As someone with body dysmorphia, I've actually found Kibbe to be helpful now that I'm well into my recovery. I can understand how the system, specifically the process of typing, might feel like scrutinizing your body in an unhealthy way, and if that's the case, please step away. However, I've found it to be a tool to embrace the way my body is and reject the nightmare distortion I used to have in my head. I feel like it also helps me think neutrally about why clothes don't work for me-my body isn't the problem, the clothes just don't honor my lines.
I mean if it helps but I don’t even have any kind of body dysmorphia and I watched this kinda like…what is the point of this? It is a step backwards in my opinion. Healthy is the goal.
@@sonialinsey8083 I mean if you don't want to have a long as journey about it and don't see the value in it, you do you. Whatever you have, if you approach it in a negative way and only hear about stereotypes, it's not gonna be help you. The original comment has body dysmorphia so she probably thought of every negative thing about her body but kibbe presented her with the opposite. it also helps when you see celebrities with your body type look beautiful.
@@sonialinsey8083 I mean it's a way in for you to develop a personal fashion style without spiraling into the unhealthy good/bad discussions of your body features. Definitely more of a neutral analysis. She shows in other videos how this translates into what you can do to wear clothes in different styles or trends. If you don't care about fashion in-depth , then it doesn't matter!
I love this kind of fashion content because I’m autistic - for me, clothing was always this horrible mystery where sometimes the things I liked looked terrible and some looked great even though I’d always been told it would be unflattering, and I hated the ambiguity and unpredictability so much that I just gave up and wore jeans and a sweater over and over again. This is the first time I’ve ever felt like fashion is fun and interesting for me. Yes, for some people it’s unhelpful dissecting it, but for me, things become infinitely more approachable when you put them into categories and explain what makes things “work” vs not work. I feel safer to explore it now, and turns out, a lot of my favourite pieces of clothing honour my kibbe type!
Could you please make a video of you tracing shapes onto various body types? Seeing your thought process while identifying double-curve would be super helpful. Thanks for the helpful videos by the way!
What I love about the Kibbe system is that there is no “good” or “bad” or “desirable” or “undesirable.” Like you said, it’s a way to identify what it is about *clothing* that makes us feel better or worse about ourselves. We use body types to find clothes that fit us, not the other way around. And by learning what works best, we can also play around with contrasting features and lines and essences. I no longer see myself try something on and think “Wow, I look terrible in that, what’s wrong with me?” I now think, “okay, so a straight-across neckline just doesn’t work for me like a halter or v-neck does” In the end, it’s all about what makes YOU feel better, not what others think. The main reason we use celebrities is because they are public figures who present as examples and inspiration for us to understand where we “fit in” (for lack of a better term) and find what works best for us. It’s not critique, it’s analysis.
Omg I truly love this comment!!! Thank u for sharing such an insight. It's so true though! I finally understand why I've always felt so insecure about my body in the clothing I was wearing, the clothes just didn't work for me! Time to find my new amazing wardrobe ❤️ yay
@@fr33yamusic what’s wrong with striving for “looking your best”? And before you answer - no, it doesn’t need to have anything to do with the male gaze. Your life, your choices, but I’m choosing to look my best as I have energy to. Kibbe let’s you choose yourself as the beauty standard.
As someone recovering from an ED you’ve helped me so much! The perspective you give on different body shapes is such a healthy way to think about it. Thank you so much!
As a Soft Dramatic it was very helpful to hear this concept of "There's two circles but they're apart from each other" because of vertical. It makes so much sense now!
Here's where it gets tricky though (and why after 3+ years on the journey I still haven't figured out my kibbe type). I have a short torso, so technically I have the two circles stacked because there's like two inches between my boobies and my hips. Technically I have double curve (I think). BUT because I have a short waist, my legs look visually longer. I don't look tall, but that dichotomy between my torso and legs could probably be called .....elongation. BUT, according to kibbe, if you have elongation, you don't have double curve....BUT that only works if you have a long torso (which I don't have). So I'm back to square one. again.
@@moriahw3947 That’s exactly what my proportions are like. I’m 5’2 (1.57) and all limb. I’m a TR and I find double curve, in me, is that I look most put together in clothes that follow my torso’s shape and/or size on top, and bottoms that fit my hips’ shape and/or size. For example, a crop top and a pencil skirt or super high rise, wide leg pants. A body-con dress. Anything with spandex, really. And I feel super sloppy in stuff like unisex tees and men’s shirts, which don’t follow my body’s lines at all. So, basically, I can wear long from the waist down, but not from the shoulders down. I hope that helps!
To be truthful, my Kibbe journey has been tough. I realised early on that my perspective on my own body is extremely skewed and it’s been HARD to try and figure it out both practically and emotionally. Sometimes I’ve had to take a break from it. All I wanted to know was why a sweater or a pair of jeans that looked amazing on someone else didn’t look the same on me. I thought that because the piece of clothing was gorgeous on its own, the problem must be my body… and that made me feel bad about myself. However now that I know what type I am it feels soooo good! Now I know that there isn’t anything wrong with me (or the clothes!), it’s just a mismatch. It’s just about lines. And if I choose other lines I can look in the mirror and feel just right, because they echo my body type and make me look beautifully harmonious.
I feel you as well! I thought I was a soft classic, but after seeking professional advice, I was typed as a flamboyant gamine! I was stunned, but it made so much sense to me after I started playing with FG recommendations.
I entered a fb group that discusses this topic and the members help you figure out your kibbe body type ,essence etc- when I uploaded some pictures of myself they all sugested I was a soft gamine- which tbh - makes more sense to me than the result I got from the Kibbe test ( theatrical romantic) so Im thinking maybe I didnt answer the questions correctly or theres some nuances I didnt quite understood. I agree with you a 100% - it is a tricky journey
Learning about the body types has made me feel less insecure as there's no competition and everything for the clothing is to show off what you already have
Oh, my gosh, yes! I can finally say I no longer feel envy when I see a woman who looks fantastic … like if I see a woman wearing a short body con dress I don’t think, “I’m too fat, I could never wear that.” because now I understand that with my body type, I could be extremely thin and that kind of dress still would not look good on me. And I have noticed that the fatness or thinness of the body really doesn’t make that much difference when the person is wearing garments that harmonize with their own lines. A woman carrying a lot of weight and a woman not carrying much weight at all will both look harmonious and at their best in a short body con dress if those are their lines. I hope that made sense …. Understanding my lines and how to choose clothes that harmonize with them has set me free entirely. My wardrobe only has items in it that harmonize with my body and I know how to utilize them all for different effects (casual, classic, edgy, formal, etc.) and I really don’t scrutinize or criticize my body for being too “this” or not enough “that” anymore. My diet and exercise now have nothing whatsoever to do with how I look in my clothes and are about what they should be about, my health and well being. It’s been such a gift for me personally. Oh, and also, it’s really helped my wallet because I no longer buy something just because I like the way it looks on someone else or on the mannequin,etc.
“Why are we discussing/dissecting women’s bodies this way?” I’m glad you answered the question in a mature and eloquent manner Anyway, no one is saying Kibbe type is the only way someone should dress. It’s just a helpful guideline for anyone who struggles with dressing for their body type
Before finding Kibbe, I used to think that the reason why many of the looks that are amazing on models look so bad on me was that I am not skinny enough (though they still looked bad when I was literally underweight). Now I know that is not true, it is just that my TR bonestructure gets drowned in the typical FN lines that most models wear so well. So personally, the Kibbe system actually helped me appreciate my body much more by understanding my lines.
i relate, i have quite a defined 'hourglass' and am quite 'curvy' so i was dressing all the time in what i know now to be romantic lines. this made me feel like i wasnt "feminine enough" , made me feel insecure etc but once i found kibbe and realised i was a soft natural it opened up a whole understanding for me and made me feel at peace with my body. i dont always follow SN lines strictly, but i know what effect i'm creating if i wear certain cuts or patterns. eg, how to look edgy if i want to, how to look more put together if i want to, how to look more 'feminine' if i want to, more 'masculine' etc
To add to the trouble, something that looks great on me, a SC, is probably not going to look great on a FN lol so when I see a model wearing my lines, I just think "oh that doesn't look good, I'm not going to buy it" even though it would probably look nice...
Same. I’m a soft famine and can literally look like a kid wearing adult clothes and it just is too much. When fond things with that perfect balance of honoring petite and including some pops of yang that I do have, things make so much more sense.
Yeah I’ve learned to spot things that look terrible on a model and when I analyze their body I can tell whether it’ll look great on me. I’m often right because they are often such willowy, tall, broad or generally angular people.
I love how you took those challenging questions and flipped it. I've been subscribed for a while and your information alone has helped me learn to love my (soft natural) body and own it and actually "end the war with my wardrobe"! You've given me something to get excited about when shopping rather than dread. I can confidently shop online and select something flattering. I've never been told to honor my width and before learning this information, that would have sounded awful but now, I've never felt sexier in my skin! It's truly amazing what you are doing! I hope you keep it up! I love learning this stuff :)
This is so lovely to hear! I’m so glad that you get excited about shopping (I do too!) I think body types adds more of an objective challenge to the process rather than thinking I AM THE PROBLEM all the time!! ♥️
I recently realized that curve in the torso does not depend on bra size at all. In the quizzes with pictures the D and E answers are usually shown with big boobs and the A and B ones with tiny boobs. I actually realized this while looking at my husband (probably theatrical romantic) who most definitely has a softly rounded ribcage. Next to his, mine looks straight, long and narrow. I went back to the quiz and realized that I actually have an answer A chest despite my larger boobs. I always came out of the quiz with too many D's and E's for a 5'10 woman but once i really looked at the long, sharp bone structure underneath the softness the quiz came out soft dramatic which are definitely my best lines. I knew that before but I always wondered why I couldn't get the quiz to come out right
This is great! I definitely think looking at male bone structure can help you think about Kibbe body types outside of things we are so used to looking for e.g. big boobs, big hips, hip dips and so on
Very good point! My "journey" in that regard was a bit more complicated: my chest had always been disproportionately large to the rest of my body (I consider myself some type of Gamine), and finally last year my family came up with money to get me a breast reduction. For the first two years I was into Kibbe I thought my answer was an E, but it turns out I had a straight and wide ribcage, or B answer.
I'd done the quiz a few years ago, but didn't understand some of the questions so my "guesses" gave me Romantic. But I never felt I was curvy or round enough so for a while I was going back and forth between exploring SC and SG. Thanks to your comment, something clicked and I was able to answer the questions better this time around, which led to a SC result! Thank you!!
This has made me more curious. I am definitely short and fall into the fun-sized/gets called adorable & cute but never smexy side of being female… but I know my body well enough to know I have large bones, broad shoulders, straight rib cage & relatively narrow hips. Where I used to work, fit the “square” cut jeans best despite looking like a “circle” size. The shapes indicated the percentage difference in the hip to waist ratio. I have large breasts and ample backside plus I’m plus sized… so I look like circled smooshed on top of a pair of tooth picks. Is there such a thing is a short soft dramatic with distinctive curves? Or does this system only apply to straight sizes?
The system can apply to any person! But realistically for bigger women and women with less common proportions it can be more difficult to understand where you best fit. The easiest examples for people to use are celebrities and most celebrities fit whatever beauty standards are trending, or are trying to fit them. Hopefully that makes sense, it’s just harder to tell when you don’t see yourself in the common examples. A lot of women seem to find that understanding the kibbe system as it applies to men makes it easier to then analyse themselves because if you’re learning how it applies to women you have to get past all the usual ways we’re taught to see women’s bodies before you can start to recognise the overall structure of your body
As someone with adhd who loves fashion more than anything but gets overwhelmed and confused very easily, learning about my body type and realising that some silhouettes and colours and prints genuinely do look better on my body has made buying clothes SO much easier. Now when I’m shopping I can just automatically cancel out certain options because I know they’re not going to look quite right on my body (and that’s ok!!) but just saves me the trouble of buying something and realising a few months down the track that I don’t like it on me. I literally watch your videos like its my religion 😂
Very interesting video! I’m a soft dramatic and definitely have an hourglass shape so I’ve often been encouraged to wear stuff that would be suited to someone with double curve. It makes sense that the length of my body is part of the reason those clothes often don’t look good on me. Also, as a lifelong feminist who worked in intersectional feminist organizing I have to applaud your answer about why you don’t feel talking about bodies this way is a step back. Learning more about my body type after I gained significant weight due to illness really helped me regain my confidence and know what to look for when I went shopping. Like you said, it helped me embrace and accept my body even though I felt uncomfortable at the size I was at. I got out of big oversized clothes and starting have a lot of fun with casual monochromatic looks. ❤
I'm a recent subscriber and i'm floored by your ability to approach styling and body types from a Body Neutrality perspective. It's SO refreshing, and so wonderful. I'm a pure romantic, petite & double curve body type but have also always been very strong. I fall into awkward plus sizes and have all my life, so had always dismissed fashion as something Not For Me. Until recently. And honestly, finding your channel has been so lovely. My original germ of a thought - "no but I CAN DO THIS and it can be Fun AND look good" - has really begun to blossom, and i credit you (and some other creator/creatives) with leading by example and creating the space for people to explore fashion and style as an art form with a truly accepting, open view of what their body can do for them. I come from a bodywork background, and it breaks my heart to see people embarrassed of this fabulous, complex piece of organic machinery we pilot around simply bc it isn't what they deem to be a "correct" shape. 😊 Anyway. Just wanted to put it out there that you do a lot of good, and if nothing else you've made one person's life measurably better. 💕💕
I was often body shamed growing up. The lack of small waist and pronounced hourglass made others call me fat. However I do have an hourglass... it's just subtle. Like, that's the point of romantics, we got bones that aren't pronounced to the point we look soft, not curvaceous in the commonly accepted way, which is very much yang oriented. I think a dead giveaway for me was the fact that my torso is short and straight, but my ribcage is very sloped and rounded from the side. Personally kibbe helped my self esteem given that, as I said before, I was body shamed often growing up because romantics aren't looked at as the beauty ideal. So kibbe describing my body type in a more posiway than I'd heard before definitely helped me a lot.
I didn't even know soft classics could have double curve. That explains why I always mistake them for romantics. What someone mentioned about showing your process when tracing the shapes would be really helpful.
I like Kibbe more than other body typing systems because it is about echoing the organic shapes in your body into your clothing for a harmonious look. Once you get it, it's like the point is that everyone can look good and can wear most stuff if you just accommodate your lines. I am a soft natural and struggled dressing my broad shoulders for years through trial and error. Kibbe helped me understand how to dress them and now they're one of my favourite features to showcase. On the other side, I think us as women have grown to associate certain body descriptor words negatively. For example, for women, words like feminine, curvy, and soft have more positive connotation than width, muscular and wide bones lol. So, I think it makes it very hard to still view our bodies and kibbe types objectively. Personally, I do see a little bit of shade thrown around in the Kibbe community towards soft naturals and naturals which makes me sad. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding around words like width, curve, double curve, blunt etc and the different ways they show up on bodies. While I am soft natural and identify with having broad shoulders, most people would still not describe my body as wide or broad. It's just that proportionally, my shoulders are the widest part of my body closely followed by my hips and I find if I don't dress to accommodate the width of my shoulders and narrowness of my waist, outfits can easily look a bit off. Like that's literally all there is to it. I think I fare with it okay because I have a healthy body image but I have literally seen reddit posts of people absolutely hating on having broad shoulders and being natural types because they just misunderstood it to mean being wide and thick like it's sad y'all. 😭
The first part made me smile! Realizing im a flamboyant gamine has helped me embrace my petite masculine features. i would say i have broad shoulders, but i like how they compliment my boyish essence and i actually enhance their sharpness with weight lifting.
Discovering Kibbe types has been positive for me as it appreciates the beauty of all different body shapes, and knowing mine, I now feel more confident in the clothes I wear.
I've been very into body types and personal style this past year, but the more I dig into Kibbe body types, I start to believe he's just fooling everyone, keeping us discussing him over and over and ultimately making him a living legend)) Idk his moves just don't add up!
I really liked the way you described things here. My take is the Kibbe body types aren’t truth, they are just one man’s opinion. And because it is an entirely subjective system there are going to be a lot of things that don’t make sense. However, it doesn’t mean it can’t be useful. So take your R v SC example. Functionally, if I was someone trying to decide btwn the 2, the main take away would be for my clothes to be soft, accommodate my curves, and have waist definition. That’s the base! After that you can add the romantic or classic elements like: ruffles, lace, black, red, or neutral tones, solids, “classic styles” and see which one feels better. I think ppl get too caught up in trying to figure out the archetype and don’t look at it in terms of application. Which can be simple. I know kibbe says different but as I said he’s one guy. Subjective. And most ppl find it hard to look at themselves objectively. So do whatever you need to do. it’s YOUR life. Thanks for your openness in this video Ellie-Jean!
exactly my thoughts. it all sounds a little ridiculous to me - what makes this one guy such an infallible expert on women’s bodies? it’s a bit iffy to me tbh
I agree that knowing your ballpark type can be the base and not pinning it down to one specific type is okay if you understand what elements you can try to add to your either yin or yang base to see what works for you. I am so delicate that none of the types fit me perfectly, but I know that I am also soft and yin and when I add TR elements it shockingly brings out my delicate but occasionally sharp features in ways that feel very me. It was an exciting discovery and helped me to appreciate my body more than I thought possible. Also, I always used to feel out of place knowing that I look natural in feminine, old fashion styles (though I didn't understand why they suited me), not in modern styles. Now I embrace it fully and feel less like I am meant for a different time.
I completely agree that knowing your body helps people feel more confident. I've always felt very broad for a smaller person. Fat and bad! Awkward! Learning that I have a romantic type body, that I have a lush body type, and that's not a bad thing, has made me feel more neutral about my body, and some days, it makes me feel good about myself. Something about being told that I have a body like Marilyn Monroe or Christina Hendricks or Drew Barrymore has made me feel pretty okay about my body.
Ellie-Jean, I would love it if you made a video about dressing to “go under the radar” as it were for the different body types! Like basically how to dress to NOT look elegant or sexy or one’s best, but rather to escape notice and disappear into the background. Like, a lot of the time I do want to look good, but sometimes I really just don’t want to be noticed. (Also would love a “how to look professional for the body types” video!)
This is fantastic Ellie-Jean! The differentiation between romantic and soft classic is where I’m stuck. So I typically wear styles from both types since they are so similar. It helps to know that I am yin dominant either way!
@@portishphonic YES! There is so much overlap with neighboring types that I don’t think it matters much if you are a TR or SG as long as you are not wearing say D or FN styles you will still be mostly following your lines.
It took me a while to get the Kibbe system. And I take more from the overall principles of yin and yang than specifics. Finding out I am yang dominant has made a big difference. I'm a soft dramatic. And I could never understand why when I wore frilly girly pieces I just look like an old woman in pajamas lol. And why I would feel make up very quickly turned me drag queen-y. Now I wear very little make up. And focus on simple silhouettes with less detail. And I'm very careful with colours. Brighter bolder colours work so much better for me than pastels. And I love my oversized accessories. I never felt comfortable in dainty jewellery. So much makes sense now. I used the fruit system before. I am an apple. But it's very hard to find helpful advice. Other than lose weight lol. Also much discussion focuses on hiding and trying to force a waist. I have no waist. I have boobs and then stomach. There is no small part that goes in lol. Choosing to dress by focusing on line rather than waist emphasis has been so helpful.
I love the idea of honoring my natural body type. It has helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin and find what makes me look and feel beautiful. Love you, Ellie!
As an autistic woman, finding my own style is really hard, those body types lists are really helpful cause I also wanna look good and express my personality through my clothing choices.
This was a great video, especially with some of the more convoluted newer Kibbe concepts. I think that Kibbe has deviated so much from his original principles that it has made it almost impossible to understand. Looking at the core concepts in Metamorphosis is so much easier than following some of his newer thoughts. For example, Jada doesn't have double curve. It doesn't matter where you start or end that circle. It doesn't exist. She has a wonderful and strong body, but she carries so much more like a gamine than a romantic. His modern celebrity examples are all over the place, unlike the very clearcut examples he used from Old Hollywood.
i literally said out loud "OK, hold on! if she( Jada Smith) has double curve, everybody has double curve cause i can make those two circles fit anyone! That's literally one of the most baseline techniques you learn to figure drawing!" lol. Personally i best understand it as your bust(not necessarily big boobs) and waist pushing out of the rest of your frame, as if -disrupting- "breaking down" the line of your silhouete. A non romantic example i believe has double curve is tracee ross. i think any kibbe type can have double curve (most people are not pure kibbe types, we'll have a blend of those traits) they just won't be your defining trait.
Voy a escribir en español porque un Inglés aún me cuesta extenderme: me encanta que expliques el porque el poder describir de forma objetiva tu cuerpo es una forma de sentirte más cómoda con el y poder vestirlo de forma que lo acentúes en sus propias necesidades. No en lo ir está de moda, no como la mercadotecnia te dice que "deberías" verte (el heroine chic volviendo me aterroriza, demasiado trastornos alimenticios salieron de ahí en los 90's-20's para volver ahi). Si entiendes el como es tu cuerpo y que cualquiera que sea su forma esta bien, te da mucha más seguridad
I haven’t watched past the intro yet, but based on it alone, I really just want to say thank you. I never really hated my body growing up, but that’s only because I never looked in the mirror; I operated by body ambiguity day in and day out. I had no understanding of my figure or features, and clothing trends were an absolute enigma the few times I tried to tune into them. I spent over seventeen years of my life just throwing on whatever I found in my closet, putting my hair in a convenient style, and heading out the door. Fancy events and group outings were a nightmare - I never, ever felt confident in my appearance unless someone else was around to tell me how I looked. But then I spent this past summer in a small apartment with a full-mirror in the bathroom, which forced me to look at myself more. It was an odd experience and I didn’t know what to think. Around the same exact time, I discovered your channel, and I delved into the realm of Kibbe body types. I’m a very categorical person - I’ve been obsessed with Jungian personality theory for five years now because categorizing traits makes them come alive for me - and I knew immediately that this would change my life. And it has!! I’ve studied my figure so much since July and I’ve been finding clothes that actually look good on me - I barely recognize myself. Actually, I’ve had people tell me they didn’t recognize me either!! I don’t know for certain, but I conjecture that I’m a theatrical romantic. I could be very off. Still, I’m watching more and more videos and absorbing examples of different figures and fashion styles. I’m eighteen now and I couldn’t be more enthralled by a world I spent so long shutting out. I, for one, benefit so much from this system, and I feel so validated and empowered by it. Thank you so much for using your channel to help me love my reflection for the first time. :))
I loved this video! The illustrations you used were really useful. I'd love a dedicated lines video for romantics, it's so hard to combine modern styles with all those lush yin shapes. It's a fine line between too sexy and too dumpy and too childish and too old looking. Also for me, the journey into kibbe has been one towards body acceptance. I've learned to accept and even love parts of me I used to wish were different. So I don't think it is a shallow or in anyway negative thing. You can also choose to follow 'the rules' or not, it's up to you to figure out what works for you.
Ellie, your channel was the piece that I was looking for to complete the puzzle of personal style. You have very unique content talking about how to create an effect, which allows us to bring our own personalities into the game. You are my favorite Kibbe Channel, and as a someone who struggled with body dysmorphia and anorexia in the past, this helped me a lot with looking at my image in a more gentle way. Recently I used all the methods (kibbe + essences + color season + personal style) to buy an look and I couldn't feel better in a clothing, thank you for all of your amazing advice. Surely totally woth it, and even for a soft classic you can wear conventional clothes and still look pretty without losing your balance! Love from Brazil
The entire Kibbe system has set me free and I now have a confidence I never had before when it comes to my body and my style. I appreciate all the beautiful shapes and lines we women come with more than ever before and I just dont envy other women anymore and feel even more free to celebrate their own unique beauty. It’s the most feminist thing ever lol. I wonder if Kibbe, when he gets confusing, is describing the edge cases where a woman’s lines are on the cusp between one type or another. Kinda like with colour theory how some women are on the cusp of one season or another and they can kind of purposely morph one way or the other. Some women seem to have those lines that let them play up say the Classic lines or the romantic lines in a way a true classic or a true romantic couldn’t. But for most women, I think once we’re attuned to the ying/yang lines, it becomes very clear that we are one type. Also, I think for some women the confusion comes in when they prefer a style of clothing and confuse that as their body type. They may prefer classic or romantic styles and then have a hard time separating that from the lines of those types. The style recommendations kibbe gives aren’t terribly helpful in those situations.
This video was so helpful because I've been going on a rollercoaster ride between figuring out if I'm an R, TR, SG, SC or SN! I've narrowed it down to R or SC, and in this video you talked about how we distinguish them! This helped so much because you address how it's easy to be confused about how to distinguish them! Makes me feel like I'm not crazy lol hopefully I'll be able to figure it out soon!
You know that meme of the lady doing complex mathematical equations? That’s me right now. I have no idea what’s going on but I’m glad to be here & to learn more. My body shape is because of a genetic syndrom. Before I was 25 it was a classic catwalk model body. I understood it. But after 25, my body softened, I finally gained some curves, and ever since I’ve been confused. I’m excited to find this, thank you
Love your videos and your explanation of the why we r "dissecting" the body!! I'm getting very into this topic because of what u said about honoring the way you were created through dress, rather than hating your body like so many women are prone to do and then dressing in a way that may not be as flattering as it could be
I'm still a bit new to Kibbe but I find it so fascinating. I don't think there's anything wrong with scrutinizing your body. And we have to take the literal definition of the word. "Scrutinizing" does not mean "judging". Judging is a choice. Scrutinizing is inspecting something closely and carefully. There's nothing wrong with that! I'm a holistic educator and I've dealt with my own significant health issues for my entire life so scrutinizing my body for signs of health has become a reflex and it is obviously something I think is extremely important. I've made it my job! I include understanding your body type under the umbrella of understanding your body for the purpose of wellness. The umbrella of wellness includes mental health and even something as simple as dressing for your body type can be life-changing for those who struggle with self-esteem. We all need to understand our bodies, our cycles, our minds and emotions, so that we can identify when something is improving or getting worse. Why would we not put the time and effort into understanding our body types so that we can approach our wardrobes with the same respect we should be utilizing in our approach to health? I think that rejecting this out of fear of appearing to be judging ourselves ends up harming us more than helping us.
Oh my god! This video has solved a mystery that my sister and I have wondered about for YEARS! We went to one of David Kibbe's workshops in NYC back in the 90s. He told me that I'm a Theatrical Romanic and my sister is a Romantic. At the time, he said that Romantics had "hourglass figures" or "waspish waists," but neither my sister or I have that kind of figure. My sister in particular has always had a "thick" waist, even though she's thin. We recognized that the styles he suggested looked good on us, so we didn't doubt his analysis, but it has never made sense that we don't have that hourglass shape. But the "double curve" explains it. I would say my sister definitely looks like two circles stacked on top of each other, maybe intersecting a little which creates the "thick" waist. I am the same, but two ovals instead of circles. I look more like Jane Seymour than Marilyn Monroe. We can create the illusion of an hourglass figure if dressed a certain way, but we don't have indented waists. I think the distance between our hips and ribcage is too short for that. Anyway, thanks for this information! This all makes so much sense now.
NGL I honestly am even more confused now. I don't see the circles. I can tell that Beyonce looks soft and romantic definitely but I couldn't tell ya who has double curves or who doesn't. I think kibbes concept of "curves" is definitely the most confusing part of his whole theory.... which I found really helpful for figuring out my own clothes and style, but I'm on the yang side so I could identify myself more easily. Would like to understand the curves better to be able to help other people, my friends etc even tho it doesn't apply to me
Just want to say that your videos are a true gem and I love the way you explain these concepts. Fashion has always been difficult and foreign for me and you made me not only interested in it but actually Looking forward to each and every one of your videos. Thank you !
I appreciate the explaination! I am very hourglass-y, which lead me to believe I was TR, SC, or SG for YEARS. You have explainations that are different enough from the original that actually help me understand. A body not being defined by bone shape and instead just fat/muscle makes sense... I'm definately not TR!
It's actually empowering because it establishes the idea that everyone has a different body type and that you're unique in your own way, so you shouldn't ever feel bad about how you look because that's just the way you're made and it could never be wrong or bad, it just is. And it's liberating. Comparing yourself to others just becomes ridiculous because it doesn't make any sense. It's like comparing an apple to an orange. Sure they're both fruits but they have nothing else in common.
If an individual has an issue with Kibbe types, I think that they’re probably not as educated on the topic as they should be to be making the comment, “Isn’t this a step backwards?” I’m all for body neutrality, and I think a big part of body neutrality is being able to look at yourself the way that you are. And occasionally appreciate it. The Kibbe system (when not used to put other types down) was the only system that ever told me I could embrace my width (soft natural) instead of telling me I needed to look more like an “hourglass”. Because guess what- that’s my skeletal structure, it’s never going to change no matter how much I try to grow my glutes or lose weight. And the Kibbe system helps you find clothes that make you feel good in the body you have right now- instead of punishing you for things you can’t change.
Kibbe system is a great guide. It's well thought out and it makes sense. It may be hard to grasp but Kibbe has many years of experience and a keen eye to have created this helpful guide.
This really helped me understand the difference between hourglass and double curve. I'm flamboyant natural/soft dramatic, my large hips and shoulders, triangular ribcage and long spine make my waist look tiny and give a sharp hourglass shape but not double curve or dramatic, I'm more wide. My height comes from a long torso but I have shorter legs which give my lower half a curvy appearance and my top half is very sharp angular bones. Like a triangle on top of a circle. It's hard to find clothes that fit my small waist, big shoulders, big hips and butt. I usually wear a tank top and flared jeans but I feel stuck with my wardrobe and nothing seems to truly fit my body type. I have to "size down" to fit my waist but then it doesn't fit my shoulders, I have to "size up" for my hips but the waist is too big. If I dress for the frame of my bones I get lost in baggy clothes, If I dress for my waist and curves my shoulders stand out and don't fit the rest of the outfit shape. I am 5'8" and 130 pounds with big broad bones. Please help!
Hi Sarah! I’ve had this issue (mainly with pants - I have a Very large butt/hips and a Very small waist) too, and I just got some jeans tailored to my shape. It was one of the best things I have ever done for my body confidence! If it’s available to you, I would really recommend getting at least a few pieces tailored. (The tailor that I went to had never tailored pants to a similar shape as mine before, and they still turned out amazing, so I’d also recommend looking at reviews to find someone experienced.) I hope this helps! Wishing you well 😊
i’m 5’11” with a very similar body type. my go to outfit is banana shaped pants or jeans (not sure of the english term for it but high waisted, roomy in the hips and more fitted towards the ankle - look for true vintage jeans, for some reason they used to make jeans that actually fit hourglass figures in the 80s and then just stopped; i also love pants in this style worn with a belt to really emphasise my waist/hip contrast), a form fitting layering piece like a tank/cropped tank in the summer and turtleneck in the winter and some sort of open oversized shirt (button down, cardigan etc) on top. i love the silhouette this formula gives me, it’s comfortable, it highlights my figure without making me feel vulnerable and exposed. hope this gives you some fresh ideas :)
The more I watch these videos, the more confused I become and sometimes wonder if things are just being made up to confuse me. I don’t get how Jaida has double curve. Drawing two circles over her body doesn’t really feel helpful. I feel like i could draw 2 circles over any woman’s body and be like Yup! Double curve!
I don’t know why people are so quick to assume things. I think finding out your body type is a good thing because I thought I always had an ugly body, ugly shape but the reality was I just dressing my body in styles that flattered other body types and not mine. Anyone who wants to feel confident or figure out how to dress in the way that flatters them should be welcoming of these videos. I don’t know why some people get offended.
For me this system it's not that much about particular definition, rather better understanding why something beautiful on a model in a catalogue doesn't suits me at all, and what designs I should be aiming for instead. And you do explain it quite well. And it's OK, even if I'm not sure if my hourglass is round enough for a double curve :D
I like the kibbe body types because they are neutral and honor a huge variety of shapes. And I like how you explain them, cause instead of saying „as a XY you have to wear this style“ you also explain how to create specific effects or make a certain style work on specific shapes. It gives the freedom to wear what you like and create the effect you want in the most effective way
Well, I still have no idea what double curve is, but I do feel safer just ignoring it as a concept, haha. I type either TR or on the taller end of SG, but for me, the deciding factor really has been the clothes. Soft, draped, TR clothes look rotten on me. Choppy, tailored, sharper gamine lines look great.
Yes I think she needed to zoom out to the 50,000 foot view of the concept before she dove in; she got a bit ahead of herself in this video. She maybe seemed a bit rushed, or slightly anxious? Just a bit more context at the beginning would be key
I'm afraid this only confuses me further.. Selena got typed TR recently but all I see is vertical in her body with some softness. I have a similar shape to her but I'm more likely to be SN. I struggled for years wearing TR clothing because that's what I thought I was until I realized I look more sexy than elegant in that style. For Selena, I also love the relaxed clothing more than the TR type clothing. She feels more like herself to me when she wears relaxed outfits. I'm hourglass, but if I look similar to Selena then I must have double-curve, but I also am vertical. Those things don't add up... 😕 I don't quite understand where those circles are supposed to start and end. I wished you would've explained that. Is it from shoulders to belly button? From the ribcage to the crotch? I enjoyed getting into the Kibbe system years ago to try and figure out what suits me best, but I have to say that the "exceptions" to the rules only bring me more confusion. I don't see the romantic in Jada. All I see is a yang natural body with some softness and her face looks dramatic and sharp. Salma Hayek also looks to me more like a SD than she does TR. If I were to guide myself by those examples I wouldn't know where I fit in. At this point I just choose to dress comfortable and wear some N type clothing, but I can't go into the specific type anymore 'cause I get lost... As much as Kibbe wanted this system to be objective, it's all over the place for me...
I guess cus you're taking the descriptions too literally. Romantics basically lack any strong bones that would define their structure, and the bones they do have have pointy edges and rounded shape. Naturals of any kind have width and bluntness in their bones. Bluntness can also mean being prolonged but tapered. Like Britney Spears, she's long in her torso but the angles in her bones are blunt. A natural is going to look more 'curvy' in their bone structure than a romantic. Romantics are always miss-typed because people assume they have to be very curvaceous in the yang way, but it's the opposite- their bones do not dictate their frame as much and so their softness is what comes through. Selena is a perfect example of this. She's all yin but with a slight elongation, thus TR. Her face is completely soft. There is not yang dominance in her. The two circles thing sounds odd, but look closely at the edges of a torso. Double curve is usually a very slight curve where as if two circles were to meet. People with elongation won't have this because their upper torso and hips are further apart. Like a very small ~ vs a > I used to struggle like you as well, had the same exact problems figuring out my type... I thought I was SN for the longest time because I have some width, but width is also a yin element. Turns out I'm romantic.
I think the celebrity examples can't always be relied on because different people can form completely different impressions of someone they have never met. For example, I've seen people with a public presence ask on Twitter, "How tall do you think I am?" and the responses are all over the map. Also, certain celebrities attempt to cultivate an image that influences how we see them, so a performer who markets themselves as "sexy" might be seen as softer than she really is. From my perspective, I'd say Selena Gomez is a SN. Jada Pinkett Smith is either a G or N of some kind. She looks good in jeans at any rate. Salma Hayek has always confused me because she markets herself so strongly as sexy and glamorous that it's hard to see beyond that, but I think she's a SN. That said, if I saw any of these people in person, I might have a completely different impression. The circles/ovals make sense to me because I am a TR and my sister is a R, but neither of us have hourglass figures. If you imagine two circles, one on top of the other, but with some overlap, like a vertically stacked Venn diagram, you will have the basic Romantic silhouette. This can create "thickness" at the waist if the two circles have a lot of overlap. TRs are more likely to be ovals than circles. What makes a circle rather than a square or an oval rather than rectangle looks to me like it has to do with the width of shoulders and ribcage on top. Rs and TRs will have narrower shoulders and wider ribcages, and other types will have wider shoulders and narrower ribcages. This is just my opinion, based on comparing myself to other people. And I'm sure I'm a TR because David Kibbe typed me himself. There was a group of us and I think it helped to see examples of what he was talking about on real people in person, not in photos.
Exactly!! Selena’s typing makes absolutely no sense to me. She 1000% has vertical, no hourglass or double curve, not petite, above the height requirements… if these exceptions to the rules break every single rule how are we ever supposed to know our type??
Yes! For so long I was trying to make myself yang and thought that's what I was supposed to be... And wishing I looked more like a dark winter... Ellie Jean showed me I am a theatrical romantic and a soft autumn.... Haha. Acceptance and love for myself and my body as it is at 40 years old... Wish it could have come sooner! Thank you so much for what you do!!
Hi, Ellie! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I understand these notions as follows (please, note that I'm not a native English speaker, that I haven't read Metamorphosis, and that I'm based on what I understand from the DIY Kibbe, which is a different method from the one he uses with his clients): 1. The Kibbe Image IDs are not only body types, they're more like archetypes, and our identification with them depends on our individual yin/yang balance and essence (in Kibbe terms). In the DIY method is not clear how to determine one's image ID, but once you complete the exercises he designed, the pieces of the puzzle sometimes fall into place and people find their Image ID. That's why SC, R, TR and SG can have double curve, but they are totally different archetypes. 2. Double curve is found when the fabric falls and is pushed out within the body itself, it doesn't depend on your bra cup, but on whether the fabric is being pushed out or not. Vertical cancels out double curve because your height makes your body automatically frame dominant (yang). 3. Balance means evenness and symmetry. For example, it's when the shoulder width is similar to the hip width. It also includes even and symmetrical facial features and limbs. Petite, vertical, double curve, and width cancel out balance in the DIY method. The balance+double curve is something that Kibbe said himself that is possible only in his method with his clients, not in the DIY method, that's why it seems confusing, but we actually have to separate both methods as they're different. 4. The line sketch is fundamental for the DIY method, because it shows your accommodations. Sometimes the Line Sketch shows the upper curve, and it could be confirmed once you start trying honoring your line and accomodations by putting outfits together. So, if the line sketch doesn't show upper curve, meaning that the breast does not push out the fabric, you don't have double curve, you have balance, because it means that your breast doesn't stand out. That's all. Thank you for reading. 🌻
@@elliejeanroydenI agree, you look beautiful here. Makeup, hair and that colour cardigan on you. Would you mind telling me where you got the cardigan from? It is a lovely cool grey.
Finding myself through style after abusive relationships that controlled what I wore in very particular ways (from being someone’s subculture style muse, to dating a Gordon Ramsay of fashion type guy, to guys who didn’t want me to dress up for fear of being too sexy, to guys who gave ultimatums about my fashion/outfit, etc). This channel and all the others have helped a lot.
I would agree that starting to think about body types has been really helpful for me... Like I used to look at women who were different from me and thinking they were better than me inherently and now I can just tell myself oh they are gamines or they are whatever and that's not me, how can I be the best of my personal shape... Which is why I am going to make an appointment with you so I can really know!! Thanks so much lovely!
I still see that you can draw two crossing/close to each other circles on any type of a body of any height. Ovals in one of the examples supports that impression.
Thank you so much very helpful!!! I have an hourglass figure and a waist to hip ratio of .7 and waist to bust ratio of. 75 but I am definitely a soft natural. I am more triangular on top although I wear a 34D bra and a circle on the bottom half. I have broad shoulders thst are more beveled and less rounded. Please do a video of glam for each body type! Its very easy for romantic and even classic but not so easy for the other types
Just explaining that having an hourglass shape is not equivalent to double curve and romantic was super helpful. I’ll very curvy but my shoulders are not sloped. They are very straight and broad.
Learning that my body style was romantic was super helpful. It wasn’t a positive or negative thing, it just helped me understand why I look really good in some patterns/lines and and frumpy in others. I would get really frustrated when I would recreate an outfit on Pintrist that didn’t look the same on me as the model. I thought my body couldn’t be dressed cute, but I just had to find the right lines!
Oh yay this solves the "how romantic am i" problem. Bc ik those clothes dont suit me, but im plus size, so while Everything is Soft, i was Right i am Very Pointy (i.e. diamond shaped). Growing up everyone told me i should fit in very soft shapes, but I DISAGREE ya know lol im salty about ppl putting those qualities onto me even tho it doesn't look right At All (just bc its supposedly desireable lol i love how stocky i am)
For the longest time I couldn't tell if I was SC or R. I'm moderate with noticeable curves and balanced features. Ive finally came to a conclusion that I'm a SC with R leaning. SC seem to be more pear shaped. They have a figure 8 frame but the top half is usually smaller than the bottom. Bust and waist may be much smaller than hips but waist is smallest. Romantics are full figure 8 that may appear equally round on top and bottom. It makes sense why SC can have double curve.
I just wanted to say, I'm a new subscriber to your channel, I really liked your positive message about women and celebrities. Your videos comparing when celebrities are in their lines/colours was so compelling I had to buy your services!! I can't wait to improve my wardrobe and finally find out what body type I have and how to shop better. I have such a hit and miss relationship with my wardrobe that I just can't wait to look at things with the proper objectivity.
I think kibbe's system (and by extension the philosophies he based it in) has a solid foundation. However, I don't think it addresses everything, hence why so many people struggle to find their type (even if they understand the concepts). I suspect that the reason he is so vague and cryptic about certain things and types celebrities the he does, is that even he is kind of making it up as he goes. There's a certain point where you just have to put a person in a type and there's nothing more than your gut to tell you where to put them.
I'd like to think I am above worrying about the shape of my body, but that is not the case. There is a lot of crap out there that brings me down. It is nice to have a way of conceptualizing body shape that is not about trying to "trick the eye" into not seeing your "less desirable features," but rather, as you say, "honoring" your specific features, whatever they happen to be. I appreciate it.
I thought I was tr for a long time until I realized I could possibly be a sn and I posted on sn Facebook group and kibbe said that my post and observations about width and curve in my line sketch are good which means I am in the right direction ... I finally understand what the linked sketch is all about and what a double curve really looks like ......
Okay so the biggest thing to help me understand this system was understanding that a lot of websites use hourglass when they really mean double curve. This actually helps me realize that because I have the longest torso on a woman if 5'6 you ever did see I actually don't have double curve. While I have a very round rib cage my hourglass figure is more angular. I have really short legs which makes it harder to wonder if i have that length but yesterday someone thought I was taller than them and we were the same height and men used to accuse me of lying about my height and saying that I actually must be taller. So maybe length is my dominant feature. I also have a strong jaw line and a big nose. Looking at more info I might be a soft natural
Thank you for this video! I've been confused about double curve for some time, I think I'm Soft Dramatic but I wasn't sure if I should have double curve to be that. I have really sharp and quite pronounced waist and curves but I'm more of a triangle on top of a circle and not circle on circle lol.
Its so annoying when you never see a body like your own vetified and the body i.d you are (SG) doesnt identify with the lines because you dont fit the body i.d perfectly (i have TR shoulders and i dont have the gamine vibe) it nearly drives me crazy . I had to just move away from it and just dress for my dominant features (petite , curve , romantic essence) rather than fit myself under a particular label that doesn't quite fit . I love how SG is explained here and i very much relate to it, i don't have double curve and my curves are driven from my bone structure . You have explained it very well and its made me feel more understood , thank you . x
If double curve is defined as two circles on top of each other then what are the shapes of the other body types that don t have double curve ? (Square on square , rectangle ... ?) I ve never heard of anything but ''double curve '' it would be nice to have someone come up with equivilant descriptions for the rest of the body types for better understanding ^-^
Yes! I struggle with this because I don’t even understand exactly how the upper circle is identified. I suspect that mine is like… inverted triangle on top, and an oval/circle on the bottom????? I’ve been typed by others as FG but I had ID’d myself as TR when I first started with this (which I notice is very common - many people self-ID with TR only to discover they’re gamine or Classic)
@@SybilNix totally ! When you think of it any body type could be roughly represented by circle on top of circle , so in my opinion the idea of double curve has to be ignored unless there is a more precise definition ofc . I ve been thinking personally that double curve could maybe just be defined as : a small torso with a lenth that is double the width or less + the complete absence of angularity in the bone structure . Therefore a FG s torso would be different to that of a TR either by its angularity or proportions (elongation). But at the end of the day what truely matters for us people is taking the freedom to experiment and to be convinced with our body typing
I appreciate Kibbe for explaining about the different types. Though, McJimsey will always be the original creator. I find Kibbe contradicts himself quite often and seems to make some things up as he goes along. As far as the height requirements, I don't agree. At least I believe 5'7 and under seems more accurate for all except FN, D, SD. If you're 5'8 and taller, I agree you can only be one of those 3. Not all SC's are moderate though, some are indeed petite. Veronica Lake was under 5 feet tall and was a SC. Honestly, I must be say Kibbe is not a Scientist or Researcher and claims he's made have not be peer reviewed to be ACCURATE. For example not all TR's are petite. I'm 5'6 and a TR. I'm 100% sure of it. He said TR's can be taller than 5'5 it's just very rare to find one. I did screenshot the post he made about TR's being taller than 5'5. He just said it's very complicated and he's not ready to explain it yet because everyone would then think they are a taller TR.
Hey, if you see this comment I just wanted to let you know that in the video you labeled Donna Reed as both a Soft Classic and a soft Gamine. I just thought you might want to know. I love your vids
Hi Ellie-Jean, I love your work. It is so helpful to me! Can you do at some point a video about which skirt works for each body type? I am struggling with it hello from france! you look so french by the way with your style;)
This was such an interesting video. Thank you for sharing it! I'd also like to make a request, that you analyze Phoebe Waller-Bridge's style and body type, if you ever get the chance!
It' s truly funny to see that Mr. Kibbe used Audrey Hepburn posing on a _tendu derriere_ to exemplify a body type wich is the uniformed "cloned" result of a very specific modifying excercise. A ballet dancer body is a category itself as it is, i.e., an elite swimmer with some extreamly specific and recognizable features (and a bit _odd-orable_ ☺️ like droppy upper trapezius, flat gluteus major but developed gluteus medius, widened gastrocnemius, basculated pelvis and outwards rotated femurs) that rarely appear naturally. Not to talk about the way they walk and move 🧚🏻♀️✨
Hi, I hope you're doing well! I would love you to do a video about the term of "petite" for Kibbe because I'm not sure if you mean a short height or a person that seems small thanks to their features. This will help me a lot because i'm a short woman (5 ft) but thanks to my vertical line I don't seem that height, so this complicates the process of finding my body type. Thank you!
The way I've been guessing TRs, SGs and SCs is petite vertical/narrow sharp bones, blunt bones and contrast (but different than naturals), symmetry, moderation, looks right put together.
I still do not understand what double curve is. is it when the apex of the bust curve is about as wide as the apex of the hip curve? I used to think it was the breasts themselves protruding into the front silhouette but a lot of the examples you gave don't have that.
My body has changed so much since having a child! I was curvy and slim and now I have a very straight, rectangular shape. No idea what my kibbe could be.
If you want my opinion on your body type, head to bodyandstyle.com to book one of my packages ☺️☺️
Omg, this is all such a bunch of tripe. Women, don’t fall into this man made crap.
May I make you a question? Why Selena gomes was typed as natural when she is a teatrical romantic?
As someone with body dysmorphia, I've actually found Kibbe to be helpful now that I'm well into my recovery. I can understand how the system, specifically the process of typing, might feel like scrutinizing your body in an unhealthy way, and if that's the case, please step away. However, I've found it to be a tool to embrace the way my body is and reject the nightmare distortion I used to have in my head. I feel like it also helps me think neutrally about why clothes don't work for me-my body isn't the problem, the clothes just don't honor my lines.
I mean if it helps but I don’t even have any kind of body dysmorphia and I watched this kinda like…what is the point of this? It is a step backwards in my opinion. Healthy is the goal.
@@sonialinsey8083 I mean if you don't want to have a long as journey about it and don't see the value in it, you do you. Whatever you have, if you approach it in a negative way and only hear about stereotypes, it's not gonna be help you. The original comment has body dysmorphia so she probably thought of every negative thing about her body but kibbe presented her with the opposite. it also helps when you see celebrities with your body type look beautiful.
Please, please…if you have any suggestions for recovery…PLEASEshare…
@@sonialinsey8083 I mean it's a way in for you to develop a personal fashion style without spiraling into the unhealthy good/bad discussions of your body features. Definitely more of a neutral analysis. She shows in other videos how this translates into what you can do to wear clothes in different styles or trends. If you don't care about fashion in-depth , then it doesn't matter!
Love your comment very much.
Had the same desease and kibbe helped me so much to heal.
I love this kind of fashion content because I’m autistic - for me, clothing was always this horrible mystery where sometimes the things I liked looked terrible and some looked great even though I’d always been told it would be unflattering, and I hated the ambiguity and unpredictability so much that I just gave up and wore jeans and a sweater over and over again. This is the first time I’ve ever felt like fashion is fun and interesting for me. Yes, for some people it’s unhelpful dissecting it, but for me, things become infinitely more approachable when you put them into categories and explain what makes things “work” vs not work. I feel safer to explore it now, and turns out, a lot of my favourite pieces of clothing honour my kibbe type!
I'm glad the Kibbe system helped you in your fashion journey. I'm autistic and I love Ellie Jean's videos.
Exactly how I feel about it! It's like an excel spreadsheet but for fashion lol
@@PolarBear-rc4ksYes! Finding something new and asking “ok, but can I get it in a list?” Is peak autistic experience lmao
SAME 😅
Yes!!! Knowing my type takes the guesswork out of choosing clothing, it gives me a system to go by, and as an autistic, i love systems!!
Could you please make a video of you tracing shapes onto various body types? Seeing your thought process while identifying double-curve would be super helpful. Thanks for the helpful videos by the way!
Yes! This would be so helpful!
Yes, I would love this too!
Yes please
Yes please do that!!!
Yess that would be so good - some people she said have double curve I would’ve thought to be rectangular
What I love about the Kibbe system is that there is no “good” or “bad” or “desirable” or “undesirable.”
Like you said, it’s a way to identify what it is about *clothing* that makes us feel better or worse about ourselves.
We use body types to find clothes that fit us, not the other way around.
And by learning what works best, we can also play around with contrasting features and lines and essences.
I no longer see myself try something on and think “Wow, I look terrible in that, what’s wrong with me?”
I now think, “okay, so a straight-across neckline just doesn’t work for me like a halter or v-neck does”
In the end, it’s all about what makes YOU feel better, not what others think.
The main reason we use celebrities is because they are public figures who present as examples and inspiration for us to understand where we “fit in” (for lack of a better term) and find what works best for us. It’s not critique, it’s analysis.
Very well said!!
exactly. i love it. it helps me feel like my best self everyday.
Omg I truly love this comment!!! Thank u for sharing such an insight. It's so true though! I finally understand why I've always felt so insecure about my body in the clothing I was wearing, the clothes just didn't work for me! Time to find my new amazing wardrobe ❤️ yay
It still emphasises that the female form needs to look its best at all times, that we should all be striving for that?
@@fr33yamusic what’s wrong with striving for “looking your best”? And before you answer - no, it doesn’t need to have anything to do with the male gaze. Your life, your choices, but I’m choosing to look my best as I have energy to. Kibbe let’s you choose yourself as the beauty standard.
As someone recovering from an ED you’ve helped me so much! The perspective you give on different body shapes is such a healthy way to think about it.
Thank you so much!
As a Soft Dramatic it was very helpful to hear this concept of "There's two circles but they're apart from each other" because of vertical. It makes so much sense now!
I missed it when she said it, but reading your comment was like "OH"
It confirmed my daubts of being SD.
I think I am propably DC cuz with 5.6 I am too tall or short for most others.
Here's where it gets tricky though (and why after 3+ years on the journey I still haven't figured out my kibbe type). I have a short torso, so technically I have the two circles stacked because there's like two inches between my boobies and my hips. Technically I have double curve (I think). BUT because I have a short waist, my legs look visually longer. I don't look tall, but that dichotomy between my torso and legs could probably be called .....elongation. BUT, according to kibbe, if you have elongation, you don't have double curve....BUT that only works if you have a long torso (which I don't have). So I'm back to square one. again.
@@moriahw3947 That’s exactly what my proportions are like. I’m 5’2 (1.57) and all limb. I’m a TR and I find double curve, in me, is that I look most put together in clothes that follow my torso’s shape and/or size on top, and bottoms that fit my hips’ shape and/or size. For example, a crop top and a pencil skirt or super high rise, wide leg pants. A body-con dress. Anything with spandex, really. And I feel super sloppy in stuff like unisex tees and men’s shirts, which don’t follow my body’s lines at all. So, basically, I can wear long from the waist down, but not from the shoulders down. I hope that helps!
5’10 soft dramatic here. I have the same body as Sophia Loren or the redhead from Madmen. I think Billy Eyelish is SD also.
To be truthful, my Kibbe journey has been tough. I realised early on that my perspective on my own body is extremely skewed and it’s been HARD to try and figure it out both practically and emotionally. Sometimes I’ve had to take a break from it. All I wanted to know was why a sweater or a pair of jeans that looked amazing on someone else didn’t look the same on me. I thought that because the piece of clothing was gorgeous on its own, the problem must be my body… and that made me feel bad about myself.
However now that I know what type I am it feels soooo good! Now I know that there isn’t anything wrong with me (or the clothes!), it’s just a mismatch. It’s just about lines. And if I choose other lines I can look in the mirror and feel just right, because they echo my body type and make me look beautifully harmonious.
This is exactly it! Sometimes it’s just not meant to be and that’s fine! ♥️
I struggle with body dysmorphia so this is really difficult for me too. I think I’m a flamboyant natural?
Girl I feel you. I still can't figure out what I am. It's definitely frustrating but I am so happy that you found your body type!
I feel you as well! I thought I was a soft classic, but after seeking professional advice, I was typed as a flamboyant gamine! I was stunned, but it made so much sense to me after I started playing with FG recommendations.
I entered a fb group that discusses this topic and the members help you figure out your kibbe body type ,essence etc- when I uploaded some pictures of myself they all sugested I was a soft gamine- which tbh - makes more sense to me than the result I got from the Kibbe test ( theatrical romantic) so Im thinking maybe I didnt answer the questions correctly or theres some nuances I didnt quite understood. I agree with you a 100% - it is a tricky journey
Learning about the body types has made me feel less insecure as there's no competition and everything for the clothing is to show off what you already have
Oh, my gosh, yes! I can finally say I no longer feel envy when I see a woman who looks fantastic … like if I see a woman wearing a short body con dress I don’t think, “I’m too fat, I could never wear that.” because now I understand that with my body type, I could be extremely thin and that kind of dress still would not look good on me. And I have noticed that the fatness or thinness of the body really doesn’t make that much difference when the person is wearing garments that harmonize with their own lines. A woman carrying a lot of weight and a woman not carrying much weight at all will both look harmonious and at their best in a short body con dress if those are their lines. I hope that made sense …. Understanding my lines and how to choose clothes that harmonize with them has set me free entirely. My wardrobe only has items in it that harmonize with my body and I know how to utilize them all for different effects (casual, classic, edgy, formal, etc.) and I really don’t scrutinize or criticize my body for being too “this” or not enough “that” anymore. My diet and exercise now have nothing whatsoever to do with how I look in my clothes and are about what they should be about, my health and well being. It’s been such a gift for me personally. Oh, and also, it’s really helped my wallet because I no longer buy something just because I like the way it looks on someone else or on the mannequin,etc.
@@northwoodfalls1403 excellent comment
@@tula1433 Oh! Why, thank you 😊
“Why are we discussing/dissecting women’s bodies this way?” I’m glad you answered the question in a mature and eloquent manner
Anyway, no one is saying Kibbe type is the only way someone should dress. It’s just a helpful guideline for anyone who struggles with dressing for their body type
I love how women say that but it’s women who are constantly going on about womens bodies !
I Love Yoo?
I kinda agree honestly. It’s all a bit too much. We should be talking about being kind and intelligent.
Before finding Kibbe, I used to think that the reason why many of the looks that are amazing on models look so bad on me was that I am not skinny enough (though they still looked bad when I was literally underweight). Now I know that is not true, it is just that my TR bonestructure gets drowned in the typical FN lines that most models wear so well. So personally, the Kibbe system actually helped me appreciate my body much more by understanding my lines.
Yes this is exactly what I got from Kibbe body types!
i relate, i have quite a defined 'hourglass' and am quite 'curvy' so i was dressing all the time in what i know now to be romantic lines. this made me feel like i wasnt "feminine enough" , made me feel insecure etc but once i found kibbe and realised i was a soft natural it opened up a whole understanding for me and made me feel at peace with my body. i dont always follow SN lines strictly, but i know what effect i'm creating if i wear certain cuts or patterns. eg, how to look edgy if i want to, how to look more put together if i want to, how to look more 'feminine' if i want to, more 'masculine' etc
To add to the trouble, something that looks great on me, a SC, is probably not going to look great on a FN lol so when I see a model wearing my lines, I just think "oh that doesn't look good, I'm not going to buy it" even though it would probably look nice...
Same. I’m a soft famine and can literally look like a kid wearing adult clothes and it just is too much. When fond things with that perfect balance of honoring petite and including some pops of yang that I do have, things make so much more sense.
Yeah I’ve learned to spot things that look terrible on a model and when I analyze their body I can tell whether it’ll look great on me. I’m often right because they are often such willowy, tall, broad or generally angular people.
I love how you took those challenging questions and flipped it. I've been subscribed for a while and your information alone has helped me learn to love my (soft natural) body and own it and actually "end the war with my wardrobe"! You've given me something to get excited about when shopping rather than dread. I can confidently shop online and select something flattering. I've never been told to honor my width and before learning this information, that would have sounded awful but now, I've never felt sexier in my skin! It's truly amazing what you are doing! I hope you keep it up! I love learning this stuff :)
This is so lovely to hear! I’m so glad that you get excited about shopping (I do too!) I think body types adds more of an objective challenge to the process rather than thinking I AM THE PROBLEM all the time!! ♥️
I recently realized that curve in the torso does not depend on bra size at all. In the quizzes with pictures the D and E answers are usually shown with big boobs and the A and B ones with tiny boobs. I actually realized this while looking at my husband (probably theatrical romantic) who most definitely has a softly rounded ribcage. Next to his, mine looks straight, long and narrow. I went back to the quiz and realized that I actually have an answer A chest despite my larger boobs. I always came out of the quiz with too many D's and E's for a 5'10 woman but once i really looked at the long, sharp bone structure underneath the softness the quiz came out soft dramatic which are definitely my best lines. I knew that before but I always wondered why I couldn't get the quiz to come out right
This is great! I definitely think looking at male bone structure can help you think about Kibbe body types outside of things we are so used to looking for e.g. big boobs, big hips, hip dips and so on
Very good point! My "journey" in that regard was a bit more complicated: my chest had always been disproportionately large to the rest of my body (I consider myself some type of Gamine), and finally last year my family came up with money to get me a breast reduction. For the first two years I was into Kibbe I thought my answer was an E, but it turns out I had a straight and wide ribcage, or B answer.
I'd done the quiz a few years ago, but didn't understand some of the questions so my "guesses" gave me Romantic. But I never felt I was curvy or round enough so for a while I was going back and forth between exploring SC and SG. Thanks to your comment, something clicked and I was able to answer the questions better this time around, which led to a SC result! Thank you!!
This has made me more curious. I am definitely short and fall into the fun-sized/gets called adorable & cute but never smexy side of being female… but I know my body well enough to know I have large bones, broad shoulders, straight rib cage & relatively narrow hips. Where I used to work, fit the “square” cut jeans best despite looking like a “circle” size. The shapes indicated the percentage difference in the hip to waist ratio. I have large breasts and ample backside plus I’m plus sized… so I look like circled smooshed on top of a pair of tooth picks. Is there such a thing is a short soft dramatic with distinctive curves? Or does this system only apply to straight sizes?
The system can apply to any person! But realistically for bigger women and women with less common proportions it can be more difficult to understand where you best fit. The easiest examples for people to use are celebrities and most celebrities fit whatever beauty standards are trending, or are trying to fit them. Hopefully that makes sense, it’s just harder to tell when you don’t see yourself in the common examples. A lot of women seem to find that understanding the kibbe system as it applies to men makes it easier to then analyse themselves because if you’re learning how it applies to women you have to get past all the usual ways we’re taught to see women’s bodies before you can start to recognise the overall structure of your body
As someone with adhd who loves fashion more than anything but gets overwhelmed and confused very easily, learning about my body type and realising that some silhouettes and colours and prints genuinely do look better on my body has made buying clothes SO much easier. Now when I’m shopping I can just automatically cancel out certain options because I know they’re not going to look quite right on my body (and that’s ok!!) but just saves me the trouble of buying something and realising a few months down the track that I don’t like it on me. I literally watch your videos like its my religion 😂
Very interesting video! I’m a soft dramatic and definitely have an hourglass shape so I’ve often been encouraged to wear stuff that would be suited to someone with double curve. It makes sense that the length of my body is part of the reason those clothes often don’t look good on me. Also, as a lifelong feminist who worked in intersectional feminist organizing I have to applaud your answer about why you don’t feel talking about bodies this way is a step back. Learning more about my body type after I gained significant weight due to illness really helped me regain my confidence and know what to look for when I went shopping. Like you said, it helped me embrace and accept my body even though I felt uncomfortable at the size I was at. I got out of big oversized clothes and starting have a lot of fun with casual monochromatic looks. ❤
I'm a recent subscriber and i'm floored by your ability to approach styling and body types from a Body Neutrality perspective. It's SO refreshing, and so wonderful. I'm a pure romantic, petite & double curve body type but have also always been very strong. I fall into awkward plus sizes and have all my life, so had always dismissed fashion as something Not For Me. Until recently. And honestly, finding your channel has been so lovely. My original germ of a thought - "no but I CAN DO THIS and it can be Fun AND look good" - has really begun to blossom, and i credit you (and some other creator/creatives) with leading by example and creating the space for people to explore fashion and style as an art form with a truly accepting, open view of what their body can do for them. I come from a bodywork background, and it breaks my heart to see people embarrassed of this fabulous, complex piece of organic machinery we pilot around simply bc it isn't what they deem to be a "correct" shape.
😊 Anyway. Just wanted to put it out there that you do a lot of good, and if nothing else you've made one person's life measurably better. 💕💕
I was often body shamed growing up. The lack of small waist and pronounced hourglass made others call me fat.
However I do have an hourglass... it's just subtle. Like, that's the point of romantics, we got bones that aren't pronounced to the point we look soft, not curvaceous in the commonly accepted way, which is very much yang oriented.
I think a dead giveaway for me was the fact that my torso is short and straight, but my ribcage is very sloped and rounded from the side.
Personally kibbe helped my self esteem given that, as I said before, I was body shamed often growing up because romantics aren't looked at as the beauty ideal. So kibbe describing my body type in a more posiway than I'd heard before definitely helped me a lot.
I didn't even know soft classics could have double curve. That explains why I always mistake them for romantics. What someone mentioned about showing your process when tracing the shapes would be really helpful.
I like Kibbe more than other body typing systems because it is about echoing the organic shapes in your body into your clothing for a harmonious look. Once you get it, it's like the point is that everyone can look good and can wear most stuff if you just accommodate your lines. I am a soft natural and struggled dressing my broad shoulders for years through trial and error. Kibbe helped me understand how to dress them and now they're one of my favourite features to showcase. On the other side, I think us as women have grown to associate certain body descriptor words negatively. For example, for women, words like feminine, curvy, and soft have more positive connotation than width, muscular and wide bones lol. So, I think it makes it very hard to still view our bodies and kibbe types objectively. Personally, I do see a little bit of shade thrown around in the Kibbe community towards soft naturals and naturals which makes me sad. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding around words like width, curve, double curve, blunt etc and the different ways they show up on bodies. While I am soft natural and identify with having broad shoulders, most people would still not describe my body as wide or broad. It's just that proportionally, my shoulders are the widest part of my body closely followed by my hips and I find if I don't dress to accommodate the width of my shoulders and narrowness of my waist, outfits can easily look a bit off. Like that's literally all there is to it. I think I fare with it okay because I have a healthy body image but I have literally seen reddit posts of people absolutely hating on having broad shoulders and being natural types because they just misunderstood it to mean being wide and thick like it's sad y'all. 😭
The first part made me smile!
Realizing im a flamboyant gamine has helped me embrace my petite masculine features. i would say i have broad shoulders, but i like how they compliment my boyish essence and i actually enhance their sharpness with weight lifting.
Discovering Kibbe types has been positive for me as it appreciates the beauty of all different body shapes, and knowing mine, I now feel more confident in the clothes I wear.
I've been very into body types and personal style this past year, but the more I dig into Kibbe body types, I start to believe he's just fooling everyone, keeping us discussing him over and over and ultimately making him a living legend)) Idk his moves just don't add up!
I really liked the way you described things here. My take is the Kibbe body types aren’t truth, they are just one man’s opinion. And because it is an entirely subjective system there are going to be a lot of things that don’t make sense. However, it doesn’t mean it can’t be useful. So take your R v SC example. Functionally, if I was someone trying to decide btwn the 2, the main take away would be for my clothes to be soft, accommodate my curves, and have waist definition. That’s the base! After that you can add the romantic or classic elements like: ruffles, lace, black, red, or neutral tones, solids, “classic styles” and see which one feels better. I think ppl get too caught up in trying to figure out the archetype and don’t look at it in terms of application. Which can be simple. I know kibbe says different but as I said he’s one guy. Subjective. And most ppl find it hard to look at themselves objectively. So do whatever you need to do. it’s YOUR life. Thanks for your openness in this video Ellie-Jean!
exactly my thoughts. it all sounds a little ridiculous to me - what makes this one guy such an infallible expert on women’s bodies? it’s a bit iffy to me tbh
I agree that knowing your ballpark type can be the base and not pinning it down to one specific type is okay if you understand what elements you can try to add to your either yin or yang base to see what works for you. I am so delicate that none of the types fit me perfectly, but I know that I am also soft and yin and when I add TR elements it shockingly brings out my delicate but occasionally sharp features in ways that feel very me. It was an exciting discovery and helped me to appreciate my body more than I thought possible. Also, I always used to feel out of place knowing that I look natural in feminine, old fashion styles (though I didn't understand why they suited me), not in modern styles. Now I embrace it fully and feel less like I am meant for a different time.
I completely agree that knowing your body helps people feel more confident. I've always felt very broad for a smaller person. Fat and bad! Awkward! Learning that I have a romantic type body, that I have a lush body type, and that's not a bad thing, has made me feel more neutral about my body, and some days, it makes me feel good about myself. Something about being told that I have a body like Marilyn Monroe or Christina Hendricks or Drew Barrymore has made me feel pretty okay about my body.
Ellie-Jean, I would love it if you made a video about dressing to “go under the radar” as it were for the different body types! Like basically how to dress to NOT look elegant or sexy or one’s best, but rather to escape notice and disappear into the background.
Like, a lot of the time I do want to look good, but sometimes I really just don’t want to be noticed.
(Also would love a “how to look professional for the body types” video!)
This is fantastic Ellie-Jean! The differentiation between romantic and soft classic is where I’m stuck. So I typically wear styles from both types since they are so similar. It helps to know that I am yin dominant either way!
Same for me. I have features from both TR and SG and I don't know where I stand exactly, so I use inspiration from both.
@@portishphonic YES! There is so much overlap with neighboring types that I don’t think it matters much if you are a TR or SG as long as you are not wearing say D or FN styles you will still be mostly following your lines.
It took me a while to get the Kibbe system. And I take more from the overall principles of yin and yang than specifics. Finding out I am yang dominant has made a big difference.
I'm a soft dramatic. And I could never understand why when I wore frilly girly pieces I just look like an old woman in pajamas lol. And why I would feel make up very quickly turned me drag queen-y.
Now I wear very little make up. And focus on simple silhouettes with less detail. And I'm very careful with colours. Brighter bolder colours work so much better for me than pastels. And I love my oversized accessories.
I never felt comfortable in dainty jewellery. So much makes sense now.
I used the fruit system before. I am an apple. But it's very hard to find helpful advice. Other than lose weight lol. Also much discussion focuses on hiding and trying to force a waist. I have no waist. I have boobs and then stomach. There is no small part that goes in lol. Choosing to dress by focusing on line rather than waist emphasis has been so helpful.
I love the idea of honoring my natural body type. It has helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin and find what makes me look and feel beautiful. Love you, Ellie!
As an autistic woman, finding my own style is really hard, those body types lists are really helpful cause I also wanna look good and express my personality through my clothing choices.
This was a great video, especially with some of the more convoluted newer Kibbe concepts. I think that Kibbe has deviated so much from his original principles that it has made it almost impossible to understand. Looking at the core concepts in Metamorphosis is so much easier than following some of his newer thoughts. For example, Jada doesn't have double curve. It doesn't matter where you start or end that circle. It doesn't exist. She has a wonderful and strong body, but she carries so much more like a gamine than a romantic. His modern celebrity examples are all over the place, unlike the very clearcut examples he used from Old Hollywood.
Agreed about Jada looking much more like gamine than romantic!
i literally said out loud "OK, hold on! if she( Jada Smith) has double curve, everybody has double curve cause i can make those two circles fit anyone! That's literally one of the most baseline techniques you learn to figure drawing!" lol.
Personally i best understand it as your bust(not necessarily big boobs) and waist pushing out of the rest of your frame, as if -disrupting- "breaking down" the line of your silhouete. A non romantic example i believe has double curve is tracee ross. i think any kibbe type can have double curve (most people are not pure kibbe types, we'll have a blend of those traits) they just won't be your defining trait.
Voy a escribir en español porque un Inglés aún me cuesta extenderme: me encanta que expliques el porque el poder describir de forma objetiva tu cuerpo es una forma de sentirte más cómoda con el y poder vestirlo de forma que lo acentúes en sus propias necesidades. No en lo ir está de moda, no como la mercadotecnia te dice que "deberías" verte (el heroine chic volviendo me aterroriza, demasiado trastornos alimenticios salieron de ahí en los 90's-20's para volver ahi).
Si entiendes el como es tu cuerpo y que cualquiera que sea su forma esta bien, te da mucha más seguridad
I really respect how you've responded to the potential for controversy on this topic!! 😊
I haven’t watched past the intro yet, but based on it alone, I really just want to say thank you. I never really hated my body growing up, but that’s only because I never looked in the mirror; I operated by body ambiguity day in and day out. I had no understanding of my figure or features, and clothing trends were an absolute enigma the few times I tried to tune into them. I spent over seventeen years of my life just throwing on whatever I found in my closet, putting my hair in a convenient style, and heading out the door. Fancy events and group outings were a nightmare - I never, ever felt confident in my appearance unless someone else was around to tell me how I looked.
But then I spent this past summer in a small apartment with a full-mirror in the bathroom, which forced me to look at myself more. It was an odd experience and I didn’t know what to think. Around the same exact time, I discovered your channel, and I delved into the realm of Kibbe body types. I’m a very categorical person - I’ve been obsessed with Jungian personality theory for five years now because categorizing traits makes them come alive for me - and I knew immediately that this would change my life. And it has!! I’ve studied my figure so much since July and I’ve been finding clothes that actually look good on me - I barely recognize myself. Actually, I’ve had people tell me they didn’t recognize me either!! I don’t know for certain, but I conjecture that I’m a theatrical romantic. I could be very off. Still, I’m watching more and more videos and absorbing examples of different figures and fashion styles. I’m eighteen now and I couldn’t be more enthralled by a world I spent so long shutting out. I, for one, benefit so much from this system, and I feel so validated and empowered by it.
Thank you so much for using your channel to help me love my reflection for the first time. :))
I loved this video! The illustrations you used were really useful.
I'd love a dedicated lines video for romantics, it's so hard to combine modern styles with all those lush yin shapes. It's a fine line between too sexy and too dumpy and too childish and too old looking.
Also for me, the journey into kibbe has been one towards body acceptance. I've learned to accept and even love parts of me I used to wish were different. So I don't think it is a shallow or in anyway negative thing. You can also choose to follow 'the rules' or not, it's up to you to figure out what works for you.
Ellie, your channel was the piece that I was looking for to complete the puzzle of personal style. You have very unique content talking about how to create an effect, which allows us to bring our own personalities into the game. You are my favorite Kibbe Channel, and as a someone who struggled with body dysmorphia and anorexia in the past, this helped me a lot with looking at my image in a more gentle way. Recently I used all the methods (kibbe + essences + color season + personal style) to buy an look and I couldn't feel better in a clothing, thank you for all of your amazing advice. Surely totally woth it, and even for a soft classic you can wear conventional clothes and still look pretty without losing your balance! Love from Brazil
The entire Kibbe system has set me free and I now have a confidence I never had before when it comes to my body and my style. I appreciate all the beautiful shapes and lines we women come with more than ever before and I just dont envy other women anymore and feel even more free to celebrate their own unique beauty. It’s the most feminist thing ever lol. I wonder if Kibbe, when he gets confusing, is describing the edge cases where a woman’s lines are on the cusp between one type or another. Kinda like with colour theory how some women are on the cusp of one season or another and they can kind of purposely morph one way or the other. Some women seem to have those lines that let them play up say the Classic lines or the romantic lines in a way a true classic or a true romantic couldn’t. But for most women, I think once we’re attuned to the ying/yang lines, it becomes very clear that we are one type. Also, I think for some women the confusion comes in when they prefer a style of clothing and confuse that as their body type. They may prefer classic or romantic styles and then have a hard time separating that from the lines of those types. The style recommendations kibbe gives aren’t terribly helpful in those situations.
This video was so helpful because I've been going on a rollercoaster ride between figuring out if I'm an R, TR, SG, SC or SN! I've narrowed it down to R or SC, and in this video you talked about how we distinguish them! This helped so much because you address how it's easy to be confused about how to distinguish them! Makes me feel like I'm not crazy lol hopefully I'll be able to figure it out soon!
Omg we need more Soft Classic content, especially now that Kibbe says we can have double curve
You know that meme of the lady doing complex mathematical equations? That’s me right now. I have no idea what’s going on but I’m glad to be here & to learn more.
My body shape is because of a genetic syndrom. Before I was 25 it was a classic catwalk model body. I understood it. But after 25, my body softened, I finally gained some curves, and ever since I’ve been confused.
I’m excited to find this, thank you
I like your salt lamp :) And the happy birds singing gives a spring-season feel. 😊🌷
omg i've been struggling so much to understand kibbe but you explain it so well!! tysm
Love your videos and your explanation of the why we r "dissecting" the body!! I'm getting very into this topic because of what u said about honoring the way you were created through dress, rather than hating your body like so many women are prone to do and then dressing in a way that may not be as flattering as it could be
I'm still a bit new to Kibbe but I find it so fascinating. I don't think there's anything wrong with scrutinizing your body. And we have to take the literal definition of the word. "Scrutinizing" does not mean "judging". Judging is a choice. Scrutinizing is inspecting something closely and carefully. There's nothing wrong with that! I'm a holistic educator and I've dealt with my own significant health issues for my entire life so scrutinizing my body for signs of health has become a reflex and it is obviously something I think is extremely important. I've made it my job! I include understanding your body type under the umbrella of understanding your body for the purpose of wellness. The umbrella of wellness includes mental health and even something as simple as dressing for your body type can be life-changing for those who struggle with self-esteem. We all need to understand our bodies, our cycles, our minds and emotions, so that we can identify when something is improving or getting worse. Why would we not put the time and effort into understanding our body types so that we can approach our wardrobes with the same respect we should be utilizing in our approach to health? I think that rejecting this out of fear of appearing to be judging ourselves ends up harming us more than helping us.
Oh my god! This video has solved a mystery that my sister and I have wondered about for YEARS!
We went to one of David Kibbe's workshops in NYC back in the 90s. He told me that I'm a Theatrical Romanic and my sister is a Romantic. At the time, he said that Romantics had "hourglass figures" or "waspish waists," but neither my sister or I have that kind of figure. My sister in particular has always had a "thick" waist, even though she's thin. We recognized that the styles he suggested looked good on us, so we didn't doubt his analysis, but it has never made sense that we don't have that hourglass shape.
But the "double curve" explains it. I would say my sister definitely looks like two circles stacked on top of each other, maybe intersecting a little which creates the "thick" waist. I am the same, but two ovals instead of circles. I look more like Jane Seymour than Marilyn Monroe. We can create the illusion of an hourglass figure if dressed a certain way, but we don't have indented waists. I think the distance between our hips and ribcage is too short for that.
Anyway, thanks for this information! This all makes so much sense now.
NGL I honestly am even more confused now. I don't see the circles. I can tell that Beyonce looks soft and romantic definitely but I couldn't tell ya who has double curves or who doesn't. I think kibbes concept of "curves" is definitely the most confusing part of his whole theory.... which I found really helpful for figuring out my own clothes and style, but I'm on the yang side so I could identify myself more easily. Would like to understand the curves better to be able to help other people, my friends etc even tho it doesn't apply to me
Just want to say that your videos are a true gem and I love the way you explain these concepts. Fashion has always been difficult and foreign for me and you made me not only interested in it but actually
Looking forward to each and every one of your videos. Thank you !
I appreciate the explaination! I am very hourglass-y, which lead me to believe I was TR, SC, or SG for YEARS. You have explainations that are different enough from the original that actually help me understand. A body not being defined by bone shape and instead just fat/muscle makes sense... I'm definately not TR!
It's actually empowering because it establishes the idea that everyone has a different body type and that you're unique in your own way, so you shouldn't ever feel bad about how you look because that's just the way you're made and it could never be wrong or bad, it just is. And it's liberating. Comparing yourself to others just becomes ridiculous because it doesn't make any sense. It's like comparing an apple to an orange. Sure they're both fruits but they have nothing else in common.
If an individual has an issue with Kibbe types, I think that they’re probably not as educated on the topic as they should be to be making the comment, “Isn’t this a step backwards?” I’m all for body neutrality, and I think a big part of body neutrality is being able to look at yourself the way that you are. And occasionally appreciate it. The Kibbe system (when not used to put other types down) was the only system that ever told me I could embrace my width (soft natural) instead of telling me I needed to look more like an “hourglass”. Because guess what- that’s my skeletal structure, it’s never going to change no matter how much I try to grow my glutes or lose weight.
And the Kibbe system helps you find clothes that make you feel good in the body you have right now- instead of punishing you for things you can’t change.
Kibbe system is a great guide. It's well thought out and it makes sense. It may be hard to grasp but Kibbe has many years of experience and a keen eye to have created this helpful guide.
This really helped me understand the difference between hourglass and double curve. I'm flamboyant natural/soft dramatic, my large hips and shoulders, triangular ribcage and long spine make my waist look tiny and give a sharp hourglass shape but not double curve or dramatic, I'm more wide. My height comes from a long torso but I have shorter legs which give my lower half a curvy appearance and my top half is very sharp angular bones. Like a triangle on top of a circle. It's hard to find clothes that fit my small waist, big shoulders, big hips and butt. I usually wear a tank top and flared jeans but I feel stuck with my wardrobe and nothing seems to truly fit my body type. I have to "size down" to fit my waist but then it doesn't fit my shoulders, I have to "size up" for my hips but the waist is too big. If I dress for the frame of my bones I get lost in baggy clothes, If I dress for my waist and curves my shoulders stand out and don't fit the rest of the outfit shape. I am 5'8" and 130 pounds with big broad bones. Please help!
Hi Sarah! I’ve had this issue (mainly with pants - I have a Very large butt/hips and a Very small waist) too, and I just got some jeans tailored to my shape. It was one of the best things I have ever done for my body confidence! If it’s available to you, I would really recommend getting at least a few pieces tailored.
(The tailor that I went to had never tailored pants to a similar shape as mine before, and they still turned out amazing, so I’d also recommend looking at reviews to find someone experienced.)
I hope this helps! Wishing you well 😊
@@littlesaintKat That is such a good idea! Thank you! 💖
i’m 5’11” with a very similar body type. my go to outfit is banana shaped pants or jeans (not sure of the english term for it but high waisted, roomy in the hips and more fitted towards the ankle - look for true vintage jeans, for some reason they used to make jeans that actually fit hourglass figures in the 80s and then just stopped; i also love pants in this style worn with a belt to really emphasise my waist/hip contrast), a form fitting layering piece like a tank/cropped tank in the summer and turtleneck in the winter and some sort of open oversized shirt (button down, cardigan etc) on top. i love the silhouette this formula gives me, it’s comfortable, it highlights my figure without making me feel vulnerable and exposed. hope this gives you some fresh ideas :)
@@mmmmmmmmaria I actually haven't tried vintage jeans yet but I will give it a try! Thanks for the advice 💖
The more I watch these videos, the more confused I become and sometimes wonder if things are just being made up to confuse me. I don’t get how Jaida has double curve. Drawing two circles over her body doesn’t really feel helpful. I feel like i could draw 2 circles over any woman’s body and be like Yup! Double curve!
I love this because it’s not about thin or fat- it’s about your body shape and what accentuates your features best. Body neutrally! 🖤
This was really helpful. I don't have double curve but this cleared up misconceptions.
I don’t know why people are so quick to assume things. I think finding out your body type is a good thing because I thought I always had an ugly body, ugly shape but the reality was I just dressing my body in styles that flattered other body types and not mine. Anyone who wants to feel confident or figure out how to dress in the way that flatters them should be welcoming of these videos. I don’t know why some people get offended.
For me this system it's not that much about particular definition, rather better understanding why something beautiful on a model in a catalogue doesn't suits me at all, and what designs I should be aiming for instead. And you do explain it quite well. And it's OK, even if I'm not sure if my hourglass is round enough for a double curve :D
I like the kibbe body types because they are neutral and honor a huge variety of shapes. And I like how you explain them, cause instead of saying „as a XY you have to wear this style“ you also explain how to create specific effects or make a certain style work on specific shapes. It gives the freedom to wear what you like and create the effect you want in the most effective way
Well, I still have no idea what double curve is, but I do feel safer just ignoring it as a concept, haha. I type either TR or on the taller end of SG, but for me, the deciding factor really has been the clothes. Soft, draped, TR clothes look rotten on me. Choppy, tailored, sharper gamine lines look great.
Yes I think she needed to zoom out to the 50,000 foot view of the concept before she dove in; she got a bit ahead of herself in this video. She maybe seemed a bit rushed, or slightly anxious? Just a bit more context at the beginning would be key
I'm afraid this only confuses me further.. Selena got typed TR recently but all I see is vertical in her body with some softness. I have a similar shape to her but I'm more likely to be SN. I struggled for years wearing TR clothing because that's what I thought I was until I realized I look more sexy than elegant in that style. For Selena, I also love the relaxed clothing more than the TR type clothing. She feels more like herself to me when she wears relaxed outfits. I'm hourglass, but if I look similar to Selena then I must have double-curve, but I also am vertical. Those things don't add up... 😕
I don't quite understand where those circles are supposed to start and end. I wished you would've explained that. Is it from shoulders to belly button? From the ribcage to the crotch? I enjoyed getting into the Kibbe system years ago to try and figure out what suits me best, but I have to say that the "exceptions" to the rules only bring me more confusion. I don't see the romantic in Jada. All I see is a yang natural body with some softness and her face looks dramatic and sharp. Salma Hayek also looks to me more like a SD than she does TR. If I were to guide myself by those examples I wouldn't know where I fit in. At this point I just choose to dress comfortable and wear some N type clothing, but I can't go into the specific type anymore 'cause I get lost... As much as Kibbe wanted this system to be objective, it's all over the place for me...
I guess cus you're taking the descriptions too literally. Romantics basically lack any strong bones that would define their structure, and the bones they do have have pointy edges and rounded shape. Naturals of any kind have width and bluntness in their bones. Bluntness can also mean being prolonged but tapered. Like Britney Spears, she's long in her torso but the angles in her bones are blunt.
A natural is going to look more 'curvy' in their bone structure than a romantic. Romantics are always miss-typed because people assume they have to be very curvaceous in the yang way, but it's the opposite- their bones do not dictate their frame as much and so their softness is what comes through. Selena is a perfect example of this. She's all yin but with a slight elongation, thus TR. Her face is completely soft. There is not yang dominance in her.
The two circles thing sounds odd, but look closely at the edges of a torso. Double curve is usually a very slight curve where as if two circles were to meet. People with elongation won't have this because their upper torso and hips are further apart. Like a very small ~ vs a >
I used to struggle like you as well, had the same exact problems figuring out my type... I thought I was SN for the longest time because I have some width, but width is also a yin element. Turns out I'm romantic.
I agree with you 100 percent. And most of the time it looks like people just draw circles over pictures and say oh look double curve
I think the celebrity examples can't always be relied on because different people can form completely different impressions of someone they have never met. For example, I've seen people with a public presence ask on Twitter, "How tall do you think I am?" and the responses are all over the map. Also, certain celebrities attempt to cultivate an image that influences how we see them, so a performer who markets themselves as "sexy" might be seen as softer than she really is.
From my perspective, I'd say Selena Gomez is a SN. Jada Pinkett Smith is either a G or N of some kind. She looks good in jeans at any rate. Salma Hayek has always confused me because she markets herself so strongly as sexy and glamorous that it's hard to see beyond that, but I think she's a SN. That said, if I saw any of these people in person, I might have a completely different impression.
The circles/ovals make sense to me because I am a TR and my sister is a R, but neither of us have hourglass figures. If you imagine two circles, one on top of the other, but with some overlap, like a vertically stacked Venn diagram, you will have the basic Romantic silhouette. This can create "thickness" at the waist if the two circles have a lot of overlap. TRs are more likely to be ovals than circles. What makes a circle rather than a square or an oval rather than rectangle looks to me like it has to do with the width of shoulders and ribcage on top. Rs and TRs will have narrower shoulders and wider ribcages, and other types will have wider shoulders and narrower ribcages.
This is just my opinion, based on comparing myself to other people. And I'm sure I'm a TR because David Kibbe typed me himself. There was a group of us and I think it helped to see examples of what he was talking about on real people in person, not in photos.
@@deadsoon In summary, what should we observe: is it the bone structure, is it the flesh? The width we find as much and natural as in romantic?
Exactly!! Selena’s typing makes absolutely no sense to me. She 1000% has vertical, no hourglass or double curve, not petite, above the height requirements… if these exceptions to the rules break every single rule how are we ever supposed to know our type??
Could you talk more about the diamond shaped hips? I found that helpful but want to hear more. Thanks!
Thank you for explaining double curve!! I think I’m a soft natural, so this helped with my decision.
Yes! For so long I was trying to make myself yang and thought that's what I was supposed to be... And wishing I looked more like a dark winter... Ellie Jean showed me I am a theatrical romantic and a soft autumn.... Haha. Acceptance and love for myself and my body as it is at 40 years old... Wish it could have come sooner! Thank you so much for what you do!!
Hi, Ellie! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I understand these notions as follows (please, note that I'm not a native English speaker, that I haven't read Metamorphosis, and that I'm based on what I understand from the DIY Kibbe, which is a different method from the one he uses with his clients):
1. The Kibbe Image IDs are not only body types, they're more like archetypes, and our identification with them depends on our individual yin/yang balance and essence (in Kibbe terms).
In the DIY method is not clear how to determine one's image ID, but once you complete the exercises he designed, the pieces of the puzzle sometimes fall into place and people find their Image ID.
That's why SC, R, TR and SG can have double curve, but they are totally different archetypes.
2. Double curve is found when the fabric falls and is pushed out within the body itself, it doesn't depend on your bra cup, but on whether the fabric is being pushed out or not.
Vertical cancels out double curve because your height makes your body automatically frame dominant (yang).
3. Balance means evenness and symmetry. For example, it's when the shoulder width is similar to the hip width. It also includes even and symmetrical facial features and limbs.
Petite, vertical, double curve, and width cancel out balance in the DIY method.
The balance+double curve is something that Kibbe said himself that is possible only in his method with his clients, not in the DIY method, that's why it seems confusing, but we actually have to separate both methods as they're different.
4. The line sketch is fundamental for the DIY method, because it shows your accommodations. Sometimes the Line Sketch shows the upper curve, and it could be confirmed once you start trying honoring your line and accomodations by putting outfits together.
So, if the line sketch doesn't show upper curve, meaning that the breast does not push out the fabric, you don't have double curve, you have balance, because it means that your breast doesn't stand out.
That's all. Thank you for reading. 🌻
Love your shorter hair Ellie Jean! It suits your soft classic type 🙂
Thank you so much I really appreciate that!! You are the first to have noticed the chop 😉
@@elliejeanroydenI agree, you look beautiful here. Makeup, hair and that colour cardigan on you. Would you mind telling me where you got the cardigan from? It is a lovely cool grey.
Finding myself through style after abusive relationships that controlled what I wore in very particular ways (from being someone’s subculture style muse, to dating a Gordon Ramsay of fashion type guy, to guys who didn’t want me to dress up for fear of being too sexy, to guys who gave ultimatums about my fashion/outfit, etc). This channel and all the others have helped a lot.
I would agree that starting to think about body types has been really helpful for me... Like I used to look at women who were different from me and thinking they were better than me inherently and now I can just tell myself oh they are gamines or they are whatever and that's not me, how can I be the best of my personal shape... Which is why I am going to make an appointment with you so I can really know!! Thanks so much lovely!
Oh wow, i did your examples of putting shapes on the bodies and two circles fit mine perfectly thanks !
Can you do a video on the best activewear to flatter the different body types?
I still see that you can draw two crossing/close to each other circles on any type of a body of any height. Ovals in one of the examples supports that impression.
Thank you so much very helpful!!! I have an hourglass figure and a waist to hip ratio of .7 and waist to bust ratio of. 75 but I am definitely a soft natural. I am more triangular on top although I wear a 34D bra and a circle on the bottom half. I have broad shoulders thst are more beveled and less rounded. Please do a video of glam for each body type! Its very easy for romantic and even classic but not so easy for the other types
Just explaining that having an hourglass shape is not equivalent to double curve and romantic was super helpful. I’ll very curvy but my shoulders are not sloped. They are very straight and broad.
Learning that my body style was romantic was super helpful. It wasn’t a positive or negative thing, it just helped me understand why I look really good in some patterns/lines and and frumpy in others. I would get really frustrated when I would recreate an outfit on Pintrist that didn’t look the same on me as the model. I thought my body couldn’t be dressed cute, but I just had to find the right lines!
For me, kibbe's Method ist the best i have ever discovered + give me answers about why certain clothes Look good and Not so good.
Oh yay this solves the "how romantic am i" problem. Bc ik those clothes dont suit me, but im plus size, so while Everything is Soft, i was Right i am Very Pointy (i.e. diamond shaped). Growing up everyone told me i should fit in very soft shapes, but I DISAGREE ya know lol im salty about ppl putting those qualities onto me even tho it doesn't look right At All (just bc its supposedly desireable lol i love how stocky i am)
For the longest time I couldn't tell if I was SC or R. I'm moderate with noticeable curves and balanced features. Ive finally came to a conclusion that I'm a SC with R leaning. SC seem to be more pear shaped. They have a figure 8 frame but the top half is usually smaller than the bottom. Bust and waist may be much smaller than hips but waist is smallest. Romantics are full figure 8 that may appear equally round on top and bottom. It makes sense why SC can have double curve.
I had that problem of not being able to find my type because of round + petite features
It's confusing, but we eventually get there!
Amazing video! As to critiquing comments - welcome to the family
I just wanted to say, I'm a new subscriber to your channel, I really liked your positive message about women and celebrities. Your videos comparing when celebrities are in their lines/colours was so compelling I had to buy your services!! I can't wait to improve my wardrobe and finally find out what body type I have and how to shop better. I have such a hit and miss relationship with my wardrobe that I just can't wait to look at things with the proper objectivity.
I think kibbe's system (and by extension the philosophies he based it in) has a solid foundation. However, I don't think it addresses everything, hence why so many people struggle to find their type (even if they understand the concepts). I suspect that the reason he is so vague and cryptic about certain things and types celebrities the he does, is that even he is kind of making it up as he goes. There's a certain point where you just have to put a person in a type and there's nothing more than your gut to tell you where to put them.
WOW! Finally understand this concept. Thank you
I'd like to think I am above worrying about the shape of my body, but that is not the case. There is a lot of crap out there that brings me down. It is nice to have a way of conceptualizing body shape that is not about trying to "trick the eye" into not seeing your "less desirable features," but rather, as you say, "honoring" your specific features, whatever they happen to be. I appreciate it.
I thought I was tr for a long time until I realized I could possibly be a sn and I posted on sn Facebook group and kibbe said that my post and observations about width and curve in my line sketch are good which means I am in the right direction ...
I finally understand what the linked sketch is all about and what a double curve really looks like ......
Okay so the biggest thing to help me understand this system was understanding that a lot of websites use hourglass when they really mean double curve. This actually helps me realize that because I have the longest torso on a woman if 5'6 you ever did see I actually don't have double curve. While I have a very round rib cage my hourglass figure is more angular. I have really short legs which makes it harder to wonder if i have that length but yesterday someone thought I was taller than them and we were the same height and men used to accuse me of lying about my height and saying that I actually must be taller. So maybe length is my dominant feature. I also have a strong jaw line and a big nose. Looking at more info I might be a soft natural
I would love your input on how pregnancy/postpartum is affected by kibbe body types
Thank you for this video! I've been confused about double curve for some time, I think I'm Soft Dramatic but I wasn't sure if I should have double curve to be that. I have really sharp and quite pronounced waist and curves but I'm more of a triangle on top of a circle and not circle on circle lol.
Its so annoying when you never see a body like your own vetified and the body i.d you are (SG) doesnt identify with the lines because you dont fit the body i.d perfectly (i have TR shoulders and i dont have the gamine vibe) it nearly drives me crazy . I had to just move away from it and just dress for my dominant features (petite , curve , romantic essence) rather than fit myself under a particular label that doesn't quite fit . I love how SG is explained here and i very much relate to it, i don't have double curve and my curves are driven from my bone structure . You have explained it very well and its made me feel more understood , thank you . x
This video was so helpful :) still figuring out my type
I love love love your videos! Uve learned so much since finding your channel, and I find it all so fascinating! Thanks for sharing 🤗
If double curve is defined as two circles on top of each other then what are the shapes of the other body types that don t have double curve ? (Square on square , rectangle ... ?)
I ve never heard of anything but ''double curve '' it would be nice to have someone come up with equivilant descriptions for the rest of the body types for better understanding ^-^
Yes! I struggle with this because I don’t even understand exactly how the upper circle is identified. I suspect that mine is like… inverted triangle on top, and an oval/circle on the bottom????? I’ve been typed by others as FG but I had ID’d myself as TR when I first started with this (which I notice is very common - many people self-ID with TR only to discover they’re gamine or Classic)
@@SybilNix totally ! When you think of it any body type could be roughly represented by circle on top of circle , so in my opinion the idea of double curve has to be ignored unless there is a more precise definition ofc .
I ve been thinking personally that double curve could maybe just be defined as : a small torso with a lenth that is double the width or less + the complete absence of angularity in the bone structure .
Therefore a FG s torso would be different to that of a TR either by its angularity or proportions (elongation).
But at the end of the day what truely matters for us people is taking the freedom to experiment and to be convinced with our body typing
I appreciate Kibbe for explaining about the different types. Though, McJimsey will always be the original creator. I find Kibbe contradicts himself quite often and seems to make some things up as he goes along. As far as the height requirements, I don't agree. At least I believe 5'7 and under seems more accurate for all except FN, D, SD. If you're 5'8 and taller, I agree you can only be one of those 3. Not all SC's are moderate though, some are indeed petite. Veronica Lake was under 5 feet tall and was a SC. Honestly, I must be say Kibbe is not a Scientist or Researcher and claims he's made have not be peer reviewed to be ACCURATE. For example not all TR's are petite. I'm 5'6 and a TR. I'm 100% sure of it. He said TR's can be taller than 5'5 it's just very rare to find one. I did screenshot the post he made about TR's being taller than 5'5. He just said it's very complicated and he's not ready to explain it yet because everyone would then think they are a taller TR.
It would be very cool to see a video on which kibbe style was most prevalent during which decade.
Hey, if you see this comment I just wanted to let you know that in the video you labeled Donna Reed as both a Soft Classic and a soft Gamine. I just thought you might want to know. I love your vids
Oh I must have missed that! To clarify she’s SC! ♥️♥️
Hi Ellie-Jean, I love your work. It is so helpful to me!
Can you do at some point a video about which skirt works for each body type? I am struggling with it
hello from france! you look so french by the way with your style;)
This was such an interesting video. Thank you for sharing it!
I'd also like to make a request, that you analyze Phoebe Waller-Bridge's style and body type, if you ever get the chance!
It' s truly funny to see that Mr. Kibbe used Audrey Hepburn posing on a _tendu derriere_ to exemplify a body type wich is the uniformed "cloned" result of a very specific modifying excercise. A ballet dancer body is a category itself as it is, i.e., an elite swimmer with some extreamly specific and recognizable features (and a bit _odd-orable_ ☺️ like droppy upper trapezius, flat gluteus major but developed gluteus medius, widened gastrocnemius, basculated pelvis and outwards rotated femurs) that rarely appear naturally. Not to talk about the way they walk and move 🧚🏻♀️✨
Love your content, and your voice and accent are so pleasant 😊
Hi, I hope you're doing well! I would love you to do a video about the term of "petite" for Kibbe because I'm not sure if you mean a short height or a person that seems small thanks to their features. This will help me a lot because i'm a short woman (5 ft) but thanks to my vertical line I don't seem that height, so this complicates the process of finding my body type. Thank you!
The way I've been guessing TRs, SGs and SCs is petite vertical/narrow sharp bones, blunt bones and contrast (but different than naturals), symmetry, moderation, looks right put together.
I still do not understand what double curve is. is it when the apex of the bust curve is about as wide as the apex of the hip curve? I used to think it was the breasts themselves protruding into the front silhouette but a lot of the examples you gave don't have that.
My body has changed so much since having a child! I was curvy and slim and now I have a very straight, rectangular shape. No idea what my kibbe could be.
I love the way you describe double curve. Pls make and in depth video about theatrical romantic vs soft natural using Selena gomez as an example!