I Took the Kibbe Body Type Test and It Changed How I Dress
By Madeline Simon
A war is being waged on conventional attractiveness. Gone are the days when fashion magazines would style trends on different body types so that women could look and feel their best. When you shop online for workout clothes, many models are now size XXXL, leaving the vast majority of women out.
These days, I am a 24-year-old looking for style cues. The fashion industry creates confusion by celebrating the likes of Lizzo and Ella Emhoff. I also just spent the last two years in sweatpants, thanks to the pandemic.
Desperate for direction, I discovered the Kibbe Image Identity System. Composed of 13 style types, the Kibbe test takes your skeletal system, flesh, and facial features into consideration to help you style yourself in a way that augments your natural beauty.
First, take the test. Fair warning, the test is extensive and not the most straightforward at first glance. I recommend googling photo examples throughout the process for reference. Upon getting the test results you can easily research the Kibbe recommended fashion and styling advice for your style type. Many websites also provide Kibbe verified celebrity examples of the body style types that can serve as additional outfit inspiration.
According to the Kibbe system, I have the Soft Classic body type. Soft Classics should look for tailored clothes with clean lines that emphasize the waist, as well as opt for items with soft, curved, or rounded edges. Additionally, Soft Classics should avoid color blocking and overly ornate pieces and aim for more blended, not overly clingy looks.
In the two weeks between taking the test and writing this article, I have done my best to model the Kibbe method. Gone is my over-reliance on black crop tops and light baggy jeans. I now opt for rich satin tops and curve-accentuating dark denim. When out shopping, I've experimented with more feminine pieces that highlight versus hide my shape. Celebrities Lupita Nyong’o and Dakota Johnson both embody the Soft Classic.
I am dressing more like an adult woman, and less like a college student who uses TikTok as a shopping app. The Kibbe System is helping me build a wardrobe that fits my stage of life and highlights my best physical features.
Madeleine Simon is a columnist at The Conservateur, a member of the Nashville Junior Chamber, and a Talent Acquisition Specialist.
Photo via InStyle
