Feng Shui For Dress

Feng Shui for YOU! applies feng shui principles to the personal energy of The 8 Elements. What we wear is not just an expression of our personal style. How we dress is not just a projection of what we want the world to see. What we wear to work is not just our attempt to dress for success. How we dress is not just a gauge on how well we keep up with the current trends or proverbial Kardashians. What we wear is not just free advertising for brand names, logos and slogans. How we dress is not just broadcasting our personal values, beliefs and preferences.

What we wear to work or at home, on an evening out or to the gym, has an effect on our personal energy. The cut and style. The fabrics and prints. The colors and textures. They are all associated with The Five Elements. And the elements represented in the way we dress, affect our personal energy, influence our mood, impact our productivity and have an effect on our level of joy, peace and happiness. They can increase our stress and anxiety or elevate our sense of personal well-being. They can cut or drain our energy or support and uplift our energy.

The more our apparel and accessories resonate with our personal element, the more comfortable we will be. The more of our own element's colors and shapes, textures and prints we incorporate into our personal style, the more affinity we will feel within ourselves. The more we know about Feng Shui for Dress, the more we will be able to honor our personal energy with our clothing choices.

Color has the most impact on our energy. The elements represented by the fabrics and textiles, followed by the prints and patterns of our clothing are a close second. The shape of our dresses and skirts, pants and shirts, blouses and jackets are also a factor to consider. Lastly, the parts of the body that our clothes and accessories accentuate, contributes to our unique personal style.

NOTE: To determine your personal element’s Comfort, Peace, Support, Power and Control elements, read Element Relationship Dynamics for more information on the Three Cycles of The Five Elements.

If you have read your personal element profile, you are already familiar with the colors associated with each of The 8 Elements and their effect on your personal energy, as well as, your Happy color.

ELEMENT COLORS

WOOD - green (all shades)

Happy HARD WOOD - orange Happy SOFT WOOD - lavender

FIRE - red spectrum colors (red, orange, purple, fuchsia, pink, mauve, peach) Happy FIRE - red

EARTH - yellow, earth tones (espresso, chocolate, brown, beige, tan, sand)

Happy MOUNTAIN EARTH - yellow Happy Mother Earth - pink,terracotta

METAL - white, gray, metallics (gold, silver, copper), light pastels

Happy HARD METAL - rainbow colors Happy SOFT METAL - metallic colors

WATER - black, dark blues and deep purple Happy WATER - iridescent

When you want to feel comfortable, wear your Personal Element’s Colors. When you need to rest, relax or sleep, wear your Element’s Peace Colors. When you need support, wear your Element’s Support Colors. When you need energy, wear your Element’s Power Colors. When you feel out of control, wear your Element’s Control Colors.

For Example: A Water person might wear a lot of black and dark blue for comfort. Green to bed for peaceful sleep. White or gray while working for support. Power colors, red or fuchsia on a day when they know they will need extra energy. Espresso or some yellow if they feel they need direction or a way to channel their energy.

ELEMENT TEXTURES

WOOD

The Wood element is associated with plant based fabrics, natural dyes and wooden or floral embellishments. Wood people prefer to wear natural, even organic fabrics made from plant based materials like cotton, flax, hemp, jute or ramie. They like breathable fabrics, like 100% cotton or linen. Plain weave muslin, twill woven denim and durable duck woven canvas are all popular among Wood elements. Rayon is sometimes acceptable since it is a semi-synthetic fabric made from transparent wood or cotton fibers. Straw and bamboo are used to make hats and bags.

Plant Based Fabrics - broadcloth, corduroy, calico, cambric, chintz, cotton blends, damask, denim, flannel, gingham, jacquard, linen, muslin, poplin, rayon, velveteen

FIRE

The Fire element is associated with animals materials. Fire people like to wear fabrics made from animal hair, fibers and fur like angora and cashmere, silk and wool. They like feather boas, avian plumes and peacock feathers. Leather jackets and belts are among their favorite wardrobe items. They might have shirts with buttons made out of bone or shells or carved out of ivory.

Animal Based Textiles - angora, cashmere, fur, leather, mohair, silk and wool

Animal Materials - animal fibers, hair (alpaca, angora, camel, goat, horse, sheep), rawhide, tanned skins, antlers, bones, feathers, horns, ivory tusks, musk, plumes, snakeskin, scales, shells, sponges, coral, teeth, tortoiseshell

Examples: hats with feathers, fur trimmed coats, fur lined boots, leather jackets and belts, silk shirts, snakeskin boots, wool suits, alpaca poncho

EARTH

The Earth element is associated with the human body, body art and synthetic fabrics.

Earth people tend to prefer their birthday suit to clothing. They might be naked or half naked and barefoot most of the time. Lovers of the human body and admirers of the human form, they bare it all and don't mind when others are bare-naked either. They might sleep naked or walk around their house in the nude. They might go shirtless and shoeless or wear next to nothing. Mother Earth people tend to want to show their waists, stomachs, bellies and midriff. Mountain Earth people like to show their bareback.

Earth people might cover their bodies with permanent tattoos, temporary henna designs or earth based paints.

When they do get dressed, they like to wear workout clothes, many of which are made of synthetic fabrics.

Synthetic Fabrics: microfiber, nylon, polyester, spandex

Other Fabrics: denim, flannel, gingham, jersey knit, velvet

METAL

The Metal element is associated with metallic fabrics. Metal people like to wear white, grey, gold, silver or copper fabrics that have a shine, shimmer or glint to them like satin. They also like fabrics with stainless steel metallic threads, fibers or yarns or coated metallic filaments that need to be dry cleaned. Metallic yarns are used in many types of clothing, from party and club dresses to cold weather and survival clothing to everyday apparel. Metallic yarns are woven, braided or knit into many fashionable fabrics and trims or twisted together with natural fibers like cotton and wool or synthetic blends. Metallic fibers are used in weaving and needlepoint for additional embellishments and topical adornments. Lame is a fabric woven or knit with thin ribbons of metallic yarns of gold, silver and sometimes copper. It is used for evening gowns, overjackets worn in the sport of fencing and theatrical, dance and Sci-Fi costumes. Brocade is an "embossed cloth" It is a class of rich fabrics, colored silks decoratively woven with gold and silver threads.

Metallic Fabrics: lame and brocade, cloth of silver or gold (a metallic woven fabric, in which a core yarn like silk, fine linen or wool is wrapped with a band or strip of high content gold or silver), satin

Examples: chain mail, cut resistant metal gloves, metal helmets, protective suits, space suits, steel toed boots, suits of armor

WATER

The water element is associated with sheer, light, dark and iridescent fabrics. Water people like to wear semi-transparent clothing made from light weight, flowy, translucent fabrics. Their see-through fabrics can range from demure to risqué. Their thin, light and airy fabrics may be layered over more opaque pieces or, just as sheer, undergarments. Their gauzy, delicate fabrics can be whisper quiet or draw attention with every step or move they make.

Water Fabrics: chiffon, crepe, eyelet, gossamer, muslin, organza, rayon, silk, tulle, velour, velvet

ELEMENT PRINTS

Wood: floral and plant prints (flowers, leaves, vines, fruit, herbs), hearts, vertical stripes and lines, paisley, crazy quilt, rectangular shapes

Fire: animal prints (leopard, scales, snakeskin, tiger, zebra), animal shapes, eyes, faces and head silhouettes, flames, hearts, pyramids, triangles and pointed arrows

Earth: geometric patterns, hieroglyphics, symbols, graphic (2 dimensional) art, logos, language (words, verbiage), argyle, checkers, plaid, tartan, patchwork quilt, hearts, horizontal stripes and lines, cubes and squares, spheres, peaks and valleys, human body shapes

Metal: solids, polka dots, rainbow tie-dye, constellations, clouds, rainbows, circles, ovals, curved lines

Water: freeform designs, amoeba, bleed through, bubbles, mirror images, raindrops, reflections, ripples, spirals, splashes, streaks, teardrops, watercolor, wavy lines

ELEMENT STYLES

Wood

Wood people are practical. They like clothes that are easy to take care of; wash, air dry and wear. Shopping at consignment or thrift stores for second hand clothes is sometimes preferred and they might wear them until they are thread bare and well past worn. They prefer to wear muted colors and natural fabrics and like to accessorize with handmade or homemade things. Arts and craftsy, they might even learn how to sew and make their own clothes. They are most likely to own knitted garments, maybe even made by themselves.

Style: Asian, Bohemian, gypsy, hippie, informal, non-traditional, peasant, preppy, romantic

Shape & Silhouette: Column

Staples: A-line, bell-shaped, full or wraparound skirts, canvas shoes, cotton garments, corduroy pants, crocheted or knitted tops, sweaters and shawls, kimonos, robes, straw hats

Features: baggy, bows, braids, drawstring or elastic waistbands, embroidery, flounces, gathers, knots, lace, laces, peplum, pleats, ribbons, ruching, ruffles, ties, wooden buttons

Neckline: scoop, sweetheart

Waistline: empire and raised (Hard Wood), drop (Soft Wood)

Hemline: tea, ankle or floor length

Hard Wood Accentuates: Neck & Décolletage, Ankles & Feet

Soft Wood Accentuates: Thighs & Buttocks

Fire

Fire people have loud statement pieces. They like to stand out in a crowd. They don't mind being uncomfortable for the sake of style. They might have a lot of night out on the town, clubbing or party clothes. Flamboyant and festive, they can bring that pop of color to any gathering. They are most likely to have animal print clothes and shoes.

Style - African, exotic, Indian, punk, rocker, tribal

Shape & Silhouette: Angular

Staples: clubbing/cocktail dresses, fur lined boots, leather jackets and belts, oversized scarves to wear as tops or bottoms, sarongs, stilettos

Features: animal prints, feathers, fringe, fur, leather, multiple patterns, striking bright colors

Neckline: plunging, scoop, U or V-shaped

Waistline: diagonal, U or V-shaped, inverted U or V-shaped

Hemline: ankle or floor length, handkerchief and mini skirts

Accentuates: Cleavage/Chest, Head and Eyes

Earth

Earth people can be fashionistas. However, they value comfort, ease of movement and high performance. They might live in sweats or yoga pants. Jeans and a T-shirt might be their daily uniform. Always in some form of undress, they keep their shirts untucked, pants unbuttoned and shoes untied.  Mother Earth people are the most likely to own a pair of cowboy boots, have a muffin top and wear a two piece or bikini.  Mountain Earth people are the most likely to have Earth toned animal print clothing.

Style: Aboriginal, Native American, American Southwest & Western, casual, comfortable, cowboy, grunge, plain, provocative, ranch/rodeo, sexy, sporty, tomboy, unisex, work and workout

Shape & Silhouette: Boxy

Staples: boots, cargo pants/skirts, fitness apparel, form fitting jeans and graphic tees or distressed, hoodies, untucked or unbuttoned shirts, skin tight leggings and tank tops, sweats, tube tops, yoga pants

Features: backless, bare skin, cut outs, fashion holes, maximum skin exposure, peekaboo, pockets, ravished look, raped look (shoulder cutouts), ripped jeans, skin tight fitting

Neckline: crew, deep (to waist), halter, square, off-the-shoulder

Waistline: natural, raised

Hemline: mini and micro skirts, short shorts

Mother Accentuates: Belly, Waist, Muffin Top, Midriff (ribs to hips)

Mountain Earth Accentuates: Back, Backside, Hips

Metal

Metal people are always well dressed and put together. Their style is thoughtful, tasteful and custom tailored. They don't mind buying clothes that need to be dry cleaned every week. They keep their shirt tucked in, their buttons buttoned, their tie tied. They like to add embellishments to their clothes with beading, sequins, etc. and properly accessorize their look. They are the most likely to have a three piece suit.

Style: business, chic, classic, classy, edgy, fancy, fashionable, formal, haute couture, luxurious, polished, posh, professional, refined, sharp, shiny, sleek, smart, stylish, traditional, trendy

Soft Metal Style: artistic, childlike, creative, vintage, whimsical

Hard Metal Style: military, regal

Shape & Silhouette: Clean Lines

Staples: button up shirts, circle or pencil skirts, flats, hats, jackets, suits & ties, vests

Features: beading, cufflinks, darts, princess seams; sequins, metal buttons, zippers and clasps; zippered compartments

Neckline: collar, embellished, jewel, keyhole, scalloped, V-shaped

Waistline: natural, none

Hemline: Capri, knee length, short

Soft Metal Accentuates: Chest

Hard Metal Accentuates: Head

Water

Water people can be predictable or all over the place. Their style can be a study in contrast and contradictions. They want to be transparent, but they also want to leave something to the imagination. They want to be seen, but they also want to maintain some mystery. They want to show you who they are, but they also want to keep you guessing. They want to be superficially reflective, but they also want to pull you into their depths. They want to wear all of the colors in the iridescent light, but they also want to celebrate their dark side. They are the most likely to have that "little back dress".

Style: alluring, beautiful, conservative, dark, dramatic, effortless, elegant, glamorous, Goth, period, risqué, simple, sophisticated

Shape & Silhouette: Asymmetrical, Freeform, Mermaid

Staples: coats, corsets, cover ups, maxi and strapless dresses, wraps

Features: flowing skirts, pants and sleeves, layers, one look, petticoats, contrasting colors (black & white), single color, visible undergarments, wet look

Neckline: one shoulder, strapless

Waistline: asymmetrical, none, U or V-shaped, inverted U or V-shaped

Hemline: knee, ankle or floor length, high-low

Accentuates: Lower back, Small of back

ELEMENT ACCESSORIES

Wood - flowers; floral, heart or wooden jewelry; malas; scarves

Fire - boas, hats, feathers, scarves, spikes, stilettos, sunglasses

Earth - BFF necklace (Mother Earth), body art, belts, boots, heart, stone, semi-precious stone jewelry

Metal - metal belt buckle, broche, jewelry, watch; baseball caps and hats

Water - accessories/jewelry made from crystals, glass, mother of pearl, pearl

Our fashion style, our wardrobe and our daily outfits can be a beautiful balance of all Five Elements. Or, our closet can be a reflection of our unique expression of our Personal Element. Or, we can use what we have learned about Feng Shui for Dress to honor our personal energy as we shop for and select clothes to wear.

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