Dress Your Elven Archetype: Take The Quiz!

Summer is the perfect time to get in touch with your sartorial self—figure out who that is and how she’d like to experiment with the self she constructs to meet other selves out in the world. Consider this, for example: There is an elf inside each one of us, and she demands to be well dressed. Where do you begin? A warrior elf ’s needs are not the same as a stargazer’s, but you might want to stay flexible.

Out of all possible collective nouns meaning “group of elves,” we most prefer a mischief. Fashion should be fun, sly, and surprising, so go ahead and get mischievous with your archetype: Even if your overall taste leans toward elegant lines and classic accessories, there’s always room for a surprise. So in this quiz, take careful note of any answers that deviate from the pattern you expect. They’re the twist that makes an outfit into a story.

Let’s dial that wardrobe up to epic, shall we?

Dress Your Eleven Archetype

The Quiz: Choose the response that best describes you.

1 / 6

My social habits and lifestyle are:

a. Private, even subterranean; I find comfort in darkness, and small spaces are cozy, whether I’m alone or with a close group of friends.

b. I’ll admit it, I like fun. And a bit of magic. I’m friendly without being an extrovert, you know? By the way, I dress for myself, not for a bunch of silly humans who might compliment my gown (but they always do anyway).

c. I have a lot of friends, but I’m always looking for more. If I really like you, I’ll invite you to come home with me, and I won’t take no for an answer.

d. I’m pretty solitary, really, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like attention. I’m into sports like horseback riding, archery, and running; I love to push my body to the limit.

e. Why do I have to pin down my choices? I like places rich in history, especially prehistory. Show me straight to Stonehenge, please, because I want to dance there! Alone or in a group, maybe with some mortals to tease. But that doesn’t mean I’ll want the same thing tomorrow night.

2 / 6

My greatest asset is my:

a. Adaptability.

b. Positive attitude—really another way of saying I’m very magical.

c. Stubborn brute strength.

d. Megawatt star power. I don’t know what it means not to shine, really; I’m on all the time.

e. Naive wonder. Or my energy. Yes, I’m told I’m still a bit childlike—which means I’m extra fun, right?

3 / 6

My overall physical vibe is:

a. Sturdy. Sometimes I might look tall, sometimes short—it’s all about my mood and mental attitude.

b. I’m on the small side, or at least that’s how people remember me. My legs and arms might be slim, but they’re sinewy-strong.

c. I don’t really monitor what I look like, and I don’t believe in weigh-ins. I wear what I want, and I’ll cheerfully punch you in the face if you criticize my ensemble.

d. It can be hard to get a sense of my looks because, frankly, I shine very brightly. All the mirror shows me is a column of light. A tall, quiet, regal column.

e. I’m adorable!

4 / 6

Night owl, morning lark, or …?

a. I don’t really mark differences between night and day. It’s all pretty much night to me.

b. I keep irregular hours. You might spot me just about any time, but I feel most free at night. That’s when I really let loose and dance … or curl up by myself and write or draw by candlelight.

c. I don’t even have a clock. At least, I can’t remember where I left the last one.

d. Morning lark and daytime hawk, really. I get stronger and fiercer as the day goes on, and I thrive on sunlight. I must admit I’m spectacular at night, though.

e. I’m generally awake whenever I’m needed, but I prefer to keep my nights free for a little fun.

5 / 6

My favorite color is:

a. Black. Nothing else is as versatile or chic.

b. I see myself as a creature of nature, so I tend to favor floral shades, especially pinks and blues. Soft colors and pastels.

c. Earth tones. Most people just don’t celebrate browns enough.

d. I dress to complement my own personal light. I tend to wear metallics: gold for day, silver for night, with pops of color in brilliant shades. All tasteful, of course.

e. Give me the most intense color you can find—fluorescent, neon, or UV-reactive, with all sorts of contrasts and odd combinations. I can make the weirdest things work through sheer force of will.

6 / 6

My hair and makeup tend to be:

a. Nonexistent, really. I do have hair, but I frequently forget to brush it, and I almost never bother with makeup.

b. I flit around a lot, so I need easy-care options. I usually match a lip stain to a pink dress and wear my hair loose around the shoulders.

c. I’ve been wanting to try a few things, but I just don’t know where to start.

d. I usually keep the hair sleek and the cosmetics minimal, but lately I’ve been wondering about bouffant pompadours and smoky eyes. What do you think?

e. I usually sweat through it all, so I keep my hair super-short and let the rest of the glam take care of itself.

Your score is
The average score is 0%
0%

THE RESULTS

Now count up each time you answered a, b, c, etc., and look for a pattern. Then embrace the deviations into mischief and surprise.

If you chose an archetype 4 times or more: You have a definite type; you know who you are, and you probably aren’t planning to take our advice anyway. But since you’re here and we’re here and fashion is about experimenting, you’re keeping a (semi-) open mind.

3 times: Your elf-fashion persona is emerging, but you’re still a bit of a chameleon, and you’re ready to try something new.

2 times: We wouldn’t call this a pattern, exactly, but it’s part of the warp and weft of your personal style.

1 time: We all need a dash of something different now and then. Fashion is about surprising the world and ourselves—time to go thrifting to find that bit of perfect mischief.