Kibbe : Dramatic Classic - YouLookFab Forum

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Kibbe : Dramatic Classic

Star (Lise)

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Hello

I know some of you have an interest in Kibbe. I have never really given it too much attention as I found it quite difficult to figure out. Well I put in the work and did the assessment and I am quite intrigued. I came out a Dramatic Classic. All the info pertaining to this group totally matches the way I have always preferred to dress.

Examples are straight jeans (no wide legs or baggies), column dresses and skirts that fall either just below or just above the knee (I actually do not mind longer in recent times but have always found around the knee most flattering, not fitted but fluid, and no wide flouncy skirts, even A lines are not straight enough for me). Patterns should be stripes or fairly large geometric patterns (no ditsy florals). Contrast is necessary. What I did learn is that an outfit made up of two colours is my best and not a splash of many colours, I kind of knew this but this validates why I am 'iffy' about some of my outfits. Mostly sharp and straight lines, assymetrical hems, turtle necks or angular necklines. There is more but these come to mind.

I am totally sold I won't have to change a thing. It validates my preferences and will help steer me away from items that I am drawn to but then don't feel so fab wearing them.

Now I am wondering if I should adapt my Style Moniker? Maybe from Grownup Tomgirl to Dramatic Tomgirl? Would love your thoughts on this.

Are there any other Dramatic Classics on the forum? Any other Kibbe types who can chime in?

Body Type

96 replies

Latest reply was from Star (Lise)

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I am certainly not a Dramatic Classic Lise, I am not nearly tall enough. Are you over 5 foot 7 inches then? Without looking it up I thought that might have been the cutoff height you have to be above. What kind of work did you put in, did you answer the original questions derived from his first book?
I have decided that I am a “soft gamine”, which I find only partially helpful in deciding what styles suit me. In my case it’s more that all pictures of soft gamines have them young, except for Betty White, and I am not as old as most of the pics of her!
A very interesting site is Style Syntax, the site owner went through thinking she was at least two different types before finally seeing David Kibbe in person who typed her differently!
I think if it confirms what you already feel then it might help you?

Indigoprint

Veteran

I went down the Kibbe rabbit hole a few years back. It was fun and like you it correlated to my already established preferences, making sense out of someone them too.
I am a flamboyant natural and have never figured out my 3 style words/ style moniker. It's fun to delineate why I like an outfit using Kibbe-speak.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

JENNI A Dramatic Classic has to be over 5,6 feet which I am. I completed a fairly involved questionnaire. It does confirm my preferences and gives me a reminder to lean into the dramatic. The last couple of years I was skewing very classic and I found it boring (on me, love it on others) and hence went back to my edgy tomgirl roots. I think this may be a good way to get the grownup look I am after. Btw my answers were mostly classic with enough dramatic to include it. As for pics of others I did not pay that much attention so I think I will now google celeb Dramatic Classics. I will report back...

Dee

Veteran

When I sorted through the various Kibbe quizzes back in 2020, I typically came out as a Dramatic Classic. This result seemed to validate the types of styles, silhouettes, patterns etc.. that I already found worked best with my own body frame, and it aligned well with my own style preferences. I often use their recommendations to help me with my clothing choices and it seems like a fairly helpful way to harmonize a wardrobe to suit a particular body type BUT ONLY IF you can actually figure out your correct kibbe body type. However, sometimes our own style instincts might know better.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Yes Lise that might be interesting to Google some celebs. Some of them are “Kibbe verified” which means Kibbe himself has typed them, not sure if in person or not. There is quite a lot of rubbish on the internet about Kibbe as well I understand, which is partly why he wrote the second new book to share more about his philosophy. After reading a lot about the book I have decided not to buy it though, as lots of metaphysical stuff (say reviews) which I think would annoy me!

Sal

Veteran

I can see that Lise (and Dee) and if it feels right naturally - and validates previous opinions - I bet it is right. And when you say it means you don't have to change a thing but understand why you prefer two colour outfits for example this makes sense.

I have worked through things and am pretty sure I am a flamboyant natural. I am 5 ft 81/2 and look tall. I have breadth in my face and shoulders and frame. I am not symmetrical. Sticking to Kibbe I have to be D, SD or FN and I don't think I am D or SD. I do wonder on the height thing though as people are getting taller - I was a tall female when I was 20 but a lot of young women now are significantly taller than I am. I could be SN if the height range was extended up but I prefer and feel better in bolder rather than gentler styles.

Flamboyant natural is very easy with a bit of boldness. I don't lean too hard into it but I know when I wear something too dramatic, classic or romantic I feel off (despite liking these styles).

Star (Lise)

Veteran

JENNI Okay not sure if they verified but Julianne Moore and Courtney Cox are supposedly DCs. I think there is a correlation of sorts except I am not a stick thin Hollywood star. I did look at weight gain on DCs and that seems to match.

DEE you are a DC! A lot of what you wear I can see myself in too.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

SAL I need to read up about Flamboyant Naturals in the Kibbe sense. As a regular description those words sounds just like you. I definitely prefer your outfits that lean bold rather than soft (on you). Natural is apparent. Btw women are 'still' very short where I live. I am a giant here at 5.61 feet.

Irina

Veteran

I tried but eventually gave up. I think I should be some Gamine type but do not see how this knowledge helps. I’m fascinated by all Kibbe discussions on the forum, though.

Dee

Veteran

The other caveat I wanted to add about this is are own particular personalities and how they affect how we want to feel in our clothes. Lise you like a Tomgirl aesthetic but I prefer a more refined classic aesthetic, even though we are both considered dramatic classics.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

IRINA I too gave up previously. Not sure it helps that much either but it is fun :).

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Totally agree DEE. I want to lean more in to the dramatic though, rather than Tomgirl. It too is a masculine energy but a bit more refined I think. What do you think? Or am I mixing up classic and dramatic now, Tomgirl can be quite RATE is what I mean.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

INDIGOPRINT having a handle on your Kibbe maybe eliminates the need for a three word moniker?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have yet to go down the Kibbe rabbit hole. Not my thing, I'm afraid! I'll leave it to others to help out, Lise

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Thanks ANGIE! I know it is not your thing :).

Dee

Veteran

The reason I found the kibbe stuff rather helpful was because it finally offered an explanation as to why, for instance, oversized or flouncy items that looked wonderful on others, just never looked right on me. For the most part, its because these styles just overwhelmed my body frame. DC' s apparently need clean, tailored, slightly structured silhouettes. Lise, I think the dramatic can come from colour or the structure of the clothes. Something soft and flouncy doesnt usually read as dramatic, its seems more romantic.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have deep dove into Kibbe in the past and find it most valuable for exactly the reasons it has helped you - both validating feelings you already had and suggesting themes to explore that resonate with you. A former forum member, who had met me in person, suggested that I was a flamboyant gamine, which was a big aha moment to me. I had assumed I am a soft something or another but the flamgam recommendations suit me so much better.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I like it for a similar reason to Dee and Jaime, it explains some things about myself. This is assuming that I have it correct that I am a soft gamine. For instance I was frequently described as “cute” when young, but overly frilly, flouncy outfits seem too much on me, for a different reason to someone like Dee. And I just have never liked lots of frills and flounces on me. I have avoided purchasing dresses in the past few summers partly because it felt like every single dress in the stores had 3 tiers on the skirt part!
When I first learned about it (here on the forum in my first year here) I did kind of wish to be a Theatrical Romantic, as I always loved Vivien Leigh and she was said to be one
Her dress is very frilly though, LOL

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Runcarla

Veteran

I found the system too hard to figure out - but, I did appreciate - and learned - something from the discussion of yin and yang.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

CARLA I too found it too hard to figure out. This is the website I used. https://gabriellearruda.com/. I believe my results are quite accurate. I tried not to over think it (as I have a tendency to do) when answering. Off the top of my head I would say I definitely have a yang influence in my build, I fit well into male jeans! I am going to go and investigate more about this though.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

JENNI some fun info. My late Mom was mad about Gone with the Wind. My brother is Lee, my late brother was Rhett and I was nearly Scarlett, but she backed down and decided it was a bit too much :). Nowdays Scarlett will be perfectly acceptable. Maybe not so much in 1966 when I was born. Scarlett will have suited my personality as I can be very strong-willed and have feisty Irish genes/temperament :). No offence intended to Irish forum members, I am very proud of my Irish roots.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

JAIME I am going to investigate FlamGam. At face value the flamboyant sounds totally correct.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

DEE yes I want to lean more into dramatic texture and structure. Also longer jackets are good for us. An example: I have a dark purple corduroy knee length button down dress that I prefer to wear as a topper/duster. Suits me and I feel dramatic in it (as a topper). As a dress it is a little on the 'matronly' side, not sure why, maybe when I Iose a few kgs it will change the vibe as a dress. Actually I think I would prefer it a bit longer to wear it as a dress...

I have never liked flouncy on me. I remember in 1978 I had a balloon sleeved top with embroidery around the neckline (it would be totally trendy now too) and I cut out the elastic of the sleeves on the wrists. I was 12 years old but had a good idea what I felt good in or not. The sleeves were still too floppy and unstructured for my liking though.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

JENNI just thinking about your comment of being called 'cute' when you were younger. I think people often confuse short and small boned with cute and it so does not have to be.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Putting another thought/question out there, does Dramatic replace my Edgy? Is it the same thing or similar?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think Dramatic and Edgy could have similarities? I don’t really know, but if I think of some forum members who say they like a bit of edge, maybe? Wondering about Janet? This is a compliment Janet if you see this?!
I didn’t mind too much being thought cute when younger, I think I probably was

Star (Lise)

Veteran

JENNI I am sure you were cute, still are :). But it did not mean you wanted to wear 'cute' frills and flounce. I think my point is rather that cute does not have to equate to frills and flounce. To me grown up cute could be termed quirky, which does not have to be sweet and frilly. I love quirky btw, always have. Some of your unique shoes that I love are on the quirky side imo.

Dee

Veteran

JENNI NZ- your photo of Vivian Leigh has her dressed in a costume as the character Scarlett O'Hara, so not really indicative of a soft gamine.
Soft gamines have a compact vertical line, contrasting yin and yang, so sharp yet playful. Think structured elements with playful, quirky details, definitely not flouncy.

LISE - You can definitely be edgy or Tomgirlish as a dramatic classic, but it needs to be more polished and refined. Nothing slouchy or messy. Think tailored, sleek leather jackets with minimal metal details or structured menswear inspired pieces. Sneakers with a clean silhouette. These sorts of elements. As I mentioned your kibbe body type doesn't define your personality.

Dee

Veteran

SAL- you do strike me as a flamboyant Natural, elements like long, loose, bold and relaxed seem to work really well for your style IMO.

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