Kibbe SN skirt? RL ruffled tartan plaid - YouLookFab Forum

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Kibbe SN skirt? RL ruffled tartan plaid

Anonymous

I only have one skirt in my wardrobe, and it's a pencil skirt that doesn't particularly excite me. I don't have anything plaid, either. When I saw this RL skirt, I couldn't resist:

https://www.ralphlauren.com/pr.....ndSrc=cart

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from

Staysfit

Veteran

I have no idea about the Kibbe classifications, but I like the skirt.

Anonymous

Thanks. Going by his book, I'm not sure the plaid qualifies as SN. He says to use asymmetric and irregular curves (elongated ovals, wide circles, ellipticals, etc.). Relaxed geometrical with rounded edges. Easy swirls. Avoid: Sharp geometrics. Wide, chunky and boxy shapes. Overly ornate shapes.

On the skirt's style, however, it may be okay. He says skirts should have a soft outline. Full or flared skirts that are flat in the hip area are excellent. Straight skirts that are lightweight, draped, or slightly tapered are also good. Straight skirts have an even hem and are worn short, no longer than the bottom of the kneecap. Full skirts have an uneven harm and are worn long, mid calf and below. Slits, kick pleats, button fronts, plackets, etc. are all fine, as are bits of intricate detail (shirring, draping, etc.), as long as they're not restrictive. Avoid: long, straight, pencil-slim skirts. Overly fitted skirts with excessive trim. Symmetrical skirts (i.e., A-lines).

Anonymous

The skirt's on it's way to me, and hopefully it will be the "natural with touch of romance" that Kibbe says it should be for Soft Naturals. I'm trying to create my own interpretation of SN using his verbal descriptors instead of looking at online pins. Pins are helpful, but only to a point, as they are other people's ideas.

Most importantly, I hope it will flatter me, Kibbe or no Kibbe.

jackiec

Veteran

Looking forward to seeing it on

Thistle

Veteran

No idea what a kibbe SN is, but I can't wait to see you model the skirt

K.M.

Veteran

Aw what a cool skirt! Please do post a pic when you receive it!

PS. On Kibbe: I took the quiz and although I found the quiz itself interesting, I didn't find the results and recommendations as helpful as the ones here on YLF on the basic body types as Angie defines them. For me they work better than Kibbe.

Anonymous

Kibbe is indeed confusing, and I'm not sure I subscribe to his philosophy of playing up your features. I have certain parts of my body I prefer to downplay and others I like to highlight. I see nothing wrong with that; and if my difficult to style fine hair does best in a pixie cut, so be it. When you reach my age, you get tired of fighting what God gave you. Illusion dressing is great, too, and Kibbe doesn't believe in that. If I can make certain parts of my body look smaller by the way I dress, that's what I'll do.

I'd like to understand Kibbe, but doubt I ever will.

Angie has great body type tips, as does Imogen @ Inside Out Style.

Staysfit

Veteran

I agree with what Angie says, and I have read many of Imogen's posts as well. I am starting to think that anything goes as long as you like it and it feels good. I say downplay whatever you want and emphasize your best features!

K.M.

Veteran

I guess in all fairness I'm very much a Kibbe novice and also don't fully understand the system, so maybe I should give it a bit more time. I thought it was enlightening to reflect about my features, but it was also funny because I felt my answers were all over the map and seemed even to contradict each other. I got a "Dramatic Classic" result, and the style recs actually made sense (and were in line with Angie's tips)--but took so much more time to figure out!

PS. Growing up I always wanted to have superfine, straight hair. In the late 80s girls wore them long and loose, like a silky veil. My hair is curly (neither thin nor thick). My daughter has very fine, straight hair and I love it, although I realize it is SO HARD to style! Nothing stays up! (She's little now; I figure by the time she grows up she'll learn to style on her own). But I digress...

Anonymous

Thanks, Staysfit. I do believe my basic style is Natural. What type of Natural, I don't know. but it's a start. I do keep in mind the time in which Kibbe wrote his book. It was the '80s, and women in that decade (and the decades preceding it) were much more "cookie cutter" in the way they dressed. Women wore what was in style, and they all pretty much looked the same. Think about the Farrah Fawcett hairstyle everyone--including me--had in the '70s. Same thing. Nowadays, women are at last free to be themselves. Yes, there are dress codes (especially in corporate offices), but for the most part there's a lot more choice. The only problem with this is that some women still don't know what their style should be, and need to experiment. I did a lot of experimenting with style in my youth; and as I said in my other thread about Kibbe, I know what I'm not. There are certain styles, silouettes and colors that simply don't suit me.

This is where bloggers like Angie and Imogen are so helpful. They provide a real service to women across the globe who want to be well dressed and stylish. Being stylish doesn't mean wearing the current trends. It means wearing what suits you without looking dated.

tulle

Veteran

As helpful as the Kibbe book may be, I would take these figure-type rules as suggestions rather than edicts. You will know when you try on this skirt whether it feels like you and flatters your shape. I can tell you that I had one of Ralph Lauren's flouncy tiered skirts in a paisley challis, and found it very forgiving and fun to wear. I paired mine with tall boots and a fitted leather jacket, but this asymmetrical tartan skirt has a Vivienne Westwood-ish look that seems to request a starchy white shirt, if you like wearing those. Any way you style it, it's a great find.
P.S. Though ruffles are generally associated with the Romantic categories, I think the breezy feel of tiered skirts work for easy-going Naturals. Hope this one works for you.

psychedelicate

(website)

I think the skirt should work well for SN. It will focus detail at the bottom.

I find Kibbe much more helpful and flattering than body type recommendations. But finding your type can be a challenge. The end goal is also different. Most body type system focus on balancing to create some ideal body. Kibbe works with your lines to create harmony.

Mellllls

Veteran

i like the skirt but i worry that it will be hard to wear.

Anonymous

Thanks. I'm not a ruffle person in general, but these ruffles are large and at the bottom, which is a different look altogether.

There are several tops I think might work with it. I have a navy sweater, which would be my first choice if it turns out to be the right shade of navy. I also have a darker red v-neck sweater from BR that I want to try, but am afraid of looking too much like the Fourth of July lol. Lastly, I have a winter white beaded cami that I might be able to wear with a very sheer winter white button-down blouse. The only reservation there is that the blouse can't really be tucked in because it has back elastic at the waist for shape. I'll have to try that combo on to see if it looks right or not. The skirt is advertised as being navy and cream, so the winter white top should work colorwise.

Of course, I have tall dark brown boots that should complete the outfit. I also have some dark brown ankle boots I could try.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the skirt! Going by what you relate above about Kibbe's soft natural style, I think it looks in line with what you're after. The plaid itself might not be a print that is recommended, but this skirt is a whimsical way to wear plaid. The skirt's look overall is soft and rounded, etc., not sharp and angular.

Anonymous

Thanks, Firecracker. That's kind of what I was thinking when I bought it (that, and the fact that I just love the skirt and have to have it, lol). I just wanted to know if anyone else thought the plaid print would work. I haven't worn plaid in ages; back when I did, I wore plaid circle skirts. I think the reason plaid works in this instance is because of the shape of the skirt. I appreciate your thoughts on this.