The Kibbe Body Type system is a styling theory that analyzes personality traits in conjunction
with physical characteristics. This is a powerful tool when it comes to personal style development
because everyone has their own special type of beauty that should be loved, embraced,
and celebrated. Personal style is the act of self-acceptance and there are numerous
studies to back this as fashion psychology has confirmed there is a longstanding relationship
between clothing and personal identity as it is one of the most visible expressions
of ourselves.
Though there may be times of boundaries such as dress codes at events, work, or school,
our form is still a way in which we express ourselves as people. With kibbe theory, there
is still a way to visually communicate and embrace yourself in these moments because
clothing does not ever look the same on two people. The principles of this theory aid
in bringing out your essence, finding pieces that best suit you, and allows for growth
in the area of loving oneself.
David Kibbe is a style and image consultant based out of New York City. In 1987, he published
a book by the name of Metamorphosis, A Personal Image And Style Book For Women where he teaches
about body features in relation to the philosophy of expressing personality or essence through
image.
Previous to this, Harriet Tilden McJimsey published a book in 1973 titled Art and Fashion
in Clothing Selection, which was written as an introductory text of how to understand
and execute fashion effectively. She not only presented this on an individual level for
personal style that Kibbe utilizes as well in his theory, but also for making, buying,
merchandising, and selling clothing. Her approach relies more on more variables such as history
of clothing, social psychology, apparel design, and interprets through percentages. If you
are interested in fashion on this level I highly suggest looking into her work as well.
Distinctly these bodies of work, rather than adhering to societal standards of how one
should look or trends that focus on producing a very specific balance and symmetry in regards
to the look of one’s body, this theory rejects more traditional ones to go on a journey of
style, learning about image, acceptance, and appreciation of oneself to achieve true individual
balance.
From my experience as a stylist, this suits personal style development as this strays
away from that group mindset to allow for you to think independently about fashion in
order to curate a truly personal and timeless wardrobe that not only possesses your aesthetic,
but also elements of your own nature which are to be cherished and nurtured.
Despite the fact that this theory has labels, the focus is not on boxing yourself in but
rather learning about yourself and using this knowledge when it comes to your image to create
one that makes you the most happy, comfortable, and content when it comes to fashion.
To achieve this sort of understanding of yourself that can later have aesthetics applied through
clothing, accessories, hairstyle and makeup you will find your type within the array of
13 that are based on physical characteristics and essences of personality. Kibbe theory
measures four components of your body: overall Bone Structure, Body Flesh, Facial Bones,
and Facial Flesh. So that you may find your own unique Image Identity Type.
In order to decipher your type there are some principles and key terms we must go over.
First, let's look into yin and yang. This principle demonstrates that all is connected
and complementary, yet contradictory. This is found within the characteristics of facial
features, bone structure, and height through traditionally feminine and masculine essences
of varying degrees.
This isn’t to say that you look feminine or masculine, but labels have language to
interpret the lines of the body and use this to apply clothing and accessories.
Yin classifies the feminine energy that is produced by soft and curved lines, rounded
shapes, slight outlines, and a more fluid silhouette which result in features that are
more curvy, petite, and delicate. The prime example of a romantic is icon Marilyn Monroe
who has delicate bone structure and full figure. Monroe brings an alluring and warm essence
to fashion that has made her a remarkable icon and muse through her looks because she
is pure yin in flesh and bone structure.
Yang classifies the masculine energy that is produced by strong and vertical lines,
sharper edges, geometric shapes, elongated outline, and a smooth silhouette that results
in features that are more angular, broad, blunt. An influential example is supermodel
Donyale Luna, who has a captivating look with her long narrow bone structure with a sleek
figure composed by pure yang bone structure and flesh. This gives her a cool reserve and
charismatic essence that she not only brings to her modeling work, but also can be seen
in her personal style.
Next, lets look at Contrast & Blend, which refers to the mixture of yin and yang together
in the body. Contrast decodes the relationship of distinct yin or yang features. Blended
features are neither pure yin or yang, but rather a combination.
For instance, Imaan Hammam has contrasted features due to her bold Yang with a pronounced
Yin undercurrent. She has yang in frame with sleek long limbs and sharp angled bone structure.
Her body flesh is soft and she has curves on top of yang bone structure. This creates
an aura that's very bold and magnetic from the yang while yin brings a charming and passionate
essence to her looks because of the varying degrees within this concept which translates
into her modeling work which can be seen on runway and editorial work.
The next concept is the vertical line which refers to elongation and height. The vertical
line can distort perception to be considerably taller or shorter since the whole body shape
is composed around it. Features of Elongation in the Kibbe system mean Yang, shortness or
petite mean Yin. But contrast and blend throughout the body add to the vertical line.
For example Kate Moss standing at 5'7 or 173cm, her vertical line is not what catches attention,
as she is known more as a petite soft woman with robust rounded facial features. The elongation
produced by her height creates yang to contrast her yin- giving her that “wow” factor
with a streamlined proportion despite having petite stature.
Jane Birkin standing at 5'8 or 176cm tall has a prominent vertical line and elongated
limbs that results in stronger Yang despite her yin leniencies of the spectrum because
of her angular features. Both women stand at similar heights, but their vertical line
reads differently because of where they fall on the spectrum in terms of their body types.
The Kibbe Body Types feature 13 body types which are categorised into 5 families:
Dramatic, which is pure yang, Natural, Classic, Gamine, and Romantic, which is pure yin.
Within the 5 main families, there are 2 to 3 subtypes that vary based on the degree of
yin and yang which results in the 13 body types found in the original book in which
this quiz is based on as you can see here. I recommend tracking your answers in four
sections for bone structure, body flesh type, facial structure, and facial features so that
you can see your own leniency within yin and/or yang. I will explain each family’s traits
in the quiz results so you can learn about your own image identity type within this theory.
Now let’s begin. The first section of the quiz will focus on the body’s bone structure,
this strongly dictates how clothes will drape on the body and interact with overall features.
My vertical line can be defined as: a. Long
b. Moderately Long c. Moderate
d. Smallish e. Petite
The shape of my shoulders is best described as:
a. Narrow and sharp b. Broad and blunt
c. Moderate and even d. Sloped, but tapered
e. Sloped and rounded
The length of my arms and legs are best described as:
a. Elongated and narrow b. Elongated and broad
c. Moderate, in even proportion to my height and upper torso
d. Small and slightly short e. Very short in proportion to my height and
upper torso
The size and shape of my hands and feet are best described as:
a. Long and narrow b. Large and broad
c. Moderate, neither broad or delicate d. Small, narrow, and delicate
e. Small and slightly wide
The next section will once again focus on the body, but this time the overall look of
skin, flesh, and muscle.
The overall shape of my body is best described as:
a. Long, lean, and narrow b. Broad, may be muscular
c. Moderate, evenly proportioned d. Shapely, a delicate hourglass
e. Very soft, lush, a ripe hourglass
My bust and/or torso is best described as: a. Flat and taut
b. Wide and broad c. Moderate, in even proportion to my shoulders,
waist, and hips d. Shapely, curved, and more prominent than
my waistline e. Very prominent, lushly curved, and always
full
My waistline is best described as: a. Elongated, but boyishly tapered
b. Elongated, but also broad c. Moderate, slightly defined
d. Very small, in proportion to my upper torso and/or bust and hips
e. Softly defined, but tends to be slightly wide
My hip shape is best described as: a. Tapered, straight, and narrow
b. Straight, slightly tapered, and slightly wide near the hips
c. Moderate, in even proportion to my torso and/or bust and waistline
d. Shapely and rounded, more pronounced than the small of the waist
e. Extremely soft and rounded
The flesh on my upper arms and thighs could best be described as:
a. Long, lithe, and slender b. Elongated and may be muscular
c. Moderate d. Soft and slightly short
e. Very soft, slightly wide, and full
Next we will be looking at facial structure. To analyze the face, it is best to look straight
on at yourself for this section.
The shape of my jawline is best described as:
a. Sharp and very prominent, either pointed or square
b. Broad or blunt, slightly wide c. Moderate and symmetrical
d. Delicate, tapered, or slightly narrow e. Rounded or softly wide
The shape of my nose is best described as: a. Sharp or prominent
b. Broad or blunt, possibly wide c. Moderate
d. Delicate, tapered, and narrow e. Rounded or softly wide
The shape of my cheekbones is best described as:
a. High and prominent b. Wide
c. Symmetrical, moderate d. Delicate, narrow, slightly rounded
e. Rounded
The shape of my eyes is best described as: a. Narrow, straight, closely spaced, or almond-shaped
b. Narrow, straight, and widely spaced c. Evenly spaced, symmetrical, and a moderate
size d. Rounded, slightly close together, possibly
slightly almond-shaped or up-turned e. Very round and very large
The shape of my lips is best described as: a. Straight and narrow
b. Straight and strong c. Moderate and evenly shaped
d. Slightly full and rounded e. Very full and rounded
The flesh on my cheekbones could best be described as:
a. Taut and flat b. Fairly taut or muscular, may be puffy at
times c. Moderate and with soft lenient
d. Soft and fleshy e. Very soft, fleshy, and always round
The quiz is now over, we will be going over results and a summary of each family’s traits
now. While going over your answers please note that A and B represent Yang, C is a combination
of Yin and Yang, and D and E stand for Yin.
If you scored mostly As you are a pure dramatic. Your position on the Yin and Yang spectrum
is an extreme, sharp Yang. If you have mostly As under bone structure with E or D under
body flesh, facial structure, and flesh/facial features you are a soft dramatic. Soft dramatics
have bold yang with pronounced Yin undercurrent.
Scoring mostly Bs means you are a Natural type. Naturals are more moderate on the yin
and yang spectrum, but lean more towards yang in essence through angular and slight broad
structure which gives the softer edge of yang. If you have some As you are a Flamboyant Natural
that depicts strong Yang with blunt edges. Mostly Bs paired with some D or Es means you
are a soft natural which is Soft Yang with a Yin undercurrent.
Mostly Cs as your answer means you have a classic body type. Classics are the balance
between the ends of the yin and yang spectrum. If there are a few As or Bs, you are a dramatic
classic that has balanced yin and yang that is slightly more angular. Or if there are
a few D or Es, you are a soft classic that will be balanced, but with more yin influence.
If there is an extreme mixture of opposite yin and yang features such as A and E you
are a Gamine. This type is the combination of opposites in which you are yin in size
and facial features, but yang in body type and structure. If there are some Bs along
with these As and Es you are a flamboyant gamine. Or if you have mostly A and Es with
several Ds you are a soft Gamine which is a combination of opposites complimented with
extra yin.
If you received mostly E you are a romantic with pure yin. Your position is on the end
of the spectrum, an extreme but delicate structure and flesh combination. If you have mostly
Ds or a strong combination of E and D with a few As you are a theatrical romantic which
is a very soft Yin with a slight Yang undercurrent.
Now with this information, you can understand your kibbe principles, body type and your
own pure state, contrast, or blend of yin and yang. This can be applied in order to
create harmony between your body and clothing through matching the degrees of yin and yang
in your outfit or style to the degrees of yin and yang of your body type family. You
can use these loose guidelines if you truly align and adore the traditional style of your
type or to study other types and understand those clothing lines- so that you can make
it into one of your own. As the famous saying goes, “Learn the rules so you know how to
break them properly.”
By finding your image identity and embracing it, you shed away past perceptions, comments,
and rules to find ones that align with you or even create your own. Though there are
guidelines and labels, recognize these variables not as constraints or strict rules, but rather
options to work in your favor. This can also be used to create an image you’re more comfortable
with and to form or execute your own aesthetic. In the future, I will be going more in depth
on the looks and traits of the five families. with the subtypes within as well as different
clothing lines and styling techniques for each so that you can create looks that you
find most congenial in terms of visual taste.
Kibbe is a great tool to have in your styling arsenal and a very interesting theory that
truly provides a space outside of what “in” for you to learn more about yourself on a
very intimate level and also find what truly love about yourself and want in terms of image,
beauty, and personal style. In the words of G. Bruce Boyer, “Real style is never right
or wrong. It's a matter of being yourself on purpose.”
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and comment. Thank you so much for watching.