Classic Kibbe Body Type: A Head-to-Toe Style Guide

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Everything you need to know about Classic clothing, hair, & makeup
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The Classic body type was one of the original 13 that David Kibbe defined in his best-selling book Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can . He described the Classic as a combination of the extremes of masculine and feminine characteristics. He has removed the pure Classic from his system, but many people find the description helpful in developing their own style. This article covers the pure Classic’s body type, characteristics , and ideal clothing , makeup, and hairstyles . Plus, we spoke with style expert Candace Hanna to get her tips on finding clothes and accessories that work for you.

Kibbe Classic Body Type: The Basics

According to Kibbe stylist Blair Petroni, the defining characteristic of Classics is that they are balanced. This means that their measurements are symmetrical, both vertically and horizontally. While female Classics tend to range from 5'4" to 5'7" (164-170 cm), men with the Classic body type can be much taller.

Section 1 of 8:

What is a Classic Kibbe body type?

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  1. The Classic body type falls in the exact middle of Kibbe’s yin/yang spectrum, perfectly balanced between the most extreme characteristics of yin and yang. This means they have a symmetrical physicality and a cool, reserved essence. Their physique is balanced with the evenly proportioned bust, waist, and hips that are associated with yin and the lithe, sinewy musculature and slightly longer arms associations with yang. [1]
    • When a Classic gains weight, it tends to be evenly distributed on their body, so they keep their same basic shape.
    • Kibbe has come to believe that no one falls perfectly into the pure Gamine, Classic, and Natural body types, so he has removed them from his system.
    • However, many people still find these categories useful for determining their personal style.
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Section 2 of 8:

Physical & Facial Characteristics of a Classic

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  1. Classics are often extremely symmetrical with medium height and frame sizes. Their figure is slightly straight and angular, with a tendency to be a little sharp around the edges. They are often described as lithe and perfectly balanced. If you have most of the following characteristics, your body type is most likely a Kibbe Classic: [2]
    • Height – 5’5” (164 cm) - 5’7” (174 cm)
    • Vertical lines of medium length
    • Rectangular body with fat evenly distributed
    • Slightly sloping shoulders that are proportionate to the hips
    • Arms and legs are in proportion to or slightly longer than the torso
    • Medium-sized, proportionate hands and feet
    • Medium proportionate bust
    • Delicately defined waist
    • Hips in proportion to the shoulders and waist
    • Forearms that are well-proportioned and medium length
  2. Classics have chiseled facial features that are symmetrical and evenly spaced. [3] They may have a slight sharpness to their jawline, nose, and cheekbones, but the overall effect is balanced. None of their features are overly dramatic, which creates a very balanced face. Here is a list of facial features associated with the Kibbe Classic:
    • Proportionate jaw
    • Medium-sized nose
    • Symmetrical cheekbones of medium size
    • Symmetrical eyes with average spacing and a medium size
    • Balanced, proportionate lips of medium size
    • Medium-sized cheeks with slight definition
  3. If you’re still questioning whether you fit into the Classic category, there are characteristics that are never seen in this body type. A Classic body type will never: [4]
    • Be extremely tall
    • Have a large bone structure
    • Have large hands and feet
    • Have prominent or exotic facial features
    • Be extremely petite
    • Have delicate facial features
    • Have an hourglass figure
    • Have extremely round eyes
    • Have lush lips
    • Have full, round cheeks
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Section 3 of 8:

Styling Clothes & Accessories for Classics

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  1. Hanna says that dressing properly for your body type is a great way to express your individuality through fashion. [5] With a Classic body type, choose symmetrical shapes with very slight curves. Keep your silhouette smooth and balanced with soft lines and even edges. Use soft tailoring and minimal details with flowing fabrics that are beautiful and lush for the most flattering look. [6]
    • Lean into your balanced energy with fabrics that aren’t too light or heavy and have a matte finish or slight sheen.
    • Add an elegant, understated touch with clean and simple detailing that doesn’t call attention to itself.
    • A good guideline is to avoid chasing trends and choose pieces that are described as timeless.
    EXPERT TIP

    Christina Santelli

    Professional Stylist
    Christina Santelli is the Owner and Founder of Style Me New, a wardrobe styling concierge based in Tampa, Florida. She has been working as a stylist for over six years, and her work has been featured in HSN, the Pacific Heights Wine and Food Festival, and the Nob Hill Gazette.
    Christina Santelli
    Professional Stylist

    Style is very individual. It’s really about what makes you comfortable. It doesn’t have to be the latest trend on the runway—not all of us can look like a runway model. Style is being comfortable and confident in your clothing.

  2. Hanna says, “Every woman needs a classic, crisp white shirt. Probably a button-down .” [7] This is a perfect description of your ideal shirt. Your best choices are shirts and blouses that have clean, tailored necklines and crisp finished cuffs. Small v-necks, turtle necks, jewel collars, and narrow cowls also look fantastic on you. Wear styles that have a smooth visible line that uses tailored pleats or crisp gathers. [8] Always iron your tops to create a smooth outline.
    • Avoid overly flouncy or sharp silhouettes that may throw your look off-balance.
    • Stay away from ornate details, fussy trims, and cutesy details that may overwhelm your symmetrical frame.
  3. Always go with clean, tailored pant styles with very minimal detailing. Slim, narrow shapes look great on you and emphasize your natural symmetry. Styles with plain fronts or subtle trouser pleating are your best bet for an elegant, polished look. Choose a mid-rise whether you wear jeans or trousers, as a high or low rise can throw off your proportions. [9]
    • Avoid pants and trousers that have extremely masculine tailoring, like deep pleats and cuffs.
    • Ripped or distressed jeans can look untidy and slouchy on you.
    • Oversized, unstructured, or baggy styles will hide your lithe frame, while overly clingy and tapered shapes may seem ill-fitting and uncomfortable.
  4. Smooth, classic straight skirts with clean lines are perfect for you. Keep the length no longer than 1 inch (2.5 cm) below your knee if the skirt has a straight cut. If it’s slightly flowy or flared, wear it at mid-calf length. [10]
    • Avoid long, overly narrow pencil skirts or flouncy styles, which can look too severe or too bouncy for your balanced frame.
    • Keep skirts plain and simple without too many pockets, gathers, or frills.
  5. When in doubt, go with an elegant, slim dress that has soft tailoring . Dresses with a row of buttons down the front look amazing on you because they draw attention to your natural symmetry. [11] Look for pieces that have moderate lengths, tasteful patterns, and a comfortable, body-skimming fit that subtly emphasizes your waist. Think of it as choosing classic pieces that fit “just right.”
    • Avoid any dress that’s too long, too short, too tight, or has over-the-top patterns.
    • Stay away from sharply tailored styles, ornate detailing, or oversized fits.
  6. Light, ribbed styles look beautiful and elegant on you as long as they aren’t too tight and constricting. Choose sleek, well-fitted sweaters with soft textures to look elegant and sophisticated. [12]
    • Avoid chunky knits and oversized sweaters that may overwhelm your frame and throw off your symmetry.
    • Stay away from nubby, roughly textured styles and clingy knits.
  7. Narrow styles with a standard length that hits just below the hip accentuate your natural symmetry. If you wear an unstructured jacket, make sure it’s in a lightweight fabric and a narrow silhouette. Wear a slightly longer jacket when you’re pairing it with a longer skirt. Make sure the color, texture, or print of your jacket blends well with your pants or skirt to give a polished appearance. [13]
    • Avoid jackets that are overly angular or ones that have peplums and nipped-in waists.
    • Skip oversized, boxy jackets that swallow your frame, and cropped jackets that may make you look bottom-heavy and off-balance.
  8. Classic styles like stiff ballet flats or kitten heels with pointy toes always look elegant on you. Choose platforms that have a narrower heel and aren’t too chunky. [14] Opt for slingbacks and slender pumps in an elegant leather for the perfect Classic look. Hanna adds that even lower heels give a sexier silhouette, so they’re better for evening than a ballet flat. [15]
    • Avoid heavy shoes and chunky heels that are too much for your balanced energies.
    • Stay away from strappy styles and shoes that have lots of details or loud prints.
  9. When it comes to fabrics, quality is more important than pattern or even color. Elegant, high-quality natural fibers like silk, linen, and very good cotton always look great on you. Just make sure to iron them to keep the smooth texture and avoid looking rumpled. Focus on knits that are luxurious to the touch, like cashmere and heavy jersey with soft ribbing. [16]
    • Avoid rough textures, stiff metallics, and heavy, ornate fabrics like brocades, taffetas, and velvets.
    • Stay away from sheer and clingy fabrics, or anything that’s overly shiny (unless it’s a lighter weight). [17]
  10. Classic pin dots, pinstripes, checks, and herringbone patterns look outstanding on you. Blended plaids and symmetrical paisleys are also good choices as long as they don’t have bold colors. [18]
    • Avoid oversized prints, sharp and angular geometrics, and contemporary, avant-garde prints, which can clash with your sophisticated energy.
    • Splashy watercolors, abstract florals, and ornate prints or animated prints can look too cutesy and awkward on your elegant frame.
  11. Carry crisply tailored bags in supple leather and wear slim belts with smooth buckles . This is another area where it’s worth investing in higher-quality pieces. If you wear a hat, choose something small and tailored with even, symmetrical brims.
    • Avoid chunky, heavy, or oversized accessories and ornate styles.
    • Sharply angled or unstructured accessories may throw off the balance of your energies. [19]
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Section 4 of 8:

Kibbe Classic Hair & Makeup

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  1. As a Classic, the best hair for you is going to be well-groomed and in a rich, natural color no matter what style you choose. Straight and slightly wavy styles with a center part flatter your even and symmetrical facial features. If you have curly hair, ask for layers that work with your curls so they fall into a controlled style. [20]
    • Avoid geometrical or cropped, boyish cuts that may look too severe with the slight sharpness in your bone structure.
    • Stay away from overly layered cuts or wild and trendy hair that may clash with your Classic elegance.
    • Lavish waves or stiff styles can unbalance your features and look awkward.
  2. Reach for neutrals in a matte finish for eyes and cheeks. Go for a slightly smoky eye with a hint of soft color to keep the intensity of the eyes, cheeks, and lips balanced. [21] For example, if you have delicate eye makeup, delicately emphasize the lips. But if you have a more intense eye, match that intensity with your lip color.
    • Avoid sharp angles and heavy contouring that can make your features look a little too sharp.
    • Stay away from bright, bold colors and glittery finishes…even in the evening. The barest hint of sparkle is all you need.
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Section 5 of 8:

What celebrities are Classics?

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  1. Classic celebrities include Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers. Many celebrities who were originally typed as Classic have been reassigned since David Kibbe removed the Classic body type from his system. These celebrities have been identified as having a Classic body type by some fashion and Kibbe imagery experts:
    • Diane Sawyer
    • Cybill Shepherd
    • Ginger Rogers
    • Isabelle Huppert
    • Grace Kelly
    • Lee Remick
    • Catherine Deneuve
    • Rochelle Humes
    • Zhang Ziyi
    • January Jones
    • Amy Adams
Section 6 of 8:

Pure Classic vs. Other Classics

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  1. All three Classics have a symmetrical body with a medium height. However, there are a few characteristics that differentiate them from each other.
    • Classic vs. Soft Classic Classics and Soft Classics are very close in their mixture of energies. Soft Classics are generally a little smaller, with slightly softer flesh, less angularity, and shorter bones than pure Classics. However, they are not as soft as Romantics, which are the body types with the most yin energy. Many Classics have been reclassified into the Soft Classic category. [22]
    • Classic vs. Dramatic Classic Dramatic Classics typically have broader frames and slightly stronger energy than pure Classics. They may also be slightly taller and have a little more sharpness in their faces. [23] While the differences between a pure Classic and a Dramatic Classic are more pronounced than between a pure Classic and a Soft Classic, they are still very subtle. Some people originally categorized as pure Classics have been moved to the Dramatic Classic category.
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Section 7 of 8:

How do you know if you’re a Classic?

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  1. If the descriptions in this article sound familiar to you, you might be a Kibbe Classic body type. Even though Kibbe removed this body type from his system, the recommendations for a pure Classic can still help you develop your personal style. If you’re still not totally sure, take our Kibbe Body Type test to find your match.
    • Just remember, the most important thing is to find a style that makes you feel comfortable and confident. If the test says you’re another Kibbe type, but you love the Classic style, ignore it and wear what you love!
    • Hanna says, “It's really about understanding your preferences, what you love, and what you feel your best in, as opposed to fashion and what the world is telling you that you're supposed to feel great in.” [24]
    • Unfortunately, Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can by David Kibbe is out of print, so check your local used bookstore or thrift store if you want a copy.
    • The good news is David Kibbe released a new book called David Kibbe's Power of Style: A Guided Journey to Help You Discover Your Authentic Style with updated style tips.
Section 8 of 8:

13 Kibbe Body Types

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  1. In his book Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can , David Kibbe originally defined a total of 13 body types that fell along a yin/yang spectrum. [25] On the Kibbe spectrum, yang is associated with a dramatic, masculine figure, while yin represents a more romantic and feminine figure.
    • According to Kibbe, knowing your balance of yin/yang helps you choose a style with clothing, makeup, and hair that matches your energy and looks natural on you.
  2. If you want to get a quick idea of the basic characteristics of the 13 Kibbe types, check out the list below.
    • Dramatic: Tall with fully angular, sharp, and sleek features, e.g., Tilda Swinton, Keira Knightley.
    • Soft Dramatic : Angular bones with a round hourglass figure, e.g., Tyra Banks, Sophia Loren.
    • Flamboyant Natural : Long, wide lines with blunt edges and a broad frame, e.g., Princess Diana, Michelle Obama.
    • Natural: Straight and athletic bone structure with blunt edges, e.g., Ali MacGraw, Jennifer Aniston.
    • Soft Natural : Straight and angular shape with soft curves, e.g., Jada Pinkett Smith, Molly Ringwald.
    • Dramatic Classic : Balanced and symmetrical with slightly angular features, e.g., Diane Kruger, Olivia Wilde.
    • Classic: Perfectly balanced and symmetrical, e.g., Grace Kelly, Cybill Shepherd.
    • Soft Classic : Balanced and symmetrical with slightly rounded features, e.g., Meryl Streep, Marion Cotillard.
    • Flamboyant Gamine : Balanced in a petite frame with one exaggerated feature, e.g., Audrey Hepburn, Penélope Cruz.
    • Gamine : Petite and narrow frame with full and round facial features, e.g., Mia Farrow, Emma Watson.
    • Soft Gamine: Broad and angular bone structure with delicate facial features, e.g., Bette Davis, Jenna Coleman.
    • Theatrical Romantic : Soft and delicate body type with broad and sharp facial features, e.g., Rihanna, Hedy Lamarr.
    • Romantic : Soft, rounded, curvy features within a short and wide frame, e.g., Marilyn Monroe, Beyoncé.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n31/mode/2up?view=theater
      2. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n31/mode/2up?view=theater
      3. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n31/mode/2up?view=theater
      4. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n31/mode/2up?view=theater
      5. ↑ Candace Hanna. Professional Stylist. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      7. ↑ Candace Hanna. Professional Stylist. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/qVcX8CgJEH0?list=PLjq1drkA_Cmn-bSUsQqAaLZcrIHQCN8vO&t=164
      1. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/qVcX8CgJEH0?list=PLjq1drkA_Cmn-bSUsQqAaLZcrIHQCN8vO&t=49
      3. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      4. ↑ https://doctortdesigns.com/2018/10/22/sew-your-kibbe-classic/
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/qVcX8CgJEH0?list=PLjq1drkA_Cmn-bSUsQqAaLZcrIHQCN8vO&t=314
      6. ↑ Candace Hanna. Professional Stylist. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://doctortdesigns.com/2018/10/22/sew-your-kibbe-classic/
      8. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      9. ↑ https://doctortdesigns.com/2018/10/22/sew-your-kibbe-classic/
      10. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/0_S590_QiRI?list=PLjq1drkA_Cmn-bSUsQqAaLZcrIHQCN8vO&t=46
      12. ↑ https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater
      13. ↑ https://youtu.be/v4f_SSdfLbo?list=PLjq1drkA_Cmn-bSUsQqAaLZcrIHQCN8vO&t=509
      14. ↑ https://youtu.be/v4f_SSdfLbo?list=PLjq1drkA_Cmn-bSUsQqAaLZcrIHQCN8vO&t=556
      15. ↑ Candace Hanna. Professional Stylist. Expert Interview
      16. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/style/kibbe-body-types.html

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