Kibbe Body Typing: How To Find Your Image Identity
“I always felt like the whole standard of beauty
and style was this ideal that doesn’t exist”
David Kibbe
Is it possible to find a theory about different body types which doesn’t make you feel imperfect and strive for the “ideal” type? The answer is “Yes!” In 1987 American stylist David Kibbe published his book “Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity And Dazzle As Only You Can” and became the author of the new body type system. This New York stylist practically revolutionized the world of styling: he developed a classification of female types of appearance, based on which you can successfully select the best suitable styles, fabrics, and prints.
Even if his body type system is already over 30 years now, it is still popular among different stylists. And even on TikTok, his system is experiencing a resurgence: there are many hyped videos about different Kibbe types. But whaally the Kibbe Body Type System, which features is it based on and how does the entire system may work for your style and capsule wardrobe?
A unique blend of Yin and Yang
According to Kibbe Body Typing, appethe are of each person is unique and has its unique blend of yin (more delicate) and yang (sharper, edgy) features in the bone and facial structure. In comparison to the restrictive fruit-based body typing system, the Kibbe system isn’t entirely based on silhouettes: it also analyzes different lines in the facial structure and skeleton each person possesses. The Kibbe body typing test in his “Metamorphosis” and its different variations on the Internet include questions about height, shape of shoulders (from sharp and tapered to sloped and rounded), different body proportions (length and form of arms and legs, waistline, hipline, etc.), shape of jawline (from very pointed to tapered), eyes, cheekbones, lips, nose, and hair texture.
So, the theory is admittedly complex but it can be really helpful if you want to define your style and find out which colors, shapes and are perfect for you. It could also simplify the process of building your capsule wardrobe: if you know which patterns, shapes, and lines you need for the harmonious look, you can save time on choosing perfect clothes and better spend this time doing something else like enjoying time with your family or gambling at roulette online.
To simplify things, there are five basic Kibbe body types along the Yin-Yang scale: Natural, Romantic, Classic, Gamine, and Dramatic. On the Yin-Yang Kibbe Axis Dramatic body type is the type with the pronounced yang feapronouncedile the Yin features are rounded, smooth lines, soft transitions, ovals, and circles, and the yang features are edgy, elongated straight lines.
Therefore, to define your type, it is necessary to reveal in your appearance the corresponding geometrical forms and to understand how these very Yin and Yang features, reflecting the feminine and masculine energies, are combined in it. The most extreme Yang is the Dramatic body type, while the Romantic body type is situated on the far right of the Kibbe Yin-Yang scale. Classic Body Type is situated right in the middle of the scale, it is the 50/50 combination of Yin and Yang features. There are also eight subtypes: Soft gamine, Theatrical Romantic, Soft Classic, Soft Natural, Soft dramatic, Dramatic classic, Flamboyant natural, and Flamboyant gamine.
The dramatic figure has many angles and consists of large sharp triangles and long broken lines. The romantic figure is dominated by circles connected by smooth soft lines. Bone structure and facial features are rounded, height is small, and feet and palms are miniature and somewhat plump. In the classic figure harmoniously combine ovals of average size and pointed angles entered in an oval.
The Kibbe theory doesn’t have a vibe of toxic categorization of women’s bodies into “perfect” and “imperfect”. There is no “perfect“ mix of Yin and Yang, each woman is a woman in her way. However, to create a harmonious look according to your type you can take into account the Kibbe fashion advice.
How To Find Your Style According To Your Kibbe Body Type
Kibby advises forming a closet according to the principle of similarity, that is, if your appearance is dominated by soft features and smooth rounded lines, then they should be present in the whole image. And vice versa, if your facial features and body outlines are sharp, angular, and somewhat masculine, then you should choose geometric prints, rigid shapes, straight lines, materials, and styles that create a clear silhouette.
If you are a classic type with harmonious feminine proportions, then in your closet should be classic cut things, in which strict rigid shapes are combined with soft lines. Classic style and laconic accessories suit you. Bet on monochrome images, total look, or smooth transitions between colors. Large-scale prints, bright colors, and contrasting color combinations are not your story, as well as excessive decor. The cut should be symmetrical, without too sharp angles and lines. Baggy and oversize things are also not for you.
If you are the owner of the so-called “natural beauty”, you can afford a slight asymmetry in the cut and prints, as well as spacious things and geometry with smoothed corners. If you are a romantic body type, then everything that emphasizes your femininity is suitable for you: draping and lace, delicate pastel shades, small prints, flowing, plastic or soft fabrics, soft necklines, and cuffs.
What is the point of Kibbe’s body type theory?
The great advantage of Kibby’s theory is that it does not suggest people correct themselves, but helps them to find and discover this ideal in themselves. It is important not to take this theory as something restrictive: this theory may just help you to know yourself better and outline your personal style rules, which you may have intuitively followed before.
Another bonus is saving money on shopping – purchases will be more deliberate and henceforth will only please you. So, the theory manages to straddle a pretty good line and may be quite helpful.
