Whether you’re a style aficionado or not, you have to admit that there is (at least) one element that connects us all: dishes. Everyone and anyone owns at least a few dishes, and it is our personal opinion that the specific type of dishes you own says a lot about you. So, we took it upon ourselves to play dish psychologist and explain the connection between personalities and the plates to which they’re drawn.
Here’s the thing, though: There are limitless plates out there, and like plenty of people, your cupboards may be filled with more than one type of collection, but today, we are focusing on the seven primary styles of dinnerware, including plain white, vintage, and everything in between. Trust us; if you’re shopping for plates, these are the ones to nab because you’ll never get sick of them. Yes, some of them require a bit more TLC in the cleaning process than others, which you can simply slide into a slat in the dishwasher, but they’re all beautiful in their own unique ways.
So, without further adieu, which plate are you?
Simple White
Quiet, minimal white dishes—the kinds you’d find in an old-school diner—are perhaps the most classic because they go with everything. And what they lack in character they definitely make up for in consistency. These are plates you can come back to day after day without getting sick of them. Plus, if you’re an avid cook whipping up complex and colorful fare, the last thing you’d want is plating your meals atop dishes that compete with them visually. You really can’t go wrong with simple white plates. White plate lovers are demure people with a taste for quiet luxury in all the right ways. You appreciate the longevity of your purchases.
Abstract
Abstract plates are a step up from white plates in that they’re still on the minimal side, but they’re not quite as boring, for lack of a better descriptor. If you like the idea of simplicity but think plain white may be a little too simple, opt for an abstract set of plates that introduce at least a little bit of color without overtaking the tablescape or the meal. If you prefer abstract plates, you are someone with an appreciation for the classics, but you don’t take huge risks in terms of style. And you know what? That’s what some of the most stylish people do, too.
Mismatched
You welcome a little whimsy on your table without going overboard. Mismatched plates, if they have nothing in common—a color or a motif, to name a couple of elements—can look random and unorganized. So when shopping for plates that aren’t all identical, make sure to find that commonality and embrace it. We happen to enjoy mismatched dishes that come in a set, so we can rest assured the colors are all perfectly matched.
Seasonal and Festive
If you are excited for the beginning of a new season so that you can bring your festive dishes out of storage and into the main cupboard, you are really leaning into the shift in weather. Your home is a happy place that celebrates each season as they come and go. Of course, you don’t lean so hard into, say, Thanksgiving, that your home looks cheesy or gimmicky; rather, you choose pieces that offer a more tasteful approach to your favorite days and times of the year.
Vintage and Antique
Vintage dishes are a divisive category because people either love them or cannot stand the sight of them. If you fall into the former camp, there are probably few pieces you dislike because pretty much every vintage or antique boasts the same level of charm and character. There’s something about the hand-made nature of plates made decades (or centuries) ago that makes them hard to pass up. Anyone whose kitchen cabinets or hutches are filled with collections of old plates has an affinity for the one-of-a-kind beauties that aren’t readily available to the masses. You like the hunt for hidden treasures.
Fine China
The reason fine china is not the go-to for most people is that it requires a lot more care and caution than your typical porcelain or stoneware plates. Fine china is not dishwasher-safe (the high heat settings and force of water jets can damage hand-made details, such as metallic trim or paint, and crack the delicate surface of the plates) and may even become damaged if you’re cutting steak with a little too much vigor. It’s generally something you’d whip out for special occasions or dinner parties, so if you lean toward fine china over the other collections on this list, you are someone who loves to host.
Blue and White
Back to the classics: Blue and white is such a beautiful color combination that is so consistently in vogue that it’s basically trendless. Whether you’re going for vintage transferware (vintage French blue and white plates) or something more contemporary and cool, you are a fan of traditional dinnerware with a touch of flair.
