimes see their upbeat, fun nature as immature and flaky. Though this perception is incorrect, they will often try to look more serious and intelligent by wearing black. Unfortunately, this tactic backfires. The still, solid nature of the color black just accentuates their natural buoyancy and can make them look silly. What they are presenting to the world is in direct opposition to their true nature.
Type 2 women (and men) will wear black because it feels safe. These people have a lower, more subtle nature, and black is a comfortable fall-back. However, it is too stark for their soft, gentle nature.
Type 3 women (and men) will wear black because it is seen as a “power” color. These people with their confident natures want to appear independent and strong. However, black is a color with no movement–it is completely still. Black is in direct opposition to the high, driven energy of a Type 3 person. It also has a tendency to make them look older.
Type 4 women (and men) have the most still, solid nature of all the types. For this reason, black compliments them perfectly. Their bold, serious nature harmonizes perfectly with the color black. When they wear black, who they are on the inside is reflected by what they wear on the outside.
Why You Should Stop Wearing Black
Now I know you are asking two questions:
- Which type am I?
- What am I supposed to wear if I can’t wear black?
Let me answer the second question first. For Types 1, 2, and 3, there are colors that can substitute for black. They will compliment your true nature rather than fight with it. Some of these colors are navy blue, chocolate brown, charcoal grey, and even a dark maroon. The colors that are best for you will depend on your type.
There is a free online course you can take to figure out your type. I also highly recommend the book, “It’s Just My Nature!“
by Carol Tuttle. This book is what really helped me to figure out my type. Not only did I find out my own type, but I also learned the types of my husband, children, and friends. Knowing your type goes far beyond knowing which clothes to wear. It reveals to you your many gifts and talents that you perhaps are not aware of. It even helps you realize that many of the things you thought were weaknesses are actually strengths!
You can also visit my More Than a Makeover page to see in-depth posts about each of the four types.
Honestly, learning about the four types has changed my life. You can read about my experience on this post called “More Than a Makeover–Part One.”
Don’t throw all your black out right now! But also open your mind to the possibility that you might need to! Trust me. When you find out your type, you will only become a more beautiful person, inside and out!
Wondering what to wear once you figure out your Type? Click below to get great outfit ideas for every Type!
(This post gives just a small glimpse of the entire Dressing Your Truth program that was developed by Carol Tuttle. To learn more, please visit the Dressing Your Truth site).
Had to read! But as a funeral director, black, grey and navy are my staples!
Kelly, you are excused 🙂
Strange that there are no ‘Dull, wee boring woman’ types in your categories. There are plenty of them in the world. I may even belong to that category myself!
That’s because there is no such thing as a “dull, wee boring woman!” There are only women who haven’t yet learned what their innate gifts and talents are. Visit my More Than a Makeover page to find out what yours are. EVERYBODY is interesting!
Sounds very much like Ayurveda. Are these theories based on Ayurveda?
I’m not sure, but I know that the creator, Carol Tuttle, is a practitioner of several eastern therapies.
But…but…I LOVE black! 🙁
Me too 🙂
This is a dumb way to think. The only thing that dictates if you should wear a color or not is if you feel you don’t look good in a certain color.
A person personality and what they wear is irrelevant to how the item looks on them. Anyone can make anything look good if the item fits the body type. Idk where you got this information from, but boy is it grossly incorrect lol. By the way, your energy is going to be what it’s going to be regardless of what you wear, and with the types you’ve given I’m woman type number two.
We are all entitled to our own opinions!
This is probably the silliest blog I’ve ever read. So depending on the color you wear defines the person and energy you carry. Wrong. Am I supposed to wear the same color everyday to show what “type” of woman I am?. Wrong. Funny theory but absolutely wrong not even the way that you look defines who you are none the less the colors you wear. Or the color you are at that.
Oh dear. It looks like maybe I need to rewrite this post, because you and the previous commenter have actually misunderstood what I was trying to say. I actually agree with both of you in the point that our energy type doesn’t change, no matter what we wear. Our clothes do not DEFINE our energy–they can merely enhance the natural beauty that we have by being in HARMONY with our energy. If you want to learn more, I recommend you go to the Dressing Your Truth site, where hopefully things will be more clear than they are here! I apologize for the misunderstanding!
Those who think this is silly or dumb need to read Its’s Just My Nature and/or Dressing Your Truth by Carol Tuttle, one of the biggest names in energy healing today. Discovering who you really are through understanding your energy type changes your whole perspective and increases the quality of your life. The right clothes, hair styles, make up and accessories are tools to enhance your energy. This is empowerment!!! Using the wrong tools weakens or even kills your energy or power. Find out what your energy type is and what kinds of clothes, hair style, make up, accessories and colors enhance your energy type and experiment for yourself. Those of us who have can testify that this “silly” or “dumb” way of thinking is totally not that. It changed my life!!! I’m so grateful to know about energy types and grateful to Melissa for sharing something so important to her with the world. One of your best posts yet Melissa!!! Keep it up no matter what some readers say.
I agree! I am a makeup artist so I wear a LOT of black, and I experiment with different colors. When I freelance for certain lines or events they dictate the makeup colors we wear as well. I have noticed a subtle change in how I feel, be it a bold red lip, a dark lip or a nude lip! It doesn’t change who I am but the point of this (at least what I take from it) is to dress in a way that jives with your natural personality! ???? You can definitely wear what you want- but maybe test out if you feel differently wearing certain things. People in the 80’s were encouraged to dress in cool or warm color depending on their skin tone and personality, to enhance. This just breaks it down a little more! Fascinating.
I disagree. Almost every time I wear black. Some one tells me that I look good in BLACK. I also like it when men where all Black. Especially Black tie with black shirt and black pants and black suit jacket. I think it is sharp looking. . You are what one would call a bad perfectionist. You voiced your opinion. Now I voiced mine.
Linda, thank you for sharing your opinion! I was actually just thinking the other day how I think all men look so awesome in a tux, no matter their type! And if people tell you you look great in black, and you feel great in black, then by all means, keep wearing it!
I am a “type 4” by definition and my wardrobe consists of 95% black. I just really feel out of my element in bold or bright colors. I almost feel as though it’s a misrepresentation of who I am. I believe that my wearing black represents my energy quite perfectly. Reading your post helps me understand a bit more why I am so drawn to the color black (most of my wardrobe is black, my car is black, etc).
Caitlin, I’m so glad you could understand more of your nature and how it draws you to the color black! I am a type 4 as well, and I feel awesome when I wear black. I do try to branch out into other colors, though once in a while 🙂 If you purchase the actual Dressing Your Truth course, it tells you the other colors that Type 4s can wear and that they (we) look great in!
Wow why are the comments so hateful? Can’t we express ourselves and opinions in a kind way?
Hey Courtney, thanks for your sentiments! I feel exactly the same way and it hurts my heart when people are unkind on my blog (and anywhere on the internet or in real life!) Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Just beginning to research this & am possibly a 2. The very fact that I am overly skeptical/cautious about embracing this says a lot!
I question wether or not your secondary type styles & colors can also be worn? I have already known from older season type teaching that I can’t wear black or white. I was of the impression that I can wear clear, bright shades which are not in a type 2 profile
Hi Pauline! Yes, from what you say, you may very well be a Type 2! I have known many type twos who are skeptical and cautious! As far as your secondary colors and styles are concerned, according to Carol (the creator of Dressing Your Truth), you should always stay true to your type’s colors, but you can definitely incorporate some of your secondary’s STYLE into your look. By style, I’m talking about fabrication, pattern, cut, etc. So since I’m a Type 4 with a secondary Type 2, I can wear some things that might have a softer, more flowing fabrication, as long as they are still in my Type 4 colors. Hopefully that makes sense! Have you taken the free online course? It goes over all the types and my help you to determine for sure which type you are!