David Kibby's classification of appearance types is an interesting tool to help you find your style and understand what is right for you. We understand the main types.
David Kibby and his theory
David Kibby with his wife
American stylist David Kibby is called a beauty guru and a revolutionary in the world of beauty. In the 80s of the last century, Kibby published a book called Metamorphoses. In this work, the stylist outlined the system of types developed by him, calling them personality images, and outlining the features of each and recommendations for finding his own style.
Cover of the book "Metamorphoses"
In his studies and inferences, Kibby is based on the fundamental concepts of the Eastern philosophy of "yin" and "yang." "Yin" is a symbol of the feminine, softness, romance, "Yang" is a symbol of the masculine, more rigid and active. Like the ancient philosophers, Kibby believes that in each of us, whether male or female, both of these principles are present, and our characteristics are determined, inter alia, by how yin and yang are combined in a person.
Kibby deduced five main types (plus a few extra). Each Kibby personality image has its own structural features and body type, its own “mechanics” and anatomy, and its own recommendations for choosing a style, from makeup and hairstyles to clothes and accessories.
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Four types: "dramatic", "straight", "romantic" and "gamin". The fifth type, "classic", Kibby considers very rare
David Kibby’s classification helps you to better know yourself and understand what exactly helps to emphasize your inherent charm. Having found your type, you can avoid many mistakes in choosing a hairstyle, choosing clothes and accessories. Kibby teaches not to "break" himself, trying to achieve some ideal, but to discern this ideal in himself. "You were created perfect - just the one you intended, and you don’t need to" change "or" correct "something in yourself," he writes, arguing that every woman can look great, finding what adorns it is her.
At the same time, Kibby himself claims that his system does not imply too strict a framework. Rather, it is a guideline that helps you choose the right direction. Kibby's theory is still popular today, and many stylists who use it in their work recommend that they rely on examples of stars related to a particular personality image for a better understanding.
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Five basic types of Kibby
Kibby's theory is the theory of lines and silhouettes, body geometry. He associates the "male" yang with straight lines, sharp corners, long lines, large triangles. "Female" yin - with small rounded figures, arcs and curls. Straightforwardness and gentleness can exist as pure species or combine in one person, either in stark contrast and clash, or mix without conflict, or simply exist side by side, without merging. Pay attention to the items "Geometry": Kibby recommends that each type, choosing clothes, adhere to their own type of lines.
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1. Dramatic
Pure Yang: the overall impression is bright, active.
Geometry: straight, long lines, large triangles and sharp corners.
Figure: tall, in ideal weight - a taut figure with well-developed muscles, a "narrow bone", rather long arms and legs, as a rule - narrow hips and straight, "square" shoulders.
Face: facial features are more likely straight, narrow, without pronounced softness or puffiness, “graphic”, expressive face and appearance in general.
Examples: Katherine Hepburn, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Marlene Dietrich, Mila Jovovich, Keira Knightley.
What does it look like:
Loft / Mango / Zara
Recommendations: strict images, pure bright colors, a minimum of expressive decorations, bright accents. Asymmetry, semi-adjacent fit, dense, well-shaped tissue. Black and white contrasting images, clothes with a metallic sheen. The advantage of a dramatic character is the ability to look natural in outrageous, bright, unusual outfits.
Not recommended: an abundance of romantic "doll" details, too loose "flying" or baggy cut.
Hairstyle and makeup: Contrast makeup to emphasize fine lines. Hair should not be carelessly disheveled, ideally always - well-groomed and styled. You can use straight lines in your hair or soften them with waves.
2. Romantic
Pure Yin: the overall impression is soft, delicate.
Geometry: roundness, arcs, curlicues.
Figure: hourglass feminine figure - there is always a big difference between the waist and hips, not very tall (medium and below average), sloping shoulders, small arms and legs.
Face: rounded, sensual, often round cheeks, large eyes. Appearance may be contrasting or not, but often - a very fresh, delicate, glowing complexion.
Examples: Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Scarlett Johansson, Beyoncé.
What does it look like:
Loft / Chicwish / Rosewe
Recommendations: "Romance" like no one can afford the most seductive and romantic outfits, they also go pastel colors more than others. A soft, feminine fit that accentuates the figure, flowing fabrics, flowing folds, accented waist is welcomed. Even to a strict dress (for example, an official suit), it’s worth picking up some kind of quite romantic addition - a delicate blouse, decoration and so on.
Not recommended: images without an emphasis on the waist, oversize - with great care, it is worth giving up strict, dramatic, geometric silhouettes.
Hairstyle and makeup: "romantics" suitable soft "watercolor" make-up with radiance, without sharp contrasts. In hairstyles, softness without sharp corners is good, hair color is not too bright, hair is well-groomed.
3. Classic
Full penetration of yin and yang into each other: overall impression is calm, refined.
Geometry: oval, long smooth waves.
Figure: medium height, proportional figure without too pronounced bends, but also without too developed muscles, legs and arms of medium length or slightly longer, palms and feet of medium size.
Face: facial features are accurate, proportionate and harmoniously located. Appearance is usually not contrast.
Examples: Grace Kelly, Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Kate Bosworth.
What does it look like:
Latada / Anne Weyburn / La Redoute Collections
Recommendations: Elegance, grace, nobility are ideal for this type. Pure classic colors (pearls, beige, calm pink, gray, blue) emphasize the appearance of the best way. The classic cut is ideal, but femininity can be emphasized with details or accessories - although it is better to prefer calm and refined ones.
Not recommended: bright shine, too pronounced texture of the fabric, very thin or, conversely, coarse materials, deliberately sexual images. With caution, it is worth using oversize and geometric things with emphasized architecture, which draw attention to yourself.
Hairstyle and makeup: ideal haircut medium length with smooth edges. Curly hair is best placed, for example, in structural waves. Carelessness, excessive pomp of the hair, as well as too bright (black, bright red, platinum blonde) hair color is not welcome. Makeup - classic, without excessiveness and theatrical effect, quality made.
4. Natural
Combining Yin and Yang without a complete merger: the overall impression is stable, free.
Geometry: a square with rounded corners.
Figure: growth is average or slightly above average, physique may be more muscular or lean, more often with broad shoulders, legs and arms slightly more than average, the body is close to the shape of a rectangle.
Face: open, friendly face. The features may be slightly wide or somewhat inconsistent with the classical proportions, the eyes are medium or small, straight, puffy lips, most often an opaque appearance.
Examples: Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexa Chang, Claudia Schiffer, Julia Roberts.
What does it look like:
H&M / Rene Derhy / La Redoute Collections
Recommendations: a combination of different textures, patterns and colors, eclecticism. Natural materials and fabrics are always good. “Straights” wear denim and knitwear perfectly. Good fit, but not too much. This character feels best in a rather relaxed style, such as casual.
Not recommended: angular, rigid silhouettes, a lot of ruffle and frills, with caution - oversize. Too tight-fitting things should be avoided.
Hairstyle and makeup: "naturals", according to the name of the type, are most suitable for natural shades of hair color (even if you dye them) and natural dim makeup (but not the complete lack of makeup). Haircut - in layers, thinning, slight negligence in styling.
5. Gamin
Clash of yin and yang: overall impression is playful, fresh.
Geometry: acute angles + arcs, for example.
Figure: short stature, as a rule, “delicate” build (narrow bone), shoulders not sloping, but square. "Gamins" can be very thin, but this is not necessary. The body shape is straight, there is some angularity, often (but not necessarily) a not very pronounced waist.
Face: the main symptom is large, wide eyes. The face is often round or elongated, expressive.
Examples: Twiggy, Audrey Hepburn, Audrey Tautou, Vanessa Paradis.
What does it look like:
Boden / betina lou / boden
Recommendations: “gamins” like mini lengths fit anyone - this type knows how to wear such skirts and dresses without looking too defiant. Also, this type is suitable for a variety of clothes that migrated from a men's wardrobe to a women's, and things with a variety of prints, from cages and stripes to floral and fantasy.
Not recommended: both long vertical lines and wide rounded, a lot of romantic details, too massive oversize.
Hairstyle and makeup: haircut - a kind of "test for the gamina": they go short boyish disheveled options (graphic, pixy) plus asymmetry. In hair styling, textured “sharp” tips are good. Makeup should not be overloaded, the main emphasis is on eyebrows.
Photo: Pinterest
