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Need help - ETA still more pics - Kibbe

Anonymous

Just wondering what my contrast level is, and what my Kibbe type is based on facial features. Pardon the lack of eye makeup. I'm still recovering from cataract surgery and I'm having to put drops in my eyes 4x/day.

ETA profile pic + pic of me from back in 1985. Please ignore the bad perm (it was the '80s, after all) and the eye color in the old pic; I was wearing blue colored contact lenses. Each pic shows my natural hair color.

ETA body shape pics (4&5), full shot of dress I would wear again now if I could (6), outfit Ioved back then but would never again wear (7), and a pic of when I was a high school senior (8).

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Dressing

81 replies

Latest reply was from anastasiabirago

Alassë

Veteran

Hmm. You strike me as medium contrast - some but not Snow White level. Kibbe types: Try https://docs.google.com/docume.....ailHY/edit and https://docs.google.com/docume.....r-yl8/edit.

I'll make some guesses for you, since you asked: Jawline: c, Nose: a, Cheekbones: d, Eyes: c, Lips: c, Cheekbone flesh: b (a guess since I don’t know you), Hair: c or d (I don’t know what your hair is like)

Results: Mostly C, with A/B/D. You’d want to do the other
Kibbe quiz as well to get a better sampling, but this small set of results pegs
you as Classic (c’s). Depending on which way you lean after the 2nd
quiz, your results would be more certain. Dramatic Classic is C’s + A/B, while Soft Classic is C’s + D/E. I see you as Dramatic Classic.

Inge

(website)

I have no experience with Kibbe, so can't help you with that I'm afraid. But I just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery, B.

Aziraphale

Veteran

You look like you have a moderate contrast level to me. Medium brown hair, eyes neither light nor dark, fair but not white skin -- is that right? (Sometimes it's hard to tell from the pictures).

Incidentally, you look absolutely nothing like I pictured you.

Also, I just tried that quiz that Alasse posted. These things NEVER work for me. I got a split mixture -- 7 a's, 3 c's, 5 d's, and one e (but no b) -- what does that mean? I don't appear to have a Kibbe type.

Anonymous

Thanks. I think (but need opinions, because quizzes don't really help me much) that I may be either Classic or Dramatic Classic, in spite of my 5'2" short stature. Not sure, though!

I've been dressing for medium contrast, but again, I'm not 100% sure. I've purchased a lot of dark navy this season, and am feeling very good in it. I don't do black very well, but I can wear it better than some people, mostly by not wearing it anywhere near my face. I have tops that blend or go with black, and a few black pants and footwear. I feel most comfortable in charcoal gray and dark brown.

Anonymous

Aziraphale: Yes, you're right about my coloring. My foundation makeup is for fair skin that's between light and medium. You can't tell from the pic, but I have some white hairs--not grey, but white. I'm not sure whether to color or let it go white. Right now, there aren't too many white hairs to be concerned about.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First, I wish you a speedy recovery!

I just had the same type of surgery although I did not have cataracts. (In my case it was to correct my vision). So I know what you are going through with all the drops. But it's truly a miraculous surgery.

I would say that you are moderate to slightly high contrast and I'm not surprised you like to wear navy; I think it must look great on you.

As for Kibbe, Alasse sounds like an expert! And if you are a dramatic classic, that might also account for your liking to wear a slightly higher contrast than Imogen's system might recommend for you. That is because high contrast trim is pretty much a slam dunk for DCs.

I had typed myself as DC a while ago but now suspect I'm actually more of a gamine. But with elements of DC.

Anonymous

Interesting, Alasse. I took that quiz, looked at some online polyvores, and kind of figured DC before seeing your post.

Interesting about navy and high contrast being DC. I never wear black and white, though--too much for some reason. I don't have pure white in my wardrobe.

I figured I must be one of the classics, but wasn't sure which one. I never have felt like a straight Classic. I'm always trying to add oomph to my outfits with accessories.

Gigi

Veteran

I agree that your contrast is on the cusp of medium to high. What makes me hesitate calling it high contrast is that your eyebrows are a little lighter than what I would expect in a high-contrast person.

I am 5'2" too and fit into the soft gamine category. However, personality-wise, I do not feel like a soft gamine, though I don't hate that style and sometimes do incorporate elements from it. I find Kibbe interesting, but I only use it as one tool out of many, because I feel a little pigeonholed by my category. So I use the information about how to dress my Kibbe body type and see if I can cross that over to other styles of dressing. For instance, my type is supposed to do well with lots of small detailing at seams and such. So I can buy clothes that don't look soft gamine but that maybe have that kind of detailing.

E

Veteran

To me you look like medium contrast, which seems to be the general consensus.

I think Kibbe has to do w the body as well as the face? I'm far from a Kibbe expert (I pretty much decided I was soft gamine because I wanted to be, lol), but from what I've read & that one photo I'd point you towards something Dramatic. You seem to have very striking, defined, angular facial features; I just checked & Joan Crawford is Kibbe's dramatic celebrity. I see more resemblance between you & her than between you & Grace Kelly, the classic celebrity. But of course that's just going off one photo!

Helena

Veteran

Hi, I have never been able to figure out Kibbe types - I constantly come up with different types. However, I see similarities between us in terms of contrast, and I agree with the medium to high assessment - have you tried black and white, but with more white than black - to me that softens the effect of the black and white contrast. Just an idea if you like that look.

Marley

Veteran

I agree with those who say medium to high contrast! Dark hair, medium to dark eyes, medium lip color, light skin?????
I have to go read about the Kibbe types before I weigh in on that!
Hope your eyes have speedy recovery!

Anonymous

That's my natural lip color; no lipstick on because I'm having to do without eye makeup and I don't want to go around looking stupid, lol. My hair is dark, but not overly so.

Body wise, I am medium boned, size 6-8 petite, with a strong shoulder line (not sloped) that makes it impossible to wear petite clothing that's made smaller in the shoulders. I wear the same size top and bottom, and believe I'm an X shape. From what I've read online, I don't have the gamine body type.

Anonymous

Whenever I wear high contrast, what seems to work best for me is to incorporate a medium contrast color into the outfit so that the overall effect is not extreme. For example, I have a mostly ivory (soft white) silky button-up blouse that has a sparse grey and black floral print. I wear it over a black scoop-neck cami and black slacks, and wear a silver necklace.

I do prefer tailored clothing, but not extremely sharp details that would put me squarely in the Dramatic category. I think my body type is balanced and classic. It's just that I have dramatic facial features, broad shoulders and medium bones that help me carry off looks that most petites can't. There's nothing delicate about me, I don't think.

Anonymous

I just found this:
http://hilhombgaom.blogspot.co.....ories.html

Alassë

Veteran

Interesting link. Do you see yourself in that Dramatic Classic description? It seems the consensus is that you are medium leaning to high contrast plus a blend of Classic and Dramatic Classic (if DC is too much for you).

Anonymous

I definitely see myself in DC more than any other Kibbe category. I think the categories are rigid, though, and I can't for the life of me figure out why stature plays such a prominent role in how women are categorized. It seems like he assumes petite women are all delicate and fine boned or something. I'm not quite sure. Then again, his book was written a long time ago, and he's not the sole authority on the subject.

Thanks, everyone, for helping me out. Now that I have a YLF consensus that validates what I was thinking, I can move forward more confidently. I've been evaluating which direction my style will take, and now I have a much better idea.

Anonymous

ETA more pices - see first post.

Sheila

Veteran

I see Natural... and I think it would be Soft Natural via Kibbe.
The reason I say that is the last picture where your face and eyes look like a young Diana.
I understand where the classic is coming from because initially I was thinking Meryl S. but the last picture seals it for me.
The reason I say Soft and not a Flamboyant natural is due to your curves and height. Typicaly and FN type has more height than 5'2".
Soft also seems correct with the fact that you seem to have an hourglass figure AND some shoulders to carry clothing.
Naturals ALWAYS have shoulders. Most models are FN's because they carry clothing like clothes hangers... think Cindy Crawford.
I love Kibbe ! or at least his philosophy that every woman is beautiful and to accentuate and play up the differences rather than make us all into Classics.
I am often in the grocery store and see someone and know immediately but for some people, especically for those who are dressed opposite to their Kibbe it is close to impossible to tell.
It is very difficult to "self type " though. We often do not see ourselves properly.
It is also important to know that the Quiz only gives "clues" and really it is the "whole package of YOU " that gives the Kibbegory.
Also Kibbe's book is SO outdated... his general philosphy is fine but his examples from the 80's are AWFUL.
I follow some of his recent style consultations and sometimes have to shake my head in wonder. It truly is an awful system when it cannot be duplicated. If only HE is the one that can tell. Ugh ! Best to try clothing from a couple of types and see how you feel.

Your contrast is difficult to tell.
I consider myself medium contrast but I am the opposite of you with very light eye color and dark brows. Your eyes appear very dark in your face but with a lighter brow. Lips it is hard to tell as the color fades with the years and a natural lip is always fairly low contrast in my mind.
I think medium to high based on eyecolor in your face vs your skin color.

Anonymous

Thanks for weighing in, Sheila. I'd love to hear others' opinions. I do flit between Classic and Natural in my clothing choices, depending on the occasion, so your assessment may be partially right. I'm confused because, like you said, Kibbe seems to be the only one who completely understands his system, lol. However, I feel the same way about this Kibbe thing that I do about color analysis: there has to be a grain of truth to it. I enjoy trying to figure this stuff out, even if I never totally grasp it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sheila, you seem brilliant on this! I would love you to "Kibbe-gize" me, too!
So, am I a DC or some species of gamine, do you think? (I am 5'4")

But back to bettycrocker....I admit that I am not that great with the system. And I am wary of over-depending on systems anyway because by their very nature they are reductionist. But, often a system help us learn something that we later internalize in a more meaningful way.

So...among the things I've liked about Kibbe is his emphasis on the "whole package" -- and on the varieties of beauty and style, as Sheila said.

I also find that his discussion of LINE, shape or silhouette, and detailing to be extremely interesting and provocative. It can be difficult to make sense of what he means, at times, and this is made harder because of those awful 80s examples -- but once you figure out what he is actually talking about, and the distinctions that he's making, then a lot may fall into place for you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA -- I am not enough of a Kibbe expert to say, bettycrocker--- I was intrigued, for sure, by Sheila's SN designation -- it's almost polar opposite to DC, but looking at the photo from the 80s, I understand where she is coming from.

On the other hand, I wonder -- in both cases -- if we aren't being influenced by the hairstyle. In the one case, a short, angular cut (which goes to dramatic classic); in the other, a full soft perm. I also think we need to see the whole you, not just close ups of a face -- it is a whole body/face characterization.

Anonymous

Thanks, Suz. I'll have to get some more pics up as soon as I get the chance. I can tell you one thing, though. I've always hated perms. I permed my hair in the '80s because everyone else was doing it and because my fine hair is so difficult to manage. It wasn't until I went back to my mother's favorite haircut on me--the pixie--that I once again felt at peace. I don't think there's anything anyone could say or do to convince me to perm my hair again. My last perm was in 1990.

I read somewhere online that Classics tend to veer over into both the Natural and Dramatic categories. I know I'm not a straight Classic, though. My facial features seem to point to Dramatic.

Sheila

Veteran

Ha Suz !
No, I am absolutely NOT brilliant on this. I wish I was !
I am analytical but sometimes it is about the vibe.
What I pick up from you Suz , is a gamine type but in reality I see that you can go either to DC - and I have seen you in DC before with a blond bob and DC dress.. I think you can do it, but it is not your vibe.
The answer as well lies in your hair. This is great gamine style hair and it suits you completely. I have made the analogy before with Michelle Williams and I think that is a great comparison for you with style.
The ability to look fantastic in a line that is cut multiple times across the body is also a gamine trait and one I think you have.
I envy gamines because they also expel youth and vibrance and I think this is you as well.
You know on the Yin Yang scale these two are actually VERY VERY close together. I can see how you may have dressed to meet a then current standard and been close... very close. You can do Stepford if you wish, but...one step over is better. This is just MHO.

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Anonymous

I've been looking at the online pics of the various Kibbe body types, and mine is simply a bit too curvy to be either Gamine or Natural. It's not curvy enough to be Romantic, though. Oh bother! This is what keeps me going back to Classic. My feet are on the wide side, though, which would be Natural. Even before I developed bunions, I wore a C width. See what I mean?

I also flip flop between bangs or no bangs. No bangs wins because I have a stupid cowlick that makes bangs look like they've been cut crooked. So a side part it is.

Sheila

Veteran

Another exercise I have seen people do is to look at their face in various Kibbe collages and see where it best fits in and does not look totally out of place. Here is a natural collage.

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Anonymous

I've been doing that, too, and the only close one I've found is Meryl Streep, who is in the Soft Classic group but has been posted on other sites as "not a Soft Classic." ??? Her nose looks a lot like mine if viewed from the front, but not from the side. It may sound like I'm hung up on only one facial feature, but I've also read that Kibbe goes mostly by what's striking about someone. In my case, it's my nose, I think. Many women describe me as "tiny," but I'm not when compared to other women my height. My bone structure is not dainty or delicate, but neither is it broad and muscular.

Sheila

Veteran

An example of where it can be helpful is this.
Last year I had an event that was very formal and I purchased a pink/nude gauzey, layery,lacey, gathers on the V-neck, flowy dress... the most romantic dress i had ever seen.
I had some pictures taken in it... my daughter saw them... and asked me where the dress was. "In my closet" I said.
She promptly went up stairs and later that evening I found the dress in the garbage can.
Although I felt so feminine and womanly in that dress... (I did feel rather odd at the same time though) ... apparently it was not for me. Unfortunate.

Anonymous

That makes me feel better, Sheila! When I bought that BR navy tweed sheath dress, all of my DDs were shopping with me that day, and they all said, "It's you. Buy it." It's the most Classic of Classics when it comes to dresses. I love it, and felt absolutely fab in it the very second I tried it on in the dressing room. That said, I don't want to wear it in a straight-up Classic way. It's gonna get accessorized--sometimes up, and sometimes down.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating conversation. Sheila, that is almost eerie about the romantic dress...this is what happens to me if I put on anything even remotely boho (so a type of romantic...). It is just so wrong for me.

Bettycrocker...I had not heard that about Kibbe going by what is "striking" about someone, but it makes sense. The thing that jumps out at you...hmmm....

Sheila, where did you find that Yin/ Yang scale? That is interesting and makes absolute sense to me. I think you are right about the gamine, by the way, since that is the facial collage where I most find myself. Not soft gamine. More like the old "ordinary" gamine that Kibbe did away with than flamboyant gamine, though. I don't know why he decided to get rid of that category.

Bettycrocker, not saying you are a gamine (I do think shorter women unfairly get tossed in there just due to height) -- but... soft gamines are rounder and curvier...and some flamboyant gamines can be, too -- like Liza Minelli. I wouldn't see you as "soft" gamine due to your facial features, however. And if a classic dress feels right, then classic it is!

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