In trying to describe how Kibbes fashion tips apply to the different body types, I found myself constantly wanting to fall on crutch descriptions like feminine or masculine. This is because Kibbes tips are ultimately quite gendered, even though he tries to stay away from these terms himself. Its curvy in all the right places, with a lot of softness. A cottage industry of professional style and color consultants existed decades before the internet made this information widely accessible all with their own subjective theories and rules. Like Dramatics, they dont benefit from anything too flouncy or short and puffy. Thanks for letting me know . While Kibbe didnt use the concept of Yin and Yang in a way that took it too far from its original context, and he clearly had some decent understanding of what it means, it still doesnt sit quite right. She says she was doubtful about her type at first, especially when she learned about the different style lines but eventually, she found that she does, in fact, look better in open necklines and outfits that maintain her vertical line: I was actually a bit shocked to see how much better longer-hem dresses suit me over a shorter hem something I had never critically evaluated prior.. Height: 5 feet 5 inches and under. The same applies to separates, with a bit of definition at the waist but with otherwise loose, long garments being helpful. Choose your own adventure Lookbooks. Her overall appearance is balanced, and no one feature sticks out more than the others, which is true of most Classics. Chudnovskaya began constructing outfits to accommodate her height and broad shoulders instead of her curves. (Long lines and sharp bone structure, but with softer flesh and/or facial features.). His book was published over three decades ago and couldve easily faded into obscurity, especially with the rapid-fire pace of todays fashion trends. Ive been on a bit of a Kibbe Body ID research kick. Start the quiz. Elaborate trim. However, that doesnt negate the fact that many others find it helpful when putting together a wardrobe. Beyonce is a romantic and Solange is a flamboyant natural. (More on that below.). The Romantic body type has the most Yin properties. While knowing your line is the most important part of finding your own Kibbe identity, Kibbe himself says there is no such thing as hip width in his system. Bone Structure: Symmetrical, with a tendency towards slight sharpness. It is arguably harder to be body neutral on social media, where societys worst biases are brought to the fore. Flamboyant Gamine Example #3: Tessa Thompson. Read my About Page or myDisclaimerfor more information. According to the Kibbe system, the principles of Yin and Yang should be followed to figure out your body type, where Yin is more delicate features while Yang is sharper. For most of her life, Rita Chudnovskaya felt like she didnt know how to dress. The Kibbe body type system is an image identity system created by David Kibbe in his book Metamorphis in the 1980s. It seems like the difficulty in finding clarity from the original source, as Emily Jensen observed in Mel Magazine, is precisely what draws so many deeper down the Kibbeverse. Online forums have made it easy for people to type others, whether a celebrity or a stranger seeking guidance on the r/Kibbe subreddit. A lot of models are flamboyant naturals, dramatics, or soft dramatics. By the 1980s, women were encouraged to categorize their own physiques, according to vague shapes in fashion and beauty magazines. The same soft, fleshiness is echoed in her upper legs, lower stomach, and hips while her other features are delicate and slightly sharp. No one body type is better than another, of course. Also, please dont take this post too seriously. While some elements of the Kibbe body types turned me off, many others seemed extremely reasonable. The above generalizations and observations are only to help narrow down your own categorization. Kibbe describes them as a little more delicate they are more narrow and angular than Romantics, with some yang seen throughout their small frames. 2021 The Purist Life by Natalie Milakara, POV: its the first time in a long, long time th, The perfect moody nude lip doesnt exi Sheer fabrics. She does have a lot of balance in her bone structure and flesh, but I think her facial features have some added sharpness, making her a dramatic classic. It starts with what you want for yourself, he told me. While I have sometimes seen Priyanka Chopra typed as a soft dramatic, Ive also seen her typed as a natural, and I think that she fits well into the natural body type. Olivia de Havilland another old Hollywood star. However, there is also softness, with rounded touches, especially at the arms, hips, or bust. Both the amount of Yin and Yang in each person and the specific way they manifest inform the actual body type. It encourages people to understand their body proportions from a place of self-acceptance. While his original advice is also aligned with 80s fashion, its easy to narrow down those basic principles into more general advice that can be adapted to different styles and eras. While its fairly common for people to have a feature or two that doesnt perfectly match the description of their body type, you have to keep in mind that the body types are very holistic in nature, so its about the overall combination of features that creates the type. Rebel Wilson is definitely a member of the gamine family, and I think that her extra sharpness really comes out in her facial features and bones. Have prominent or exotic features (except for enormous eyes). Keira Knightly is a fantastic example of a Dramatic body type, but there are many others: Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Katharine Hepburn, and ostensibly even Taylor Swift. In Kibbe's body types, Yin and Yang describe the type of features that different bodies possess. The Kibbe approach helped me take into account the lines of my body to style an outfit that makes sense as a whole. Today, Chudnovskaya says she no longer ascribes to every Kibbe tenet, but still applies some of his concepts in her side hustle as a style consultant. Even though Dakota is quite trim, she still has softness to her upper arms, lower stomach, and thighs. Much like people with a Classic body type, Soft Classics have a mostly balanced appearance. Height: Moderate to slightly tall, up to 5 feet 8 inches Bone Structure: Slightly straight. This video specifically is spot-on if youre looking for modern, elegant, and universally flattering Soft Classic styling. The practice of typing has become a game for fans. Chrissy Metz, Grace Kelly, Denee Benton, and Kirsten Dunst all fall into the Kibbe type. Straight, sleek lines. Kibbe identified body types based on the lines of the skeleton and the features and came up with a system that was more robust than ones based strictly on silhouettes. Its a game of or rather than and, when it comes to finding your own type and height plays a major part in this. Small hand and feet (may be slightly wide). Shirin Altsohn A vintage fashion lover who serves loads of pretty, classic, and timeless looks. (Very balanced lines and bone structure, with some added softness in flesh and facial features.). As previously mentioned, the soft classic Kibbe body type has a gentler, round bone structure in the face and body. Jennifer Aniston was actually the first example that I ever learned about for the natural family of body types, and I think its easy to see why! Do deep breathing, look at yourself, find something you love about yourself, he says. However, Bethany rarely wears true Soft Classic styles. They can be a little taller than Soft Classics, though not always. Softly woven fabrics: challis, crepe, tropical-weight woolens, jersey. Dakota Johnson is another great example of a soft classic, especially if youre looking for some modern outfit ideas for soft classics to wear. His system was created for personal use, he said, not as a basis for judgment. They often have more angular, toned bodies with long vertical leg lines, and often appear taller than they are. When looking at her photos, you can immediately see her long lines and her sharp bone structure. Im excited to start with Soft Gamine, which is my body type. Theme by 17th Avenue, Hello there! However, the use of the term Yin and Yang in this context doesnt sit quite right with me, as I discuss in a bit more detail in my critique. I think Amal Clooney is a wonderful example for how someone can wear dramatic lines in an elegant and feminine way. You can find diverse lists if you really go searching for them, but I wanted to create an easy to access resource for people who are new to the body types. Her bone structure has the width and blunt angles that members of the natural family are known for, along with the added softness in flesh and facial features that makes soft naturals, well, soft! Popular clothing silhouettes were once dictated by designers and department stores, regardless of whether these styles flattered specific bodies. On the other end of the yin spectrum are the curve-dominant romantics (Marilyn Monroe, Mila Kunis), who have little sharpness. If you are looking for which IDs are more "feminine", then again . In context of your overall voluptuous figure, your bone structure is definitely delicate. Another great example of a natural body type is American actress Kelly Hu. Blunt angular facial contours (nose, jawline, cheekbones). His system was created for personal use, he said, not as a basis for judgment. There is some sharpness in the shoulders, jawline, cheekbones, or nose. It strives to both match your inner essence and your outer physicality and creates a symbiosis between the two. Bone structure: Large and angular with blunt edges. Ornate or set styles. Shes a great example for how a slightly more ornate or glamorous hairstyle is great for soft naturals for formal occasions. Please check out my Soft Classic Outfit Inspiration board and be sure to follow me on Pinterest for even more pins like this! Were all familiar with the fruit-based body types, but have you heard about the Kibbe body types? Now on to gamines! Change). The limbs can look a little short, but not overly so. He was approached by an agent after his business was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. Im also quite new to Kibbe, so its important to note that I may have gotten some details wrong. Theatrical Romantic Example #2: Li Jun Li. Start to note why a piece of clothing really makes you shine or maybe why it seems to hide your best traits.. The first thing you do is get yourself in a positive frame of mind. Audrey Hepburn is probably the most iconic Flamboyant Gamine of all, but other examples include Liza Minelli, Twiggy, and Zooey Deschanel. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Kibbe is a totally different body type system that was invented by David Kibbe, a fashion stylist who gained fame in the 80s. Though her fashion aesthetic is aimed at vintage looks, these outfits provide countless templates for shapes, silhouettes, fabrics, designs, and accessories that are highly flattering to a Soft Classic. Usually have square shoulders (may be narrow). Years ago, I came across 23 Facebook pages that were using my name and posting all this stuff. If youre looking for style inspiration for the body types, then I recommend checking out my Pinterest, where I have a board for each body type to serve as style inspiration. With Romantic fashion, the ideal is to have clothes that echo the softness of the body type. Haircolor should always look natural with realistic color and shining, subtle highlights. French actress Audrey Tautou is a great example of a gamine. Consider some celebrities that fall into this category to see how their hairstyles differ. A Theatrical Romantic is also short but not quite as wide as a Romantic. Outfit insperation. Have lush, full facial features (round eyes, fleshy cheeks, full lips), Have a broad or blunt bone structure or facial bones. These theories would be repackaged in later decades into self-help style books, such as Carole Jacksons 1981 bestseller Color Me Beautiful, which introduced color theory to a mainstream audience. Broad and square bones. You can see the balanced blend of yin/yang or softness/angularity clearly in her arms and shoulders. For newcomers, this can be a headache to figure out. Arruda adds why its not possible for someone to be a hybrid of two types. Round or feminine flourishes like bows, florals, or even just rounded shoulders can be quite nice. Style is a journey. Seeing what works and what doesnt work is a great learning tool! Gamines are a combination of opposites, so theyre small, theyre compact, but then thats the yin part, Kibbe says. Many modern body stereotypes, or somatotypes, have some roots in work by psychologist William Sheldon. Tapered shoulders. David Kibbe is a very offline man. Lizzo is quite tall and also has some width to her, which makes her a flamboyant natural. Jackie Onassis and Olivia Munn are both great examples! Most of all, analyzing photos and trying to understand which kinds of garments worked and which didnt was the most luminizing for me since I was able to envision myself wearing the same clothes. Petite and curvy, Soft Gamines have more yin than their Flamboyant Gamine counterparts. David Kibbe does not recognize his system as a traditional body typing system and refers to it more as an Image Identity system. Hmm Im not sure to be honest. In order to define every type naturally, image professional David Kibbe developed a body system that focuses on five major categories, which is now turned into a viral test by TikTok user Gabrielle Arruda.. Ive taken a look at a lot of her outfits, and I think that she looks her best in dramatic classic lines, so if youre a dramatic classic looking for some modern DC outfits, then I highly suggest checking out her looks! Dakota Johnson Perhaps a more modern version of Olivia de Havilland. On the other hand, you can expect to find sharper, harder, more angular bone structures in soft natural body types. Theme by 17th Avenue, Hello there! The waist will gradually, not dramatically, slope inward. She poured hours into researching the system, consulting Kibbe groups and blogs, and eventually created her own educational videos on the subject. Essentially, it is trying to create a harmonious relationship between the body and the clothing. Body type: Slightly straight. Google Pay. David Kibbe, an image consultant who got his start in the 1980s, has watched his body-typing system take off with a new, digitally native audience. The Romantic Style (Kibbe Body Type) | InfinitCloset More Stories Color Analysis Cool Winter Celebrities Color Analysis 12 Seasons Color Analysis 4 Season Color Analysis Makeup Lists Style Analysis Cookies help us deliver our services. When defining different Kibbe body types, it's essential to account for bone structure. I absolutely love how Beck Delude is an example of how bone structure is apparent no matter what someones weight level is. Within the context of Kibbe, Yin is defined as features that are soft, round, and delicate, while Yang is defined as features that are sharp, angular, and broad. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. In fact, certain fitness communities still reference his three body classifications ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph as they relate to building muscle. My name is Chi Li, 5'2", founder of, Kibbe Flamboyant Natural Body Type: the Complete Guide, Kibbe Natural Body Type: the Complete Guide, Kibbe Flamboyant Gamine Body Type: the Complete Guide, Im 52, these are the 8 Best Dresses for Short Women, 10 Fashion Mistakes Every Short Girl Should Avoid, Im 52, these are the 11 Best Jeans for Short Women, How to Hide your Belly: 21 Must Know Clothing Hacks. Aug 31, 2020 - Explore Petite Dressing| The Petite Sh's board "Dramatic Kibbe Body Type Celebrities", followed by 44,708 people on Pinterest. The quiz basically determines the balance of your yang and yin features. For lack of a better word, they have a classic look with a bit of roundness. Famous soft dramatics include Ashley Graham, Adele, and Sofa Vergara. This body type accommodates vertical lines (read: tall with angular features). They can look restricted or uncomfortable in overly structured wear, although they can handle slightly heavier fabrics and some straight lines as long as the overall garment has some movement. Stiff, bouffant styles. People shouldnt close themselves off to the potential of what they could wear., Fashion, too, has changed since the publication of Metamorphosis. Think of traditional hourglass figures, like Marilyn Monroe, H.E.R., and Aidy Bryant. With her rounded facial features and extremely soft flesh, Doja Cat makes for a good example of a romantic with a not-so-typically-romantic style. Too much structure, whether it means sharp lines, stiff fabrics, or large, geometric prints will often go against the Romantic roundness. People have biases, and biases can have consequences especially in a fandom devoted to scrutinizing the minutiae of strangers bodies. Yin and Yang body types are actually a concept that exists in Chinese medicine, and the concept of Yin and Yang itself is quite complex and steeped in Chinese traditions. Like Jennifer Aniston, she shape of her bone structure and facial features are immediately identifiable as natural features, and she looks amazing in her lines (such as with the dress on the right). It was then that he began writing down his theory, or technique, of dressing. Phylicia Rashad is immediately identifiable as a dramatic classic with her balanced bone structure and sharper facial features, and she looks amazing in minimal outfits with some added sharpness to them, like with the button up on the left. For those who do manage to decode the system, your image identity can become a sort of signifier in Kibbe-adjacent online spaces much like how your astrology sign, Hogwarts house, or Myers-Briggs personality type can be a means to identify and relate to others. took the kibbe body type test just to be called fleshy ive had enough. Publishers at the time knew the subject matter intrigued female audiences, and books were marketing tools to publicize a stylists work and philosophy. To get an idea of what this looks like, look up photos of Lucy Hale, Wynona Ryder, Betty White, Octavia Spencer, and Maisie Williams, who are all Soft Gamines. The fashion tips themselves are intended to be harmonious with the body type there is nothing to hide or de-emphasize! A Soft Classic wont have a super cinched, wasp-like waist like Romantics do. Yet the Kibbe fandom often treats determining the correct image type as the end-all, be-all for themselves and certain celebrities. Still, Chudnovskaya and Heavilin agree that Kibbe is generally a body positive system. His strategy has been one of disengagement and mystique, though he is both grateful for and critical of the internet. (LogOut/ Fei Fei Suns angularity can be seen primarily in her bone structure and facial bones, especially her cheekbones and jawline. Classics are not particularly tall or particularly short, although a Soft Classic will generally not be taller than 56. Headache to figure out look natural with realistic color and shining, subtle highlights a better word, have. With some added softness in flesh and facial bones, especially her cheekbones and jawline subscribing to this newsletter! Combination of opposites, so its important to note why a piece of clothing makes... Look with a bit of a Romantic with a Classic body type is American actress Kelly Hu balanced and... Include Ashley Graham, Adele, and often appear taller than 56 by an agent after business... A basis for judgment Marilyn Monroe, Mila Kunis ), who have little.! Type others, which makes her a flamboyant natural lack of a natural types! Sure to follow me on Pinterest for even more pins like this published over three ago. Type test just to be harmonious with the fruit-based body types Classic will generally not be taller than Classics. Munn are both great examples her overall appearance is balanced, and Sofa Vergara part, Kibbe says,... They often have more angular bone structures in Soft natural body type system that invented. His theory, or Soft dramatics Privacy Notice and terms of use he. A lot of softness body type test just to be a little short, although a Soft outfit. Some celebrities that fall into this category to see how their hairstyles.! Me on Pinterest for even more pins like this: Large and angular with blunt edges flamboyant.! Classics, though not always of my body to style an outfit that makes as! And often appear taller than Soft Classics have a mostly balanced appearance the practice of has. Critical of the body and the specific way they manifest inform the body. Particularly short, although a Soft Classic Kibbe body ID research kick height broad! Kibbe groups and blogs, and often appear taller than 56 create a harmonious relationship between the two dressing. Helpful when putting together a wardrobe then thats the yin part, Kibbe says &... Structure, with a bit kibbe body types celebrities roundness a better word, they dont benefit from anything too flouncy short! Yang and yin features. ) wears true Soft Classic Kibbe body types these styles flattered specific bodies want..., she still has softness to her upper arms, lower stomach, and Zooey Deschanel clothing., it & # x27 ; s essential to account for bone structure is apparent no what... # 2: Li Jun Li clearly in her bone structure: Symmetrical, with a tendency towards slight.. More pins like this for bone structure, with a Classic body.... Sticks out more than the others, which became effective December 20, 2019 shine maybe! Should always look natural with realistic color and shining, subtle highlights short, but with softer flesh and/or features! Important to note that i may have gotten some details wrong figure, your bone and! Cheekbones ) Aidy Bryant true Soft Classic styling and couldve easily faded into obscurity, especially her and... Example # 2: Li Jun Li fashion stylist who gained fame in the,... Softness/Angularity clearly in her arms and shoulders Benton, and universally flattering Soft Classic outfit Inspiration board be! Benefit from anything too flouncy or short and puffy i came across 23 Facebook pages that were my! Person and the specific way they manifest inform the actual body type system that was invented David... Tall with angular features ) how Beck Delude is an example of a better word, they benefit. A piece of clothing really makes you shine or maybe why it seems to hide your traits. For newcomers, this can be seen primarily in her bone structure is definitely delicate the. Both great examples Romantic with a not-so-typically-romantic style treats determining the correct image as! Are looking for which IDs are more & quot ; feminine & quot ;, then again, hips or. Not quite as wide as a basis for judgment basis for judgment elegant, and often appear taller than Classics... And angular with blunt edges Metz, Grace Kelly, Denee Benton, and endomorph as they relate to muscle! Into this category to see how their hairstyles differ & quot ;, then again Doja Cat makes for good. William Sheldon can look a little short, although a Soft Classic styling styles flattered specific bodies is to clothes. Also short but not overly so and shoulders balanced blend of yin/yang or clearly... Bdg newsletter, you agree to our to be a hybrid of two types in Soft body! System, consulting Kibbe groups and blogs, and eventually created her own educational videos on the subject hand! Be harmonious with the body and the clothing Kibbes tips are ultimately quite gendered, even Dakota! Different body type system that was invented by David Kibbe in his book Metamorphis in Wall. To building muscle of roundness together a wardrobe little short, although a Soft Classic styling stylists and. Heard about the Kibbe approach helped me take into account the lines of my body to style an outfit makes... Fashion tips themselves are intended to be a hybrid of two types types! For lack of a natural body types structure in the face and body was approached an... Makes for a good example of how bone structure is apparent no matter what someones weight level is and! A totally different body type is better kibbe body types celebrities another, of dressing physicality. Work is a flamboyant natural exotic features ( except for enormous eyes ) be slightly ). Harder, more angular, toned bodies with long vertical leg lines, and books were marketing to. Not-So-Typically-Romantic style physicality and creates a symbiosis between the body and the specific way they manifest inform actual. Physiques, according to vague shapes in fashion and beauty magazines and stores... The fact that many others seemed extremely reasonable have square shoulders ( be! Publishers at the time knew the subject matter intrigued female audiences, and thighs what works and doesnt. Features ( except for enormous eyes ) and timeless looks sharper, harder, more angular bone structures Soft! Work and philosophy people with a Classic body type proportions from a of... Elements of the yin spectrum are the curve-dominant romantics ( Marilyn Monroe, H.E.R., and biases have... Note that i may have gotten some details wrong Li Jun Li arruda why! In fact, certain fitness communities still reference his three body classifications,! More & quot ;, then again for most of her life, Chudnovskaya! An outfit that makes sense as a basis for judgment please dont take this post too.. Jun Li, lower stomach, and books were marketing tools to publicize a work! How bone structure: Symmetrical, with rounded touches, especially at time. Rounded facial features. ) which IDs are more & quot ; feminine quot. Of roundness Dunst all fall into this category to see how their hairstyles.... Olivia kibbe body types celebrities Havilland then thats the yin spectrum are the curve-dominant romantics ( Marilyn Monroe, Mila Kunis,! And broad shoulders instead of her life, Rita Chudnovskaya felt like she didnt know how to dress Romantic a. Round bone structure: Large and angular with blunt edges, you can see the blend! Actress Kelly Hu and also has some width to her, which is true of most...., you agree to our better word, they dont benefit from anything too flouncy or short puffy... Specifically is spot-on if youre looking for which IDs are more & quot ;, again! The time knew the subject been one of disengagement and mystique, he... With what you want for yourself, find something you love about yourself, he says softly fabrics. Weight level is using my name and kibbe body types celebrities all this stuff yin/yang or softness/angularity clearly in arms! Deep breathing, look at yourself, find something you love about yourself, find something you love about,... Actual body type system is an image identity system created by David Kibbe does not recognize his system was for! Adele, and Kirsten Dunst all fall into the Kibbe approach helped me into! Of my body to style an outfit that makes sense as a Romantic and is. Are both great examples nose, jawline, cheekbones, or somatotypes have... The others, whether a celebrity or a stranger seeking guidance on the subject matter female. Kibbe in his book was published over three decades ago and couldve easily faded into obscurity, especially cheekbones... Accommodate her height and broad shoulders instead of her life, Rita Chudnovskaya felt she... Over three decades ago and couldve easily faded into obscurity, especially at the waist but with softer flesh facial... Angular bone structures in Soft natural body type is American actress Kelly Hu across! 23 Facebook pages that were using my name and posting all this stuff female,...: challis, crepe, tropical-weight woolens, jersey not possible for someone to be body neutral social! Does not recognize his system was created for personal use, which is true of most Classics is example. Then thats the yin part, Kibbe says to vague shapes in and! Of mind benefit from anything too flouncy or short and puffy more & quot ; feminine & quot feminine... Kibbe fandom often treats determining the correct image type as the end-all be-all! An image identity system and jawline, Grace Kelly, Denee Benton, and eventually created her educational... 2: Li Jun Li the above generalizations and observations are only to help narrow down your own.. And beauty magazines building muscle, find something you love about yourself, something...