By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
How would you describe your own body? If you’re most people, it’s probably not in a favorable way. Everyone seems to want to make their body better in some way. There are people who find their facial features fitting and their body type acceptable. But for the most part, people are trying to find a way to fit into their style better. If you’re just trying to summarize what kind of body type or body shape you have, the Kibbe body type test may be something for you to reference.
While it is a bit dated in its thinking, the Kibbe body type system has foundations in yin and yang. It discusses curved and soft versus angular and structured bone structure. It builds from there to different categories, such as yang features that are soft or yin features that are petite. You can understand how your features are, if they are evenly spaced with horizontal lines, or if they are asymmetrical. It gives you an idea based on your flesh and facial features. Falling inside the yin and yang and broad families are more types, such as soft classic, soft natural, flamboyant natural, theatrical romantic, and more. If you’re wondering where you fall in this system, take this quiz to find out!
The Kibbe body types were first introduced by David Kibbe in his 1987 book, David Kibbe’s Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle as Only You Can. There are 13 image identities based on overall shape and bone structure. Using definitions of your body flesh, they are broken down into five families: dramatic, natural, classic, gamine, and romantic. It uses the yin and yang breakdowns based on facial features and body shape to place them in different topics.
Kibbe took aspects like height, width, bone structure, facial features, curves, and waist and described them all and gave examples. Looking at arms and legs, seeing if you have a defined waist or defined curves, or seeing if your eyes are widely spaced helped place people in different families. The Kibbe body typing system has to do with body proportions and overall shape. Comparing certain women's bodies to celebrities, as was done in the book, can be counterproductive to body acceptance. But that is what the Kibbe system is ultimately based on. Personality is also a factor.
Kibbe Body Type Test
Ever wandered down the winding path of fashion and felt utterly lost? Us too. Until we stumbled upon a magical map known as the Kibbe Body Type Test, carved out by the fashion wizard himself, David Kibbe. This isn't your ordinary "are-you-an-apple-or-a-pear" quiz. Oh no, it's a full-on expedition into the realm of style, where your body's unique blend of yin and yang holds the secret to your sartorial success!
So, what exactly is the Kibbe Body Type Test? Buckle up, buttercup, because it's a fascinating journey through five main body types, each bursting with its own characteristics and style recipe. Imagine discovering that you're a 'Dramatic' — think runway ready and fabulously fierce — or perhaps a 'Romantic', where curves rule and femininity flourishes. Or maybe you fall somewhere amongst the 'Classics', 'Naturals', or 'Gamines', where the balance of your features influences a tailored-to-you style strategy. Whatever your type, the Kibbe System cleverly categorizes your physical features to give you the ultimate fashion advantage.
Why stick with us on this chic quest? Because over at BrainFall, we delight in decoding the mystique of your marvelous frame. Our take on the Kibbe Body Type Test is to add a sprinkle of humor and a scoop of insight, ensuring you're not just putting clothes on your back but swagger in your step. So, let's raise the sails and set forth on this sartorial escapade—trust us, it's going to be a wild, wardrobe-centric ride!
Decoding the Kibbe Body Types
Hey fashionistas, gather 'round as we decode the mystical world of Kibbe Body Types! This isn't your everyday body shape guide—it's a deep dive into style essence, yin and yang, and how every curve and line weaves the story of you.
The Yin and Yang of It
David Kibbe's dazzling dance of yin and yang features makes our Image Identity a thing of nuanced beauty—like an intricate lace pattern on your favorite blouse. If your features are as soft and lush as a cloud, you're treading in yin territory. But darlings, if sharp angles and statuesque lines are your claim to fame, then yang is the name of your game.
Dramatics, Naturals, and Classics, Oh My!
Tiptoe through the wardrobe into a realm where Dramatics are edgy rulers with a fierce fashion sense and love for all things bold. Not far behind, our earthy Naturals wow with their easy breezy, devil-may-care style. And oh, the Classics—the epitome of balance, like a perfectly mixed cocktail, neither shaken nor stirred too much.
Height, Bone Structure, and What Lies Beneath
Whether you're long and lean or boast a more moderate vertical line, it's all about the bones, baby! Tall and petite frames alike, our bodies are canvases stretched over these bones—be they sharp, broad, or somewhere cozily in between.
Spotlight on Facial Features & Body Flesh
Nosy about noses? Curious about cheekbones? Our faces hold the keys to our Kibbe kingdoms, while our body flesh—think waistlines and bustlines playing with hips and shoulders—sings harmonies to the facial melody. It's like a siren's song for style sirens, hinting whether we're Flamboyant Gamines or Theatrical Romantics.
Fashioned for the Fashionable
So we've sorted out our bones and flesh, but what about the fabric of fashion itself? Our personal style is the ultimate expression of our Image Identity, whether we're slipping into underwear tailored for a Romantic or donning a swimsuit that celebrates a Soft Natural's essence. It's the final twinkling star in our Kibbe constellation.
And there we have it! Armed with this guide, our closets will never be the same—and we can't wait to see how fabulous we look in them.
Embracing Your Kibbe Identity
Grab your metaphorical closet key, darlings, 'cause we're unlocking the glam and groovy world of your Kibbe Body Type. Dive in, and let's strut through this style safari together!
Celebrity Style Icons
Ever catch yourself swooning over Tilda Swinton's otherworldly, angular features? Or perhaps you've pinned a vintage snap of Grace Kelly on your inspo board? Honey, those are classic examples of Kibbe icons! Swinton dances in the Dramatic realm with lines as elongated as the red carpet, while Kelly is the epitome of Pure Classic, all even proportions and timeless elegance. The Kibbe system hands us a celeb cheat sheet, pairing our physique to stars like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, so we can play dress-up with a purpose.
- Audrey Hepburn: A Pure Gamine, petite and all pixie charm.
- Marilyn Monroe: A Romantic, with curves as iconic as that white dress of hers.
Beyond the Categories: Blended and Unique Body Features
Now, don't squirm if your silhouette doesn't snuggle neatly into a Kibbe category. Some of us rock a blended physique, and that, my fashion-forward friends, is splendid! Say you've got J.Lo's bountiful booty but Mila Kunis' delicate bone structure; you're a mixtape of Kibbe magic, synthesizing Soft Gamine with Flamboyant Natural. Here's a secret—your uniqueness is your superpower. Embrace those distinct characteristics, and watch your personal style anthem hit number one!
The Kibbe Transformation Journey
Buckle up, 'cause your Metamorphosis ain't a race—it's a jazzed-up journey towards self-discovery. As you channel your inner Pure Natural or Soft Dramatic, pack heaps of patience in that stylish tote of yours. Kibbe's not just about squeezing into hourglass figures or eclectic Gamine vibes. It's about loving the couture and casual threads that harmonize with your feminine grace or bold lines. Check your email, 'cause your inbox might just morph into a treasure trove of style ideas waiting to catapult you into the fashionista sphere.
