Let’s talk Dressing Your Truth — specifically Dressing Your Truth type 1 — this is my 30 day transformation with Carol Tuttle’s Dressing Your Truth.
My Experience with Dressing Your Truth
This post was originally written in 2015 and has been updated a few times since then, fyi. You’ll get a perspective of doing Dressing Your Truth over a few years.
I got dressed to cover my body my entire life. Sure, I found a small amount of joy in the colors and how
they worked together, but I’m not a big fan of fashion and didn’t really think about my personal style. I’m never sure what to pick out when I’m at the store, what kind of styles or what the best colors might be. I think a lot of people might get caught up in the latest styles and not know the different types of clothing that can work for them. My church’s modesty restraints pick a lot of what I wear. I thrifted a lot and most of what I bought was based on what good brands I could find, and I took them in whatever color they appeared. This is a story of my Dressing Your Truth Type 1 transformation. You can YOUR own before and after here.
Did my clothes say:
This is Hilary, she is a bright, organized spot in this world. She will follow through and make it fun. You will like her.
Probably not.
They probably said,
"I picked these clothes out to cover my body, most of them I'm not a huge fan of."
So, if you remember the first time I did this, in my first Dressing Your Truth post I talked a little bit about that.
Last time, I started out as a Type 3℠. And later found out I’m a Type 1. It’s been an up and down path. Here are my 7 favorite things about Dressing Your Truth:
**Note: The Dressing Your Truth Program ins’t available as I did it before, anymore I have been using Stitch Fix and Dia & co to find my fashion**
Also, check out how I am creating a capsule wardrobe by minimizing. It’s my new goal in 2018.
Dressing your Truth Type 1
1. I have realized that my inner core is a little flighty. I think that’s why I do so well with timers, and reminders. It keeps me on task. I really WANT to be responsible (and for the most part, I think I am one of the most reliable people out there — but only because of the reminders I have set up in my life to make me that way). I have learned to adapt to be how I WANT to be (because flakiness drives me absolutely insane) by adjusting how I am.
2. I have realized that most likely 2 of my kids are also a little flighty and are going to have to learn to make their own adjustments. I am reading The Child Whisperer book and it has really made me think about my 3 children in new light. I LOVE that part of The Child Whisperer book.
3. I have realized that my husband is REALLY different that I am. We also have the Men’s Dressing Your Truth course and Drew is a Type 4. He is still and he is an authority. It has been HUGE as he’s trying to figure out his life plan. I’ve been REALLY thankful for it.
4. I feel great. Now, I will say that I don’t know if I feel great because I am putting a little thought into what I wear. BUT, the reality is that I’m not spending any more time to figure out what to wear — I still use my T-shirt filing and throw on whatever is at the front, but that item of clothing supports who I am and I feel like I look great in it. It was easy to find in the store and it supports me. I love that.
5. I have helped some friends. I have a lot of friends who have found this program really interesting and are learning things about themselves that they never knew and I am learning things about them as well. I can support them better by knowing these things. That’s wonderful! The program isn’t just a style guide, learning about body shape, or different kinds of style. It’s the first step in a whole new way of picking new clothes the right way for you.
6. Shopping is WAY easier. I’m much more likely to narrow down what will work and what won’t and grab a few things for the dressing room. Before I had clothes of every color and every style. I naturally want clothes of MANY colors. This way I can, but I know what colors will work (but I can still have a lot of different colors). The reality is that I am not a huge fan of shopping. I like time with friends or perusing, but on a regular basis I have a hard time taking 40 things into the dressing room, it isn’t fun for me.
7. My personality extends to both ends of the spectrum. I am a Type 1 with a STRONG Type 4 secondary. I’m still and bouncy, I’m focused but flighty. I think it’s really easy to feel like those two are fighting inside me a lot of the time, but I am slowly learning to let them support each other, and also give myself time for both of them. And maybe cut myself some slack that I wasn’t actually born superhuman.
Anyway, it’s been a long journey and if you are an instagram follower you’ve seen my photos. Let me share a few here:
This is back when I was thinking I was a Type 3. This shirt was TOTALLY on the card and looked HORRIBLE on me. I mean, seriously. Yuck. It should’ve been a clue that I was thinking I was the wrong type.
This was also a Type 3 outfit, but it may remain in the repertoire. It is still in my color palatte, although I am not sure about the animal print (although all types can wear animal prints true to their style, and this would still fit into Type1). This is my first animal print EVER. I dunno, what do you think {I welcome full critiques of my outfit on any of my social media platforms, it doesn’t hurt my feelings at all as I am certainly NOT a fashion diva, I’m just trying to make some outfits}.
These shoes went with that animal print top. They still work and I love them. Carol mentioned that much of what I had bought when I thought I was a Type 3 was actually Type 1 (or could be both, is that possible?).
Yup, Type 1. I can’t stand these selfies. Super self conscious about them.
I love this shirt. This is still when I thought I was Type 3, but it transitioned nicely. Not sure the pants are Type 1…. but I still wear them because they’re light and comfortable (as is the shirt).
This is the shirt I wore when I was talking to Carol Tuttle. She said it was more Type 1 — I have no idea what type it is. Verdict is still out. What do you think?
This shirt, again, was bought when I thought I was Type 3 but I love it as my Type 1 self. Those are all hearts, in case you can’t tell. Big fan.
This is an outfit I had before I DYT’d. It was a favorite and when I thought I was Type 3 I was really sad that it wouldn’t be in my repertoire. If you have numerous outifts that you think you can’t wear in your new type I think I’d watch facial profiling to see if that is REALLY your type. Carol said that is what solidified it for me.
This is another outfit I really liked prior to typing myself, total Type 1. Go me!
The view from up top of this Type 1. Yellow pants, for real. They are becoming favorites.
These are some clothes I bought from their store (back when they had a store). I mostly wanted to get an idea of what coloring they recommended, especially for white. I also had ZERO yellow shirts, and I wanted to see what color yellow they recommend (apparently it was a Type 1 signature color). I am slowly coming around to it, although I don’t totally embrace it yet after the 30 days. I love the T-shirts, although I think I bought a little big.
I bought some drugstore colors to support my Type 1 makeup. That’s Hard Candy pots and Wet and Wild eyeshadow. Purple NYC eyeliner.
Seriously, all the selfies were grating on me. 🙂
Here’s one with the selfie stick. I feel like a crayon box. That is the yellow shirt I bought from their store. I think it’s fun with the green underneath.
This was a Sunday outfit. At the time I wasn’t sure that was a Type 1 skirt, but I can’t figure out what type it would be if it wasn’t me, so I went with it.
Here is my first thrifting attempt as a Type 1. I bought a scarf and it turns out I hate scarfs. Who knew? Not me…
Here’s a shirt from that shopping trip. Huge fan of it. I think it’s fun!
Lime green. A personal first, but I think it looks good!
Princess P, my little girl, made me buy this bow sweater. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’d like to try it with a white shirt and see if it grows on me more like that. What do you think? It can be buttoned, but it looks like I’m super fat in this photo…
I ended-up Goodwilling this shirt right after I bought it. It was just too short and if there is one thing I’ve learned in this program is that life is too short to wear clothes that don’t make you feel good.
This shirt has horizontal strips and is paired with a circle necklace. One of the BIGGEST changes, for me, is accessorizing. You’ll notice I have a necklace on EACH and every day. Will I continue to wear a necklace if I’m not really going anywhere? I don’t know, sometimes they bug me. But, I do think if I’m leaving the house besides a quick grocery run I will continue to wear them.
I would also recommend using thrift stores at the beginning. You’re going to try a lot of new types of clothes that you would’t have been used to. You’ll feel more willing to try new things if you’re only spending a few dollars rather than 20-50. You can read my whole thrifting post here.
Don’t forget you can get your very own free before & after — and if you want to learn more about your type you can do so here.
Carol Tuttle Dressing Your Truth
Dressing Your Truth is part of Carol Tuttle’s offerings. She is the guru behind the course and you can learn a lot about yourself from the course and her.
I think the reality is that this course doesn’t say “wear this, not that” — there is still a lot of choices to be made and still time for me to find me in it. I think I’m slowly finding that. And I really like it.
Dressing Your Truth Review
Written in 2019: I think that I drank the Koolaid pretty hard at one point. I was in a rough patch in my life and this filled a need.
However, I really limited myself to that card, or what was in the store. I spent so much time looking for things that exactly matched that, I almost put myself into a corner that was making it REALLY hard to shop.
Now that I use Dia & Co to do much of my wardrobe, I have found that I can still wear bright colors,that don’t exactly match her card and still feel great in them.
More guidelines, than hard and fast rules. Could just be me, but it’s been a healthy shift for me.
Dressing your truth does not work?
I was 100% lost in fashion before this course. I wasn’t sure what I wanted and my style choices were easily swayed by the person I shopped with. That didn’t really help with finding things that worked for my body type, my personality traits, and didn’t feel like a natural expression of who I was.
After taking it, I have realized that it taught me a lot about what looks good on me (and frankly on others) but you don’t have to follow the system to a T. I’m a rule follower, so that was a disservice.
If you’re just looking to learn more about what looks good on you and perhaps shop a bit easier, I think it could be great for you. Try their before & after.
FAQ’s about Dressing Your Truth Type One
Honestly, Carol told me after I published an article that said I was a type 3. And honestly, I’d have just stayed with that unless she hadn’t contacted me.
Which, makes me wonder how many people out there mis-type themselves?
A strong one with a strong four secondary can look like a three. After doing it for a while that makes sense, but at the time… I just thought I was dumb.
These did help, but honestly — just to give you an idea. I was obsessed wtih taking them out at stores to make sure the colors matched right.
In retrospect, that seems a bit obsessive.
For me, it’s my constant need to be happy and have fun. That really is where my best moments occur. I woud say most people say I am super fun to be around and we all have a good time.
But I also an EXTREMELY organized and that brings me a lot of joy as well.
At some points, I felt like she was telling me to let that part go, but it’s all part of me. So I’ve just learned to let them work together. I think everyone has to work that battle on their own.
If you read my other posts you can tell that I did a makeover with them. In the end I felt like a Type 1 Carol Tuttle. My hair was huge and the makeup was insane. Although, it’s for video — so I guess that needs to be a bit more “larger than life.”
Carol really does want to help others, but has an odd way of going about it. She has certainly said things that have hurt my feelings a few times, but I think that’s just her.
Havok says
Shopping being easier is an A+ in my book. I quite enjoy finding new things to buy, but I’m kind of terrible at it – every third trip or so I end up with something that seemed like it would be amazing…only to find out it’s horrible – which is why I’m such a fan of thrift shopping. And, everything tends to be organized by color much better than normal stores. From what I understand, this program gives you colors to choose from along with style? Save so much (more!) time at the store! 😀
Hilary says
Yes, 5 different elements of style that are important to your “type”
Nicki says
Love your selfies, especially the “I can’t believe I’m taking a selfie” selfies I can’t wait to find out how to stop wearing just yoga pants and tshirts, I’m coming out of the newborn fog and I want to know how to dress for who I am!
Hilary says
Nicki, it would be GREAt post baby!
MaryRuth says
I’ve wanted to do this course for a long time. would love to win!
Hilary says
Fingers crossed. 🙂
Jessica says
I love to wear clothes that show my personality so I want to see if they match up. I’m also hoping they talk about how to dress to NOT accentuate my flaws. I need help in that department…
Hilary says
Jessica, I think when you dress your own colors, women just tend to look better, regardless of their size, at least that’s what I notice.
Rachael A. says
I’ve been a DYTer for nearly two years now. If you buy the online course, you’ll be a club member also and there are a lot of wonderful resources for honing your personal style. There is also a resource that makes specific recommendations for silhouettes in pants/dresses/shirts for different body shapes. The investment in the course (and ultimately myself) has been completely worth it!
Hilary says
Rachael, I am SO glad you like it! That’s awesome! Stay tuned for my DYT makeover coming up next week!
jbai4 says
What excites me MOST about Dressing Your Truth is finally figuring out a style. I would love to actually want to wear all of my clothes and stop wasting money on the clothes that just hang out in the closet.
Hilary says
Yup, I sure love that part. 🙂
Katie Clark says
I like the idea of finding out what clothes would be best for me, rather than just guessing (horribly) wrong all the time!
Hilary says
Yeah, I hear you there! 🙂
Bella says
I love to wear clothes that show my personality but I do not know how are what colors how do you enter free giveaway I love to win I have been working on myself for a year now.
Hilary says
Bella, make sure you click on the “entry” link. If you’re on mobile it’s not quite as easy as on a computer. 🙂
Lorie says
I LOVE DYT. I am also a Type 1, but lived much of my life as a type 4—my very strong secondary. I just found this blog today, and I think I will have to look around a bit more. I’m not sure about the animal print shirt. As a type 1, I wouldn’t wear it, but, if you like it and it fits the guidelines well, go for it!
Hilary says
Lorie, I must say I am still torn on the animal print shirt. I wore it the other day with some peach pants, it is kinda “heavy” but I’m gonna live wiht it. I think I paid maybe 3 bucks for it so I won’t feel bad either way. 🙂 Fun to try new things. 🙂 I heard everyone can wear animal print, I’m not sure what a type 1 animal print would look like.
Rosemary says
What excites me MOST about Dressing My Truth is having a consistent, put together, style or look. I have always wanted to have a ‘signature’ look and DYT is the perfect way for me to do that.
Fortunately for me after taking the free course it was not difficult to figure out I was a type 2/4. I am however finding it difficult to find clothes that fit my type, size, and budget. I have been slowly transforming my wardrobe and even my hairstyle. Who knew after a decade of switching from perms to blowing it out straight that I actually HAVE some wavy/curly hair!
Hilary says
Rosemary, I had never considered having a “signature” look until recently. But, when you see the women who work with her, they certainly do! Haha, glad you foun your curls!
Tracy says
I think DTY helps you understand better how other people think and so you can be a better friend/parent/spouse/etc. What I have learned so far has really helped me forgive others because I know why they did or said what they did.
Hilary says
Tracy, that is a great way to look at others. I’ll have to do that! 🙂
Nicole C says
What excites me most about Dressing Your Truth is learning to fill my wardrobe with only clothes that I love and feel great in, especially since now I”m sporting the mom of two boys age 2 and under look.
Hilary says
Many women sport that look. My kids are way older than that and I’m still afraid of white. 🙂
Debbie says
I love the color cards to help you select what to wear.
Hilary says
Love them!
Laura says
What excited me most about Dressing Your Truth? I have been viewing the free video series, and feel confirmed in my Type 3ness….I think I’d like some more tips on incorporating textures for my signature look…after I figure out what that is! 😉
Hilary says
Haha, it will certainly help you with that!
Angela says
I almost never shop retail for clothes, so I buy a lot of things I think will work and don’t worry too much about sending them back to the thrift store if they don’t. Because I’m also really interested in capsule wardrobes (scary and challenging), I think DYT would be a good way to help me to make smarter purchases.
Hilary says
I don’t get capsule wardrobes…. i’m trying to wrap my head around it. I think I may be too dirty for it. 🙂
Lesley Darling says
Ah Hilary,
Just real definitely not real ugly. Selfies are technology, you’re a person and that beauty doesn’t always show when we look at a selfie, ‘cos we’re still doing a bit of the old negative back talk.
I got a random e-mail link to Carol’s video about the year book ‘photo, watched it and reflected on hating my nose. Talked to my 11 year old daughter, laughing about what I’d just learned. She was shocked that I hated my nose, I’m her lovely mum, my nose is part of the big picture to her. But I sensed an opportunity and asked my red head, “what do you love when you look in the mirror?” She said her milky skin and freckles, phew. I asked if there was anything she didn’t like and she burst into deep heart felt sobs and said her hair. I died. It turned out it was just how it looks when it has to be up for school, she’s a wild child and needs her hair flowing. Probably a type 1 but maybe a bit early to tell!
That conversation stopped that negative talk right there and then at 11 years old, I praise the day that video came my way.
How much happier would you and I have been, if the negative talk was nipped in the bud early? If the snare of the media was broken?
Hilary, you are lovely, I don’t know you apart from your words and the selfies. But I see an amazingly generous woman who has shared her adventure with us. You are looking at those selfies through eyes we don’t share, we see the lovely you. Please try to be kinder to yourself.
With love from Lesley (& Hannah) Xx
Hilary says
Lesley, thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂 I do like how Carol takes all the things I think are a negative and spins them positively. I need to work more on that. 🙂
Abdi says
Great post! I really needs a clothing makeover soon. Would love to win this 3 hour course to find our how to make it happen and not waste a lot of money. Thanks
Hilary says
Yup, I think it will certainly help with that! 🙂
Kimberly says
I’m excited about simplifying my wardrobe. I turn 49 this August and am hoping I’m finding my “mature but totally me” look. If so, I want to confidently be able to get rid of what doesn’t work anymore. 🙂
Hilary says
Yeah, I think it totally helps you get your “look”.
Tambi says
I have SOOOOO much clothing, but never know what to wear or how to wear them! My husband usually dresses me! Haha! Now that I’m in my thirties, I have no idea how to move into thirties mom instead of twenties “fads”. Thanks for the opportunity!
Hilary says
Yes, it is certainly helping me pare down my wardrobe. I also want less because I’m happier with what I have.
Megan says
What excites me most about Dress Your Truth is being able to dress quickly and stylishly. I’m a SAHM of two small children and I have lost myself in marriage and motherhood. I want to feel like I look good again!
Hilary says
Ugh! Motherhood really saps it out of us!
Lesley Darling says
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. The selfies were very brave, I hate having my photo taken, so to keep taking pictures to go with your journey – I applaud you! Thanks also for the link to the competition, I’m here in England but as you pointed out it’s online, hoorah! It would be good to find out for sure if I really am the type 2 I think I am….
Cheers, Lesley
Hilary says
Yes, not a fan of the selfie, but I thought they might be interesting for others. 🙂 Fingers crossed for you in the competition! 🙂
Lesley Darling says
They were very interesting, it’s always good to see a ‘real’ person on one of these programmes! Cheers, Lesley
Hilary says
Haha, yup — real, and real ugly selfies. 🙂