Kibbe type

Anonymous

Guys I really need someone to explain me what's the difference between flamboyant gamine and dramatic?
I don't know which one I am. My eyes are not narrow and elongated, but they're not too big either. I have a normal size nose, small mouth. I am short/medium height, thin, with broader shoulder then hips (I am an inverted triangle). My hands are small, while my shoes size is a USA 7. My forehead is quite high. What do you think I am? I need it to choose an appropriate style. Thank you

6 years ago

Body Type

6 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, I'm DEFINITELY not a Kibbe expert, but I've read his book and found his ideas useful. A couple of things I've learned is that Kibbe doesn't see his types as "take a test and label yourself" categories. His book was called "Metamorphosis" because he wanted women to find their own way to express the yin/yang qualities in their body AND personality traits. The thing to concentrate on is not matching the description perfectly and using it as a checklist, but to spend some time figuring out your own yin/yang tendencies.

If your leanings are towards Flamboyant Gamine and Dramatic, you've already indicated a yang preference, but now need to figure out to what degree yang figures in your appearance and personality. You are the only person who can decide how strongly you identify with the yang side of the spectrum. I've a strong affinity with Kibbe's description of a dramatic, so his suggestions for that type help me bring out the yang qualities in my body's shape and my personality in a way which feels very natural to me. If Kibbe's suggestions for a Dramatic feel too austere and lack the softness you crave, you may find the Flamboyant Gamine to be a better starting point.

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

On the subject of yin and yang ... these are typically talked about as corresponding to feminine and masculine ... which has a certain set of associative baggage. Being part Chinese, I'd be more likely to, say, suggest thinking child and adult ... which has a different set of baggage. Ha! I just thought I'd say that, because I think Western concepts in beauty are quite different from Eastern ones. For one, there's a lot more motion in Western beauty IMO.

Anyways, I'm just saying, I have to work a bit to parse what is really meant by yin and yang.

6 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

As this is not a Kibbe style forum, you cannot expect members of the YLF forum to explain the differences between specific Kibbe styles to you. If this subject is important to you, why not visit a Kibbe forum instead?

However, Angie and YLF forum members have provided plenty of excellent advice, for instance about dressing for your body type. I suggest you take a closer look at some of the many useful blog posts you will find when you click on "Blog" and then "Advice".

6 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Oh, I like that thinking child and adult analogy, Rachylou! As you say, the whole yin/yang concept loses a lot when translated into a Western context.

And, I'm not sure exploring Kibbe's ideas is out of place on the YLF forum. In fact, I think Angie's overall approach to helping people develop a personal style comes closer to Kibbe's intentions (at least from my interpretation of his book and Facebook page) than many of the Kibbe-based websites. Angie' focus is definitely more process-oriented, while Kibbe chose to work through archetypes, but neither are promoting the notion of slotting oneself into, and then dressing towards, some kind of externally defined category.

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I rather agree, re discussing Kibbe. We certainly like to discuss Kibbe here anyways, lol. And also, YLF and Angie have provided me with the foundation and launch pad to tackle the info. The Kibbe forums are deep end. Haha

6 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

All this not-talking about Kibbe makes me curious, but I don't want to go down a rabbit hole chasing it, or even read a whole book. Does he have anything like a TED talk or interview with Terry Gross or something?

6 years ago

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