Anyone can wear whatever they want, and I think that as long as you’re happy with how you look, then you’re fine. However, if you’re unhappy with your look, or you want to understand how you can look more put together, then I suggest you read this.

In this post, I’m going to be explaining (in broad strokes) some signature looks for the 13 Kibbe body types. What I love about this body typing system, is that the suggestions are things that reflect the lines of your body, rather than trying to ‘correct’ them like in other systems.

Each body type has a certain level of yin (femininity) and yang (masculinity). The body types also have certain levels of contrast, either low or high. If you want to learn more about that, then check out my overview of the Kibbe body types.

If you don’t yet know what body type you are, try taking my test to see what result you get, and then come back to this post to learn about what looks good on your body.

Disclaimer

Before we begin, I want to get a small disclaimer out of the way. The Kibbe body type system is meant to help you find clothing, hairstyles, and makeup that suits you better, and it isn’t meant to override your style.

For example, you could still have a goth style and dress to your Kibbe body type, or you could still dress in a very feminine way or masculine way and dress to your body type. This concept is somewhat confusing though, so I will be making blog posts on how to get your clothing taste and your body type’s style suggestions to line up.

I also won’t be giving too any suggestions on hair, makeup, or accessories, as I’ll be saving those for separate blog posts.

Table of Contents

In case you want to jump straight to a specific Kibbe body type, you can click on any of these body types to go straight to it:

Romantic (R)

Theatrical Romantic (TR)

Dramatic (D)

Soft Dramatic (SD)

Classic (C)

Soft Classic (SC)

Dramatic Classic (DC)

Natural (N)

Soft Natural (SN)

Flamboyant Natural (FN)

Gamine (G)

Soft Gamine (SG)

Flamboyant Gamine (FG)

I also have a Pinterest board with more clothing suggestions for each body type, so go check out my Pinterest if you want to see more examples.

Romantic (R)

Romantics are on the far feminine, or yin, side of the spectrum when it comes to the Kibbe body types, so their bodies are round and very curvy. Here’s how the clothing that a romantic wears can reflect that:

Fabric

Fabrics are best when they’re soft and light, giving off a weightless look to it. Sheer fabrics, laces, silks, tulle, thin cottons and linens, and soft yarns will compliment the softness and femininity of a romantic’s body.

Silhouette

When it comes to the silhouette, clothing looks best when it has waist emphasis. This can be achieved by wearing high waisted pants or skirts, with a shirt tucked in at the waist, to show off the defined waist that romantics naturally have.

Alternatively, wearing something with a belt or scarf tied around the waist, or that naturally has some structure at the waist can also provide that waist emphasis.

Silhouettes also look good on romantics when they’re gentle. To have a gentle silhouette, a romantic should wear lightweight fabrics, and making sure that clothes aren’t overly tight or structured, will help achieve that gentle look.

Colors and Patterns

The colors that a romantic wears should be feminine and light. This means that pastels, light neutrals, and pale colors will suit a romantic well.

Prints and patterns are best when they’re rounded and moderately sized, such as polka dots and floral patterns.

Details

Feminine details, such as ruffles, lace, gathers, and rounded elements, such as buttons and collars, will look make a romantic look at her best. As an extra touch, showing a bit of ankle will also give a feminine touch to any outfit.

Theatrical Romantic (TR)

Theatrical romantics are like romantics, except they have a bit more sharpness or angularity to them. Their bodies will be feminine and dainty, but with some slight sharpness. Their clothing will reflect this, so the overall vibe will tend to be a glamorous one.

Fabric

Starting with the fabric, lightweight and feminine fabrics such as silk, lightweight cottons and linens, sheer fabrics, and soft, thin yarns will look nice, however theatrical romantics can also wear some slightly stiffer fabrics, especially if they have some slight sheen to them.

Silhouette

Waist emphasis looks amazing on theatrical romantics, since it compliments their hourglass figures. High waisted pants and skirts with a shirt tucked in at the waist will look beautiful, and dresses that are fitted at the waist will also compliment that glamour that theatrical romantics have.

Colors and Prints

For theatrical romantics, colors should still be light, but they don’t need to be pastels or desaturated colors.

Unlike romantics, theatrical romantics do well with smaller, neater, and more ornate elements. Prints and patterns should be on the smaller side, to compliment their slightly thinner bone structure. Small florals, thin polka dots, and detailed prints will look best.

Details

Details on a theatrical romantic’s clothes are best if they’re small and ornate. Something that gives off a glamorous look, will also compliment a theatrical romantic’s body.

Dramatic (D)

A dramatic’s overall look is masculine, long, lean, and angular, so the clothing that a dramatic wears should reflect this.

Fabric

The fabric that a dramatic wears should be stiff and should hold its shape well. Making sure that the fabric is also clean and wrinkle-free will give an added air of sophistication to dramatics.

Thicker leather, wool, or cottons look great, since they hold their shape well, which will match the angularity that a dramatic has.

Silhouette

When it comes to the silhouette, clothing is best when it has a clean and long vertical line, along with some tailoring. This means that simple cuts, with little to no color blocking looks best, since it’s cohesive with the dramatic’s long look.

Long lines are key here, so pants, dresses, cardigans, and coats that are very straight and long look great on a dramatic.

Colors and Prints

In general a dramatic can get away with wearing colors that are very rich and/or dark.

Prints are best when they’re angular and geometric in nature, and a dramatic will look great when wearing vertical stripes, since it compliments their long vertical line.

Details

Clothing details are best when they’re pointed, or square shaped, to match the angularity that dramatics have.

Soft Dramatic (SD)

Soft dramatics are long and have angular bones like dramatics, but they have some added roundness and softness from their flesh or facial features, which gives them a very womanly or matronly look. Here’s how the clothing can reflect that:

Fabrics

Soft dramatics tend to look good in slightly stiff fabrics that have some added femininity, such as a bit of sheen, soft texture, or draping. Velvet can work well in this case, to add some elegance to a soft dramatic look.

Wools and suedes make great fabrics for a soft dramatic’s winter outerwear, and a crisp linen looks and feels good in the hot summer weather.

Silhouettes

The soft dramatic silhouette should have a long vertical line to match the length in her bone structure, but should also have some waist emphasis. The overall shape is best when it’s large and slightly rounded.

High rise pants look especially good on soft dramatics, since it gives them some waist emphasis and also goes along with the long vertical line.

Colors and Patterns

Soft dramatics tend to look good in very rich colors, such as jewel tones.

When it comes to prints and patterns, very large and rounded is the way to go, since it compliments the large and rounded vibe that soft dramatics have.

Details

Details are best when they’re large and rounded, to again compliment the vibe that soft dramatics have.

Classic (C)

Classics are neither very rounded nor very sharp. Overall, they have a fairly low contrast and moderate look to them, since their bone structure, flesh, and facial features are incredibly balanced.

Fabrics

When it comes to fabric, something that isn’t very lightweight or very heavy is good. Because classics are very balanced, details about the clothing can become very apparent, so wearing materials that have no wrinkles, fading, or loose threads is best.

Silhouettes

When it comes to the silhouette, a classic will look her best in something that is clean and symmetrical. Simple lines and some slight waist emphasis will look great.

Colors and Patterns

Classics look their best in neutral colors, such as black, grey, white, beige, navy, and khaki. If going for some pops of color, something that’s neither very dark nor very light will look good, since it’ll hold a nice balance between the masculine and the feminine.

Classics become quickly overwhelmed in prints and patterns. Because of this, if you’re a classic who really wants to wear a pattern, stick to something very simple and symmetrical, such as dots, pin stripes, grids, etc.

Details

Details are best when they’re simple, symmetrical, and moderately sized. Anything too small or too large will quickly look out of place. Asymmetry will also look quickly out of place on a classic, so it’s best to make sure that all zippers, buttons, collars, and pockets are symmetrically placed.

Soft Classic (SC)

Soft classics are like classics, almost equally between yin and yang on the Kibbe body types spectrum, except they have some added yin. Because of this, the signature look for classics and soft classics are very similar, it’s just that soft classic has some added feminine touches.

Fabrics

Soft classics look best in fabrics that have no wrinkles, fading, or loose threads, so make sure that you take good care of your clothes if you’re a soft classic. When it comes to weight, go with a fabric that has light to moderate weight, or has some femininity to it, such as some softness or sheen.

Silhouettes

Silhouettes look best if they’re clean and symmetrical, with waist emphasis. For an added touch of femininity, opt for pants and shirts that end just above the ankles and wrists, or cuff them to achieve this affect. Clothing also looks good if there’s some tapering above the ankles or wrists.

Colors and Patterns

When it comes to colors, opt for neutrals or light colors. Anything very bright or very dark can distract from your face, so make sure you don’t have any bright colors near your face.

When it comes to patterns and prints, sticking to solid colors is best. However, if you’re really keen on wearing a pattern, then something simple, symmetrical, and slightly feminine looks best, such as polka dots, stripes, and repeating florals.

Details

Details are best if they’re symmetrical, simple, and slightly rounded. Like with classics, asymmetry will quickly look apparent on a soft classic, so make sure that all buttons, zippers, and pockets are symmetrically placed before buying an article of clothing.

Dramatic Classic (DC)

Dramatic classics are like classics, between yin and yang, but lean slightly more towards yang. Because of that, the clothing that a dramatic classic looks best in is very similar to a classic, but with some slight yang elements to it.

Fabrics

Fabric is best when the texture is somewhere between moderate and stiff. A more structured or tailored silhouette looks good, especially when inspired by menswear. Some slight sheen or softness can add a feminine touch.

Silhouettes

Silhouettes that are structured, clean, and symmetrical will look amazing on a dramatic classic. Hints of sharpness, such as a square neckline, will add a level of sophistication to the look, since it will match with the slight sharpness of a dramatic classic’s body.

Colors and Patterns

Colors look best when they’re rich and dark, or neutral.

When it comes to prints and patterns, opting for solid colors will look best, however simple, symmetrical, and geometric prints (such as grids and stripes) will also look good.

Details

All details should be simple and symmetrical. Some slight sharpness or geometric elements will also look good, since it will match the slight sharpness that dramatic classics have.

Natural (N)

Naturals are similar to dramatics, as in they’re more on the yang side of the spectrum, but they have bluntness and width instead of thin angularity. Here’s how the clothing can reflect that:

Fabrics

Fabrics that have some roughness, texture, or a ‘natural’ vibe to them will look amazing on naturals. For example, chunky knits, denim, furs, and crochet will compliment naturals well. Linen and chambray will also look amazing on naturals.

Silhouettes

Silhouettes are best if they’re relaxed and layered. Long elements, especially ones that hang off the body, such as scarves and cardigans, will also compliment a natural’s bone structure.

Slightly oversized clothing can also look good on naturals, without looking too baggy.

Colors and Patterns

When it comes to colors, colors that look like they could be made from natural dyes look amazing.

Prints and patterns look best if they also have a natural vibe to them, such as animal prints, floral patterns, or asymmetric patterns.

Details

Details are best if they are large, and have more of a rough, natural, or handmade look to them.

Soft Natural (SN)

Soft natural is like natural, but with some added softness and roundness to it. Here’s how a soft natural can achieve a look that’s cohesive with her body:

Fabrics

When it comes to soft naturals, fabrics look best if they’re natural, but have some femininity to them. This means lighter materials that have some softness, looseness, and drape. Materials such as chunky knits, chambray, linen, light cotton blends, crochet (especially crochet lace), and suede looks amazing on soft naturals.

Silhouettes

When it comes to the silhouette, ‘feminine but loose’ is what you have to keep in mind. Loose clothing, with long lines, but add some slight femininity with waist emphasis.

Maxi skirts, long cardigans, and over-sized shirts will look amazing on a soft natural, as long as they’re brought in a bit at the waist, with either a belt or tied scarf.

Colors and Patterns

Like with naturals, it’s best if the colors look as they could be produced using natural dyeing methods. Colors will also look better if they’re light, so think of natural looking pastel shades.

Patterns and prints will be best if they’re very natural looking, such as animal prints and floral or botanical prints.

Details

Details on clothing are best when they’re round, on the large side, and have slightly handmade or natural vibes to them.

Flamboyant Natural (FN)

Flamboyant natural is what you get when you take a dramatic and add some width, or take a natural and add some height. Flamboyant naturals have a mixture of blunt edges and angularity, and a mixture of width and height. Here are some suggestions for clothing that would look cohesive with this body type:

Fabrics

The fabric that would look good on a flamboyant natural is relaxed and natural. Cotton, denim, linen, suede, fur, and wool will all look amazing on this body type.

Knits, especially large and chunky knits (with a lot of texture), will also look good on flamboyant naturals.

Silhouettes

The silhouette that a flamboyant natural wears should be long, over-sized, and relaxed. Over-sized shirts, wide pants, long coats or cardigans, and long scarves that hang off the body will be cohesive with both the width and length that flamboyant naturals have in their bone structure.

Wearing an over-sized men’s shirt will look especially chic when going for a more masculine look. For a more feminine look, a relaxed tent dress will give off a cohesive vibe.

Colors and Patterns

When it comes to colors, flamboyant naturals can really go wild. Bright, rich colors will look amazing on flamboyant naturals, so go crazy with jewel tones and fun colors! For a more neutral look, go with strong neutrals such as black, white, navy, or khaki.

Patterns can be pretty wild too, from stripes to animal prints to psychedelic patterns. Large and continuous patterns are best, so avoid color blocks.

Details

Details on clothing, such as belts, pockets, and buttons, will look best if they’re over-sized and have more of a relaxed or handmade look to them.

Gamine (G)

Gamines have a seemingly random, but equal, mix of yin and yang in the bone structure, which can give them a very youthful and energetic look. By matching that energy with the clothing, gamines will look more balanced and cohesive.

Fabrics

When it comes to fabrics, gamines can really mix and match. In my opinion, it’s best to wear a mixture of stiff fabrics and looser fabrics, since that will match the mixture of yin and yang in a gamine’s body.

Silhouettes

Silhouettes are best when they’re short, fitted, and slightly sharp.

Pants look good if they’re high waisted and end above the ankles. When wearing stiff clothing, such as blazers, jackets, and pants, it’s best if it tapers toward the ankles and wrists. Cuffing the bottom of pants or sleeves can help if they’re too long.

High necklines and shorter hems will also create a stronger sense of balance in a gamine, so keep that in mind when looking at dresses, blouses, jackets, shirts, and sweaters.

Colors and Patterns

Gamines look best when they’re wearing color blocks, so if you’re a gamine, try to have at least two different colors in your outfit. Bright and contrasted colors will look good on gamines, as it will match the level of contrast they have in their features.

When it comes to patterns, gamines look good in busy and animated patterns and prints.

Details

Details for gamines will look good when they’re small, detailed, and fun. Small buttons, thin belts, and small pleats will look amazing on gamines, and fun embroidery details will also look good.

Soft Gamine (SG)

Soft gamines also have a mixture of yin and yang in their bodies, except they have slightly more yin than yang. Here’s how to dress for the soft gamine body type:

Fabrics

Fabrics are best when they’re a mix and match of stiffer and softer fabrics, however there should be slightly more soft fabric than stiff fabric to match with the body.

Silhouettes

The silhouette that a soft gamine wears should be fitted, feminine, and small. Again high necklines are best, and pants, skirts, and dresses should show a bit of ankle. Waist emphasis is also key to achieving the femininity to match the underlying yin currents that soft gamines have.

When clothes are fitted at the ankle, knee, waist, collar, shoulder, elbow, or wrist, they will look good.

Colors and Patterns

Again, color blocking is key when it comes to the gamine family, so make sure that any outfit you wear as a soft gamine has two or more colors.

Patterns and prints are best when they’re small, feminine, and animated. Think round shapes, such as polka dots, flowers, etc.

Details

Small and slightly feminine details look good on soft gamines, so look for small buttons, gathers, ruffles, pleats, and belts.

Flamboyant Gamine (FG)

Flamboyant gamines are also like gamines, but with slightly more yang than yin. One way I’ve even heard them described is like dramatics, but small.

Fabrics

I also think that flamboyant gamines look their best when wearing a mixture of stiffer and softer fabrics, however I think that there should be slightly more stiffness than softness in an outfit.

Silhouettes

The silhouette that a flamboyant gamine wears should be tomboyish, fitted, and cropped. Again, high necklines are good here, and so are shorter pants, skirts, and dresses.

Cropped jackets and blazers, especially when paired with skinny jeans, cigarette pants, or straight leg pants, will look amazing on a flamboyant gamine.

Colors and Patterns

Color blocks are essential for all members of the gamine family, so the flamboyant gamine is no exception. Colors are also best when they’re rich and dark.

Flamboyant gamines can really go crazy when it comes to prints and patterns, and they can mix prints and patterns really well. A good rule of thumb for flamboyant gamines is to go with something geometric, however flamboyant gamines will look good in just about any print or pattern.

Details

On a flamboyant gamine’s clothing, the details are best if they’re small and unique in some way. Something out of the ordinary will look amazing on a flamboyant gamine.

And with that, this blog post on the signature looks for each body type comes to an end! If you’re interested in something specific about the Kibbe body types, feel free to suggest it. I’ll also be posting more about the Kibbe body types, so you should stick around to learn more.

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a like or share it with someone else who’d enjoy it. Thank you, and I hope that I’ll be seeing you around!