Kibbe Body Types
The Kibbe body type system, created by stylist David Kibbe in 1987, sorts people into 13 image identities based on the balance of yang (long, sharp, angular) and yin (soft, rounded, small) in their bone structure, body and face. The five families are Dramatic, Natural, Classic, Gamine and Romantic, with variations within most of them.
Find yours with the kibbe body type testAll kibbe body types at a glance
The five Kibbe families
| Family | Balance | Types |
|---|---|---|
| Dramatic | Yang | Dramatic, Soft Dramatic |
| Natural | Soft yang | Flamboyant Natural, Natural, Soft Natural |
| Classic | Balanced | Dramatic Classic, Classic, Soft Classic |
| Gamine | Yin + yang mix | Flamboyant Gamine, Gamine, Soft Gamine |
| Romantic | Yin | Theatrical Romantic, Romantic |
The original book described 13 types. Kibbe later simplified the system to 10 (dropping Classic, Gamine and Natural as standalone types), but most people still use the 13-type version, so we cover all 13.
How to find your Kibbe type
Take our Kibbe body type test. It asks about bone structure, body shape and facial features, then scores yin and yang to suggest your type.
Dramatic
Dramatic is pure yang: long, narrow, sharp bone structure with angular facial features and little softness.
- Long, narrow frame
- Sharp facial features
- Straight shoulders
Soft Dramatic
Soft Dramatic is yang bone structure with yin flesh: a long, large frame with curves and lush features.
- Tall or long frame
- Curvy
- Full lips and large eyes
Flamboyant Natural
Flamboyant Natural has a long, broad frame with blunt rather than sharp yang.
- Broad shoulders
- Long limbs
- Blunt angles
Natural
Natural is a soft yang type: moderate height, broad and slightly blunt bone structure, athletic look.
- Moderate height
- Athletic, slightly broad
Soft Natural
Soft Natural is a slightly broad, blunt frame with a layer of yin softness and curves.
- Moderate height
- Broad shoulders
- Soft curves
Dramatic Classic
Dramatic Classic is balanced and symmetrical, with a slight sharpness in the bones and face.
- Balanced, moderate frame
- Slightly sharp features
Classic
Classic is perfectly balanced yin and yang: moderate, symmetrical and refined.
- Symmetry
- Moderate height
- Refined features
Soft Classic
Soft Classic is balanced with a slight softness and roundness.
- Balanced frame
- Soft curves
- Gentle features
Flamboyant Gamine
Flamboyant Gamine combines petite size with more yang: sharp, straight and lively.
- Petite or compact
- Sharp angles
- Animated features
Gamine
Gamine is an even mix of yin and yang in a compact frame.
- Compact frame
- Mixed sharp and round features
Soft Gamine
Soft Gamine is a compact frame with more yin: round, curvy and youthful.
- Petite
- Curvy
- Rounded features
Theatrical Romantic
Theatrical Romantic is yin with a hint of sharpness: petite, curvy, with delicate angular features.
- Petite
- Curvy
- Delicate, slightly sharp features
Romantic
Romantic is pure yin: soft, rounded and curvy, with lush features.
- Soft, round frame
- Curvy
- Lush features
Frequently asked questions
How many Kibbe body types are there?
The original system has 13 types. Kibbe's updated system has 10.
What is yin and yang in Kibbe?
Yang is long, sharp and angular. Yin is soft, rounded and small. Your type is the balance of the two.
Is Kibbe based on weight?
No. Kibbe types are based on bone structure and features, which don't change with weight.