One of the most important ways for the clothes you wear to show your body well is to dress according to your body type. These body types are divided into many subheadings. Examples of these subheadings are can be apple body type, pear body type, rectangular body type, hourglass body type, etc. You can also find many articles about these topics on our blog. However, today we are going to explore a slightly different topic: Kibbe Body Types! Kibbe body types have a different definition than the body types I mentioned above. For example, kibbe body types are more clearly defined than body shapes such as apple and pear.
The 13 Kibbe Body Types, which appeared in David Kibbe’s book Metamorphosis in 1987, are still valid today. These kibbe body types categories are based on bone structure, not weight; it will also help you with your clothing choices and fashion inspiration!
History of a Kibbe Body Type
This kibbe body types trend has become a popular topic again, with a modern adaptation of an idea that actually dates back 40 years. The trend was first set in the late 1980s in New York stylist David Kibbe’s book. David Kibbe’s popular book is “Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle as Only YOU Can”. This 1987 style book divided women into five broad kibbe body types categories. These kibbe body types are: dramatic body type, classic body type, natural body type, gamine body type, and romantic body type.
In addition, these body types have subcategories. These kibbe body types’ subcategories are: soft dramatic, soft natural, soft classic, soft gamine, flamboyant natural, flamboyant gamine, theatrical romantic, and dramatic classic. These subcategories are body types that emerge from a mixture of dramatic and romantic features in all body types. With the help of the photo below, you can examine all in detail how these categories are classified.
Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle as Only You Can
As I mentioned above, kibbe body types are examined in 5 different categories in the book. We will examine each category in more detail in a moment. We can take a look at a comment I found while researching the book on the Internet: “This book provides guidance on how to determine body type based on yin/yang physical characteristics. In his book, the author uses the usual “curvy, straight, and pear” shape to determine the bone shape/size and the meat that covers it. The way of observing the style is really strong. Since the book belongs to the late ’80s and most of the clothes mentioned in the book are no longer in fashion, it can be said that what is told is based on basic principles and can be applied to today’s styles.” Also, there is a photo from the book below.
What is My Kibbe Body Type?
There are several factors that determine which group of kibbe body types you fall into. This is determined by many variables, from the amount of yin or yang energy you have, how round, small, or angular and large various parts of your body are, to how tall you look. Also, I want to make a small note in this part. The above yin represents femininity, while the yang represents masculinity. Yin is soft, rounded, and delicate, while yang is sharper and more pronounced. You can see soft yin and sharp yang in the photo below.
Yin & Yang Balance
David Kibbe’s Metamorphosis evaluates the characteristics of our body according to their proximity to the yin (oval) and yang (long) ends. For example, while round lines are yin, long legs are yang. When we place each part of our body on one end of the yin yang scale, we find our body type. Of course, the rest consists of following David Kibbe’s advice and watching the most dazzling state of our beauty. In short, one of the Kibbe body types is not more “ideal” than the other. The ideal is to get to know one’s body and capture the energy to adapt to it.
The Yin side of nature is the receptive side, yielding and accommodating; the Yang side is the dominant side, active and creative.
Metamorphosis by David Kibbe
Kibbe Body Types: Test & Result
David Kibbe’s goal is not to dress women to flatter or conceal certain body parts but to complement what he calls the essence of your style. So, let’s get to the important question. How to find your kibbe body type?
There are a few questions you need to answer to determine your kibbe body types. I have listed them below for you. Don’t forget to take notes while answering the questions. See you in the results section!
What You Need to Know Before Taking the Test
Before you start answering the quiz questions, it’s a good idea to take a picture of yourself in a swimsuit or underwear. It’s a good idea to make sure your body is upright and you’re holding the camera at chest level.
Also, record your answers for each section like this:
Bone Structure : 1A 2C
Body Flesh : 5E 2D
Facial Features : 5E 2D
Dramatic Body Type
This is the body type that carries the most yang energy in kibbe body types. In another word, it has a yang dominant feature. It is similar in appearance to male facial features. They have an angular and narrow body shape. The thighs are narrow, the chest is flat and rarely large. The shape of the face is narrow with right angles. The eyes are small, the lips are thin or medium, and the cheekbones are clearly visible. They have tall, pointed boned, vigorous bodies.
How Should They Dress?
If you have this body type, you can choose tight-fitting clothes.
Solid colors and sharp cuts should definitely be what you look for in a combination. You shouldn’t try to hide your lines with oversized clothing, flowy fabrics, frilly textures, or heavy prints, because those are not the way to be stylish for those with a dramatic body type. Monochrome outfits, strip clothes, and minimalism are the 3 essentials for a dramatic body type.
You can add cigarette pants and blazer jackets to your wardrobe.
Also, adding basic straight cut t-shirts and polo collars to your wardrobe can be a good idea.
Celebrities with a Dramatic Body Type
Milla Jovovich is one of the celebrities with a dramatic body type. You can see 2 different photos of Milla Jovovich below for your review. When the facial features are examined, it is not overlooked that it has a bony structure.
Another celebrity example that has a dramatic body type is Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift also has angular features and features that define the dramatic body type.
Furthermore, Kate Moss is another celebrity with a dramatic body type. I can say that Kate Moss has been in our lives since the 90s and is one of the important names for 90s fashion. She looks pretty flawless as you can see in the photos below. I especially wanted to add the photo of her wearing a suit, as it is a good example of dressing suitable for people who have a dramatic body type.
Romantic Body Type
This is the body type that carries the most yin energy. Those with the romantic body type, in other words, have hourglass figures. People with this body type have a thin waist. They also have plump faces with small hands, small feet, short legs, large eyes, and lips. They have large hips and often thick arms. Also, they generally have big breasts.
How Should They Dress?
The important thing in a romantic body type is to emphasize the waist. High waist pants or jeans, skirts, and shorts will suit people with this body type.
V neck tops can help to emphasize the waist area. However, people with large breasts should stay away from these V neck tops because this time the attention will shift from the waist area to the upper area.
The most ideal accessory for people with a romantic body type is the belt. Belts add emphasis directly to the waist area.
Also, I would like to make a small suggestion for you. Belts are not the only accessories to emphasize the waist area. Fanny packs are also a sensible accessory to highlight the slim waist. As you can see in the first photo, Kylie Jenner is also a celebrity who uses this trick in her outfits.
In addition, there are many options for dresses for those with a romantic body type. In particular, wrap over dresses should be in the wardrobe of those with romantic body types.
Another dress model that can be suitable for this body type is the corset dress.
Celebrities with a Romantic Body Type
American actress and model Marilyn Monroe is one of the celebrities that has a romantic body type. You can easily see this when you examine her body lines. The dress you see in the second photo is one of Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic dresses. She sang the Happy Birthday Mr. Present song in 1962, at Madison Square Garden in New York for John F. Kennedy’s birthday with this dress. Years later, the dress she wore that night sold for $4.8 million.
Famous American singer Beyonce also has romantic body type features. In both photos, I wanted to use the pieces she wore from her collection under the roof of Ivy Park, where she collaborated with Adidas. Notice the fanny pack detail in the first photo. In addition, the collection which is called Icy Park aims to bring streetwear aesthetics to the fore. Additionally, the collection aims to inspire creativity, individuality, and imagination in its users.
Finally, I would like to talk about the American film actor Drew Barrymore, who swept the 90s fashion by storm. Every time I write the ’90s, Drew Barrymore’s ’90s style always pops up in front of me. Also, I personally believe that her style is a mix of rock and bohemian. Coming back to the body type topic, she definitely has the romantic body type. She has a plump face with small hands, short legs, large eyes, and lips.
Gamine Body Type
Gamine body type is a body type that carries yin and yang features at the same time. For example, like having big eyes, which is a yin trait, and thin lips which is a yang trait. Usually, these people are short. The face is elongated oval or broadly rounded. It can be seen in people with a gamine body type, with wide cheekbones, large eyes, full or medium-thick lips, and a tiny pointed chin. Shoulders tend to be narrow. It is usually square or pointed. People with a gamine body type have long arms and long or very long legs. Also, the short hair suits people with gamine body type very well.
How Should They Dress?
Since the shoulders of people with gamine body types are narrow, jackets with shoulder padding will suit their bodies. They absolutely should buy a jacket that is straight, sharp, short, and narrow hemlines or short-cropped and fitted.
As I just mentioned below, since the gamine body type has equal parts of both yin and yang, they can use pieces with geometric patterns or sharp lines.
In addition, a short horizontal line and short vertical line look good on gamine body type people. They should prefer this kind of clothes more and they should go towards it.
Gamine body type people should avoid monochrome outfit looks and invest in contrasting pieces, especially shorts, to showcase their long legs.
Skinny jeans that will highlight the leg length can be preferred.
Also, the mini skirt will look pretty cool on the gamine body type.
Celebrities with a Gamine Body Type
2 Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and actress Arina Grande is a typical gamine body type woman. She has short height, which is one of the most distinctive features of the gamine body type, and also has the facial features of the gamine body type.
In addition, Ariana Grande, who was a jury member of “The Voice”, wore pieces by different designers in each episode of the program. One of them was this contrast dress, which is one of the iconic dresses of the movie “13 Going on 30”, which I mentioned in this article, starring Jennifer Garner in the photo below. This dress is a vintage dress from Versace’s Spring 2003 collection. This may be an indication that 2000s fashion has made a comeback in recent years.
Emma Watson is another celebrity who can be shown as an example of a gamine body type. As you can see in the photo, Emma Watson has chosen a top with sharp sleeves that can adapt to her gamine body type. Also, this photo is from the 2013 GQ Men of the Year Awards Night. The brand of the suit is Balenciaga.
Classic Body Type
The classic body type is a body type where yin and yang energy come together with a perfect (blended) balance. It is said that the classic body type is one of the rarest body types because of the perfect symmetry. Their facial structure is proportional and they have smooth facial features. Bone structure, body flesh, and facial features are blended, and they are neither sharp nor round, neither short nor long. They have an equally proportional bust, waist, and hips. They may also have a slightly lithe or muscular appearance. Also, they are neither too tall nor too short.
How Should They Dress?
Since the body shape is very proportional, I think that tight fitting clothes will suit those with a classic body type. So, bandage dresses should definitely be in the closet of the classics.
Another tight fitting outfit suggestion can be pencil skirts. Pencil skirts usually have a body stretching structure. It would be a good idea to add a pencil skirt in the style that in the photos or in a different style according to the person’s clothing taste to classics body type person’s wardrobe.
Monochrome outfits will also be a logical choice for those with this kibbe body type.
It is also important to highlight the waist. However, do not go overboard while doing this. The classic look will look best on a soft waist definition. That’s why I wanted to give an example of the belt detailed dresses below.
Finally, it is useful to take a look at the jackets with belt details. Belted coats give the person a classic look while helping to look stylish. I aimed to give you different outfit ideas by putting two different models, both long and short, in the photo below.
Celebrities with a Classic Body Type
If you do a little research on David Kibbe’s classic body type, you can see that Grace Kelly is exemplified almost everywhere. So, I can say that Grace Kelly is one of the celebrities with a classic body type. In addition, I would like to tell you about the photos below. The first photo is from April 18, 1956. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III held a special reception at the palace the day before the wedding. Grace Kelly looks very elegant and stylish in this invitation. I’m sure the belt detail caught your attention. In the second photo, we see Grace Kelly in this elegant dress in “To Catch a Thief”, one of Alfred Hitchcock’s popular film.
Now we continue to time traveling. One of the popular names of the 30s, American theater and film actor, singer and dancer Ginger Rogers is also one of the celebrities who have the classic body type from the kibbe body type. The first photo is a scene from the movie “Vivacious Lady”.
January Jones is also one of the classic body type women celebrities. The dress she wore to the 2009 Emmy Awards in the first photo also looks like a classic body type dress. The upper part of this dress would look too hard and molded on a wide-shouldered person. A person with narrow shoulders would not be able to carry this dress very easily. However, in January Jones, who carries both energies (yin and yang) in the same proportion, the dress looks incredibly elegant and beautiful.
Natural Body Type
The Natural body type is defined by the body type that carries the most yang energy. It carries soft yang features. The facial structures of those with a natural body type are broad, blunt, or irregular. Their eyes tend to be moderate to small. Cheekbones are visible and cheeks are taut. Their lips may be straight or slightly thin. The difference from the dramatic body type is that those with a dramatic body type are more thin and taller, while those with this body type tend to be thicker-boned and muscular. Those in the natural body type group typically have moderate to slightly tall stature. Their bodies are straight and muscular. Waist definition is not given, but they probably have a large waist. The hips tend to be flat and have a slightly flat bustline. Their arms and legs may be slightly longer than usual.
How Should They Dress?
The natural body type is one of the most prominent and admired body types today. In fact, most models today have a natural body type from the kibbe body types categories. Have you ever heard the phrase “carrying clothes like a hanger”? Those who have a natural body type are exactly like the equivalent of this sentence. In addition, according to the information I read on the Internet, 80% of the products in any fast-fashion store today are designed for naturals. So, let’s get back to the topic. What kind of clothes should be preferred?
Let’s start with a comfortable and stylish outfit proposal. I think leggings are one of the most comfortable clothes in the world. In addition, it is up to you to make it stylish according to the top model you will choose. I think an oversize sweater worn over a legging will look good on those with a natural body type.
Another suggestion may be to prefer clothes with a cowl neckline. Since those with natural body types have broad shoulders, the large bohemian cowl neckline giving an image draped down the neck can also make the body look beautiful.
Besides, almost all collar types (soft horizontals, boat-necks, clean slashes, deep V’s, loose cowls, notched collars) will suit the natural body type. However, it is useful to prefer open neckline tops. In this way, it will be possible to catch a casual and stylish air.
Soft edged geometric prints (plaids, stripes, paisleys, etc.) will be a great choice for someone who wants to dress according to kibbe body types and accepts that they have a natural body type.
So, how should those with this body type choose about trousers and jeans? They can choose almost all styles of trousers and jeans. Straight cut, boot cut, wide leg, stirrup, etc. style trousers and jeans can be given as examples.
These dresses, which I think they are called drop waists, are also one of the dress suggestions I can give for those who want to dress according to kibbe body types.
Celebrities with a Natural Body Type
Angelina Jolie is one of the kibbe body types that is shown as an example of the natural body type. That’s why I wanted to take a closer look at Angelina Jolie’s style and analyze whether she dresses according to her body type. In the two photos below, you can see the two different outfits she chose on the red carpet. Angeline Jolie preferred an open neckline in both dresses.
Jennifer Aniston is another celebrity with a natural body type. While describing Jennifer Aniston’s style, I preferred to use a white dress in the photos. Notice the dress on Jennifer Aniston in the first photo. She is wearing the drop waist dress I described in the title of “How Should They Dress?”.
Subtypes of Kibbe Body Types
Now it’s time to mention subtypes of kibbe body types! As you know, there are actually 5 basic body types (dramatic body type, classic body type, natural body type, gamine body type, and romantic body type) and 8 more subtypes body types (soft dramatic, soft natural, soft classic, soft gamine, flamboyant natural, flamboyant gamine, theatrical romantic, and dramatic classic) consisting of a mixture of the 5 basic body types.
Soft Dramatic: Romantic + Dramatic
Soft dramatic body type is a combination of romantic and dramatic body types. Those with soft natural body type are tall. They have a wide and angular bone structure. They have a full chest and hips. Their arms and legs are long. Their hands and feet may be slightly larger than the average size. They may have a sharp facial bone structure with high cheekbones, a sharp nose, and a chin. They have facial features such as large eyes and full lips. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Soft Natural: Romantic + Natural
Soft natural body type is a combination of romantic and natural body types. Those with a soft natural body type are up to 1.70 in height. They have an angular bone structure. They have a slim waist and a very light hourglass-shaped soft figure. The upper arms are a little soft. Their shoulders are broad, their legs are medium or slightly short in proportion to their bodies. They have full and attractive facial features. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Flamboyant Natural: Dramatic + Natural
Flamboyant natural body type is a combination of dramatic and natural body types. Those who have the flamboyant natural body type are above 1.65. They have a broad, lean, slightly muscular physique. Their arms and legs and torso tend to be muscular. They have an open face with a strong nose and chin. They cannot be described as curvy or petite. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Soft Classic: Romantic + Classic
Soft classic body type is a combination of romantic and classic body types. Those with the soft classic body type do not exceed 1.67 in height. They have soft arms, hips, and waist, and all in equal proportions. They also have a prominent waistline. Their arms and legs may be short for their height. They have a symmetrical, slightly rounded bone structure, soft cheeks, and full lips. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Dramatic Classic: Dramatic + Classic
Dramatic classic body type is a combination of dramatic and classic body types. Those with the dramatic classic body type do not exceed 1.67 in height. Those with the dramatic classic body type are of medium height. chest, waist, and hips are proportional. Its legs and arms are of average length. They also have medium to large eyes, average sized lips, and sharp facial features. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Soft Gamine: Romantic + Gamine
Soft gamine body type is a combination of romantic and gamine body types. Those with a soft gamine body type are under 1.65 in height. However, they have a curvy body type. Their waist is prominent, their arms and legs are soft, and their bone structures are delicate. They have facial features such as round eyes and full lips. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Flamboyant Gamine: Dramatic + Gamine
Flamboyant gamine body type is a combination of dramatic and gamine body types. Those with the flamboyant gamine body type are under 1.65 in height. They have a petite, lean physique, straight hips, and long legs. The facial features are sharp. They have facial features such as big eyes and full lips. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Theatrical Romantic: Dramatic + Romantic
Theatrical romantic body type is a combination of dramatic and romantic body types. Those with the theatrical romantic body type are average 1.65 or under 1.65 in height. They have a fit physique. They also have a prominent waistline. Their arms and legs have softer folds. They have small hands and feet. Bone structures, cheekbones, and noses are slightly sharp. Those with the flamboyant gamine body type have plump eyes and lips. Also, David Kibbe describes the style of the flamboyant gamine body type as femme fatale. You can see celebrities who can be examples of this body type in the photos below.
Finally, there is a video that I want to share with you. This video titled “An Intro to the Kibbe Body Type System and Taking the Kibbe Test” will definitely help you clear your mind about David Kibbe’s kibbe body types.
I would like to talk about these 8 different body types, which are the subtitles of Kibbe body types, in more detail in my other articles.
Stay Stylish!
Adsterra
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