Feb 12, 2018

Is Life Better When You Dress for Your Zodiac Sign? An Investigation

by Aemilia Madden

Photo:

@aemiliafay

Look, I know I'm a little behind the times here, but I've become singularly obsessed with my zodiac sign. Perhaps it's an attempt to put some meaning on a constantly confusing reality, or maybe as I'm getting older, I'm looking for ways to explain away my personal issues. ("Whenever I'm annoyed at you, I have to remember you're acting that way because you're such a Capricorn" is something my best friend really did say to me.) I've downloaded the Cosign astrology app, am constantly consulting my horoscope, and have started blaming random things on the moon, sun, and planetary alignment.

But, as someone whose day-to-day work revolves around fashion, I wanted to know: Should I change the way I dress to better align with my Capricorn tendencies? So I enlisted the help of an expert, astrologer and healing artist Erin Tack Shipley, to help break down how to dress for my sign and what changes I can make to make the most out of things. "Astrology can tell me a lot about who a person is energetically and how they want to present and be perceived by others," she says.

Shipley got busy examining my chart, noting that I'm a Capricorn (and for those who really know their zodiac, a Virgo rising, Venus in Capricorn, and Taurus moon). "I can't see you wearing anything too flashy. Subtle flair is key because Capricorn likes to show off without looking like it's trying to," she told me, suggesting that I gravitate toward polished staples (true) and luxe fabrics (also true). "The Virgo rising tempers any ostentatious display of quality because Virgo wants to be seen as more modest or frugal in its presentation. It might even throw on a grungy T-shirt under a blazer." As Shipley continued her description of my style, I was struck by the uncanny fact that, well, she was nailing the way I dress in a way I never expected.

Still, I wanted to spend some time really leaning into her style suggestions, curious to know if I'd find life to be that much easier if I just let my chart do the heavy lifting for me. "It's my hope that dressing for your sign helps you understand your purpose (ambition and quality) and make quicker decisions about details without worrying about whether you're overthinking it." Below, I'm highlighting a few looks from my Instagram, both pre-test and while following her advice, to see how things stacked up.

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Photo:

@aemiliafay

Above is an outfit photo of me from last year that I think exemplifies my go-to office look, a mix of casual and polished. A simple white tee dresses down a fancier work outfit, and those luxe silks and wools are mixed in there. I wear a lot of riffs on this outfit, swapping the boots for sneakers or trading my blazer for a denim jacket.

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Photo:

@aemiliafay

Following Shipley's advice, I opted for tailored trousers with luxe, warm layers and a structured bag, "something that allows you to be lazy, comfy, take up space and breathe while still appearing put together," as she calls it.

This is definitely an outfit in line with my usual way of dressing, but maybe turned up a notch. I love these Tory Burch trousers but might normally style them with a slightly grungier coat or less structured bag. When put together, though, the outfit felt easy, and while I spent a day running from work appointment to work appointment, I was comfortable without feeling underdressed.

3/9

Photo:

@aemiliafay

I went out of town for a fancy dinner and stuck to Shipley's suggestions while packing. This simple yet eye-catching Sea dress, a small brocade bag by Hayward, and sleek pumps from our Who What Wear collection at Target all felt luxe without ever being too busy.

Going into this experiment, I expected the suggestions to be drastically different, but the reality is that as it turns out, my zodiac is what has led me to develop my sense of style in the first place. I think that Shipley was able to articulate certain aspects of my style that I had never put into words before but were already there to some extent.

Thanks to her advice, I do feel that I was able to take some of the anxiety over dressing because it allowed me to be more confident, knowing that what I wear is already a confirmation of the fact that I'm staying true to myself. Though what you wear (and how your zodiac informs it) will be different, you'll find a few pieces inspired by my style to shop below.

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