Kibbe Body Types
A comprehensive system based on the balance of yin and yang elements in your body
Understanding the Kibbe System
Developed by image consultant David Kibbe in the 1980s, the Kibbe system is a holistic approach to body typing that goes beyond simple measurements. It considers the interplay between yin (soft, rounded, delicate) and yang (sharp, angular, strong) elements in your bone structure, flesh, and facial features.
Unlike other body typing systems that focus primarily on proportions or silhouette, the Kibbe system takes into account your overall visual impression, including facial features, how flesh sits on your frame, and the length and width of your bones.
This system identifies 13 distinct body types arranged on a spectrum from the most yang (Dramatic) to the most yin (Romantic), with various combinations in between. By understanding your Kibbe body type, you can choose clothing lines, silhouettes, and details that harmonize with your natural features.
The Kibbe Spectrum
Yang-Yin Balanced Types
Mixed Types
Yin Types
Detailed Kibbe Type Descriptions
Dramatic
Sharp, angular, and elongated with straight lines.
The Dramatic body type is characterized by a long vertical line with sharp edges and angles. The bone structure is typically long and narrow with angular facial features. There is minimal curve in the silhouette, creating a strong, bold presence. Dramatics often have a sleek, statuesque appearance.
Key Characteristics
- •Long vertical line with sharp edges
- •Angular bone structure
- •Minimal curves in silhouette
- •Prominent facial features
Styling Tips
- •Clean, sleek lines and minimal detail
- •Structured, geometric shapes
- •Bold, strong patterns or monochromatic looks
- •Sharp edges and tailored fits
Soft Dramatic
Sharp bone structure combined with soft flesh on top.
The Soft Dramatic combines the long vertical line and angular bone structure of the Dramatic with added softness and curves. The underlying structure is sharp and angular, but there is a more pronounced curve to the flesh, particularly in the bust and hip areas. Soft Dramatics have a striking, diva-like presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Angular bone structure with soft flesh
- •Long vertical line
- •Pronounced curves, especially in bust and hips
- •Combination of sharp and rounded features
Styling Tips
- •Draped fabrics that accommodate curves while maintaining vertical line
- •Bold, oversized details and statement pieces
- •Waist emphasis with sharp shoulders
- •Rich textures and ornate details
Flamboyant Natural
Broad, blunt bone structure with elongation.
The Flamboyant Natural combines width and a long vertical line. The bone structure is broad and blunt rather than sharp or delicate. There is a strong frame with a straight or slightly curved silhouette. Flamboyant Naturals have a fresh, athletic appearance with a strong presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Broad, blunt bone structure
- •Long vertical line
- •Strong, sturdy frame
- •Slightly angular or blunt features
Styling Tips
- •Unconstructed, relaxed silhouettes with long lines
- •Natural fabrics with texture and movement
- •Asymmetric and uneven details
- •Open necklines and relaxed fits
Natural
Broad and blunt with slightly angular edges.
The Natural body type features a frame that is broad and blunt. The bone structure is moderate to broad with blunt edges rather than sharp ones. There is a slightly athletic appearance with a straight or slightly curved silhouette. Naturals have a relaxed, approachable presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Moderate to broad bone structure
- •Blunt edges rather than sharp
- •Slightly athletic appearance
- •Straight to slightly curved silhouette
Styling Tips
- •Relaxed, unconstructed silhouettes
- •Simple, clean lines with minimal detail
- •Natural fabrics with some texture
- •Layered, casual pieces
Soft Natural
Broad and blunt bone structure with soft flesh on top.
The Soft Natural combines the broad, blunt bone structure of the Natural with added softness and curves. The frame is moderate to broad with some width, but there is a more pronounced curve to the flesh, creating a softer appearance. Soft Naturals have a fresh, sensual presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Broad, blunt bone structure with soft flesh
- •Moderate vertical line
- •Softly athletic appearance
- •Combination of blunt and rounded features
Styling Tips
- •Softly unconstructed silhouettes with waist definition
- •Soft, draping fabrics with some texture
- •Relaxed but shaped garments
- •Organic, asymmetric details
Dramatic Classic
Balanced overall with slight sharpness and angularity.
The Dramatic Classic is primarily balanced and moderate, with a slight additional influence of sharpness and angularity. The bone structure is moderate with some sharpness in the edges. The overall silhouette is balanced with a slight elongation. Dramatic Classics have a polished, slightly sophisticated presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Moderate bone structure with some sharpness
- •Balanced proportions with slight elongation
- •Even features with some angularity
- •Moderate curves with some straightness
Styling Tips
- •Clean, symmetrical silhouettes with some sharpness
- •Moderate, tailored shapes with minimal detail
- •Crisp fabrics with some structure
- •Geometric patterns in moderation
Classic
Balanced and moderate in all features.
The Classic body type is the epitome of balance and moderation. The bone structure is moderate—neither particularly sharp nor particularly rounded, neither particularly small nor particularly large. The vertical line is moderate, and there is a balanced distribution between straight and curved lines. Classics have a symmetrical, harmonious presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Perfectly balanced bone structure
- •Moderate vertical line
- •Even proportions throughout
- •Neither particularly angular nor particularly rounded
Styling Tips
- •Simple, clean lines with minimal detail
- •Symmetrical, balanced silhouettes
- •Moderate shapes that are neither overly structured nor overly flowing
- •Simple, classic patterns or solid colors
Soft Classic
Balanced overall with slight softness and rounded edges.
The Soft Classic is primarily balanced and moderate, with a slight additional influence of softness and roundness. The bone structure is moderate with some softness in the edges. The overall silhouette is balanced with a slight added curve. Soft Classics have a graceful, genteel presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Moderate bone structure with some softness
- •Balanced proportions with slight additional curve
- •Even features with some roundness
- •Moderate curves with some additional softness
Styling Tips
- •Simple silhouettes with some softly draped details
- •Symmetrical shapes with slight softness
- •Lightweight fabrics with some drape
- •Small-scale, rounded patterns
Flamboyant Gamine
Mixed features with more sharpness and angularity.
The Flamboyant Gamine has a mixture of opposites that creates a juxtaposed appearance, with a stronger influence of sharpness and angularity. The bone structure has a mixture of sharp angles and potential curves, often creating an impression of being slightly angular overall. There is often a compact vertical line with some elongation in the limbs. Flamboyant Gamines have a bold, dynamic presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Mixture of sharp angles and curves
- •Compact vertical line with some elongation in limbs
- •Juxtaposed proportions
- •Sharp facial features with some potential softness
Styling Tips
- •Crisp, tailored pieces with bold contrast
- •Geometric shapes and asymmetry
- •Color blocking and high contrast combinations
- •Cropped lengths and sharp details
Gamine
Mixture of opposites creating a juxtaposed appearance.
The Gamine body type represents a perfect mixture of opposites that creates a juxtaposed appearance. The bone structure has a balanced mixture of both sharpness and some rounded elements. There is typically a compact vertical line with a mixture of elongation and width in different parts of the body. Gamines have a spunky, lively presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Balanced mixture of sharpness and roundness
- •Compact vertical line
- •Even mixture of opposites throughout
- •Combination of angular and rounded features
Styling Tips
- •Tailored pieces with some playful elements
- •Clean lines with some contrast and animation
- •Crisp fabrics with some texture
- •Moderate contrast and detail
Soft Gamine
Mixed features with more softness and rounded edges.
The Soft Gamine has a mixture of opposites that creates a juxtaposed appearance, with a stronger influence of softness and roundness. The bone structure has a mixture of some sharpness and more pronounced curves, often creating an impression of being slightly rounded overall. There is typically a compact vertical line with some elongation but added softness. Soft Gamines have a spirited, ingenue-like presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Mixture of some sharpness and more pronounced curves
- •Compact vertical line with added softness
- •Juxtaposed proportions with more roundness
- •Rounded facial features with some potential sharpness
Styling Tips
- •Fitted silhouettes with rounded shapes
- •Soft fabrics with some structure
- •Animated, playful details
- •Small-scale patterns and soft color contrasts
Theatrical Romantic
Delicate bone structure with added sharpness.
The Theatrical Romantic combines the delicate, rounded bone structure of the Romantic with added sharpness. The overall appearance is primarily soft and rounded, but with some added sharpness in certain features. There is typically a moderate to petite vertical line with pronounced curves. Theatrical Romantics have a delicate yet striking presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Delicate bone structure with some sharpness
- •Moderate to petite vertical line
- •Pronounced curves with some angular features
- •Mixture of rounded and sharp facial features
Styling Tips
- •Ornate, intricate details with some sharp edges
- •Fitted silhouettes that accommodate curves
- •Lightweight fabrics with structure and drape
- •Delicate patterns with some geometric elements
Romantic
Delicate bone structure with soft, rounded flesh.
The Romantic body type features a delicate, rounded bone structure with soft, curved flesh on top. The overall appearance is soft and rounded with an hourglass silhouette. There is typically a moderate to petite vertical line with very pronounced curves. Romantics have a sensual, gentle presence.
Key Characteristics
- •Delicate, rounded bone structure
- •Moderate to petite vertical line
- •Very pronounced curves
- •Rounded, soft facial features
Styling Tips
- •Softly draped silhouettes that accommodate curves
- •Rounded shapes and waist emphasis
- •Soft, lightweight fabrics with drape
- •Ornate, rounded details and patterns
Find Your Kibbe Body Type
Ready to discover your own Kibbe body type? Take our comprehensive test to find out which of the 13 types best describes your unique combination of features.
Try Our Advanced Calculator