Here comes the Medicine Woman
Psychologie magazine, Netherlands - March 2006Natalie HanssenI could have made it up myself: if you wear the right clothes, your life is easier. Not only do you become prettier and more attractive, above all you become your true self, have more self confidence and attract the things you need in life. Not to mention the time advantage you have with dressing in the morning. It’s just that I am not so good with clothes. I can see what is nice, but not really if it suits me. Luckily there is the Wardrobe Shrink, Sarah Whittaker. She creates – remotely– your ‘ image profile’, and bases what you should wear on that. She developed 35 ‘image types’ with each their own psychology, physiology and ‘vibe’. Here theory has a resemblance to the archetypes of Jung. ‘ We share a collective consciousness,’ says Sarah, ‘in which we all have our part and goal. If your appearance corresponds to your archetype, you don’t waist energy by, e.g. playing the role of a princess while you are actually a queen.’ Examples of image types are ‘Aristocrat’ (Grace Kelly), ‘Parisienne’ (Nicole Kidman) of ‘English Rose’ (Gwenneth Paltrow). Each have their own do’s and don’ts in clothing. For the distant image profile I have to take pictures of myself and fill in a questionnaire. After that I’ll have a telephone consultation and will get the profile by email. But first – to work. I take pictures from all corners and answer fourteen pages of questions. What colours am I the most? How do I think others see me? What interest did I have as a kid? ‘As a child you are not as influenced by others,’ explains Sarah. ‘So I discover often authentic qualities and real interests. People tend to forget that during their life – under the influence of others - your personality gets diluted.’ We mail another time because I don’t understand about the question if I am ‘contained’ or ‘expressive’, and Sarah replies calming ‘I will also see it in your pictures.’ Excuse me? The types turn out to be developed on a lot of characteristics, however small. Every aspect of our appearance has a reason. ‘If the image type fits, the questionnaire usually confirms what I have seen,’ says Sarah. After a few days I call Sarah for the consult. She finds the fact that I took pictures from so many corners significant: just like a child would do. The expression in my eyes tells her I am very wise too. I am the 'creative child', but also the ‘medicine woman’. My image type, that combines these, is the ‘Thespian’; theatrical, but not dramatic. I need clothes with a ‘twist’. I should avoid boring things, just like classical ones. Judi Dench, known as ‘M’ from the James Bond movies (150 years old and not exactly pretty), is the same image type as I am. A small comfort is that she always looks different than anyone else. My function in the world is ‘giving energy’ – also one of my best features. ‘But,’ continues Sarah, ‘You have to channel it better.’ Stunned I look at the phone. I often have the feeling my energy can disappear out of the blue. ‘People probably have a tendency to ‘plug into you’. Also the fact that you move between two extremes (creative child and medicine woman) might drain you. Your clothing can help you to integrate these extremes and balance them. You should show a wise woman with a strong creative and innovative ‘flair’. Also, wearing cool colours can help – they look very good on you and tend to keep people more at a distance.’ The final profile contains not only a personality description and advice for colours, materials, clothes and shoes, but also hair colour and make-up. There are links to sites of brands and designers, and a site that can teach me to ‘ground’ better, so I will be better in defending myself against others. Even though the advised clogs and nature shoes do not really appeal to me, some clothing sites give acute inspiration and greed. To begin with, I buy a little hairy top with funny sleeves in the right colour. The result is astonishing. More than once a day people tell me how nice I look and I strangely feel at home in this weird little sweater. I attracted it myself! « Back to The Wardrobe Shrink Forum ©2006 Sarah Whittaker [www.wardrobeShrink.com]. You have my permission to copy this article for your website or publication, so long as this entire byline remains intact. I'd appreciate a quick e-mail to let me know where you're using it. Thank you! |