The complete system by David Kibbe — explained by certified style consultant Jola Deja. Find your type and discover which clothing really suits you.
Start the quizThe Kibbe Body Type System was developed in the 1980s by American image consultant David Kibbe. It classifies 13 style types based on the ratio of Yin (soft, round) and Yang (angular, straight) in your natural appearance — bone structure, body flesh and facial features.
Unlike simple body shape systems (apple, pear, hourglass), Kibbe considers your entire presence — and gives you a style profile that covers not only trousers and skirts but fabrics, patterns, accessories and hairstyles. The result is a holistic style profile that genuinely suits you.
David Kibbe worked as an image consultant in New York during the 1970s and 1980s. He observed something the fashion world largely ignored: women with similar builds looked fundamentally different in the same clothes. The reason wasn't size or weight — it was a deeper quality, the natural energy of the body.
In 1987, Kibbe published his book Metamorphosis, describing 13 style types defined by the interplay of Yin (softness, roundness, grace) and Yang (sharpness, length, strength) across bone structure, body flesh, and facial features. The book was far ahead of its time and is experiencing a global renaissance today, driven by style communities on social media.
Kibbe analyses three body dimensions: skeleton (bone structure, width, length), body flesh (how fat and muscle are distributed), and facial features (whether they are soft-round or sharp-angular). The combination of these three factors reveals how much Yin and Yang is present in your natural appearance — and therefore your Kibbe type.
The key insight: it's not about correcting or camouflaging your body. Kibbe styling works with the energy of your body, not against it. The result is a silhouette that looks as though the clothes were made specifically for that body.
Focus: proportions between waist, hips and shoulders. Recommendations aim at "concealing" certain body zones. Completely ignore facial features, body energy and natural aura.
Focus: which colours suit skin and hair tone. Important, but incomplete: colour alone says nothing about silhouettes, cuts or fabrics.
Focus: the body's complete natural energy. Recommendations cover silhouettes, cuts, fabrics, patterns, accessories, hairstyles — holistic and permanently valid.
Sharp Yang — tall, angular, elongated. Precise vertical lines and commanding presence.
Soft Yang — broad, blunt, relaxed. Unstructured, effortless elegance.
Balance of Yin and Yang — symmetrical, moderate, timeless.
Contrast of Yin and Yang — petite, playful, energetic.
Lush Yin — soft, curvy, sensual. Feminine silhouettes and romantic details.
Sharp Yang — tall, angular, elongated. Precise vertical lines and commanding presence.
Sharp lines, vertical elegance
The Dramatic type in the Kibbe system is pure Yang: tall, narrow, and angular with clear vertical lines. Bone structure is sharp, shoulders...
Explore typeSharp bones, lush curves
The Soft Dramatic type combines angular, dominant bones with lush, soft flesh. Women of this type are often tall with large eyes, full lips,...
Explore typeSoft Yang — broad, blunt, relaxed. Unstructured, effortless elegance.
Broad, bold, effortlessly elegant
Flamboyant Naturals are tall, broad-shouldered, and angular with an athletic, relaxed presence. Lines are long and blunt (not sharp), the en...
Explore typeRelaxed, grounded, unstructured
The (pure) Natural type is angular but with soft, blunt edges and moderate proportions. Wide shoulders, lean muscular body, relaxed presence...
Explore typeSoft curves, casual grace
Soft Naturals combine the blunt Natural lines with softer curves and more Yin in flesh and face. Typical: moderate height, soft broad should...
Explore typeBalance of Yin and Yang — symmetrical, moderate, timeless.
Polished, symmetric, subtly sharp
Dramatic Classics are the polished, slightly sharp version of the Classic type. Medium height, perfectly symmetric, with mild Yang dominance...
Explore typeTimeless symmetry
The (pure) Classic type is perfectly balanced between Yin and Yang — symmetric, medium height, harmonious in proportion. Ideal are timeless,...
Explore typeElegant, softly feminine
Soft Classics are symmetric and balanced with a touch more Yin — softer, more feminine, more flowing. Medium height, gentle curves, delicate...
Explore typeContrast of Yin and Yang — petite, playful, energetic.
Petite, sharp, playful
Flamboyant Gamines are compact and energetic with a mix of sharp Yang and soft Yin elements — Yang-dominant. Typical: petite, lively, angula...
Explore typePixie energy, playful contrast
The (pure) Gamine type is petite with a seemingly random, equal mix of Yin and Yang features. Youthful, energetic presence with a pixie-like...
Explore typePetite with sweet curves
Soft Gamines are petite with a mix of delicate Yin curves and a few striking Yang details. Feminine, sweet presence with a dash of playfulne...
Explore typeLush Yin — soft, curvy, sensual. Feminine silhouettes and romantic details.
Lush curves, dramatic edge
Theatrical Romantics are the dramatic version of the Romantic type: petite with lush curves, but with sharper bones and facial features. The...
Explore typeSoft curves, timeless femininity
The Romantic type is pure Yin: petite, delicate, with full soft curves, rounded facial features, and a sensual, feminine presence. Ideal are...
Explore typeA professional Kibbe analysis shows you exactly which type you really are — including personal Image Identity, style dossier and a personal consultation. Certified, precise, personal.
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