I would love if you could make a video on creating a style for the body types that may be atypical to that body type. Lets say you make a very geometric grunge badass style for a romantic, but it also works. I would love to see that.
I dont think that a grunge badass style would be atypical for romantic types. Its def possible for every body to do all kinds of styles (grunge, cute, elegance) just how u incorporate the different aspects of the style in your clothes while rmb to keep to your body typing.
Naushin Khan I have an SD board that I think is really accurate. Although my disclaimer is that not every girl I pin is SD, but her outfit and hair/makeup is :)
@@ambercotrone I tried to do my theatrical romantic one...casual is so tough for TR! I found wearing a soft dramatic lines as a TR is doable if I'm willing to look smaller than I am
Too easy! Took me half an hour as you explained it so well. My result: Kibbe Classic combining european elegance, english country style, 50s style and 70s rocker-boho. Was that ever fun! You are right Merriam - classics are NOT boring 😙
Boho-Gothic-Feminine-Army ... sometimes I want to be a hippie, sometimes I want to feel sexy, sometimes I want to hide myself in black and be mysterious, sometimes I need to take out my leather army boots and olive trench coat ... still I'm going to try to find the connecting thread, wish me luck :D
This is amazing. I had come to the point of an identity crisis with my wardrobe. I’ve been wanting to streamline, but end up with a big “who am I?” question as I try to decide what to keep. Getting clear on what all I’m wanting to achieve and then finding the connecting thread, of course! I’m so glad you have this all worked out on a conscious level and are sharing with us- I don’t have to keep fumbling around in the dark with my existential style questions!!!! 😂 This will be a perfect exercise for me, I’m excited to get to it. Thanks for the guidance Merriam. 🙏🏼
Nice drawings, I like the white on black effect. Over time I have found some "connecting threads" to my style but I really had to think outside the box. I'd consider a jumble of looks I like: Marilyn Monroe's off-screen style, elegant androgynous 1930s ensembles, and edgy 60s/70s looks, and think "sex kitten, noir, psychedelic." But common threads included simplicity with ornate accessories; moodiness and richness of color and texture; curved, fitted silhouettes; and something over-the-top. But it can be hard to see past labels to shape, line, etc. One thing that helps is, noticing what from each style you REJECT. In each decade I disliked the frillier, puffier, more "innocent" versions of these looks I like, which tells me I lean toward more structured, simple, daring looks. And I gravitated toward a version of every decade of women's wear that included pants. Thanks for this video, I'll be thinking a lot about uniting my 3 disparate wardrobe "moods."
Do you think you could expand on 'connecting threads'? What could constitute as one? Lines, shapes, textures? Can color scheme be a connecting thread, or is it not significant enough? Thank you for all the amazing work you do, it's really helpful!
I tried the experiment and it really does work! I found that using descriptive words helped to find a common thread. Rather than a fit or texture, the main threads in my grunge, dark mori, Victorian, vintage, cute Pinterest board were period pieces and romantic and feminine styles. So long as there's something old world and romantic, it will work. I hope this helps those who are still unsure of their style.
When I knew kibbe type first time, I thought I should only be cute girlish ingenue. But what I realized lately is that you can wear ANY style with that line, garment's hardness, and size that fit with your body type.
I imagined a look that would tie all of these together: - curly messy updo - bright red lip, sharp cat eye - vintage bright red leather jacket - shirt with red roses as a pattern - mom jeans or skinny jeans cut at the ankle - chunky ankle high boots - cat eye sunglasses - soft gold necklaces, ear rings, bracelets with chunky rings
Oh yay I want to try! There are alternate definitions for those styles, but you were so specific with your definitions, I'm also able to list what you rejected as NOT what you're into: Mod: frilly baby-doll look, upholstry-style earth-toned flower explosion, medieval/pilgrim revival a la Peter Pan, small details like ruffs, frills, spitcurls, Jan Brady tendrils Vintage: Amelie-style grandma chic (baggy cardigans, clunky black shoes, muted wallpaper prints, accordions) Rock n Roll: hair band neon muscle tees and acid wash, Kelly Bundy-style fringed white leather jackets with rhinestones and heels, bro-grunge baggy pants and puka shell necklaces Folk: roughness, raggediness, worn muted patched cloth, elaborate headgear and hairstyles, leather lace-up Shakira-style folk Glam: 100% bodycon, Barbie-ish, Playboy Playmate-ish, aggressively polished, extremely formal classic and reserved style, not a single inch of face or body that hasn't been through some sort of glamorizing process So to put all the dislikes together, it's muted, hazy and reserved in color and pattern, rough and very organic in texture, earthy, busy or fussy small-scale sculptural details, 100% softness, bodycon, harshness or artifice with no juxtaposition, desexualization through girlishness, extremely overt sexualization. So the opposite of your dislikes (what you like, hopefully?) is bold decisive color, clarity of pattern, refinement of texture, large-scale detail, "freshness." I'd say the hallmark of your style is something being made into its opposite instead of being 100% itself, not simply juxtaposition (for instance organic pattern made blocky as a border, flowing fabrics made geometric with bodice and cuffs or selective isolation, stiff fabrics made feminine and rounded, artifice made fresh with hair or unexpected theatrical elements, soft jeans and sneakers made harsh with leather jacket, youthful androgyny made sexy, aggressive "womanliness" made carefree). I'd say the theatricality of your favorite looks come less from "going all out" in one direction and more from providing surprise contrast.
@@cianap.281 Wow. That was an amazing analysis. Are you a professional stylist or something? That point about things being made into its opposite really resonates. Some girls can wear cowboy boots or a retro grandma look whereas on me it is just too... literal? Don't know why! I do need clothes that have an element of ironic stylisation. But I like the idea of freshness as well however, I feel silly in something TOO formal and lacquered looking. Thanks so much Ciana you have given me a lot to think about!
@@MisterFlom Lol no, I'm not a stylist just a very obsessive person :) But I really find this stuff fun. I know exactly what you mean about feeling too formal, I'm very much the same way. Some people are just totally ready to leave high school and step into a full Chanel suit, no qualms. I can't do "formal" without feeling like I'm in drag.
Nice artistry!! When Kitchener did my style I came out 40% Dramatic, 20% Romantic, 20% Natural, 15% Ethereal and 5% Classic. With that amount of ethereal an outfit could have a floaty long scarf or a say a pair of metallic gladiator sandals. Classic I throw out the window. Romantic gets tricky, as my body type is pure Kibbe dramatic, and probably shows up more in my makeup. Natural plays through in fabric choices of lots of cashmere worn with long straight leg denim. Dramatic is my fave and shows up most in geometric lines, slightly oversize looks and striking color combos. Will have to try your exercise as that would add deeper understanding. Thanks!
This is so insightful, for the longest time I thought I liked boho style but was hard to incorporate into my look because I'm a Romantic with a bright cool skin tone. Turns out I was more attracted to soft and drape-y lines. I was also sad when I found out I was Romantic because I didn't think I could incorporate Rocker style.....now I can have it all and be cohesive! Thank you
My style constantly jumps from one extreme to the next. The only constants would probably be the lack of bulky textures, clothing with a lack of waist emphasis, and frilliness
I tried doing this earlier, and I'm not sure if I'm doing it right! I came up with Cute-Minimalist-Girly for styles that I like, and I came up with the following: Colour Scheme: pink, black, maroon, white Basics: short lines, fitted silhouette, rounded lines Shoes, bags, belts: rounded shapes, hearts, stars, moon, cute details, soft and smooth Jewellery: dainty, cute, stars, hearts, moon, rounded shapes Hair: short, tousled, wavy / curly hair Make-up: long curled lashes, low contrast, soft and smooth, pinks, light reds, rounded (meaning full lips and round eyes) Scent: sweet: light notes And the 'connecting thread' I found is rounded lines/shapes. So if I were to go shopping, I should find clothes that aren't boxy or stiff, or accessories that aren't chunky, or bags that aren't stiff and rough-feeling, and shoes that aren't sharp-looking. Am I doing this right? XD
Merriam, I'd just like to thank you for making my life SO much easier. Having my own style in clothing is so important to me, not only to express what I like but also to get rid of the question that I repeat to myself every morning standing in front of the wardrobe "who do I want to be today?" Bless you omg 💙💙💙
I really like your examples, you illustrate your point really well! Well done! :) I would LOVE a video specifically on the ethereal essence, both how to recognize it in people and how to play with ethereal elements in different styles and Kibbe types!
Elin Ljungström My go to example of Ethereal is Tilda Swinton. Cate Blanchett also has a lot of the ethereal in her look but not so much in her energy as Tilda. Tilda’s energy is downright elusive, for me the epitome of ethereal.
Dear Merriam, this exercise is AWESOME. It is the first technique, that actually helped me to get a clear idea of my style and a concept, that will help me to implement it in my daily life. Thank you so much for this video!!!!
Great video! It can be really confusing to discern between "type" and "style", especially when so many of the body type fashion recommendations refer to color, pattern, and details. Point of clarification: if something matches, it means they are literally the same in some way, whether in color, pattern, or material. In fashion, if two items fit the same body type or style, then they "go" or "work" together. For example, monochromatic outfits "match". Colors within the same color family "go" together. This is especially true with jewelry. Pearl earrings don't "match" any dress but white. They "go" with many different kinds of dresses.
I found the best way to figure out your style and communicate essence is through your temperment from the 4 Temperments. I looked up the characteristics of my temperment then chose styles that embody groups of traits. For example, phelgmatics are cool, reserved and patient so I chose a cozy, laidback and relaxed style to fit those traits. They are also task-oriented, reliable and stubborn so I chose utilitarian. I ended up with multiple styles. I then researched the construction, lines, silohouette, color, patterns, fabrics/textures, notions, embellishments, hair, hat, jewelry, coats, jackets, shirts, pants, shoes, sweaters, glasses, bags and accessories associated with each style.
I have been figuring our my style for some time now and your spot on about having a bunch of different styles that speak to me. So incorporating a little bit from each category, along with having a cohesive color scheme, with similar fabrics and silhouettes has allowed me to have a custom style that I love but also flatters my body type.
I love that you added scents to the overall style ( citrus is my favorite ) so I like that example. One thing I thought about is the handbag . I know one wouldn’t work for all the different looks but the texture and style along with color and what could potentially work for multiple looks.
Okay, I think I can see my aspects. Goth, steampunk Victorian, military, metal/ grunge, medival/fantasy, historical eras, menswear, ethereal, elegant. I can see my lines when I look at my pinterest boards. I am a sucker for corsets and belts with flowing drapery tunics, simple clean flowy lines with one richly ornate item, vests, dark jewel tone colors, pops of colors, rose gold. Boots, men's style accessories, feathers, butterflies, dragonflies, stars and the moon. I am a kibbe romantic.
This has been so helpful in helping me identify the common threads between the looks I love: dark ethereal, modern classic, edgy, preppy. I'm about to embark on learning to make my own clothes (my Nan is going to teach me) because as a 6ft tall soft dramatic, it's almost impossible finding clothes that AREN'T activewear is impossible. Haha. Now knowing what patterns to look for will be much clearer (I've always been very clear on my favourite fabrics haha).
This exercise was very helpful, thank you! It was fun going over each of my archetypes, ended up having 6- 6 styles/personalities/archetypes. But I found that my connecting thread can be "monochromatic". So I can be playful with everything, as long as it's all solid- no patterns. Seems like a good way to elevate older archetypes such as goth and boho, which I love but can feel costume-like.
Thank you so much for this video.... I didn't know if I would have any connecting thread but by doing this exercise I found out that rounded lines and soft edges are in every category. I was suprised. I'm still figuring out and put together all the styles I love but I finally feel that I'm in the right track. thanks !!!!! I'm a soft dramatic
If you know how to narrow down which outfits on Pinterest match your body type it can be really helpful! I have a Soft Dramatic board that has been really helpful to me :)
Great video! I will be using this practice; I can see how it will help me narrow down my essence. And drawing out a wardrobe "line" really helps to see the bigger picture across many moods. Thank you!
All I know is everything I wear has a tiny element of punk rock to it. Doesn't matter what I'm wearing something will be there to make it somewhat edgy. But I like clean, edgy looks. I want something ultimately feminine but not quite femme fatale, more like a tomboyish coquette with a hint of danger. Spunky charm that will bring out my cute sexiness. Black mesh shirts, silved jewelry maybe white overalls and chunky white sneakers. I have trouble wearing colors that aren't black and white tbh. I'm a theatrical romantic.
I mix grunge with cartoonish with easy boyish with 50's with pussycat doll and a touch of enchanted fairy. My favourite things are wearing different patterns and textures that kind of clash.
I'd love to hear more examples of color theory and how to pull off tones that aren't yours. For example, trying to incorporate a more ethereal/low contrast look being a winter.
ia love the way you draw. I think you were drawing me when when you added in the soft white dress! it made so much sense when you went through the looks with the drawings. I can feel a big cull of my wardrobe coming on.
This is such a helpful video! I've been following this channel for years and keep coming back to this one. I think it would be awesome to see a series of these where the "connecting thread" is a shape for each body type. There is something about the drawings that make it easier to understand the shape of the clothes. I'm trying to create a capsule wardrobe where my connecting thread is a long S and still struggling a little. Also, there is something about this one that is entertaining to watch. Thank you Merriam for creating this original content! You are so creative!
This looks like a lot of fun I will try this soon I've always been confused about my style and as you said I seem to like everything from hip-hop street style to elegant 50's style so I can't wait to try this. Also as soon as you showed on of your drawings( which are amazing btw) I would think about what kibbe type it represents, I hope am not the only one doing it.
Hmmm... That example was helpful because it's pretty close to my style already. Sophisticated, etherial(or romantic) with a dash of rock chic edginess. My daily outfit does depend on my mood or activity though. Sometimes I like more edge, sometimes I like to be more feminine. Sometimes I'm in between. Oh well... I hope your personal style can be on a spectrum.
The main two things I consistently love to have throughout all of my outfits in all settings is thin, lightweight fabrics as well as long, moving lines throughout the look, but sort of overlapping each other, not top to bottom like for people with a long vertical line in there bone structure naturally (no pun intended), which works really well as a TR I think because I really like the kind of more humble, reserved essence that comes from wearing longer things as a TR, but I definitely need them to be somewhat thin for them to look harmonious with my physical makeup, but yes I love this kind of stuff I love thinking about it and hearing what you have to say for sure.
Please contrast soft gamine with soft classic; (especially if you have quite narrow shoulders, yet lean more toward soft classic in body, although a little hippy for classic (?) FACE is more toward soft gamine. In addition, please begin to use some MUCH older women in all your examples I am nearly 70!). -Also, in doing color analysis, please include natural grey/silver haired women in your examples who are showing their age, and explanations, as I find it often makes a huge difference in what colors do for you, overall, -although most color analysis that I am familiar with seem to discount this changing your best colors (I am medium to dark olive skinned...(STRONGLY green undertoned) but with long natural grey hair... that I am keeping! And yes... women my age definitely care about getting their best look, and there are a lot of us out here! Keep up your excellent work, Merriam!
Yes, Gigi, I second your request for older women ideas and interpretations. Our color palettes tend to mute. I am 68, dark blonde hair that is graying, I think I'm a soft classic but have always felt more connected to my 70s hippie era natural earthy look. My hair is long, usually in a side braid but thinking about a messy bob (which isn't really soft classic) but as a writer/creative I am seeking a creative twist to the soft classic look.
I've always loved vintage style, however the decade makes a huge difference! The super fitted or cutesy styles of the 50s and pin up didn't suit me, nor the sharp and dramatic boxy lines of the 40s and some 80s clothing...I wound up finding my niche in 70s vintage, the muted tones and draped fabrics, with relaxed waist and neck line elements tied in well for my pure natural frame. Never realized why I have always been complimented when I look 'undone,' when hair is loose and messy and overall relaxed fit clothing.
I'm working on my list at this moment but I struggle to find the right words to describe the categories. Is there such thing as wikipedia for style descriptions? :D
This was so interesting! I loved it!! One problem I have is that I actually don't look as good in some styles that I really like as others that I don't like as well. Any suggestions for that?
I think this is my new favorite video of yours. I'm also an introvert w/ a lot of favorite aesthetics that don't mesh well, and this advice will be SO valuable going forward. Thanks for making this! (BTW, the artwork is cute ^_^) If you ever decide to style-type male celebs - I'm dying to figure out Jared Padalecki. His bone structure screams "Dramatic + Ethereal essence" to me, but he also looks great in Natural lines. And, bizarrely, he might have Ingenue essence too - the "puppy eyes", his early typecasting as a boy-next-door. (On that note: do you think yang-dominants can have Ingenue? What do you think that would look like?)
Hi, would it be possible to do a clothing video based on teens/young adults vid? I love watching all these videos but its hard to get examples of things that would look good on me when things are often dramatic/sophisticated and for a bit older audiences' clothing-wise. I'm talking, which types look good in skater skirts and that kind of thing. Thanks!
I really like this idea to find your unique style, but what if the only connecting thread is something such as bold geometrics but you are a romantic? How would you incorporate that connecting thread in romantic lines? I’m not sure how this would work in practice...
Usually you can find another one. Even with this one, sure, I used the geometrics as a connecting thread, but then I also used lightweight texture as the connecting thread later in the video and those looks would work nicely on romantic! You sort of have to play around with it--if you have something in mind then let me know and I'll think on a connecting thread for you!
Merriam Style thank you for replying! You are right, I just need to play around a little with my preferences and incorporate something else into my romantic lines. I guess with Kibbe body types, skin tone, trends, and simply what styles you prefer we should all just wear what makes us happy!
I have my own style pretty clear. I like elegant, ethereal ,cute and femenine style i like japanese brands like Liz Lisa or SwanKiss. I also like western couture brands like marchesa or Luisa Becaria my problem IS how to combine It with my kibbe type without end ussing lines of other types (soft gamine, soft natural or romantic) i al soft classic
The key adjectives from my favourite styles are feminine, romantic, flowing, peaceful and playful. Just not sure how to incorporate peaceful and playful into the same style.
Hippie Goth Kawaii Ethereal Elegant Vintage Romantic here~☆😊✋ Hippie I feel I could blend into ethereal and goth but Kawaii will be difficult to blend and I like minimalism when I'm lazy
hippie goth kawaii ethereal makes me think of bjork: assets.vogue.com/photos/589169aef88f7c2037365cc8/master/w_2026,h_3000,c_limit/02-bjork-birthday.jpg
Thank you so much Merriam, This clarified for me my confusion about my style. I am a very strong Theatrical Dramatic (7) with a strong secondary of Soft Classic (5). I did your exercise is researching both and identifying the strong areas in both for me. I have not found a video on this combination - have you done one? The next step will be trying to integrate touches of that soft classic into the Theatrical Romantic. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, Sue
Okay, I AM TRYING VERY HARD to find a common shape among all the pins I have saved on my Pinterest board and I am failing terribly because I don't see it or maybe I don't want to see it. After all, it might not go or follow the rules of my body type that is a soft classic! :( Would you please help me?? EDIT----- I think I have found sth very common in my inspiration board under the shape category and that is the bust emphasis and waist accentuation. OMG, I cannot fo into my hair board it contains all the "boyish looks", that is, pixies, mullets, bixie, mixie.. tons of it. My hair board was created before I learnt about kibbe body types and I have forever been struggling with my hair not looking good on me. I do have very less hair on my head due to alopecia, so I wanted to chop off a lot of my hair before I learned that I will look my best in mid hair length....
Merriam am starting to go a little crazy. I don’t know my kibbe type, and I have tried to figure it out for almost two years now. I wanna get help through your counseling, but I wonder if it’s for free
I didn't really have a motto--just drew it. It's a white outline sketch basically and then I colored it in more or less, so I envisioned the tulle dress black.
hello merriam, thank you for another beautiful and helpful video! i have a question a little off topic: since gamine is a mixture of yin and sharp yang, is it possible a body type that is a mixture of blunt yang and yin? sort of a hybrid between natural and gamine (even tho they are opposites) because i know many people who look great in gamine and look blunt (have many B answers) thank you! and this is a question for you since kibbe’s rules say no.
ithelrós Mm, even though I have some B answers, I still have a mixed skeleton, yin-dominant flesh, slight yang facial bones and slight yin facial flesh, I'm still SG at the end of the day. So, I usually follow the recommendations for SGs. I'd like to say that I look fine wearing some Natural lines, though! There was a point in time when I truly believed I was Soft Natural, and I was following some of Kibbe's recommendations. People would comment on how nice I looked wearing a SN dress. I really thought that I was SN, until I was able to have a consultation with Merriam, hehe.
kaidawisteria that’s so interesting! i was thinking about that the other day on the bus since i have a cousin in the same situation. a natural soft gamine?
ithelrós That sounds like a lot of fun if that was the case! I have seen some Natural Gamine Pinterest boards that have some relaxed lines in supposedly Gamine outfits, so it seems like there are some people who have blunt yang answers in their quiz, but they're still some kind of Gamine nonetheless.
When I go to look at your style club, there is no cost posted, so I will not be able to see if it would fit into my budget 🤷♀️ Are you able to post the cost?
its funny, i LOVE romantic flowy ethereal, frilly type clothes and also cosy winter fairytale type stuff, but all my clothes are SO far from that style- i dont have a style! Its hard to know where to start but im going to try!
This isn't really about kibbe particularly. This is about finding your personal style. Merriam explains how we can do it by using a hypothetical example. Watch the video she released right before this for some clarity.
I would love if you could make a video on creating a style for the body types that may be atypical to that body type. Lets say you make a very geometric grunge badass style for a romantic, but it also works. I would love to see that.
Yeah, me too!
I dont think that a grunge badass style would be atypical for romantic types. Its def possible for every body to do all kinds of styles (grunge, cute, elegance) just how u incorporate the different aspects of the style in your clothes while rmb to keep to your body typing.
I'd love for you to go through a fan's Pinterest boards to demonstrate this even further! Cause our boards are a mess and we have no clue
Naushin Khan I have an SD board that I think is really accurate. Although my disclaimer is that not every girl I pin is SD, but her outfit and hair/makeup is :)
@@ambercotrone I tried to do my theatrical romantic one...casual is so tough for TR! I found wearing a soft dramatic lines as a TR is doable if I'm willing to look smaller than I am
Did you find an SN one?
Too easy! Took me half an hour as you explained it so well. My result: Kibbe Classic combining european elegance, english country style, 50s style and 70s rocker-boho. Was that ever fun! You are right Merriam - classics are NOT boring 😙
Boho-Gothic-Feminine-Army ... sometimes I want to be a hippie, sometimes I want to feel sexy, sometimes I want to hide myself in black and be mysterious, sometimes I need to take out my leather army boots and olive trench coat ... still I'm going to try to find the connecting thread, wish me luck :D
It’s me
Did you find it? Cause I'm facing the same problem lol
How have I not watched this video before??? This is amazing, it's what I've needed in my life. Thank you so much!
This is amazing. I had come to the point of an identity crisis with my wardrobe. I’ve been wanting to streamline, but end up with a big “who am I?” question as I try to decide what to keep. Getting clear on what all I’m wanting to achieve and then finding the connecting thread, of course! I’m so glad you have this all worked out on a conscious level and are sharing with us- I don’t have to keep fumbling around in the dark with my existential style questions!!!! 😂 This will be a perfect exercise for me, I’m excited to get to it. Thanks for the guidance Merriam. 🙏🏼
Nice drawings, I like the white on black effect. Over time I have found some "connecting threads" to my style but I really had to think outside the box. I'd consider a jumble of looks I like: Marilyn Monroe's off-screen style, elegant androgynous 1930s ensembles, and edgy 60s/70s looks, and think "sex kitten, noir, psychedelic." But common threads included simplicity with ornate accessories; moodiness and richness of color and texture; curved, fitted silhouettes; and something over-the-top. But it can be hard to see past labels to shape, line, etc. One thing that helps is, noticing what from each style you REJECT. In each decade I disliked the frillier, puffier, more "innocent" versions of these looks I like, which tells me I lean toward more structured, simple, daring looks. And I gravitated toward a version of every decade of women's wear that included pants.
Thanks for this video, I'll be thinking a lot about uniting my 3 disparate wardrobe "moods."
Ciana P. Wow. Thank you for your insight! It was really cool to get inside your brain for a little while. ❤️
@@culturecoroner Aww thanks :)
Do you think you could expand on 'connecting threads'? What could constitute as one? Lines, shapes, textures? Can color scheme be a connecting thread, or is it not significant enough? Thank you for all the amazing work you do, it's really helpful!
I tried the experiment and it really does work! I found that using descriptive words helped to find a common thread. Rather than a fit or texture, the main threads in my grunge, dark mori, Victorian, vintage, cute Pinterest board were period pieces and romantic and feminine styles. So long as there's something old world and romantic, it will work. I hope this helps those who are still unsure of their style.
When I knew kibbe type first time, I thought I should only be cute girlish ingenue. But what I realized lately is that you can wear ANY style with that line, garment's hardness, and size that fit with your body type.
I wrote out my styles! This was fun Merriam, thanks! Not quite sure of how to "connect" them yet but it’s a good start.
Mod
- Geometric lines
- Stiff fabrics
- Bold colour contrast
- Geometric fabric patterns
- Primary colours
- Bold eye makeup
- Smooth, controlled but voluminous hair style
- Bold geometric accessories
- Ballet flats
- Self conscious but youthful
Vintage
- Tailored
- Modest
- Stiff fabrics
- Dark colours, strong contrasts
- Interesting bright coloured fabric patterns; floral, botanical, animal, Hawaiian
- Stiff waved controlled hair style
- Bold metallic or pearl accessories
- Bright lip, defined eye, matte foundation
- High maintenance & adult, yet playful
Rock n Roll
- Leather
- Tshirts with graphic print/contrasting trim
- Slim fit jeans
- Boxy moto jacket
- Messy uncontrolled crazy hair
- Bold eye makeup
- Sneakers
- Relaxed but with attitude
“Folk”
- embroidered borders
- Bright colour contrasts
- Geometric composition of design elements
- Strong shapes (ie tight bodice, puffed sleeves)
- Modest
- Floral motif patterns
- Messy but “done” hair (up do, braids)
- Natural makeup
- Tall boots, sandals, bare feet
- Relaxed but whimsical
Glam
- fur, shiny & sparkly fabrics, mix and match patterns
- Mixture of loose shaggy shapes and tight body conscious shapes
- Outlandish
- Synthetic fabrics
- Bold, shiny and glittery makeup
- Platform boots or heels
- Crazy messy hair
- Somehow relaxed yet intentional and theatrical
Im a flamboyant gamine if you couldn’t tell...
I imagined a look that would tie all of these together:
- curly messy updo
- bright red lip, sharp cat eye
- vintage bright red leather jacket
- shirt with red roses as a pattern
- mom jeans or skinny jeans cut at the ankle
- chunky ankle high boots
- cat eye sunglasses
- soft gold necklaces, ear rings, bracelets with chunky rings
Oh yay I want to try! There are alternate definitions for those styles, but you were so specific with your definitions, I'm also able to list what you rejected as NOT what you're into:
Mod: frilly baby-doll look, upholstry-style earth-toned flower explosion, medieval/pilgrim revival a la Peter Pan, small details like ruffs, frills, spitcurls, Jan Brady tendrils
Vintage: Amelie-style grandma chic (baggy cardigans, clunky black shoes, muted wallpaper prints, accordions)
Rock n Roll: hair band neon muscle tees and acid wash, Kelly Bundy-style fringed white leather jackets with rhinestones and heels, bro-grunge baggy pants and puka shell necklaces
Folk: roughness, raggediness, worn muted patched cloth, elaborate headgear and hairstyles, leather lace-up Shakira-style folk
Glam: 100% bodycon, Barbie-ish, Playboy Playmate-ish, aggressively polished, extremely formal classic and reserved style, not a single inch of face or body that hasn't been through some sort of glamorizing process
So to put all the dislikes together, it's muted, hazy and reserved in color and pattern, rough and very organic in texture, earthy, busy or fussy small-scale sculptural details, 100% softness, bodycon, harshness or artifice with no juxtaposition, desexualization through girlishness, extremely overt sexualization.
So the opposite of your dislikes (what you like, hopefully?) is bold decisive color, clarity of pattern, refinement of texture, large-scale detail, "freshness." I'd say the hallmark of your style is something being made into its opposite instead of being 100% itself, not simply juxtaposition (for instance organic pattern made blocky as a border, flowing fabrics made geometric with bodice and cuffs or selective isolation, stiff fabrics made feminine and rounded, artifice made fresh with hair or unexpected theatrical elements, soft jeans and sneakers made harsh with leather jacket, youthful androgyny made sexy, aggressive "womanliness" made carefree). I'd say the theatricality of your favorite looks come less from "going all out" in one direction and more from providing surprise contrast.
@@cianap.281 Wow. That was an amazing analysis. Are you a professional stylist or something?
That point about things being made into its opposite really resonates. Some girls can wear cowboy boots or a retro grandma look whereas on me it is just too... literal?
Don't know why!
I do need clothes that have an element of ironic stylisation. But I like the idea of freshness as well however, I feel silly in something TOO formal and lacquered looking.
Thanks so much Ciana you have given me a lot to think about!
@@MisterFlom Lol no, I'm not a stylist just a very obsessive person :) But I really find this stuff fun.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling too formal, I'm very much the same way. Some people are just totally ready to leave high school and step into a full Chanel suit, no qualms. I can't do "formal" without feeling like I'm in drag.
Nice artistry!! When Kitchener did my style I came out 40% Dramatic, 20% Romantic, 20% Natural, 15% Ethereal and 5% Classic. With that amount of ethereal an outfit could have a floaty long scarf or a say a pair of metallic gladiator sandals. Classic I throw out the window. Romantic gets tricky, as my body type is pure Kibbe dramatic, and probably shows up more in my makeup. Natural plays through in fabric choices of lots of cashmere worn with long straight leg denim. Dramatic is my fave and shows up most in geometric lines, slightly oversize looks and striking color combos. Will have to try your exercise as that would add deeper understanding. Thanks!
This is so insightful, for the longest time I thought I liked boho style but was hard to incorporate into my look because I'm a Romantic with a bright cool skin tone. Turns out I was more attracted to soft and drape-y lines. I was also sad when I found out I was Romantic because I didn't think I could incorporate Rocker style.....now I can have it all and be cohesive! Thank you
PapayaGoddess accessories are great for way to incorporate a rocker twist to your romantic style. You can defintly be both 😎
Get a leather jacket that's cut right for you (read: waist definition), and you are good to go!
@@lindenpeters2601 thank you! I actually found one, it's a amazing the difference it makes. #waistdefinitionisbae
My style constantly jumps from one extreme to the next. The only constants would probably be the lack of bulky textures, clothing with a lack of waist emphasis, and frilliness
I tried doing this earlier, and I'm not sure if I'm doing it right! I came up with Cute-Minimalist-Girly for styles that I like, and I came up with the following:
Colour Scheme: pink, black, maroon, white
Basics: short lines, fitted silhouette, rounded lines
Shoes, bags, belts: rounded shapes, hearts, stars, moon, cute details, soft and smooth
Jewellery: dainty, cute, stars, hearts, moon, rounded shapes
Hair: short, tousled, wavy / curly hair
Make-up: long curled lashes, low contrast, soft and smooth, pinks, light reds, rounded (meaning full lips and round eyes)
Scent: sweet: light notes
And the 'connecting thread' I found is rounded lines/shapes. So if I were to go shopping, I should find clothes that aren't boxy or stiff, or accessories that aren't chunky, or bags that aren't stiff and rough-feeling, and shoes that aren't sharp-looking.
Am I doing this right? XD
yes!! I think you're doing it right
Merriam, I'd just like to thank you for making my life SO much easier. Having my own style in clothing is so important to me, not only to express what I like but also to get rid of the question that I repeat to myself every morning standing in front of the wardrobe "who do I want to be today?"
Bless you omg 💙💙💙
I really like your examples, you illustrate your point really well! Well done! :) I would LOVE a video specifically on the ethereal essence, both how to recognize it in people and how to play with ethereal elements in different styles and Kibbe types!
Elin Ljungström My go to example of Ethereal is Tilda Swinton. Cate Blanchett also has a lot of the ethereal in her look but not so much in her energy as Tilda. Tilda’s energy is downright elusive, for me the epitome of ethereal.
Dear Merriam, this exercise is AWESOME. It is the first technique, that actually helped me to get a clear idea of my style and a concept, that will help me to implement it in my daily life. Thank you so much for this video!!!!
Great video! It can be really confusing to discern between "type" and "style", especially when so many of the body type fashion recommendations refer to color, pattern, and details.
Point of clarification: if something matches, it means they are literally the same in some way, whether in color, pattern, or material. In fashion, if two items fit the same body type or style, then they "go" or "work" together. For example, monochromatic outfits "match". Colors within the same color family "go" together. This is especially true with jewelry. Pearl earrings don't "match" any dress but white. They "go" with many different kinds of dresses.
I found the best way to figure out your style and communicate essence is through your temperment from the 4 Temperments. I looked up the characteristics of my temperment then chose styles that embody groups of traits. For example, phelgmatics are cool, reserved and patient so I chose a cozy, laidback and relaxed style to fit those traits. They are also task-oriented, reliable and stubborn so I chose utilitarian. I ended up with multiple styles. I then researched the construction, lines, silohouette, color, patterns, fabrics/textures, notions, embellishments, hair, hat, jewelry, coats, jackets, shirts, pants, shoes, sweaters, glasses, bags and accessories associated with each style.
I kept the construction, lines and silohouette as my kibbe type and my own colors. I found a connecting thread in the other catergories.
How many type of characteristics a temperance can have? Can personality and what color you like affect you?
I have been figuring our my style for some time now and your spot on about having a bunch of different styles that speak to me. So incorporating a little bit from each category, along with having a cohesive color scheme, with similar fabrics and silhouettes has allowed me to have a custom style that I love but also flatters my body type.
I love that you added scents to the overall style ( citrus is my favorite ) so I like that example.
One thing I thought about is the handbag . I know one wouldn’t work for all the different looks but the texture and style along with color and what could potentially work for multiple looks.
Okay, I think I can see my aspects. Goth, steampunk Victorian, military, metal/ grunge, medival/fantasy, historical eras, menswear, ethereal, elegant. I can see my lines when I look at my pinterest boards. I am a sucker for corsets and belts with flowing drapery tunics, simple clean flowy lines with one richly ornate item, vests, dark jewel tone colors, pops of colors, rose gold. Boots, men's style accessories, feathers, butterflies, dragonflies, stars and the moon. I am a kibbe romantic.
Ok I know this is an old post....but I think we have similar closets ;) I actually thought I wrote this, but I'm not a kibbe romantic 😆
This has been so helpful in helping me identify the common threads between the looks I love: dark ethereal, modern classic, edgy, preppy. I'm about to embark on learning to make my own clothes (my Nan is going to teach me) because as a 6ft tall soft dramatic, it's almost impossible finding clothes that AREN'T activewear is impossible. Haha. Now knowing what patterns to look for will be much clearer (I've always been very clear on my favourite fabrics haha).
This exercise was very helpful, thank you! It was fun going over each of my archetypes, ended up having 6- 6 styles/personalities/archetypes. But I found that my connecting thread can be "monochromatic". So I can be playful with everything, as long as it's all solid- no patterns. Seems like a good way to elevate older archetypes such as goth and boho, which I love but can feel costume-like.
Thank you so much for this video.... I didn't know if I would have any connecting thread but by doing this exercise I found out that rounded lines and soft edges are in every category. I was suprised. I'm still figuring out and put together all the styles I love but I finally feel that I'm in the right track. thanks !!!!! I'm a soft dramatic
You have taught me so much. I love your systematic approach and your eye! Thank you!
If you know how to narrow down which outfits on Pinterest match your body type it can be really helpful! I have a Soft Dramatic board that has been really helpful to me :)
Great video! I will be using this practice; I can see how it will help me narrow down my essence. And drawing out a wardrobe "line" really helps to see the bigger picture across many moods. Thank you!
This sounds like a great project:)
All I know is everything I wear has a tiny element of punk rock to it. Doesn't matter what I'm wearing something will be there to make it somewhat edgy. But I like clean, edgy looks. I want something ultimately feminine but not quite femme fatale, more like a tomboyish coquette with a hint of danger. Spunky charm that will bring out my cute sexiness. Black mesh shirts, silved jewelry maybe white overalls and chunky white sneakers. I have trouble wearing colors that aren't black and white tbh. I'm a theatrical romantic.
I mix grunge with cartoonish with easy boyish with 50's with pussycat doll and a touch of enchanted fairy. My favourite things are wearing different patterns and textures that kind of clash.
I'd love to hear more examples of color theory and how to pull off tones that aren't yours. For example, trying to incorporate a more ethereal/low contrast look being a winter.
Wow! Loved it! Thank you so much ☺️ can’t wait for more input on this method
ia love the way you draw. I think you were drawing me when when you added in the soft white dress! it made so much sense when you went through the looks with the drawings. I can feel a big cull of my wardrobe coming on.
This is so useful and in depth, you deserve a lot more views and likes imo!
This is such a helpful video! I've been following this channel for years and keep coming back to this one. I think it would be awesome to see a series of these where the "connecting thread" is a shape for each body type. There is something about the drawings that make it easier to understand the shape of the clothes. I'm trying to create a capsule wardrobe where my connecting thread is a long S and still struggling a little. Also, there is something about this one that is entertaining to watch. Thank you Merriam for creating this original content! You are so creative!
Really interesting! I’m ready to try this. 💗
Thank you Merriam, this is genius! Wonderful approach, clear explanation - you certainly deserve more subscribers! ❤️
This was great! I was able to narrow down myself to A dominant Ethereal with a bit of minimal.
This looks like a lot of fun I will try this soon I've always been confused about my style and as you said I seem to like everything from hip-hop street style to elegant 50's style so I can't wait to try this.
Also as soon as you showed on of your drawings( which are amazing btw) I would think about what kibbe type it represents, I hope am not the only one doing it.
You are a genius Merriam! And yes everyone, I really recommend Merriam's club!
Hmmm... That example was helpful because it's pretty close to my style already. Sophisticated, etherial(or romantic) with a dash of rock chic edginess. My daily outfit does depend on my mood or activity though. Sometimes I like more edge, sometimes I like to be more feminine. Sometimes I'm in between. Oh well... I hope your personal style can be on a spectrum.
Homework done. Love these series!
The main two things I consistently love to have throughout all of my outfits in all settings is thin, lightweight fabrics as well as long, moving lines throughout the look, but sort of overlapping each other, not top to bottom like for people with a long vertical line in there bone structure naturally (no pun intended), which works really well as a TR I think because I really like the kind of more humble, reserved essence that comes from wearing longer things as a TR, but I definitely need them to be somewhat thin for them to look harmonious with my physical makeup, but yes I love this kind of stuff I love thinking about it and hearing what you have to say for sure.
Thank you for sharing Elijah!
love you in this hairstyle.
This is SO very helpful to me. Thank you!
Please contrast soft gamine with soft classic; (especially if you have quite narrow shoulders, yet lean more toward soft classic in body, although a little hippy for classic (?) FACE is more toward soft gamine. In addition, please begin to use some MUCH older women in all your examples I am nearly 70!).
-Also, in doing color analysis, please include natural grey/silver haired women in your examples who are showing their age, and explanations, as I find it often makes a huge difference in what colors do for you, overall, -although most color analysis that I am familiar with seem to discount this changing your best colors (I am medium to dark olive skinned...(STRONGLY green undertoned) but with long natural grey hair... that I am keeping! And yes... women my age definitely care about getting their best look, and there are a lot of us out here! Keep up your excellent work, Merriam!
Yes, Gigi, I second your request for older women ideas and interpretations. Our color palettes tend to mute. I am 68, dark blonde hair that is graying, I think I'm a soft classic but have always felt more connected to my 70s hippie era natural earthy look. My hair is long, usually in a side braid but thinking about a messy bob (which isn't really soft classic) but as a writer/creative I am seeking a creative twist to the soft classic look.
I've always loved vintage style, however the decade makes a huge difference! The super fitted or cutesy styles of the 50s and pin up didn't suit me, nor the sharp and dramatic boxy lines of the 40s and some 80s clothing...I wound up finding my niche in 70s vintage, the muted tones and draped fabrics, with relaxed waist and neck line elements tied in well for my pure natural frame. Never realized why I have always been complimented when I look 'undone,' when hair is loose and messy and overall relaxed fit clothing.
Merriam could you come with a video or a series about undertones and makeup styles and colors? Also please! Swimming suits for body types!
Love you so much xxx! 💞💞💞💞
I'm working on my list at this moment but I struggle to find the right words to describe the categories. Is there such thing as wikipedia for style descriptions? :D
Was there? :D
Wow Merriam...mind blown again!
This was so interesting! I loved it!! One problem I have is that I actually don't look as good in some styles that I really like as others that I don't like as well. Any suggestions for that?
I think this is my new favorite video of yours. I'm also an introvert w/ a lot of favorite aesthetics that don't mesh well, and this advice will be SO valuable going forward. Thanks for making this! (BTW, the artwork is cute ^_^)
If you ever decide to style-type male celebs - I'm dying to figure out Jared Padalecki. His bone structure screams "Dramatic + Ethereal essence" to me, but he also looks great in Natural lines. And, bizarrely, he might have Ingenue essence too - the "puppy eyes", his early typecasting as a boy-next-door. (On that note: do you think yang-dominants can have Ingenue? What do you think that would look like?)
Scoop Maloop I think you nailed it. Male ingenue might just read -puppy.
Hi, would it be possible to do a clothing video based on teens/young adults vid? I love watching all these videos but its hard to get examples of things that would look good on me when things are often dramatic/sophisticated and for a bit older audiences' clothing-wise. I'm talking, which types look good in skater skirts and that kind of thing. Thanks!
I really like this idea to find your unique style, but what if the only connecting thread is something such as bold geometrics but you are a romantic? How would you incorporate that connecting thread in romantic lines? I’m not sure how this would work in practice...
Usually you can find another one. Even with this one, sure, I used the geometrics as a connecting thread, but then I also used lightweight texture as the connecting thread later in the video and those looks would work nicely on romantic! You sort of have to play around with it--if you have something in mind then let me know and I'll think on a connecting thread for you!
Merriam Style thank you for replying! You are right, I just need to play around a little with my preferences and incorporate something else into my romantic lines. I guess with Kibbe body types, skin tone, trends, and simply what styles you prefer we should all just wear what makes us happy!
You deserve more subscribers, your videos are really interesting 👍
I have my own style pretty clear. I like elegant, ethereal ,cute and femenine style i like japanese brands like Liz Lisa or SwanKiss. I also like western couture brands like marchesa or Luisa Becaria my problem IS how to combine It with my kibbe type without end ussing lines of other types (soft gamine, soft natural or romantic) i al soft classic
Bow , frill , pastel, pop color, geometric shape, functional, oversized baggy, unique express art detail animated pattern. Elegance smooth fitted.
I love t h i s!
Thank you!
Yes
The key adjectives from my favourite styles are feminine, romantic, flowing, peaceful and playful. Just not sure how to incorporate peaceful and playful into the same style.
Can you do style analysis for Disney Princesses? I think this would be a fun watch
Hippie
Goth
Kawaii
Ethereal
Elegant
Vintage
Romantic here~☆😊✋
Hippie I feel I could blend into ethereal and goth but Kawaii will be difficult to blend and I like minimalism when I'm lazy
hippie goth kawaii ethereal makes me think of bjork: assets.vogue.com/photos/589169aef88f7c2037365cc8/master/w_2026,h_3000,c_limit/02-bjork-birthday.jpg
@@merriamstyle wow yes I completely agree~
This is really cool!
Hi Merriam, is there a site I can go to where I can reference style types and key words?
Thank you so much Merriam, This clarified for me my confusion about my style. I am a very strong Theatrical Dramatic (7) with a strong secondary of Soft Classic (5). I did your exercise is researching both and identifying the strong areas in both for me. I have not found a video on this combination - have you done one? The next step will be trying to integrate touches of that soft classic into the Theatrical Romantic. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, Sue
Can you do something similar for women with hijab? Thank you!
How about how different fabrics creat certain lines.I need information on this because I design clothing.thankyou for you knowledge and insight
Is there somewhere to look at list adjectives for the different essences?
Okay, I AM TRYING VERY HARD to find a common shape among all the pins I have saved on my Pinterest board and I am failing terribly because I don't see it or maybe I don't want to see it. After all, it might not go or follow the rules of my body type that is a soft classic! :(
Would you please help me??
EDIT----- I think I have found sth very common in my inspiration board under the shape category and that is the bust emphasis and waist accentuation.
OMG, I cannot fo into my hair board it contains all the "boyish looks", that is, pixies, mullets, bixie, mixie.. tons of it. My hair board was created before I learnt about kibbe body types and I have forever been struggling with my hair not looking good on me. I do have very less hair on my head due to alopecia, so I wanted to chop off a lot of my hair before I learned that I will look my best in mid hair length....
I'll try this but I incorporate so many different styles...
Merriam am starting to go a little crazy. I don’t know my kibbe type, and I have tried to figure it out for almost two years now. I wanna get help through your counseling, but I wonder if it’s for free
It's not free, go check her website ;)
Could you go through your own wardrobe?
❤️
Are the pictures meant to look negative (shadows being light and stuff)
I didn't really have a motto--just drew it. It's a white outline sketch basically and then I colored it in more or less, so I envisioned the tulle dress black.
hello merriam, thank you for another beautiful and helpful video!
i have a question a little off topic:
since gamine is a mixture of yin and sharp yang, is it possible a body type that is a mixture of blunt yang and yin? sort of a hybrid between natural and gamine (even tho they are opposites)
because i know many people who look great in gamine and look blunt (have many B answers)
thank you! and this is a question for you since kibbe’s rules say no.
ithelrós I'm a SG with a lot of B answers from my quiz results! Yang from a Gamine can always be either sharp or blunt.
kaidawisteria thank you for answering! and does that change your lines? do you look better on natural than other gamines?
ithelrós Mm, even though I have some B answers, I still have a mixed skeleton, yin-dominant flesh, slight yang facial bones and slight yin facial flesh, I'm still SG at the end of the day. So, I usually follow the recommendations for SGs. I'd like to say that I look fine wearing some Natural lines, though! There was a point in time when I truly believed I was Soft Natural, and I was following some of Kibbe's recommendations. People would comment on how nice I looked wearing a SN dress. I really thought that I was SN, until I was able to have a consultation with Merriam, hehe.
kaidawisteria that’s so interesting! i was thinking about that the other day on the bus since i have a cousin in the same situation.
a natural soft gamine?
ithelrós That sounds like a lot of fun if that was the case! I have seen some Natural Gamine Pinterest boards that have some relaxed lines in supposedly Gamine outfits, so it seems like there are some people who have blunt yang answers in their quiz, but they're still some kind of Gamine nonetheless.
When I go to look at your style club, there is no cost posted, so I will not be able to see if it would fit into my budget 🤷♀️
Are you able to post the cost?
it's 5 USD per month. if you click sign up on the upper right you'll see the cost on that page before you enter any payment info.
Merriam, I setup a profile for the club but couldn't finish it, I have no way to complete it using my e-mail account. Can you help? Thanks.
Sure, email me -- merriam.amani@gmail.com!
its funny, i LOVE romantic flowy ethereal, frilly type clothes and also cosy winter fairytale type stuff, but all my clothes are SO far from that style- i dont have a style! Its hard to know where to start but im going to try!
Is it a practicality thing? If so, then your whole thing would be how can I incorporate these ethereal elements in a practical way?
Stop pinning 🤯
My style is relaxed, elegent and less revealing with classic romantic essence 🔪🌚kill me
Bottom line: if you follow your Kibbe type, you won't get wrong.
I am confused is this meant for soft gamine
Hi, do you think there’s a certain connecting thread that soft gamines should consider?
Evelina G fit is important for a gamine, so always keep that in mind.
I was thinking short lines?
I am confused is this meant for soft gamine
This isn't really about kibbe particularly. This is about finding your personal style.
Merriam explains how we can do it by using a hypothetical example.
Watch the video she released right before this for some clarity.