At a consultation with The Style Shrink

She dressed the big boys and girls of the country, had her own style platform, and presented programs where she gently yet firmly pointed out their ‘presence’ to others. With her book and platform The Style Shrink, Manon Meijers completes her mission to give everyone the look that suits them. ‘Clothing superficial? It is actually superficial to think that it is unimportant.’

1. Manon, you made good use of corona. No crying on the couch collecting corona kilos, but alcohol-free (yes, I'm quite into that) putting a complete book and platform out into the world. What did your days look like?

I was sitting in my apartment in Amsterdam, glued to an office chair that I had pushed up to my dining table. From early morning until late at night, it was typing, typing, typing. That table was completely covered with post-its for months, and I now associate it so much with ’getting shit done’ that it will become my desk in our new house.

2. This year was in every way different than planned for you. You were going to get married, beloved Guus was going to celebrate his 25th anniversary, there was a concert in New York on the schedule (from Guus, that is) and so on. How have you been able to cope with all those setbacks?

One by one. We have been realistic about everything all the time, but never without hope. I really believe that hope gives life. And of course, I have also had my fair share of crying fits from time to time. But afterwards, it was always mainly: ‘Okay. Plan B, what are we going to do?’

3. Back to your book. What is the message?

That it is perfectly logical that so many women stand in front of closets full of stuff where nothing hangs to pull on. What we learn about clothing is too complicated and also too little. I want to replace that strange set of rules, misinformation, and non-information with a bucket of insight so that you can stand in front of your closet laughing.

4. You work with archetypes. What type am I? And what type are you?

I jokingly call myself Manon Meijers – formerly known as a stylist. Because a stylist tells you how to look your best. I want to let you discover it yourself. And that also applies to those style archetypes. You determine which one you feel most at home with. But if you really poked me with a stiletto in my cheek, I would say that I think you are Eccentric and Boss Lady. About your third style archetype – you work with three – I have my doubts. Girl Next Door or Rebel. I am Innovator, Lover, and Urbanite.

5. Now many women say; one day I wear a skirt with sexy heels, the next day jeans with sneakers. Conclusion: I cannot be captured in one style. The style psychologist Manon does not agree with that, does she?

Nope. By constantly mixing those three style archetypes, you stay close to yourself. But you determine the proportions of that mix anew every day. So you can vary endlessly without losing your uniqueness or style.

6. You don't have to convince me, of course, but I do want to ask you because I am already relishing your answer. Why can we not deny the importance of clothing and attire?

Because clothing is pure psychology. That’s why you can really get a stomach ache when you open your closets.

What you wear is like your second skin. The only thing that stands between you and the rest of the world. The first thing people see about you. And it speaks – clothing is a language – perhaps even louder to yourself than to the world. Quite nice if you also understand and speak Clothing.

7. What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about style?

All the quick fixes that have been invented to supposedly make it clear. Body types, for example. An apple or a pear? We are not fruit! Color charts: also very difficult. ‘I can't wear this color.’ It's enough to cry.

8. If you think very much in style archetypes and choose from who you are, what you stand for, and where you want to go, can I then cautiously conclude that you are a bit anti-fashion?

Honestly? I love shopping. Love clothing. And without clothing, dressing yourself happily is a bit complicated. But fashion, can we please abolish that? It is a major distraction that creates noise on the line. Thanks to (or actually: because of) fashion, you understand nothing of what someone is actually saying with her clothing.

9. And if I may lie on the couch at The Style Shrink (great name by the way, how did you come up with that?), how does that work? I buy the book and then...

My ex thought of that. I was messing around out loud with ‘Style Doctor’. I wanted so badly to capture the feeling of a person with expertise (yay!) who works solution-oriented. But yes, Doctor also smelled of ‘quick-fix’: here, take a pill, put a band-aid on it and done. Then Guus came up with Shrink. Just like with a real psychologist, I want to give you insight and tools, but it’s up to you what you do with it.

9½ When is your baby for sale?
It has been in stores since Tuesday, October 6. With a cuddly soft cover, because I hope it will go along in your bag and that you will fold and crease it.

The Style Shrink you can order here Meijers, it will be on your mat tomorrow.