My Kibbe Journey (from hell) only sort of kidding. . . Finding my Kibbe body type

TW Talking about a little body dysmorphia etc. if you’re incredibly sensitive about this it might be difficult to read.

I stumbled across Kibbe the stylist and body type theorist made famous in the 80’s with his book ‘Metamorphosis.’ Thanks Pinterest. I was down the Kibbe rabbit hole and there seemed to be no going back! It was fun at first. I pinned outfits from style boards onto Pinterest. . . I took the quizzes. . . BUT

Anyone who has been on a ‘Kibbe journey’ that don’t fit perfectly into a neat little box, knows how frustrating it can be!

When I initially took the test, I got a mix between C and R with most of my answers in R. I have stronger shoulders although they slope slightly. I have daintier bones. My husband says I have “dinky hands.”

Basically I felt the lines that are best on me are Theatrical romantic. I was happy and loving the Pinterest mood boards. Pretty close to what I love the most in my wardrobe.

The Romantic group for the most part typed me as theatrical romantic (maybe R) and were really kind to me. I felt I clicked Best with this group.

Then I joined multiple kibbe groups. If I didn’t have body dysmorphia before I did now. Women called me ‘wide’ ‘fleshy’ and one said it was hard to tell with my ‘excess fat’ no really. A moderator jumped all over that one. Yes I know bi$&h. I’ve been trying to lose weight with hashimotos (thyroid issues) for years.

It messed with my mind. It made me feel crazy! It made me feel ugly, fat, and confused.

I then ran the gambit of body identities.

I quickly ruled out G (Gamine) and D (Dramatic) as they were the least likely.

Too D for me

A little too G (but I like it)

I went to the peanut gallery for back up aka the kibbe groups. I left a few too.

The meanest most pushy people in the groups insisted I was a Soft natural. Yeah I get it. I am curvy with strong shoulders and I look strong.

I resisted hard. My hips are pretty curved and wider than my shoulders. Then I tried to embrace it. The issue is these are my actual worst lines. I hate N lines on me. HATE. I was miserable. I tried to like it. I look like I’m wearing garbage bags. I look sloppy and bigger than I am. I do prefer the open necklines like the N family because I’m so busty. High necklines easily look really matronly on me. BUT I need waist emphasis at least soft emphasis. Simpler draped silhouettes looked horrible on me.

A slightly N look that I was able to leave the house in.

Aside from me not reaching for the N lines (without accommodations) someone in the groups asked questions about pants that were VERY helpful. Basically that cropped is my very best pants look. Wide legs make me look short and fat. He said that’s a big indicator I’m more likely R than N group. (Aside from the quiz saying I wasn’t N)

He also mentioned I have smallish wrists and ankles. So. . . R. I felt relieved.

Then I kept getting told I was too ‘wide’ for R (Kibbe width) although R has always been the majority vote. . . or that my curves were from ‘flesh’ not bones etc. it basically made me feel shitty. I was told I had double curve and that I didn’t have double curve. That I have Kibbe width and I don’t. I have a lot of tension in my shoulders, geez!

A lovely woman and Mod from a break off yin/yang group suggested I explore DC and it fit pretty darned well, but it felt too ‘stiff’ ‘straight’ ‘formal’ and not 100% me. It was pretty darned close though. Blazers are a problem thing for me, and I really need curve accommodation. I do like DC looks as a bright winter. Tons of options as a ‘dc bright winter’ I do like DC but I’m soooo curvy for a DC it was a runner up because that Yang undercurrent worked on me.

I would look sexy (not as posh) like a true classic would in riding breeches.

A somewhat DC look, but still with R in mind

Pure R can often be too frilly and lacking structure on me sometimes. I don’t like too much frou frou etc on me. Just a touch.

I then dove into the classics in general! SC is also a very popular theory for me. The classics thought I was a classic, then they didn’t. I am very balanced in the bust and hips with a moderate vertical line

. I’m curvy. SC would make sense, but it was pointed out that my curves are the first thing people see. That’s what takes me out of classic balance. SC gets too milk toast on me like I need to add something on. . .

Someone said DC makes sense but probably the lines wouldn’t do anything for me. I agreed. It's a little too stiff and formal on me a lot of the time.

The groups like classic lines on me. . . More if there are pops of red, or curly hair, or red nails. . .

After showing many of my best looks, the classics felt a true classic would look bogged down by the details I look best in and that look harmonious on me. That brought the group to the majority opinion that I’m most likely not a true classic. What I felt all along. They felt feminine glamour needs to be in the mix.

Side note: If you get sick of Kibbe play with esscence or color. Getting into esscences was great. Im Romantic, Classic, Ingenue with a teeny bit of E (ethereal). Much easier and more fun than kibbe in my experience. I believe Kitchner is the most famous for essence systems.

Ok back to Kibbe. . .

I realized I get compared to Christina Hendricks and Rachel Weisz as well as Ava Gardener they are all soft dramatics.

A Soft Dramatic look. Photo by Jeannie Quirus

I never thought I was tall enough to be D at 5’5.5” then I found out it isn’t only for the super tall. It has to do with the illusion of a ‘vertical line.’ This pic makes me look tall because of the camera angle. Very SD style here.

I liked the recommendations a lot! They fit well. I can pull off a big hat! I look good on chandelier earrings!

I never thought I was tall enough to be D at 5’5.5” then I found out it isn’t only for the super tall. It has to do with the illusion of a ‘vertical line.’ This pic makes me look tall because of the camera angle. Very SD style here.

I liked the recommendations a lot! They fit well. I can pull off a big hat! I look good on chandelier earrings!

A full blown R look

They are very similar to R lines. I asked the general Kibbe groups and several said it could fit! Most people though agreed my line was clearly moderate and that I was more of an hourglass than a T. Also I look much much more harmonious in midi dresses than maxi ones and cropped pants over floor length.

I thought what is an SD but with a moderate or petite vertical line? R.

Standing in front of Cicada club in Los Angeles with actually tall people

Add a little Yang . . . And you have TR. freaking TR!!!!

Am I a little tall for TR at 5’5.5” yes. Would hard core kibbe folk say it rules me out? Sure. I have long fingers and big feet. (Another automatic fail). Here’s the thing. . . For literally years my favorite styles and those I get the most compliments on are basically TR. Slightly Structured with curve. Sexy and sophisticated. Femme Fatale. Very Retro to true vintage. People think I’m smaller than I am. They say I remind them of old Hollywood actresses.

Round toed heel’s especially t straps have been my signature style for years to the point people call them ‘Megan Shoes.’ ballet flats are a favorite too.

My wedding had a soft nod to 1930s old Hollywood theme. I’ve pin up modeled. As an actress I often play 1930s-1950s.

My hair looks best with structure. My personal style is very feminine.

Thinner and younger it’s easier to see. Smallish, thin, narrow, curvy. . . Shoulders not as tense so you can see the slope in them.

With more weight I look closer to pure R, but my bone structure still looks the best with Yang in my silhouettes.

It might not even be ‘right’ but nothing has ever felt as right as TR and Kibbe himself says only he or the person can type themselves, so I don’t need anyone else’s ‘permission.’ Until I’m famous enough for Kibbe to say what I am I’m accepting and adopting TR as my kibbe body category.

I saw a video about fatter TR’s. They made the case for TR for Tess Holiday who is actually bigger than me. This was insanely helpful.

People get hung up on ‘size’ with Kibbe but it’s not about size it’s about bone structure and what lines look good on you due to that.

I’m not teeny! I have long arms and fingers. I have large feet. I have longish legs. . . All ‘automatic fails’ for TR probably as are my slightly strong shoulders. But when you don’t fit into any one box you have to look at everything and try on a gazillion types of clothes and lines to figure out your best ones. I like these lines best.

Theatrical Romantic

I’m so sick of it and the obsessing over it I nearly threw it out multiple times along my journey. If I get famous and Kibbe himself helps me out then cool. For now I’m sticking to Theatrical Romantic. (Or classic with so much romantic essence it pushed me into R) Or an SD with a meditate line? Ahhhhh Theatrical Romantic aren’t just my best lines but an accurate description of me as a person.

That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it! I’ll adopt it unless something that fits better comes along.

Over and out and good luck on your kibbe journey! (If you're on one)

UPDATE. . . A group says that I APPEAR to have vertical and have yin flesh over a yang frame. . . So now We are thinking SD . . . Still on the journey. ha ha!