Test-Driving Kibbe Types: Dramatics and Romantics

Kibbe Rabbit Hole, cont'd!

As you may know, I’ve recently tried to discover my Kibbe type and have semi-concluded that I am a Soft Dramatic. As a reminder, Kibbe relies on a spectrum from Yin (soft, rounded shapes) to Yang (sharp, angular shapes), and the interplay between them determines the type.

Soft Dramatic leans heavily toward Yang but includes an element of Yin - some curves on an otherwise tallish, vertical frame. I wasn’t 100% sure this was my type, but it did lead to some interesting outfit experiments and a few “aha” moments. For instance:

• Square vs. Round Necklines. I never understood why square-neck tops look really good on me, while rounded necklines feel a bit “blah.” Though it seems like a small style detail, the overall difference is significant. It turns out the square neckline elongates my vertical line, which aligns with Soft Dramatic recommendations.

• Challenges with Cropped Pants. I’ve always had a hard time with cropped pants. They only worked for me when paired with high heels, and I still felt I needed more height. Once I read the recommendation to avoid them for my type, it clicked. Cropped pants have already been mostly out of my wardrobe, but now I’m not trying to find “the perfect pair.”

• Draped and Cowl Neck Tops. I’ve always gravitated toward boat necks, cowl necks, and other draped styles (again, a Soft Dramatic recommendation). Understanding why has been enlightening: these cuts create a flattering “T-shape,” combining a horizontal drape on top with a long vertical line. I’m still not entirely sure of the exact mechanics, but these tops definitely feel more comfortable and flattering than poplin or other stiff fabrics, especially around the chest area.

After making these discoveries, I started wondering if I should try out more Kibbe types. After all, I almost self-diagnosed myself to be of another type on the opposite end of the spectrum. Maybe some Kibbe styles would suit me, while others might be disasters. So, I decided to test the guidelines for each type, step by step.

Please note, Kibbe does not recommend this - in fact, he explicitly advises against it. However, style has always been a place of play for me, so I’m going to do it anyway. Let’s dive in!

Dramatic

The Dramatic type is characterized by a long vertical line and angular, sharp features. Consequently, the recommended clothing emphasizes that strong vertical line with sharp, tailored pieces throughout. It sounds straightforward in theory, but when I tried to apply it, I realized that most of my wardrobe has at least a bit of roundness or softness. I discovered I only own one V-neck and very few sharply structured items. I don’t have any angular bags or blazers, so I ended up using a book instead of a handbag just to illustrate the look.

Left: Tibi skirt, Gilyte T-shirt, Flattered shoes, Live the Process sweater, Right: Tibi pants and blazer, Gilyte T-shirt

I would say that, overall, this style of clothing isn’t a complete disaster for me. However, trying to ignore my natural curves is challenging - deep V-necks, in particular, are difficult for my body type. I had to play a lot with a V neck sweater to get the sharpness, and it still didn’t work as I’d hoped. Perhaps with more suitable pieces, I could put together better outfits, but in general, this silhouette is not ideal for me, but also not a disaster.

Soft Dramatic

This is supposedly my type. Soft Dramatic also requires a strong vertical line, but with some draping to emphasize curves. Many online sources suggest creating a “T-shape” with a drapey top and a long, vertical silhouette on the bottom. Notice how naturally this suits me: even a simple oversized T-shirt, once tucked in to create that T-shape, looks pretty good (at least to me).

Tibi skirt, LK Bennett shoes and bag, Left: Cos top, Right: Arket oversized T-shirt

These outfits feel very effortless to me, and I love how I look in them - there is something to the Kibbe system, isn’t it?

Romantic & Theatrical Romantic

Both Dramatic and Soft Dramatic fall on the predominantly Yang side of the spectrum (angular and sharp), with Soft Dramatic incorporating a touch of Yin softness. Now, let’s move to the other side: pure Yin (Romantic) and Yin with a hint of Yang (Theatrical Romantic). These types require designs where the eye naturally follows the curves, with soft, fluid outlines that accommodate those curves.

I expected this kind of clothing to look terrible on me - but (spoiler alert) it didn’t. Finding suitable pieces was challenging, though. It took some experimentation with my existing wardrobe to create these rounded, soft silhouettes. I also struggled to distinguish between Romantic and Theatrical Romantic, so I ended up combining them into one try-on.

Left: Gray Matters shoes, Mango skirt, JNBY top. Right: Filippa K dress, Reserved bag, L.A. Apparel shoes

It also became clear that you really need curves to make these types of outfits work. As you can see in the photos, I’m trying to enhance my curves. In the left picture, for instance, I’m holding the skirt to make it more form-fitting.

On the right, the dress is actually very long and too small for me - I felt uncomfortable with such a bodycon style. I ended up using a hair tie to gather the back of the dress (remembering an old Tibi hack) and lift it, creating a draped effect, which made the overall look much better.

In any case, I’ve noticed that softer, rounded silhouettes can actually look great on me, too. Of course, I’d prefer clothes in my proper size and with a less fitted cut, but I still find these rounder shapes interesting. I was also surprised to discover plenty of rounded accessories in my wardrobe, which were much easier to locate than angular ones. Maybe it’s time for me to reconsider more feminine shapes?

Round vs. Angular

With these insights in mind, I looked at my existing wardrobe for more modern outfit ideas. For example, Tibi Calder sweatpants have always seemed quite round in shape to me. I once saw them styled with a button-up shirt on Tibi website, and while I’m no expert, it felt somehow off to me. Now I realize why: a button-up is more angular, which contrasts sharply with the softness of the Calder sweatpants (although as usual in fashion, it looks differently on different people, and sometimes one craves contrast on purpose!).

Tibi Calder sweatpants, Cos shoes, Left: JNBY top, Right: Gilyte shirt.

Overall, I’m enjoying this exploration. It gives me yet another lens through which to view style and experiment with different pieces. Next time, I plan to test-drive the remaining Kibbe types: Classics, Gamines, and Naturals. Stay tuned!