
Hi Everyone,
Just one more post to go..yipeee!! This is my 25th Post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. Lets talk about Yin and Yang in clothing which is very interesting and fascinating too. The ancient Chinese concept of opposing characteristics or traits in nature is described with the terms yang and yin. The concept relates directly to dominance and subordinance, advancing and receding. Yang represents dominant, advancing, assertive traits. Yin represents subordinate, receding, receptive traits. More specifically, to the Chinese, yin means gentleness and softness—the grace of the willow tree, and the delicacy of the moon. Yang means strength and vigor— the sturdiness of the pine tree, and the force of the sun.
Importance and Functions of Yin/Yang Concept and Personal Style—Benefits
• Describes opposites and classifies physical, psychological, and
clothing traits.
• Allows comparison based on similarity and differences in traits.
• Assists in discovering, developing, and refining personal style in
dress.
• Advances knowledge, awareness, understanding, acceptance, and
appreciation of the self and others.
• Becomes a tool for solving image-related problems and in creating
the type of appearance necessary to achieve goals.
• Guides the use of clothing as a means of visual communication.
• Guides the creation of powerful illusions about the individual.
• Provides a tool for adding variety and interest to your appearance.
Yin and Yang In Clothing
Yang and tailored can be positioned on one end of a continuum, while yin and untailored can be positioned at the opposite end. There are many degrees of difference on the continuum between tailored and untailored, between yin and yang.

It is somewhere in between opposites, on a huge middle ground, that you will find what design details or traits work best for you. It will be up to you to decide which design traits more nearly reflect your general needs and preferences, or where they appear to be on that
continuum between opposing traits. You will learn to borrow and blend or mix selected traits from one side or the other, depending on your mood or purpose. This is a matter of delicate balance and therein lies the art of successful dressing and personal style.
There are numerous ways you might need to plot yourself. You might plot your body and personality consistently yin, or consistently yang. That makes for easy dressing when you decide to keep clothing traits consistent. Visual and psychological conflict can result when you don’t. You might, however, plot your body as yin and your personality traits more yang. Or, you might plot your body as yang and your personality traits more yin. This requires a compromise in clothing traits to present both the body and personality harmoniously.
The concept of yin and yang in clothing can be understood better if we identify physical, personality and clothing traits of both yin and yang.

Yin
Physical Traits (Receding)
• Short
• Small-boned
• Delicate, rounded features
• Delicate, lighter coloring
• Fine-textured skin
• Softly curled or tousled hair
• Light movement
• Graceful walk
• Youthful
Personality Traits (Receptive)
• Gentle
• Dependent
• Impulsive
• Idealistic
• Pliant
• Yielding
• Subtle
• Shy
• Friendly
• Informal
• Warm
• Naive
• Open
• Fragile
Clothing Traits (Receding/Receptive/Untailored)
• Curved lines
• Broken lines
• Curved shapes and silhouette
• Small scale shapes and patterns
• Soft, light colors*
• Pliable fabric
• Lightweight
• Fine, smooth textures
• Less or weak, subtle contrasts
• Untailored

Yang
Physical Traits (Advancing)
• Tall
• Large-boned
• Large, angular features
• Strong, darker coloring
• Slightly coarse skin
• Sleek, tailored, controlled hair
• Vigorous movement
• Purposeful walk
• Mature
Personality Traits (Assertive)
• Forceful
• Independent
• Deliberate
• Realistic
• Firm
• Decisive
• Direct
• Daring
• Reserved
• Formal
• Cool
• Sophisticated
• Closed
• Stable
Clothing Traits (Advancing/Assertive)
• Straight lines
• Solid, unbroken lines
• Angular shapes and silhouette
• Large scale shapes and patterns
• Bold, dark colors*
• Firm fabric
• Heavyweight
• Coarse, rough textures
• More or strong
Yin and Yang descriptive traits on Continuum :
Yin
Delicate: The delicate girl is shorter and small-boned. Hair color is generally light. She chooses more untailored clothing styles in soft fabrics and lighter, pastel colors, with smaller scale or dainty design details. She appears approachable, gentle, innocent,
youthful, and polite.
Sporty: The sporty girl is shorter and smaller-boned. Hair color is generally light to medium, including rusty-red. She chooses more untailored to casual tailored clothing styles in softer fabrics and medium to brighter colors. She appears approachable, perky, youthful, energetic, and casual.
Romantic: The romantic woman is average in height and curvaceous. Hair color may be light, medium, or dark. She chooses more softly tailored clothing styles in softer fabrics and
rich, muted colors. She appears more approachable, sensitive, charming, sensuous, and gracious.
Yang
Classic: The classic woman is average in height and proportion. Hair color is generally medium light to medium dark. She chooses more tailored clothing styles in firmer fabrics and neutral colors. She appears more authoritative, confident, mature, poised, and more formal.
Sportive: The sportive gal is taller and larger-boned. Hair color is generally medium to dark. She chooses more casual tailored and softly tailored clothing styles in textured fabrics
and earthy colors. She appears authoritative, strong, confident, determined, and less formal.
Dramatic: The dramatic woman is generally taller and more angular. Hair color is often very light or very dark. She chooses extremely tailored to bold untailored clothing styles with strong dark-light contrast. She appears assertive, sophisticated, theatrical, temperamental, and formal.
When you determine your positions on the continuum, you can better see yourself in relation to your clothes. Personal style in dress implies limits on the yin/yang continuum—the limits in dress design to which you are willing to go and still look and feel authentic, congruent, or comfortable with yourself in your clothes. It’s a matter of deciding if you are comfortable wearing clothing characteristics that are very yin, slightly yin, slightly yang, or very yang. In selecting clothing, it is a matter of saying to yourself, “That’s too yin (or yang) for me—for my height, for the way I move, for my personality or my mood, or for the occasion, etc.” You can substitute “too tailored” or “too untailored” and make the same point.
This post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z challenge.
To read my previous posts checkout here A ,B ,C ,D ,E, F, G, I, J, K,L,M,N,O, P, Q, R, S, T , U , V, W, X
@ Swati Mathur
This has given me a better understanding of why I dress wrong. The problem is I’m short and fat, with a round face, rounded body and sparse hair that was once thick and curly. Besides, having frown older, my movement is not as sprightly as it once was. I do love untailored or soft flowing fabric but that makes me look like a dhobi bundle rather than a Grecian goddess. Alas! I will never win in this game.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Share your pic with me.. I can help you by making a look book for you
LikeLike
You look beautiful in the dp
LikeLike
This is so interesting, Swati. I didnt know there was a Yin and Yang in fashion too. You have shared such detailed information about both that there is no doubt left. Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you found it interesting
LikeLike
This was absolutely new and delightful concept. I read it like a story. You described each with so much detail and information. Kudos
Deepika Sharma
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the appreciation Deepika
LikeLike
Interesting, yin yang in clothing, never knew of this concept.
It was an informative read to know about yin and yang physical, personality, and clothing traits. I find myself to be more sportive as per the traits listed.
I sure will observe as per your listed pointers for Yin as delicate, romantic, and sporty and yang as classic and dramatic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dramatic and delicate are two extremes.. Observe more and see where exactly you fit in.
LikeLike
I was always curious about that logo. But never have I attempted to learn more about that logo.
Thanks for sharing the importance of that logo I’m dressinh
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had heard the term yin yang a lot before but never paid much attention to its real significance. with your post, got all the insight. loved the way you had explained everything with proper graphics. and yes, one more day to go. many congrats dear for completing your first A2Z so beautifully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yin and Yang in clothing is a new concept for me. The details in your post made everything clear and interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting concept!! Based on your description, I couldn’t decide where do I actually fit in. Don’t laugh, but I found myself as a mixture of Yin and Yang. And I like both the styles depending upon the mood and occasion. Now onwards, will try to pay more attention to my inclination. Learned another wonderful concept.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is extremely informative post I don’t understand under which category I fit in. Dramatic is one which looks perfect but still I have to you watch out my own choices
LikeLike
Wow, What delightful learning of the Yin and Yang concept. I never knew about it, and the way you have explained it with graphs and images made the concept crystal clear for me.
LikeLike
This post has given me an understanding as to where I am going wrong with my dressing style.Thanks for the informative post
LikeLiked by 1 person
This Ying and Yang theory is truly intriguing Swati. Somewhere in between I see my dressing sense and it tightly fits the brilliant analysis buddy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didnt know there was a Yin and Yang in fashion too. You have shared such detailed information. This gave me sense where i am going wrong
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t have to try hard to realise that I’m a complete Yin when it comes to physical traits as well as clothing choices. This was an interesting read. Wonder how can one find balance in such diversity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t know that fashion had to. And Yang . I thinkim inclined towards yin though
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow awesome Swati…Have heard of this term but your post has given a deep understanding. I am more in client towards Yin. But sometimes, I can also see a few glimpses of Yan in me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow I have never really heard about yin yan. This is incredible information. Next time I can differentiate yin. And yan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have heard about yin yan but never really knew the details . Thank you so much for passing on this new information
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard about it sometime back but never gave too much attention. you have explained it all so well. going to get your book for ready reference to all such tips
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a very interesting read. I never about the yin n yang of dressing and I really enjoyed reading this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know about Yin and Yang in the dressing sense. Dressing according to the personality is once behaviour or is it the other way around?
LikeLike
This indeed is a completely new piece of information for me. I wasn’t aware that Yin and yang can so beautifully be applied to clothing. I really need to pay attention to the way I dress up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very helpful and informative post about Yin Yang in fashion. You clear all doubts in this post. Thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a totally new topic for me to read! I had no idea clothing could reflect so much about a person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
this is super new to me , extremely informative post for sure. Let me check out my category and my folks too. Never knew clothing could reflect so much about a person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
what an absolutely delightful article! I had no idea of the concept, however, reading through, this makes so much sense, and i can relate to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person