Update: this review is 8 years old. I have no idea what the current Dressing Your Truth process and course is like. Although I felt that the Dressing Your Truth initial assessment was fun to do, I don’t believe that it helps you define your own style and helps you dress better. It just puts you in one of the 4 ‘boxes’. To truly understand and develop your unique style, I recommend 40+Style’s style course: 21 steps to a More Stylish You.
I was invited to take the Dressing Your Truth profile test and do their course.
Today I will tell you a bit more about my profile and the full Dressing your Truth course.
What is my profile?
As I watched all the videos of the beauty profiling, I kept trying to find out my own.
It was great listening to all the clues and hints and I found that it was actually easier to rule out profiles rather than choose certain types based on what Carol was saying.
Although I recognised traits of myself in all 4 profiles, it quickly became clear to me that I was predominantly a 3. That had been my initial reaction as a I saw Carol and what she was wearing, but it just became more and more clear as the courses progressed. However, I also have a lot of a 4 in me.
What does it mean to be a 3?
Type 3 is the rich / dynamic woman. Here are some more characteristics:
- Our primary element is hydrogen / fire
- Primary Movement: Active, Reactive
- Natural Gift: Action—“Let’s get to work and get it done!”
- Dominant Quality: Swiftly moving us forward to our desired outcomes.
- Beauty Code Word: Hot!
We can be quite competitive and intense and people may have told you to just relax, or stop being so demanding or tone it down! We can be very task oriented and sometimes forget about the people.
We are also very passionate and compulsive. We value honest communication, credibility and realism. We get to the point.
A quote from the book that resonated with me:
“It is important that you acknowledge and allow your energy to have a swift, pushing nature. If you try to soften your movement and override it with apologies, it can be like a burning furnace that has no vent and will suddenly go into reactive mode—what we call rage! When you do not allow your Dominant Type to lead in your expressive self, you lose your connection with who you are. You will be out of balance from your active/reactive energy if you try to soften or sedate yourself“.
What will you learn in the Dressing your Truth course?
Once you have discovered your beauty profile, you will select the Dressing Your Truth course for your type. You will then learn how to dress true to your nature by learning the five elements for your type. These include:
- Design lines
- Texture
- Fabrication
- Pattern
- Color/Chroma
How will I apply these findings to my own life?
I was amazed by how many of the findings seemed right to me. All the uneven lines, the asymmetry, the colours; they just seemed to fit. Even though I have just bought a colourful wardrobe capsule in very bright colours, I always knew that those were not really ‘my colours’, which is why I chose to buy them cheaply and will enjoy them for the time being. Although it is worth noting that these are the colours of type 4, which is a strong secondary type for me. However, I was right in adding much more colour to my wardrobe!
What I have gained though is an even deeper understanding of what my style personality is and which colours, lines and patters suit me.
Does that mean that I will follow the guidelines strictly? I would say: no.
I still like to indulge in trends. I still want to express myself in ways that are not totally me, but that are a part of me. For me that is part of being dynamic too. Moving around and switching and also staying true to my style statement: modern freedom.
But I will try to incorporate some of the guidelines given for my style type. The colours for my type seem right to me and I want to incorporate more of them in my wardrobe.
The bulky necklaces were already a favorite of mine and I will try to make them even bolder and bulkier.
Strong triangular lines and asymmetry were also already favorites and I will aim for more garments that emphasize this even more.
I will even have another look at my hairstyle again, which I’m still not 100% happy with (will I ever?) and possibly make it more texturized.
From the book: “Your nature is to be dynamic and determined, and when you wear clothes that make you appear to be soft and quiet, your true nature is disguised to most people and it will come across as unexpected and can often be judged as aggressive and pushy.”
For those that have started doing the assesement, how are you going with this? Have you already discovered your type? Any ‘AHA’ moments?
UPDATE: If you are looking for a different kind of course that focusses on finding your own unique style, I recommend the 21 Steps to a More Stylish You course.
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I am a type 2 with a secondary 1 and love anything flowing and feminine romantic, the program has helped me loads with my style and confidence to be myself
I have followed Carol Tuttle for years and have had enjoyment from all this but I do notice that she does not like any opinions contrary to her own and I find her very dictatorial and have stepped back from buying much from her. I have found several of her makeovers to be strange and some are really great but you dare not say that you think something does not look good as that is considered negative. In other words you are not allowed an opinion. I think most of us have an inner compass.
I love the DYT system and their Lifestyle web offerings. I’ve learned a lot and it really has made a difference in my life.
I advise you to avoid their “moderated” Facebook pages, however. The moderation is quite capricious and arbitrary; I questioned why a post had been deleted only to have my question deleted. I asked again and was summarily dumped off both the general page AND the page for my type. I reread the guidelines and I am 100% sure that I violated nothing. The Emperor Has No Clothes.
I’ve done the course, and it helped me tremendously. I use DYT info plus Sylvia’s rule of thirds and my body type. In the last year, since I have been doing these things, I’ve been able to better hone my style and have received so many compliments. Thanks Sylvia, for all of your sharing.
I would like to hear from you ladies about what you think of the DYT course by type? Was it worth the money? I have read 3 of Carol’s books, watched hours upon hours of videos, bought her course about all the types (the one on sale for $99), and have bought items from the DYT store, (which I have loved). I am pretty sure I am a T-2, with some reservations since I always question, but am wondering what may be the value of buying a particular course. Can you fill me in on why buying a particular course was worth it for you? How does it help beyond what is already in the resources I already mentioned.
By the way, Betty Boop sounds so cute and exactly like a T-1 to me. From her name, to her personal description of her habits, to her style of writing — her account of the way she lives screams T-1. My thought while reading what she wrote was, “she sounds fun and cute.” Those are T-1 descriptors and they came to me loud and clear. For whatever that may be worth, I thought I’d share my 2 cents.
Thanks in advance for any insights you may be able to offer and thanks for a great site here to share personal experiences and insights on the journey to self and type.
Thanks, Sylvia – that’s what I’ll do – get some outfits together and ask for advice. I may not manage to do this for a week or 2. I have an essay to write for yet another course I’m am trying – I’ve have 6 weeks to do the work and write it and am about to start it with 4 days to go, LOL! Then I am planning a short trip of a week’s holiday 🙂
This blog looks so interesting and fun and you have been very welcoming to me indeed.
Thank you!
BettyB
x
May I leave a comment? I am 44 and have been really excited about this whole DYT stuff. I discovered it 2 weeks ago and have already purchased the DYT book, the Beauty Profiling Course and a Skye call with Carol Tuttle herself. I get carried away with new things and rush headlong in 🙂
I was probably 80% sure I was a Type 1. But I have always looked outside myself for validation. I’ve never felt sure of myself. I’ve tried everything including astrology and all sorts of quizzes.
I was advised that I am a Type 4/1. I was open-minded on the call – after all, I did ask for help. I don’t have a problem with any of the clothes for any of the types. I find something to like in them all. HOWEVER, I am unable to see a single solitary Type 4 trait in myself (except perhaps for sometimes getting a bit analytical with certain things).
Here’s a quick run-down of me:-
Don’t know how much money is in my bank account and don’t really care either! Not because I have a lot (my husband and I went bankrupt 3 years ago).
I am on the wrong tax code and being paid less than I should be – took me 3 months to get around to sorting it out!
Grocery shopping – just chuck whatever I want in the basket. Little meal-planning. I love to cook but never get around to it – buy too many ready meals.
Almost never do housework – seriously! I just muck about, doing what’s fun.
Packing for a holiday (night before or morning of holiday – just chuck whatever I think into the suitcase, un-ironed, unorganised – it all works out).
Jobs – just do admin jobs so I can change jobs frequently. Love working for agencies – change jobs whenever I get bored.
Don’t look for too much responsibility at work. Weighs me down. Have no desire to have people below me I need to supervise/be responsible for.
Closet – just full of stuff , half of which doesn’t fit me or suit me. It’s just all piled in there. Zero organisation. Most of my clothes don’t even make it in there!
CONSTANTLY starting new projects (some of which cost me money) and dropping them. No discipline, staying power, etc.
Never wanted to start a family as I’ve never felt settled and love to keep my options open. Didn’t feel I would be a good mother as I am so inconstant.
I always notice grammar/spelling mistakes (Type 4?)
Am I still a Type 4 but living in my 1? Or am I a Type 1/4 in fact?
I did a DISC quiz. If you know this, the Influence corresponds to 1, Compliance to 4, Steadiness to 2 and Dominance to Type 3. My results were:-
1 – 44%
2- 16%
3 – 16%
4 – 24%
Hmmm.. SO CONFUSED! And I wanted so much to be at the buying new clothes stage was looking for FUN with this! I don’t mind the Type 4 clothes (although I love the 1) but if it’s going to project a personality I simply don’t have…… ?
I’m certainly no expert in this but all your traits sound more like 1 than 4 to me. I would say to go with your intuition and what feels right to you. If you feel that you are acting out something you are not, go back to your childhood days. If you had the same traits then, then that is just who you are. I’m not familiar with the 44% quiz so cannot comment on that. In the end the beauty profiling is not rocket science. You may not fit into any of the 4 categories perfectly. Trust your instinct. If you are attracted most to the clothes of type 1 then that gives you a lot of information too. Good luck!
Hello Sylvia!
How very kind you are to take the trouble to reply to me and so quickly too – thank you 🙂
I have been thinking about my childhood a lot and I felt I acted like a 1 a lot. I would have even more had I the opportunity (we lived very rurally with no visitors). We were quite short of cash too, so could not afford to join any clubs, etc. I’d dearly have loved to have joined a tennis club, for instance.
Anyway, I think I’ll take your advice and make a start with DYT 1. I can always switch mid-stream if I feel it just not working for me. I know sometimes loved ones find it hard to be objective about us, but my husband has listened to the sections of DYT types 1 and 4 and can see no 4 in me but lots of 1.
Thanks again, Sylvia.
BTW, LOVE your blog!!!!
Great that my reply was helpful to you Betty. You may also consider uploading your outfits to our forum. Although we don’t give comments based on the DYT program, we will give our honest opinions on what looks good on you (in constructive ways of course) and it’s fun to participate!
Hi Betty Boop! Based on your descriptions of yourself, you are a strong type 1.
I love dyt, but have had a hard time coming to grips with my very strong type 2 self. I’ve hidden it for so long, it’s been a struggle to re-find myself. I started dyt over a year ago, but had to step back from it for a long time, it is a very emotional thing for me.
My advice is be true to yourself and have FUN doing it.
I would be very causious in joining dressing your truth. i had looked into it for almost a year and really liked the concept of finding colors and balance for what I wear. i purchased the program 8 months ago and I had a strong sense of what type I am. Then I made the mistake of getting on a conference call with Carol Tuttle. If you watch past videos of Carol she rarely agrees with anyones assesmetn of what type they are. she did the same with me. Most of what she says on the vidoes contradicts what she says in the book. it is said that it is more then facials that determine what type a person is and then she gets on with people and in 20 seconds only looks at their faces to determine what type they are. she also says that this program is nothing like the seasons program after talking with her on skype I found the seasons book and read it. My advice would be purchase that book it is only $8 on amazon and says exactly what Carol teaches it costs less and the colors and design lines are given right there. after expressing my confusion and lose to Carol through e-mail instead of working with me through this process and helping she decided to refund my money and kick me off the dyt program. Be very careful when choicing what to do. After all this I have realized that I relied to much on the philosphy of man rather then God. I choose to follow a theory instead of following the love of Christ. Be cautious in working with Carol personally.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s a pity that not enough attention was paid to understanding your type. It contradicts a little bit what Carol says that you always know best yourself what type you are. To me, determining someones type from the face alone seems flawed. I hope it was still a good process though in getting to know yourself better and your style. Expressing your true nature through your clothes still feels right to me.
Hi Sylvia, I’m happy to hear that you have determined your type! Even though I am a type 1, I will still look forward to your inspiring posts. 🙂 It will be fun to read about your adventures in dressing your truth. I find that it gets more fun as time goes on. Sue
I will not be too strict about it Sue, but will certainly aim for more type 3 clothes. Expect to still see a lot of type 4 clothes as well! Type 1 is my least dominant type but I have a type 1 son and husband! I’m so happy with their optimistic nature!
I too am secondary 4. Will always love the beauty of type 4 clothing and accessories and I am drawn to the look often.
Here’s a comment from someone who has been the Dressing Her Truth for more than a year:
One of the best personal decisions I ever made. I look and feel better than EVER before. (56 years old, Type 2). I feel pretty, self confident relaxed and I know people are attracted by this new look- the trick being that you look outside like who you are energywise inside – and that is somehow really liberating for whoever you’re interacting with.
I know what to look for when I’m shopping, so that’s become easy and much quicker and more satisfying.
I’m not affiliated with DYT in any way except by gratitude and appreciation.
Lovely to hear from you Regina and great to hear that the course has been such a success for you. Feel free to upload some of your looks to our style forum if you wish!
I am amazed by this course! After watching 3 videos I think I am a Type 2 (1st) and Type 4 (2nd) – detail oriented and always trying to perfect things. My son is a Type 1 and I am still not sure about my husband and daughter. But this is really interesting. I haven’t gotten to any of the clothing part yet – styles or colors. I wish I had more time to spend on this but my life is going in 100 directions right now!
Great to learn that you are enjoying the course. It’s interesting to learn about yourself and your family members, isn’t it. The course is not going anywhere, so just take your time…
I have a few 4 elements: clear, high contrast, precise, clean but I am definately not a black and white person. In clothes I like it, but in looking at the world I usually see grey. As in “most of the things are both black and white, not one or the other”.
I am not constant and not still. Nor bold etc.
I find it hard to ignore the physical features part of the videos. As I doubt that part very much, it also makes me doubtful of the rest.
And if we have parts of each type in us, then why would it be wrong if we do not dress according to our dominant type? You give another signal, sure, but you might want to show that part of you that particular day.
I am confused.
Don’t take it too seriously nor literally, dear, finish the free video series and if it only gives you confusion, just let it go then….;-)
Well…. that was quite an excercise. I have come up to (and including) DAY 4. Have not received DAY 5 yet.
I was doing quite well until we came to the physical features. That part threw me off completely. Because 1) it strikes me as very odd that your body features would match your inner world in such a strict way. 2) I don’t get it. I seem to have features of every type. Oh dear. And I was so nicely going narrowing it down to a 1 and a 3. (Still with bits of 2 and 4 as well.) So not getting anywhere yet. Perhaps that is why my closet has so many different styles. I got my husband pinned though. He is a 2 with 4, so quite the opposite from me as it seems so far.
We all have parts of each type in us. We just need to find out what our dominant type is. It seems strange to me too that our physical features could partly determine our type, but Carol is quite sure about this, discovered through her years of doing these profiles. You will still get additional clues the coming days + the book, so hopefully that will solve the puzzle.
For me is clear that you are not type 2, Greetje, and I would guess that you dominant type is type 3. I would ignore the physical features part, if that confuses you. For your secundary type I doubt between 1 and 4, maybe a bit more 4. Anxious to see what you come up with in the end;-).
I agree with Tangobabe, the colours look great on you. Much prefer them on you than the beige colours. And you are right in following your style but not ridgidly. That is no fun.
I have just finished video 1 and wanted to start on 2, but I will do that tomorrow. I am sitting in the living room and my husband does not appreciate listening to the video. Haha.
It will be fun to learn about your type, Greetje!
I totally understand that Ron does not want to hear all that ‘women talk’…hahaha… I also do not let my Frits suffer;-) and listen when alone.
Oh, and too bad, that you came to the conclusion that your latest colorful buys are not really you and not the path you will proceed on. Why too bad? Because I – and to judge from all the comments of your faithful readers a lot of them as well- find those looks, as well other looks with strong colors very, very flattering on you. I was actually very happy to see you evolve in that direction. Not because it is more MY taste, but because it makes your beauty come out way more then e.g. paler or darker colors do, IMHO. Just wanted to let you know;-).
Not to worry. There is a lot of colour in 3 and as mentioned I will not stick to it to the letter. 4 is very strong with me too and that has all the bright colours and contrasts. I will keep wearing both. I just meant to say that the REALLY bright colours don’t feel right, but perhaps I’m just getting used to them. I’m not going back to the pale colours and will stay away from solid black as usual!
Ok, happy to hear that;-)!
With my limited knowledge so far, I see in you more of a 4, then a 3…more (down-to-) earth, then fire…but well, you took the whole course AND ofcourse you know you best;-).
For myself it’s clear that I am a type 1 and secondary type 2. Aka air and water, which is consistent with e.g. my air-sign Gemini. Not that I am into astrology, by the way;-).
The online course is offered only today for 99 dollars, it seems, so whoever is comtemplating of taking it, maybe better do that today!
It’s a close call but too many things of 4 don’t fit. I guess I was more ‘firy’ when I was younger. Perhaps need to find back some of that fire again!
I see; well, time will tell;-).
I just signed up and received the first email but now I have to watch the video. Need some quiet time though. It does look interesting and I hope to learn more about myself.
Yes, there are quite a few videos to watch. It gets more interesting as you go along. Curious to discover what your dominant type is!
I’ve completed part III of the free assessment, and I’m definitely a predominantly type 2. I’m really looking forward to do the rest of the assessment, it’s fun and very interesting and I’m actually considering buying the online course to find out more! I find Dressing Your Truth considerably more approachable – and more fun – than The Style Statement, although I’ll problably complete that one as well some time.
Great that it is so clear for you! I found it fun as well and watched almost all the videos in one go. Interesting to know that you are a type 2!