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Original poster

Kibbe Body Types

31 replies

crispinglovershighkick · 25/01/2022 19:35

Anyone know anything about Kibbe or have any luck with it? I had a style consult that was based around Kibbe types and got a printout with various characteristics as well as clothing styles that suit me. It's funny, on one hand it's a bit like astrology but otoh it was remarkably helpful in explaining why I prefer certain qualities in clothes and why others don't work for me.

I now know enough to confuse me Confused and not enough to be illuminating. Does anyone use it as anything but the most broad guideline?

OP posts:
LadyCathdeBourgh · 26/01/2022 18:39

Giving this a bump.

QueenJulian · 26/01/2022 19:34

It really works for me. The shapes recommended seem to harmonise with my shape and enhance it. I’ve kept it in mind for my hair too. Have you watched Aly Art’s videos on YouTube? They’ll give you lots more information.

Artichokeleaves · 26/01/2022 19:39

I spent ages studying it and trying to work it out. I can see others - my Dsis is a very obvious soft dramatic and my DM is a very obvious flamboyant natural, and my grandmother was very classically a theatrical romantic so it worked well. Took me years to realise I was a weird kind of dramatic, but I think probably somewhere between classic and dramatic, I can't wear any of the highly odd and angular stuff. I need straight column dressing, tailoring and no patterns, long lines. Smooth fabrics. And natural colours.

So in short yes, I think there's something in it, but it is confusing and you probably need to experiment, and look at what works rather than strictly follow the book guidance for each category. This website looks at mixes of several categories and how that works out, I found that quite useful. www.truth-is-beauty.com/style-analysis.html

It's having the courage to use the knowledge and do your own thing!

Artichokeleaves · 26/01/2022 19:49

Just thought too - another helpful tip I found somewhere and can't remember where (may have been here!) Do some googling and make yourself a page of cut and paste pictures of outfits and clothes you like and would wear, and that you think you look best in. Look at the brands and shops you choose from and what body types they tend to go for, as a lot of them do focus on a couple of the Kibbe types in style. Then when you have that collection, compare it to some of the pinterest boards and pages of the different Kibbe types and see what you match to. Sometimes that helps narrow it down.

ToManderleyAgain · 26/01/2022 19:59

@Artichokeleaves reading that I wondered if you might have some ethereal elements?

Artichokeleaves · 26/01/2022 20:33

I can't do floaty and sweet at all!

Original poster
crispinglovershighkick · 26/01/2022 20:44

Thanks for the bump and replies. I'll have a look at Aly Art.

I was told I'm a Dramatic Natural, is that the same as a Flamboyant Natural? For something so well known it's hard to find out specifics, Smile I've been googling for ages.

I know what famous women are also meant to be Dramatic Naturals, but it seems to mean wearing wide trousers and fabrics which are both structured and flowy - ? I was hoping for more of a formula, at least to start. For the stylist it all seemed to come so naturally, I wanted to access some of her tricks Grin

OP posts:
QueenJulian · 26/01/2022 21:02

I’ve never heard of dramatic natural but looking at it now I think it is flamboyant natural. Aly Art does dresses for each body type, trousers for each one etc so maybe have a look and see if it fits with what the stylist said?

Artichokeleaves · 26/01/2022 21:03

Do you relate to the pictures here? www.truth-is-beauty.com/9794-9794-dramatic-natural----the-amazon-queen.html

Sorry Manderly my reply reads back as really rude to you! Didn't mean to sound like that, just found it funny and was laughing as I would love to be able to do ethereal style and I make it look awful. Can't seem to do unstructured at all.

The dramatics and dramatic end of natural seem to be all about straight lines, and elongated lines. Does that work on you crisping ?

Original poster
crispinglovershighkick · 27/01/2022 01:57

Ooh thanks Artichoke! I haven't come across that link, it looks really helpful! Yes, straight lines, dramatic details (big/long/wide/stand-up collars, belted coats and jackets, big cuffs etc) but not oversized.

That link has put me on the right path, thanks again!

OP posts:
MistySkiesAfterRain · 27/01/2022 02:30

I bought the Style ID calculator for Truth is Beauty and the premise is that you take a photof of yourself and put it next to the images and ask yourself whether they flatter your face. It then adds up the scores and gives you your analysis.

I came out as 50% natural/50% classic. To be honest I think we can see ourselves in most of them, but its to what degree. I can wear stripes, floral, I like a statement collar which are gamine/ingenue. I'll wear a v neck but not often so dramatic is probably least like me.

Lanique · 27/01/2022 02:30

I'm a dramatic classic - it has me down to a tee. I also got my colours done a few years ago, absolutely brilliant and worth every penny!

ToManderleyAgain · 27/01/2022 08:40

@Artichokeleaves not rude at all. The long lines, smooth fabrics, no patterns, made it sound like there could be some crossover, but obviously not!

There’s no ethereal (or ingenue) in the Kibbe types and I wonder whether people who have trouble recognising themselves in the Kibbe types have elements of one or the other. OP, the way you have described yourself it sounds as though neither applies to you!

Boood · 27/01/2022 10:11

Interesting, I’m usually quite cynical about the theories that link appearance and personality, but I had a look through, and the natural/classic/gamine is my style to a T. Thanks for posting the links!

Original poster
crispinglovershighkick · 27/01/2022 17:07

Boood personality comes into it but a lot of it is body measurements - height in particular - and how your flesh is distributed.
Oddly some of it is the impression you make, like if you 'read' tall or petite, even though your actual height may be average.

OP posts:
Original poster
crispinglovershighkick · 27/01/2022 17:09

Lanique I had my colours done too (at the same place) and I feel the same, it has really changed things for me.

OP posts:
Artichokeleaves · 27/01/2022 17:15

Andi Oliver is always my 'wow body line really matters' person! She has lines and bone structures that make you think she is very tall, she looks statuesque, but when you see her alongside most people in comparison she's quite average height. Lots and lots of yang there!

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 27/01/2022 17:19

I just had a look and don't have a clue what I am!
Overweight tall very busty hourglass with broad shoulders, large feet and hands, look like I should be hefting weights around Grin

Ohyesiam · 27/01/2022 19:47

Well this is all very exciting, I’ve just found out I’m a soft natural. And judging by the pictures , I both suit and like the clothes they show, and it’s what I usually choose to wear.

Can anyone tell me if it’s worth having my colours done, as I’ve always been good at knowing what suits me based simply on whether things make me look better or worse. Is it not the same with colours? Or am I missing something.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 28/01/2022 19:55

Thanks to this thread I fell into a Kibbe black hole for about three days, and I STILL haven't a clue what type I am. I seem to come out with a pretty much even distribution of Dramatic, Classic and Romantic, but none of them are quite right when I read up on them.

ToManderleyAgain · 28/01/2022 20:57

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

Thanks to this thread I fell into a Kibbe black hole for about three days, and I STILL haven't a clue what type I am. I seem to come out with a pretty much even distribution of Dramatic, Classic and Romantic, but none of them are quite right when I read up on them.
Combination of all three? www.truth-is-beauty.com/9893-9792-9794-romantic-dramatic-classic.html
Artichokeleaves · 28/01/2022 21:06

ToManderly I'd suggest going and having a fun hour or so in a shop that does a range of styles. Next isn't bad for this. Look for some romantic type clothes, with the nipped in and defined waist, ruffles and curved lines; try some of the classic neat and ornate suit type, and the dramatic long straight lines (with or without the high drama/sharp asymmetry). What looks best on you?

Sickoffamilydrama · 29/01/2022 16:42

Well OP you've just made me go down a rabbit hole too.

The first test said soft dramatic but then was saying dramatics have more masculine faces I don't think I have an angular gave although MIL days I look like Cher which is kind of her and I wish I did

I'm fairly long limbed trousers and tops are usually to short for me but to add confusion I'm curvy.

So now I'm mostly confused!

Artichokeleaves · 29/01/2022 17:01

www.pinterest.fr/pin/564357397041300393/

soft dramatic faces.

(have I a history of reading far too much about this? why yes I have...)

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure I'm a dramatic of some kind, and could never find myself in the assessment, only in seeing the style group that really worked on me. Angelica Huston and Tilda Swinton are often thought of as true dramatics, and Kiera Knightley, none of whom look very masculine. They all look good in straight lines and tailored though!