David Kibbe is a New York Stylist whose book “Metamorphosis” presented a new typing system to help guide women find their style essence. *
While Kibbe later chose to downsize his system to 10 types rather than 13, many still use the original 13 types as reference on their style journey.
Each type is based on physical features – the bone structure, the fleshiness/softness of the body, facial features – and each type also has its own “vibe”. That is not to say that each category must be limited to a certain kind of clothing. What it means is that each person projects a certain type of energy which comes across in their attitude, their look and their clothing choices, and these form part of what we can call someone’s personal style.
Below we have listed the 13 types. See if you can identify yourself with any of them! This is just a very general overview – click on each of them to find out more (we’re working on updating these, stay tuned!).
Dramatic
- Physical features: Tall, angular, narrow. The figure can be almost alien.
- Vibe: Powerful, avant-garde
- Clothing: Long, heavy, geometric patterns
Soft Dramatic
- Physical features: Shapely, tall, rounded.
- Vibe: Womanly, old Hollywood
- Clothing: Draped, heavy, curve-hugging
Natural
- Physical features: Height medium-tall, athletic, straight.
- Vibe: Down to earth, casual
- Clothing: Loose, with natural materials and shapes
Flamboyant Natural
- Physical features: Tall, straight, broad shoulders
- Vibe: Bold, energetic
- Clothing: Long and organic shapes, bulky (perhaps ethnic) accessories
Soft Natural
- Physical features: Medium height, wide, slightly soft
- Vibe: Soft and feminine, sporty
- Clothing: Soft and natural shapes and materials, loose hair
Classic
- Physical features: Medium height, evenly proportioned with a clean look
- Vibe: Ladylike, tidy, elegant
- Clothing: Neat and simple, clean shapes and few accessories
Dramatic Classic
- Physical features: Medium height – tall, features are even and slightly sharp
- Vibe: The power lady
- Clothing: Simple, clean shapes with some bolder colours and geometric patterns
Soft Classic
- Physical features: Medium height – small, features are even and slightly soft
- Vibe: The feminine lady
- Clothing: Soft materials with clean shapes, some delicate details
Romantic
- Physical features: Small, rounded features, small hourglass body shape
- Vibe: Youthful, dainty, softly feminine
- Clothing: Rounded, frilly, figure-hugging
Theatrical Romantic
- Physical features: Small, delicate; slightly sharp facial features
- Vibe: Charming, lively
- Clothing: Delicate, ornate, figure-hugging
Gamine
- Physical features: Small, narrow, delicate
- Vibe: “Teenager girl” like body shape, quirky
- Clothing: Short shapes, fun accessories and detail
Soft Gamine
- Physical features: Small, with rounded (even doll-like) facial features
- Vibe: Girly, cute
- Clothing: Short shapes, with details such as polka dots, bows, rounded shapes
Flamboyant Gamine
- Physical features: Small, straight, boyish
- Vibe: Tomboyish, quirky, artsy
- Clothing: Short shapes, with fun accessories and patterns
This is only a very general overview – upcoming posts will explore each of the types individually.
The 13 types serve as a guide on what types of body and features we have, and what we can do do embrace our natural beauty. We can enhance it with the right type of clothing and accessories that work with us rather than in contrast against us.
The body IDs are not meant to be limiting. For example, naturals might look wonderful in “hippie chic” dresses, and gamines in boyish shorts. But naturals do not need to dress boho and gamines do not need to look cute. These definitions aim to help you understand the general qualities of your type. This is what we mean by vibe – these are looks that are easiest for each type to pull off. However, by no means should you feel contricted by your type.
Sometimes we might struggle to understand why something looks good on us, or why some clothing we really like just never looks right on us. Have a look at some of your favourite pieces and why you might like or not like them – the outfit’s shape, cut, pattern. How about jewellery – does it feel too small and dainty? Is the result too busy for you? Does it look too big and dramatic?
Once you have identified yourself in one of these types you may find it easier to choose clothing, accessories, hair styles and makeup looks that flatter you. Just remeber that everything here is a general guideline. Of course you can, and should, wear what makes you happy and what makes you feel good and confident.
(Come back here to read the upcoming post about how to find your own Kibbe type.)
* Please note we are in no way affiliated to Kibbe and all the descriptions here are our own interpretations from what we have learned from various internet sources.
Raw Rebellion 
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