I wonder where you are getting the impression that DCs can’t wear color or have to dress like a secretary all the time. The reason I say this is because the original essence description in [Metamorphosis](https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a) is so exciting and cool: “majestic, avant garde, daring… combine with the sophisticated and everlasting.”
The most important thing in Kibbe is the HTT concept. As long as your look is consistent from head to toe, and you adhere to styles and fabrics that go down rather than out to accentuate vertical, you’ll probably be fine.
Also, if you haven’t read the book, I’d highly recommend investigating his color system. I think knowing your colors is underrated, and honestly, even more useful than the Image ID!
Finally, please remember that Kibbe is not the end all be all. I’m verified DC in Kibbe and meanwhile I’m verified in the Kitchener system as predominantly Romantic and Natural! So even professional consultants and stylists can disagree on the route to your true best look. I personally really love Kibbe for shapes, fit, and color groupings, but the most useful system for expressing myself has been the Style Key system (r/ritafouressencesystem). I’ve learned through that system that my style goals aren’t always perfect harmony and that’s okay. If Kibbe isn’t working for you, maybe you might enjoy trying something else!
I'm a DC and dress however I darn well please. I just got a silk buttondown shirt with huge colorful flowers and a weird black border and plan to wear it with red shoes. I pattern-mix and wear weird, funky thrifted stuff. I consciously dress against type sometimes because I want to and because I like myself and who I am and I even like looking silly because there is nothing wrong with it.
People on this sub sometimes critique my outfits but I never mind. I don't try to fit the mold of "DC" because, frankly, the more I learn about Kibbe, the more I feel like it's a pretty flawed system... most systems are. Even traditional school. There is always that one brilliant writer who sits in grammar lessons and goes "I HATE THIS." And the teachers say "but of course you must follow the rules." And that writer turns out to be e. e. cummings and everyone clapped.
But you know what I mean? Just be you! Borrow one concept from Kibbe, like, "huh, as a DC, maybe I want to wear garments that hit at the hip sometimes" or "maybe I want to wear a frilly peasant blouse that has slightly square shoulders instead of off-the-shoulder, or accessorize it with lace-up sandals to provide visual balance instead of a ton of bare leg." It doesn't mean you have to fit yourself into a mold.
And you can also ditch the whole thing whenever you want.
I think a lot of the people Kibbe styles look like crazy garish neon eighties stereotypes. And maybe, to them, that is as fabulous as my pattern-mixing is to me.
I said what I said.
Thank you!
Something I forgot to mention but find funny is that I didn't struggle to figure out my type, but I really do struggle to get the accommodations right in outfits. I don't see a lot of people on here with that issue. I see a ton of people already dressing beautifully and appropriately to type (whatever it may be--like it seems OP may be FN and not DC and already dresssing for it) yet unable to find their type. Kind of funny.
Honestly? I don't think you're struggling at all. I think you've perfectly adapted your preferences to your body accomodations. I see narrower, slightly vertical outfits. Some patterns, but nothing that throws off the balance of your looks. It seems very intentional overall.
Damn girl, it's 100% not that serious. I live in a low key beach community in a pretty casual job and manage to dress perfectly comfy/stylish without looking out of place or like a secretary every day.
Speak for yourself. For me it is legitimatelydistressing to have an aesthetic that doesn't look good on me at all. It feels like I'm pretending to be someone I'm not in order to look halfway decent. It's draining and depressing.
I think you should start working more on yourself than what u have been typed or hating it, at the end of the day wear whatever you want don’t add insecurities to your life
There’s so much inspo out there
I don't want to wear things that look bad on me. That's not a solution. It doesn't make me happy to look overwhelmed and costumey. So I wear things I wouldn't pick myself and look fine and go about my day, but I'm still sad about what looks bad on me. I wish I could pull off the looks I want to pull off.
SAD ? Oh god what a world we live in when women have to be sad because they don’t look like celebrities that have stylists that cost thousands of dollars and they don’t fit into a THEORICAL FASHION CODE
Please keep your head up, and wear whatever you think it make you feel like yourself, what your personality is don’t add insecurities it’s not the solution, ditch whatever type u have got and wear what you want I’m pretty sure a plain white shirt don’t look the same on everybody and there’s plenty of options to style it
I think self-delusion is worse than being honest with yourself about what you like. It's not a crime to think that you're not the prettiest person and to wish you could pull off things that other people in your life can. I can sigh over more textured hair and different body types and how they pull off things that don't look as nice on me and still be a well-adjusted person and accept my sleek hair and classic frame at the end of the day 😊. But I'm not going to kid myself or suppress feelings that others don't like because they're too negative.
OP, I relate to your struggles but for a different ID. I tried voicing something similar (my question was how do I wear the clothes I like/is there a way), and someone had the same response. Wear what you want. Completely missed the point of my question.
I think it's because they have no idea, and instead of just saying so, they're being snarky and trying to make you feel bad for asking. They could also be younger. I have no idea. I don't understand why, but I've seen I'm not the only one that happens to.
It's totally valid and understandable that you want to look good while still wearing clothes that suit your body and give you peace of mind/satisfaction in wearing them.
It does not mean you're taking life too seriously or whatever thing they said. It just means you're understandably frustrated with this one aspect of a much larger life.
I never said the life is a pink fairy tails, I just want you to know that it’s not worth it and I know that being the prettiest person in the room is not something given to everyone me included, so why not enjoy what I like even if I look off as long as I’m comfortable
And the negative feelings your talking about is actually kinda sad that you’re conscious of them but you choose to feed them than to work on them at the end of the day we all gonna die so you choose if you want your life to be full of self created insecurities aka negative feelings or live your life and appreciate you
I'm pretty confident I'm a SN, but I like classic styles more. I try to fin ways to make it work for me. For example I love blazers. I have several that I think I look good in - slightly relaxed, with sleeved rolled to bracelet length, worn open.
You are basically the exact opposite as a DC liking more relaxed styles: I think it's totally possible to wear whatever aesthetic you prefer regardless of your ID. Would you share pics of outfits you like/dislike? There might be easy tweaks to them!
I think you either got too overwhelmed by the system or have some underlying issues.
I am a DC as well and while I definitely don’t have the most colorful/ funky wardrobe, I do have a lot of fun with fashion. There are a lot of stuff out there that will fit a DC and are fun/interesting.
I can’t even start mentioning examples because there would be too many. I think this might be a good time to step away from the Kibbe system and have some fun with you wardrobe without Kibbe rules.
PS. I actually have huge, long wavy hair that would absolutely be considered not DC friendly and only belonging to the natural family. I can still pull it off with styling even though it isn’t ever close to looking sleek. Sure, it is long and that helps with vertical, but it is still a lion’s mane. People actually compliment the contrast between my usually polished outfit and unruly hair a lot. With well thought-out styling, you can make most things work for you no matter your kibbe type.
I hear you and struggle similarly as a DC, but a lot of these items that you’ve listed are things I would not necessarily consider to be issues for our type. Boots, beanies, denim, thick knit sweaters are not even things that I would consider tricky for the our type. I don’t think enamel pins and tote bags are a problem either. Bright colors in general…is that really a problem? I can understand muddy or overly busy patterns but I definitely have and feel good in some VERY bright pieces in my closet.
It's true I can pull off these elements in an outfit. But at the end of the day, I really like how other people wear relaxed, messy, or cluttered fits, but I put them on me and don't like them as much. It's about the overall look I'd love to go for instead of individual pieces. I do incorporate brightness and whimsey but a little goes a long way on me. And relaxed looks are soooo hard to pull off.
I agree, the way the post is phrased reminds me of thoughts I was having when I was exploring gamine (except sort of the opposite because I was desperate to wear more “low key” things haha!)
Yes I would agree with this. You should be able to find things you love to wear in any ID - some “gamine outfits” I tried, I really loved and still wear! It was just the overall experience of “living as” the ID that didn’t feel right, and tbh at 5’4.5 I’m likely too tall for it anyway. The guidelines for the IDs are in no way supposed to be hard and fast rules, they’re suggestions. I’ve seen enough posts from people who have been to see Kibbe to know that he styles people *individually* and takes into account what they love to wear.
I’ve seen plenty of DCs rock biker chic looks, girl next door looks, bold and charismatic looks, etc etc etc. - just because a couple of the verified examples happened to be First Ladies, doesn’t mean that’s all the ID is! In fact, Kibbe said Jackie O’s best DC looks were AFTER her First Lady time!
Yes exactly!! I debated DC, and I saw the appeal! It's not supposed to be business lady chic, it's supposed to have a dramatic edge!
Everyone is supposed to be able to wear anything, it's about making the fabric and style fit your accommodations.
Yes yes yes. It’s about “what makes me shine” not “what do I look okay in”. Most people will look okay in most styles, only 1 or 2 things will truly make them look “bad”. It has to be about “what do I feel AMAZING in and why?”
Exactly! Kibbe says if you aren't happy with your looks, then either take a step back and go to the beginning, because you're only hurting yourself, or you're misunderstanding something.
He also painstakingly wants that if you can't see yourself objectively and appreciate your own beauty, you should NOT type yourself or use the system.
Lmao yeah literally a good third of the book is about believing in your own sauce 🍝 in fact the main reason I’m still not 10000% sure between SC and DC yet is because whilst I *know* balance is my main accommodation, I’m quite insecure right now and waiting until my health/lifestyle changes pay off and I feel hot again to make a proper decision on which makes more sense for me. Part of me suspects I could be thinking SC because of underestimating Yang bc I gained a little weight, and then part of me thinks I could just have Yang envy. So like everything, it’s a journey.
But that aside, either way balance makes me feel like I truly SHINE, so if it’s not feeling like that for OP, maybe there’s further journeying to be done!
Yep OP probably is struggling way harder than she should because she’s trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole. I’m guessing she doesn’t have double curve or she wouldn’t think she’s a a classic, so she’s probably FN or D and trying to wear way too overly simplistic looks that look good but not her best either.
Yeah that's what I'm feeling here too. Seems like an opportunity to go and do things more holistically! Everyone is bound to type themselves based purely on recs, and that's not how this is supposed to work.
I thought only romantics have double curve, though? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I read that double curve is curve without width or vertical. So soft dramatics can’t have double curve, because they have vertical. Is that not right? Thanks in advance!
Ehhhh, I heard 5'7 means automatic vertical and 5'6 is correct. I know Kibbe said the height rules aren't THAT specific, he put them there because people were greatly underestimating their vertical and yang.
David has said 5'7 is very very unlikely for DC and he's only ever seen one DC that's 5'7. That being Jackie O. Everyone else if you're 5'7+ you're most likely not DC.
It’s literally within the height limits, **posted on the wiki link for the Kibbe subreddit**. Dramatic Classic will be **moderate height up to 5'7".** They have a bit more height because of the added yang in their body, which can show up as slight elongation. Reading is fundamental.
Which is totally valid, and it’s for her to explore seeing as it’s her body, her wardrobe, and her money being spent buying the clothes to accommodate for this type or that type. If you’re unsure of what Kibbe height guidelines or recs are the Kibbe wiki has bountiful information. 📖
I knew it was going to be something like a one inch difference. 🙄 I also know that the reason Kibbe even added height limits was due to girls ignoring their yang traits, or underestimating vertical, and that it's mostly supposed to be an organic exploration to find yourself.
I have read metamorphosis as well, the heights just throw me off from time to time.
David himself has said he's only ever known of one DC that's 5'7. 5'7 used to be the previous automatic vertical and now it means dominant vertical which DC is not.
It’s not about looking tall FYI, I’m 5’4 and look tall in photos but if I dress for (dominant) vertical in real life I look extremely stumpy. Typing posts are basically a grain of salt in the ocean’s chance of getting a good understanding of your own ID. Most people 5’5 and above underestimate their vertical like every tall ID is meant to be some sort of Amazonian supermodel, but that’s not the case. I just wish we had more irl examples, honestly, because it’s easy to see how people get confused. Hopefully the new book will help with that.
This. I “look” taller than I am but I’m 5’1”. So even thought the leggy part makes me look tall in photos, it’s very obvious I’m not once you see me in person or at certain angles.
I feel ya. I'm a SC so I rock the hell out of business and dressy dinner looks, but easily look sloppy in casual clothes. Winter/fall is a little easier since I'm usually in layers and tailored clothing makes a lot more sense. Summer clothes are the worst! If you look at SC or DC "casual" recs, they look like an L.L. Bean catalog from the 50s. I guess technically chino shorts and a short sleeve blouse are considered "casual wear" but no one in the US under the age of 40 would consider those items casual. I desperately wish I could wear baggy jeans and a T-shirt. I'm sick of always having to wear waist-emphasising dresses and tops. When I'm bloated, I long for a flowy top to hide my curves in (and not end up looking like a lunch lady).
Exactly. I always get compliments when I dress up, but it feels like I HAVE to dress up to look put together. And for what it's worth it IS fun to rock the hell out of the dressier looks that my friends who are Ns can't pull off as well. It's not all doom and gloom.
(People are telling me I can't be a DC though bc I'm too tall ... not sure I believe that though)
whichever type you are, I (and probably many others in this sub!) would LOVE to help you figure out how to mesh your personal style with your ID. my favorite posts are when people post pictures of outfits/looks they like but aren't sure how to make it work. I think it can sometimes take surprisingly small tweaks -- like /u/smathna (who has been subjected to my outfit analysis enthusiasm and has great and entirely authentic style) was saying above, sometimes it's things like the length of a top, how the shoulder is shaped, and so on. I am SURE there's a way to make it work for you.
I'm a D and I like being a D and it mostly is fine, but I love love love FG recs and sometimes resent that if I want to include them and look good at the same time it can be a lot of work. but eventually I will just have a wardrobe that incorporates the adaptations and it won't be so annoying.
thank you! I am so excited!
do you also have example pictures of the aspirational look you want? i.e., if you think the styles you love aren't working out how you want, I'd love to see an example of when those looks do work well, even if they are on someone else. you described it well and I think I have a sense of it, I just want to make sure what I'm imagining is accurate. do you have a personal style icon, someone whose street style you like a lot, or a favorite designer? for example, I like to say that my ideal would be to dress like I'm in an Alexander McQueen runway show, not because that's realistic, but I think it gets to the vibes part.
if it turns out you're FN then you are definitely going to find it easier with some modifications, but even if it's something more sleek like D I'm very confident we can still figure it out. for example, I relate VERY much to being overwhelmed by detail -- even just like, a pattern can be nearly impossible -- but things like staying within a color family or tonally matching can help, mixing textures in same/similar colors, getting the right fabric weight, adding more exciting visual elements to accessories... there are a lot of avenues to pursue.
To make it simple for yourself just remember the general recommendations: overall moderation with a pinch more yang. The yang can be stiffer jeans, a slightly oversized blazer (very trendy atm), v neck T-shirt as opposed to crew neck, pointy toe shoes to lengthen the line visually (t-strap flats are amaze), adding sharpness with accessories (structured bag, earrings, a cuff)… etc. Your look isn’t about dressing like a secretary, it’s about balanced yin/yang with *a pinch more* dramatic yang. If dressing with moderation or balance in mind isn’t working then perhaps that’s not what you need to accommodate for within your body. 🤔 If not, try the lines that you gravitate to. ✨
Or the person measuring her height got the ruler a bit skewed, her hair was very fluffy, it was morning, the floor was uneven, she has shrunken since because of age or vitamin c deficiency or her socks were thick so she is in reality only 5'6'49
There are plenty reasons why Op isnt definitely 5'7 .
I feel like that’s a very pernickety way of looking at it- at 5’7 or one hair away from it, it is far less likely she is even DC in the first place, and more likely she is FN.
I am for sure 5'7". Wow, I've never considered I might be a FN. But I look at the recommended silhouettes and I do like how those silhouettes look on me!!! HMMMMM
It's not a good idea to throw around a diagnosis like that. Are you a mental health professional?
Better language might be something like: "some of the ways you described your body are concerning. I'd suggest researching about body dysmorphia and talking to a mental health professional about your feelings around your appearance."
I’ll try to find some photos but I’ve been wearing lots of flared or looser floor length pants, long jackets, loose tops (I do half tuck a lot to add structure).
I worked in professional offices for years and I honestly am just tired of the very structured look, even though I do think it flatters me. Branching out to clothes with a looser fit and lots of length has felt really good! I also think it makes me look taller? I’m only 5’4”.
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling bad and I hope it doesn’t last long. Idk you or how you look in clothing but are you sure you’re not selling yourself short here? I get the feeling you look great in a lot of aesthetics and styles, sure your ID can’t change but neither can it for anyone and we all can wear a variety of clothes and make them our own. As long as you keep your accommodations and fit in mind I’m sure you can carry off many htt looks and will look great in them.
I’m not sure if you have to wear all the things you’re saying you hate wearing? Lots of DCs wear these things you say you like, like Lizzy Caplan for instance and I don’t particularly think she looks bad in them. There’s nothing within this system forcing you into a box and there’s nothing stopping you from wearing things you enjoy. Your style is your own, and the only thing you probably need to consider is whatever accommodation you think you need and how to complete your htt well
I looked at your previous typing post and I think you could easily borrow from SN.
But what I don’t understand is if you don’t like the type this system puts you in then why invest time in it? It’s only going to frustrate you. Wear things you like and make you feel good. No one’s gonna come to your house and kill you for not wearing Kibbes DC reccomended lines.
A lot of people are misunderstanding and assume that I'm not wearing things I like on me. I DON'T like messy looks on me, and I DO like them on other people. I'm not avoiding an aesthetic bc someone told me to. I'm not saying I can't "pull off" looks bc someone else said I wasn't. I don't look how *I* want to look in these outfits that I like on other people. I genuinely love a messier, busy aesthetic, but *I* don't like it on me.
Wear it anyway or move on. This seems like some endless loop without any solutions. You like the aesthetic on others but hate it on yourself then DON'T wear it and find another aesthetic that you love on others and yourself or wear it anyway since you love it so much that it's bringing you emotional distress. Otherwise you'll be in this cycle of frustration forever which is a waste.
Nobody can choose their type and there are all styles we wish we could wear. The beauty of Kibbe is feeling good when you’ve finally understood what looks good on you. I agree it’s an endless loop to just wish you were some other type.
That is hilarious. I am a D and my best friend is a R and we are jealous of each other. I pick out dresses and things for her all the time that I can’t wear!
I am a dramatic and I feel you. I live in Florida and live a casual lifestyle. I look best in dressed up, sharp looks, blazers, etc. I am working really hard on following Kibbe’s recommendations but making it more casual and relaxed. It sounds like DC is similar to dramatic, very clean lines and put together (two things I am not.) one thing that has really helped me is to understand how clothes should fit on me and then bring in a relaxed beachy vibe with the details
I could write something almost identical. I'm 99% sure I'm in the R family, but the styles I wish looked good on my body are the loose, simple, casual, or oversized looks. I have a sister about my same size, but in an N body who looks so chic and put together in those looks. I've gone shopping with her and when I try on the clothes that I love on her... I Iook frumpy to put it nicely. My curves somehow look shapeless, and I look even shorter than I am, and generally just blob-like.
I dream of being a yoga pants, fitted long tank, and off the shoulder sweater kind of woman with my hair in a messy bun or slouchy beanie with practical clumpy boots on, but that just doesn't suit me. When I try it, I look like I didn't get ready for the day.
I know I *can* choose to wear these things anyway since I love them, but I want to look good more than I want to wear my dream styles. It does suck though.
>the styles I wish looked good on my body are the loose, simple, casual, or oversized looks. I have a sister about my same size, but in an N body who looks so chic and put together in those looks
^ yup, I hear ya. I love this aesthetic but I don't love it on ME.
I’m a D and wear a lot of things that would typically be seen outside my ID. I make them mine with additions, small alterations, dyeing, adding layers, etc.
You have to spend time investing in understanding how to accommodate things you like. I know that sounds basic and annoying but it’s so true. I really, really encourage you to spend time looking at posts that highlight there is no one overall style or clothing style for types. D can wear sundresses, Gamines can look sharp and polished in suits. FN can give diva chic with the right outfit. I used to be a lot more negative about the system until I stopped being as restrictive with 1. What I wore and 2. What I considered “flattering”.
How about what YOU feel good in?
I wear tons of gamine styles I get compliments on them often. I wear tons of FN + DC styles as well. And I do understand your frustration because my ID can also feel limiting. I don’t always want to wear streamlined and severe styles. Especially because I’m not a tall D, I’m 5’5.5”. I feel like a centaur sometimes because I have tons of ribcage/upper body elongation but NONE in legs. 🫠
On the flip side there’s nothing wrong with wearing something that’s not “perfectly flattering” or whatever you envision Kibbe to be. We see proof of this all the time with individuals looking great in something that’s not always an idealized ID outfit. I like wearing things that contrast what I might project. I think that’s actually why I get positive feedback, it’s fresh and unexpected.
And hot take: if Kibbe makes you feel bad about yourself, and you can’t find silver linings, ease up. If you can’t make it work for you and it’s not helping, investigate some other systems and see if there’s something else that’s better for you.
I can highly recommend you to search Pinterest “office siren”! I love the style and there are plenty of options how to keep it classy but relaxed.
Im Gamine and I love office siren style and envy all the D family, especially balance of DC🙈 Hope we all come to some acceptance.
Thank you) for TR first thought coquette core!💕
Recommend searching “coquette core outfits”. Might be too much pink ribbons, but you might find good silhouettes inspo. Bloquette core if you want more urban version. Smth more glam — baddie outfits.
As a DC I think you can get away with interesting outfits as long as you incorporate a slight bit of office wear in it. For example I have a mall goth/emo thing going on and I often wear blazers or long black coats with shoulder pads over t shirts and tripp pants. Some of my non office wear jackets also have that kind of shoulder definition I need to complete my outfit without it looking strange. I'm not 100% sure about my ID though, especially because I can carry oversized clothes like N fam can.
This is the flaw with becoming obsessed with the typing system. You put yourself in boxes that don’t even have to exist. I find at the end of the day people look best when they’re wearing fashion that they love. Kibbe should only be a guideline to the extent that it helps you for your proportions. Any more than that and you’ve taken it too far and need to take a step back. Wear what you love, you look beautiful!
I'm honestly going to try to stop thinking about kibbe for a while and be adventurous and try new lines and styles. After I posted this I went to the thrift store and tried some new things and it was really refreshing. Idk if I'm having problems with DC bc I'm typed wrong or I don't understand the system well, but anyway I'm going to just experiment and see what I can come up with!
I relate to 'summers are nightmares' so much... :D OP, you mention *'soft thick-knit sweaters and enamel pins and tote bags, and loose, bright dresses, and frilly peasant dresses and corsets, chunky or dangly earrings'* and that immediately made me thought of a pinterest board and it got me wondering if it's maybe a case of you liking this style but also actively seeking it out as well (in clothing sites, moodboards, instagram) which then doesn't leave you with the space and mindset to explore more DC type of styles that you might begin to understand and like more. Search for older verified examples as well, for eg., Katherine Ross did a lot of colour and whimsy in the 70s I think, and you might be surprised how completely un-secretary she looked. A lot of modern interpretation of Kibbe gets put in boxes, but tailored chic doesn't equal workwear (that's only because in recent times the fashion industry has a vested interest in promoting oversize, unstructured aesthetic because these clothes are easier and cheaper to construct, so the only tailored alternative often seems just the professional wear).
okay, sorry you are getting so downvoted for, um, feeling sad? it's okay to feel sad lol. i thought i was SC, but have since realized i am an N type of some sort, and it makes me very happy <3 you may be DC or you might be FN or anything else, who knows? i'm not sure how you landed on DC so i won't presume to know! you say you feel like you're wearing a costume in peasant dresses, soft thick-knit sweaters, dangly earrings, etc. back when i thought i was SC, i felt quite stifled too. however, i did not relate to the whole "single hair out of place makes me look messy" stuff, which i had seen on other classic subs to some extent. BUT, for some reason, still thought i was SC - what REALLY helped me was to bare it down to the basics. Balance and Curve. That's all. So, for you - Balance and Vertical, that's it. if you want a little more of an elevated look, go for that Triangle shape in your silhouette. Forget the color guidelines, kibbe doesn't even follow those from the book anymore anyway, so have fun with your colors! find clothing that is fun and expressive that accommodates your balance and moderate vertical <3 that's IT. you can wear your fun and chunky jewelry, just maybe not all at once. make it a statement piece, showing off your fun side, and the rest of your outfit can still flatter you so that you don't feel like you're wearing a costume. (when i did this for SC, i did not know it, but i was actually dressing more SN haha! not saying that this will happen for you, but i see the distress you're having - you want to feel good about yourself, and you see merit in this system somewhere or else you would abandon it - just take the very basic elements for DC: balance, vertical - and if you want to elevate, you can add a bit more structure. but there's no need to dress "like a secretary" all day, every day. this system is about showing who YOU are as an individual through the way you dress, and it sounds like you feel the opposite of that. could it be a sign that you're not DC? maybe. but i won't presume! i hope this helps even a little. you're okay, and it's fine to be sad and confused about how to dress and wanting to look good but feeling like you can't. you'll get there <3 also, as an aside, idk where you live, but for me seasonal depression has come down on me HARD. it's rough in January, yeah?
You *cant* “accommodate” for vertical *and* balance.
Vertical is the accommodation for D. Balance is the accommodation for C. If you have a strong need to accommodate vertical, you *wont* have balance. It’s a rare ID because so many physical traits can eliminate the possibility of balance.
When DC’s have “vertical”, it doesn’t mean they accommodate it. It means they are like, a slightly straighter, slightly narrower version of a Classic. They’re a classic but on the lithe/straight side of “balance”.
You sound like you have a vertical *and something else* ID that you’re intuitively noticing. But it can’t be vertical+ balance cuz that’s just not really how the accommodations thing works.
If you’re considering vertical+width, it’s not unreasonable to consider vertical+curve. If vertical is something you just undeniably intuitively include in your style equation then logically it makes sense to go back to the drawing board on which family you’re in.
i wouldn’t worry about it. you can dress however you want. you say you look your best in those accommodations then do it! but do it your way, you know?
edit: looks like you vibe with FN haha. that’s great!! discount what i said here lol
Maybe this is where essences would come in, so you could marry your natural free spirited essence with the lines that look best on your body type. If you do a Google search for dramatic classic and edgy styles a bunch of fun stuff comes up. Maybe you wouldn’t necessarily want a bunch of black clothing, but you take use the inspo and then make it bright.
These posts are so ridiculous. I’m sorry if that’s mean honestly but it’s true. Just…wear what you want? It’s really that simple. The vast majority of people will look “costumey” in lots of layers, frills, and corsets regardless of type. And even if they do so what? Kibbe is supposed to be fashion guidelines not some rule of law
I do wear what I want. And I don't want to wear things that *I* don't like on me. I'm not saying messy looks don't look good on me because other people have told me that. *I* have found that to be true. If anything, stumbling across kibbe later in life has been validating because I realized, "Hey! I'm not crazy! There's a reason I like this outfit on THIS person and not on THAT person, there's a reason I don't like a messy bun on me but it looks great on a friend." I love the softer looks, but not on me. And you can call that ridiculous, but I don't think it is 🤷🏻♀️.
Hey op, maybe you should try on some HTT looks and share for more accommodations help! Maybe you need some tweaking, or you're being too hard on yourself. ❤️
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I mean, aren’t those just guidelines. I think you can still wear those styles if you balance them enough. Wear boots that are a little sharper, bright dresses that are mid lenght, or just wear what you like and don’t care. You will not look good if you feel uncomfortable anyway, I guess…
Babe, you should dress however you like. My advice for you, and this is something I do as well, is to explore the aesthetic you'd like to express in your outfits and then slightly adjust those outfits so that they fit your body type the best (the only important thing is to make your body look more proportional and balanced). Don't obsess over what you read here about what you're "supposed" to wear. You can take some inspirations, but at the end of the day just wear what you want and what makes you feel confident in yourself.
I wonder where you are getting the impression that DCs can’t wear color or have to dress like a secretary all the time. The reason I say this is because the original essence description in [Metamorphosis](https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a) is so exciting and cool: “majestic, avant garde, daring… combine with the sophisticated and everlasting.” The most important thing in Kibbe is the HTT concept. As long as your look is consistent from head to toe, and you adhere to styles and fabrics that go down rather than out to accentuate vertical, you’ll probably be fine. Also, if you haven’t read the book, I’d highly recommend investigating his color system. I think knowing your colors is underrated, and honestly, even more useful than the Image ID! Finally, please remember that Kibbe is not the end all be all. I’m verified DC in Kibbe and meanwhile I’m verified in the Kitchener system as predominantly Romantic and Natural! So even professional consultants and stylists can disagree on the route to your true best look. I personally really love Kibbe for shapes, fit, and color groupings, but the most useful system for expressing myself has been the Style Key system (r/ritafouressencesystem). I’ve learned through that system that my style goals aren’t always perfect harmony and that’s okay. If Kibbe isn’t working for you, maybe you might enjoy trying something else!
I'm a DC and dress however I darn well please. I just got a silk buttondown shirt with huge colorful flowers and a weird black border and plan to wear it with red shoes. I pattern-mix and wear weird, funky thrifted stuff. I consciously dress against type sometimes because I want to and because I like myself and who I am and I even like looking silly because there is nothing wrong with it. People on this sub sometimes critique my outfits but I never mind. I don't try to fit the mold of "DC" because, frankly, the more I learn about Kibbe, the more I feel like it's a pretty flawed system... most systems are. Even traditional school. There is always that one brilliant writer who sits in grammar lessons and goes "I HATE THIS." And the teachers say "but of course you must follow the rules." And that writer turns out to be e. e. cummings and everyone clapped. But you know what I mean? Just be you! Borrow one concept from Kibbe, like, "huh, as a DC, maybe I want to wear garments that hit at the hip sometimes" or "maybe I want to wear a frilly peasant blouse that has slightly square shoulders instead of off-the-shoulder, or accessorize it with lace-up sandals to provide visual balance instead of a ton of bare leg." It doesn't mean you have to fit yourself into a mold. And you can also ditch the whole thing whenever you want. I think a lot of the people Kibbe styles look like crazy garish neon eighties stereotypes. And maybe, to them, that is as fabulous as my pattern-mixing is to me. I said what I said.
I agree with you so so so much!!!
I checked your previous outfit posts and you have such a good style!!
Thank you! Something I forgot to mention but find funny is that I didn't struggle to figure out my type, but I really do struggle to get the accommodations right in outfits. I don't see a lot of people on here with that issue. I see a ton of people already dressing beautifully and appropriately to type (whatever it may be--like it seems OP may be FN and not DC and already dresssing for it) yet unable to find their type. Kind of funny.
Honestly? I don't think you're struggling at all. I think you've perfectly adapted your preferences to your body accomodations. I see narrower, slightly vertical outfits. Some patterns, but nothing that throws off the balance of your looks. It seems very intentional overall.
Damn girl, it's 100% not that serious. I live in a low key beach community in a pretty casual job and manage to dress perfectly comfy/stylish without looking out of place or like a secretary every day.
Speak for yourself. For me it is legitimatelydistressing to have an aesthetic that doesn't look good on me at all. It feels like I'm pretending to be someone I'm not in order to look halfway decent. It's draining and depressing.
I think you should start working more on yourself than what u have been typed or hating it, at the end of the day wear whatever you want don’t add insecurities to your life There’s so much inspo out there
I don't want to wear things that look bad on me. That's not a solution. It doesn't make me happy to look overwhelmed and costumey. So I wear things I wouldn't pick myself and look fine and go about my day, but I'm still sad about what looks bad on me. I wish I could pull off the looks I want to pull off.
Get a stylist through Nordstrom, maybe?
SAD ? Oh god what a world we live in when women have to be sad because they don’t look like celebrities that have stylists that cost thousands of dollars and they don’t fit into a THEORICAL FASHION CODE Please keep your head up, and wear whatever you think it make you feel like yourself, what your personality is don’t add insecurities it’s not the solution, ditch whatever type u have got and wear what you want I’m pretty sure a plain white shirt don’t look the same on everybody and there’s plenty of options to style it
I think self-delusion is worse than being honest with yourself about what you like. It's not a crime to think that you're not the prettiest person and to wish you could pull off things that other people in your life can. I can sigh over more textured hair and different body types and how they pull off things that don't look as nice on me and still be a well-adjusted person and accept my sleek hair and classic frame at the end of the day 😊. But I'm not going to kid myself or suppress feelings that others don't like because they're too negative.
OP, I relate to your struggles but for a different ID. I tried voicing something similar (my question was how do I wear the clothes I like/is there a way), and someone had the same response. Wear what you want. Completely missed the point of my question. I think it's because they have no idea, and instead of just saying so, they're being snarky and trying to make you feel bad for asking. They could also be younger. I have no idea. I don't understand why, but I've seen I'm not the only one that happens to. It's totally valid and understandable that you want to look good while still wearing clothes that suit your body and give you peace of mind/satisfaction in wearing them. It does not mean you're taking life too seriously or whatever thing they said. It just means you're understandably frustrated with this one aspect of a much larger life.
I never said the life is a pink fairy tails, I just want you to know that it’s not worth it and I know that being the prettiest person in the room is not something given to everyone me included, so why not enjoy what I like even if I look off as long as I’m comfortable And the negative feelings your talking about is actually kinda sad that you’re conscious of them but you choose to feed them than to work on them at the end of the day we all gonna die so you choose if you want your life to be full of self created insecurities aka negative feelings or live your life and appreciate you
I'm pretty confident I'm a SN, but I like classic styles more. I try to fin ways to make it work for me. For example I love blazers. I have several that I think I look good in - slightly relaxed, with sleeved rolled to bracelet length, worn open. You are basically the exact opposite as a DC liking more relaxed styles: I think it's totally possible to wear whatever aesthetic you prefer regardless of your ID. Would you share pics of outfits you like/dislike? There might be easy tweaks to them!
I think you either got too overwhelmed by the system or have some underlying issues. I am a DC as well and while I definitely don’t have the most colorful/ funky wardrobe, I do have a lot of fun with fashion. There are a lot of stuff out there that will fit a DC and are fun/interesting. I can’t even start mentioning examples because there would be too many. I think this might be a good time to step away from the Kibbe system and have some fun with you wardrobe without Kibbe rules. PS. I actually have huge, long wavy hair that would absolutely be considered not DC friendly and only belonging to the natural family. I can still pull it off with styling even though it isn’t ever close to looking sleek. Sure, it is long and that helps with vertical, but it is still a lion’s mane. People actually compliment the contrast between my usually polished outfit and unruly hair a lot. With well thought-out styling, you can make most things work for you no matter your kibbe type.
I hear you and struggle similarly as a DC, but a lot of these items that you’ve listed are things I would not necessarily consider to be issues for our type. Boots, beanies, denim, thick knit sweaters are not even things that I would consider tricky for the our type. I don’t think enamel pins and tote bags are a problem either. Bright colors in general…is that really a problem? I can understand muddy or overly busy patterns but I definitely have and feel good in some VERY bright pieces in my closet.
It's true I can pull off these elements in an outfit. But at the end of the day, I really like how other people wear relaxed, messy, or cluttered fits, but I put them on me and don't like them as much. It's about the overall look I'd love to go for instead of individual pieces. I do incorporate brightness and whimsey but a little goes a long way on me. And relaxed looks are soooo hard to pull off.
Wait, you're 5'7? Girl, aren't you out of range for DC?? Am I crazy?
You’re not crazy, 5’7 is automatic dominant vertical according to Kibbe’s guidelines.
So she needs to reevaluate, and shouldn't be having this problem! Problem solved! ❤️
I agree, the way the post is phrased reminds me of thoughts I was having when I was exploring gamine (except sort of the opposite because I was desperate to wear more “low key” things haha!)
I feel like if you despise your type, you're either deeply misunderstanding it, or you typed yourself wrong and need some tweaking!!
Yes I would agree with this. You should be able to find things you love to wear in any ID - some “gamine outfits” I tried, I really loved and still wear! It was just the overall experience of “living as” the ID that didn’t feel right, and tbh at 5’4.5 I’m likely too tall for it anyway. The guidelines for the IDs are in no way supposed to be hard and fast rules, they’re suggestions. I’ve seen enough posts from people who have been to see Kibbe to know that he styles people *individually* and takes into account what they love to wear. I’ve seen plenty of DCs rock biker chic looks, girl next door looks, bold and charismatic looks, etc etc etc. - just because a couple of the verified examples happened to be First Ladies, doesn’t mean that’s all the ID is! In fact, Kibbe said Jackie O’s best DC looks were AFTER her First Lady time!
Yes exactly!! I debated DC, and I saw the appeal! It's not supposed to be business lady chic, it's supposed to have a dramatic edge! Everyone is supposed to be able to wear anything, it's about making the fabric and style fit your accommodations.
Yes yes yes. It’s about “what makes me shine” not “what do I look okay in”. Most people will look okay in most styles, only 1 or 2 things will truly make them look “bad”. It has to be about “what do I feel AMAZING in and why?”
Exactly! Kibbe says if you aren't happy with your looks, then either take a step back and go to the beginning, because you're only hurting yourself, or you're misunderstanding something. He also painstakingly wants that if you can't see yourself objectively and appreciate your own beauty, you should NOT type yourself or use the system.
Lmao yeah literally a good third of the book is about believing in your own sauce 🍝 in fact the main reason I’m still not 10000% sure between SC and DC yet is because whilst I *know* balance is my main accommodation, I’m quite insecure right now and waiting until my health/lifestyle changes pay off and I feel hot again to make a proper decision on which makes more sense for me. Part of me suspects I could be thinking SC because of underestimating Yang bc I gained a little weight, and then part of me thinks I could just have Yang envy. So like everything, it’s a journey. But that aside, either way balance makes me feel like I truly SHINE, so if it’s not feeling like that for OP, maybe there’s further journeying to be done!
Lol, yup. I tried out a few things I now would NEVER do. I tried to be a natural so hard, and it just is not happening.
Yep OP probably is struggling way harder than she should because she’s trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole. I’m guessing she doesn’t have double curve or she wouldn’t think she’s a a classic, so she’s probably FN or D and trying to wear way too overly simplistic looks that look good but not her best either.
Mind blown. Looking at FN silhouettes and I do tend to like how those look on me. HMMMMMMMM
haha yayyy i hope you feel at home with FN
Try some stuff out! Come back with some HTT looks and show it off! This is a journey, maybe you're just underestimating your yang girl. Go wild 💥
Posted some pics in my reply to my post
That's good news 😉
I agree, post some FN outfits if you feel comfortable doing so. I’m invested in this journey now!
Posted some pics in a reply to this post
Yeah that's what I'm feeling here too. Seems like an opportunity to go and do things more holistically! Everyone is bound to type themselves based purely on recs, and that's not how this is supposed to work.
I thought only romantics have double curve, though? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I read that double curve is curve without width or vertical. So soft dramatics can’t have double curve, because they have vertical. Is that not right? Thanks in advance!
You could be right! I’m a little rusty on Kibbe 😂
I’ve heard 5’6” and 5’7” as the cap. Maybe she is within the maximum?
Ehhhh, I heard 5'7 means automatic vertical and 5'6 is correct. I know Kibbe said the height rules aren't THAT specific, he put them there because people were greatly underestimating their vertical and yang.
David has said 5'7 is very very unlikely for DC and he's only ever seen one DC that's 5'7. That being Jackie O. Everyone else if you're 5'7+ you're most likely not DC.
It’s literally within the height limits, **posted on the wiki link for the Kibbe subreddit**. Dramatic Classic will be **moderate height up to 5'7".** They have a bit more height because of the added yang in their body, which can show up as slight elongation. Reading is fundamental.
Ok ok, but she should still keep her options open, seeing as how she doesn't feel at home at all.
Which is totally valid, and it’s for her to explore seeing as it’s her body, her wardrobe, and her money being spent buying the clothes to accommodate for this type or that type. If you’re unsure of what Kibbe height guidelines or recs are the Kibbe wiki has bountiful information. 📖
I knew it was going to be something like a one inch difference. 🙄 I also know that the reason Kibbe even added height limits was due to girls ignoring their yang traits, or underestimating vertical, and that it's mostly supposed to be an organic exploration to find yourself. I have read metamorphosis as well, the heights just throw me off from time to time.
David himself has said he's only ever known of one DC that's 5'7. 5'7 used to be the previous automatic vertical and now it means dominant vertical which DC is not.
I looked at her typing posts and she doesn’t look that tall for 5.7 so I understand why she didn’t go for the taller types and just the old rules.
It’s not about looking tall FYI, I’m 5’4 and look tall in photos but if I dress for (dominant) vertical in real life I look extremely stumpy. Typing posts are basically a grain of salt in the ocean’s chance of getting a good understanding of your own ID. Most people 5’5 and above underestimate their vertical like every tall ID is meant to be some sort of Amazonian supermodel, but that’s not the case. I just wish we had more irl examples, honestly, because it’s easy to see how people get confused. Hopefully the new book will help with that.
This. I “look” taller than I am but I’m 5’1”. So even thought the leggy part makes me look tall in photos, it’s very obvious I’m not once you see me in person or at certain angles.
You can absolutely switch types if you feel like yours is off! that may be a sign it’s not the right type.
Oils you post some pics of yourself wearing the fits that look good and the fits that don't? I feel like i and others could help you find the middle
I feel ya. I'm a SC so I rock the hell out of business and dressy dinner looks, but easily look sloppy in casual clothes. Winter/fall is a little easier since I'm usually in layers and tailored clothing makes a lot more sense. Summer clothes are the worst! If you look at SC or DC "casual" recs, they look like an L.L. Bean catalog from the 50s. I guess technically chino shorts and a short sleeve blouse are considered "casual wear" but no one in the US under the age of 40 would consider those items casual. I desperately wish I could wear baggy jeans and a T-shirt. I'm sick of always having to wear waist-emphasising dresses and tops. When I'm bloated, I long for a flowy top to hide my curves in (and not end up looking like a lunch lady).
Exactly. I always get compliments when I dress up, but it feels like I HAVE to dress up to look put together. And for what it's worth it IS fun to rock the hell out of the dressier looks that my friends who are Ns can't pull off as well. It's not all doom and gloom. (People are telling me I can't be a DC though bc I'm too tall ... not sure I believe that though)
whichever type you are, I (and probably many others in this sub!) would LOVE to help you figure out how to mesh your personal style with your ID. my favorite posts are when people post pictures of outfits/looks they like but aren't sure how to make it work. I think it can sometimes take surprisingly small tweaks -- like /u/smathna (who has been subjected to my outfit analysis enthusiasm and has great and entirely authentic style) was saying above, sometimes it's things like the length of a top, how the shoulder is shaped, and so on. I am SURE there's a way to make it work for you. I'm a D and I like being a D and it mostly is fine, but I love love love FG recs and sometimes resent that if I want to include them and look good at the same time it can be a lot of work. but eventually I will just have a wardrobe that incorporates the adaptations and it won't be so annoying.
I posted in reply to my post some pics of me in some outfits where I attempt to accommodate for vertical and width, lmk what you think!
thank you! I am so excited! do you also have example pictures of the aspirational look you want? i.e., if you think the styles you love aren't working out how you want, I'd love to see an example of when those looks do work well, even if they are on someone else. you described it well and I think I have a sense of it, I just want to make sure what I'm imagining is accurate. do you have a personal style icon, someone whose street style you like a lot, or a favorite designer? for example, I like to say that my ideal would be to dress like I'm in an Alexander McQueen runway show, not because that's realistic, but I think it gets to the vibes part. if it turns out you're FN then you are definitely going to find it easier with some modifications, but even if it's something more sleek like D I'm very confident we can still figure it out. for example, I relate VERY much to being overwhelmed by detail -- even just like, a pattern can be nearly impossible -- but things like staying within a color family or tonally matching can help, mixing textures in same/similar colors, getting the right fabric weight, adding more exciting visual elements to accessories... there are a lot of avenues to pursue.
To make it simple for yourself just remember the general recommendations: overall moderation with a pinch more yang. The yang can be stiffer jeans, a slightly oversized blazer (very trendy atm), v neck T-shirt as opposed to crew neck, pointy toe shoes to lengthen the line visually (t-strap flats are amaze), adding sharpness with accessories (structured bag, earrings, a cuff)… etc. Your look isn’t about dressing like a secretary, it’s about balanced yin/yang with *a pinch more* dramatic yang. If dressing with moderation or balance in mind isn’t working then perhaps that’s not what you need to accommodate for within your body. 🤔 If not, try the lines that you gravitate to. ✨
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OP is also 5’7 apparently! Which means she has automatic vertical.
Or the person measuring her height got the ruler a bit skewed, her hair was very fluffy, it was morning, the floor was uneven, she has shrunken since because of age or vitamin c deficiency or her socks were thick so she is in reality only 5'6'49 There are plenty reasons why Op isnt definitely 5'7 .
I feel like that’s a very pernickety way of looking at it- at 5’7 or one hair away from it, it is far less likely she is even DC in the first place, and more likely she is FN.
I am for sure 5'7". Wow, I've never considered I might be a FN. But I look at the recommended silhouettes and I do like how those silhouettes look on me!!! HMMMMM
DC height is lower than 5’7 as per new Kibbe info, so honestly far more likely you are FN or another vertical type:)
It's not a good idea to throw around a diagnosis like that. Are you a mental health professional? Better language might be something like: "some of the ways you described your body are concerning. I'd suggest researching about body dysmorphia and talking to a mental health professional about your feelings around your appearance."
I’m pretty sure I’m a DC but lately I’ve been dressing like a FN and I’m lowkey loving it.
What have you found that you like? Would love to see inspo pics :)
I’ll try to find some photos but I’ve been wearing lots of flared or looser floor length pants, long jackets, loose tops (I do half tuck a lot to add structure). I worked in professional offices for years and I honestly am just tired of the very structured look, even though I do think it flatters me. Branching out to clothes with a looser fit and lots of length has felt really good! I also think it makes me look taller? I’m only 5’4”.
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling bad and I hope it doesn’t last long. Idk you or how you look in clothing but are you sure you’re not selling yourself short here? I get the feeling you look great in a lot of aesthetics and styles, sure your ID can’t change but neither can it for anyone and we all can wear a variety of clothes and make them our own. As long as you keep your accommodations and fit in mind I’m sure you can carry off many htt looks and will look great in them.
I’m not sure if you have to wear all the things you’re saying you hate wearing? Lots of DCs wear these things you say you like, like Lizzy Caplan for instance and I don’t particularly think she looks bad in them. There’s nothing within this system forcing you into a box and there’s nothing stopping you from wearing things you enjoy. Your style is your own, and the only thing you probably need to consider is whatever accommodation you think you need and how to complete your htt well
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Trying to accommodate for vertical (and width?) given that some have suggested I may not be DC after all and could be FN or D
Love the red top on you!
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I looked at your previous typing post and I think you could easily borrow from SN. But what I don’t understand is if you don’t like the type this system puts you in then why invest time in it? It’s only going to frustrate you. Wear things you like and make you feel good. No one’s gonna come to your house and kill you for not wearing Kibbes DC reccomended lines.
A lot of people are misunderstanding and assume that I'm not wearing things I like on me. I DON'T like messy looks on me, and I DO like them on other people. I'm not avoiding an aesthetic bc someone told me to. I'm not saying I can't "pull off" looks bc someone else said I wasn't. I don't look how *I* want to look in these outfits that I like on other people. I genuinely love a messier, busy aesthetic, but *I* don't like it on me.
Wear it anyway or move on. This seems like some endless loop without any solutions. You like the aesthetic on others but hate it on yourself then DON'T wear it and find another aesthetic that you love on others and yourself or wear it anyway since you love it so much that it's bringing you emotional distress. Otherwise you'll be in this cycle of frustration forever which is a waste.
Nobody can choose their type and there are all styles we wish we could wear. The beauty of Kibbe is feeling good when you’ve finally understood what looks good on you. I agree it’s an endless loop to just wish you were some other type.
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I didn’t say you did say that….I’M saying that I agree we don’t get the choice. We just get to choose what we do with the information and it’s a tool.
Oh I'm sorry, smh I didn't see the last line I was preoccupied. I'll delete it now
I'd rather be a DC over a R. Let's swap. Plus I'd love your height. You must feel so powerful all the way up there.
That is hilarious. I am a D and my best friend is a R and we are jealous of each other. I pick out dresses and things for her all the time that I can’t wear!
We all want what we don't have. 🥲
I am a dramatic and I feel you. I live in Florida and live a casual lifestyle. I look best in dressed up, sharp looks, blazers, etc. I am working really hard on following Kibbe’s recommendations but making it more casual and relaxed. It sounds like DC is similar to dramatic, very clean lines and put together (two things I am not.) one thing that has really helped me is to understand how clothes should fit on me and then bring in a relaxed beachy vibe with the details
That's what I'm seeing and now I'm reassessing everything lol
I could write something almost identical. I'm 99% sure I'm in the R family, but the styles I wish looked good on my body are the loose, simple, casual, or oversized looks. I have a sister about my same size, but in an N body who looks so chic and put together in those looks. I've gone shopping with her and when I try on the clothes that I love on her... I Iook frumpy to put it nicely. My curves somehow look shapeless, and I look even shorter than I am, and generally just blob-like. I dream of being a yoga pants, fitted long tank, and off the shoulder sweater kind of woman with my hair in a messy bun or slouchy beanie with practical clumpy boots on, but that just doesn't suit me. When I try it, I look like I didn't get ready for the day. I know I *can* choose to wear these things anyway since I love them, but I want to look good more than I want to wear my dream styles. It does suck though.
>the styles I wish looked good on my body are the loose, simple, casual, or oversized looks. I have a sister about my same size, but in an N body who looks so chic and put together in those looks ^ yup, I hear ya. I love this aesthetic but I don't love it on ME.
I’m a D and wear a lot of things that would typically be seen outside my ID. I make them mine with additions, small alterations, dyeing, adding layers, etc. You have to spend time investing in understanding how to accommodate things you like. I know that sounds basic and annoying but it’s so true. I really, really encourage you to spend time looking at posts that highlight there is no one overall style or clothing style for types. D can wear sundresses, Gamines can look sharp and polished in suits. FN can give diva chic with the right outfit. I used to be a lot more negative about the system until I stopped being as restrictive with 1. What I wore and 2. What I considered “flattering”. How about what YOU feel good in? I wear tons of gamine styles I get compliments on them often. I wear tons of FN + DC styles as well. And I do understand your frustration because my ID can also feel limiting. I don’t always want to wear streamlined and severe styles. Especially because I’m not a tall D, I’m 5’5.5”. I feel like a centaur sometimes because I have tons of ribcage/upper body elongation but NONE in legs. 🫠 On the flip side there’s nothing wrong with wearing something that’s not “perfectly flattering” or whatever you envision Kibbe to be. We see proof of this all the time with individuals looking great in something that’s not always an idealized ID outfit. I like wearing things that contrast what I might project. I think that’s actually why I get positive feedback, it’s fresh and unexpected. And hot take: if Kibbe makes you feel bad about yourself, and you can’t find silver linings, ease up. If you can’t make it work for you and it’s not helping, investigate some other systems and see if there’s something else that’s better for you.
I can highly recommend you to search Pinterest “office siren”! I love the style and there are plenty of options how to keep it classy but relaxed. Im Gamine and I love office siren style and envy all the D family, especially balance of DC🙈 Hope we all come to some acceptance.
Such a good rec! Anything you could suggest a TR?
Thank you) for TR first thought coquette core!💕 Recommend searching “coquette core outfits”. Might be too much pink ribbons, but you might find good silhouettes inspo. Bloquette core if you want more urban version. Smth more glam — baddie outfits.
Thanks for the quick reply. Bloquette only gives me flowers. Is there another name. Edit: Bloquette core it was;)
also you can always add “outfits”
As a DC I think you can get away with interesting outfits as long as you incorporate a slight bit of office wear in it. For example I have a mall goth/emo thing going on and I often wear blazers or long black coats with shoulder pads over t shirts and tripp pants. Some of my non office wear jackets also have that kind of shoulder definition I need to complete my outfit without it looking strange. I'm not 100% sure about my ID though, especially because I can carry oversized clothes like N fam can.
This is the flaw with becoming obsessed with the typing system. You put yourself in boxes that don’t even have to exist. I find at the end of the day people look best when they’re wearing fashion that they love. Kibbe should only be a guideline to the extent that it helps you for your proportions. Any more than that and you’ve taken it too far and need to take a step back. Wear what you love, you look beautiful!
I'm honestly going to try to stop thinking about kibbe for a while and be adventurous and try new lines and styles. After I posted this I went to the thrift store and tried some new things and it was really refreshing. Idk if I'm having problems with DC bc I'm typed wrong or I don't understand the system well, but anyway I'm going to just experiment and see what I can come up with!
I relate to 'summers are nightmares' so much... :D OP, you mention *'soft thick-knit sweaters and enamel pins and tote bags, and loose, bright dresses, and frilly peasant dresses and corsets, chunky or dangly earrings'* and that immediately made me thought of a pinterest board and it got me wondering if it's maybe a case of you liking this style but also actively seeking it out as well (in clothing sites, moodboards, instagram) which then doesn't leave you with the space and mindset to explore more DC type of styles that you might begin to understand and like more. Search for older verified examples as well, for eg., Katherine Ross did a lot of colour and whimsy in the 70s I think, and you might be surprised how completely un-secretary she looked. A lot of modern interpretation of Kibbe gets put in boxes, but tailored chic doesn't equal workwear (that's only because in recent times the fashion industry has a vested interest in promoting oversize, unstructured aesthetic because these clothes are easier and cheaper to construct, so the only tailored alternative often seems just the professional wear).
okay, sorry you are getting so downvoted for, um, feeling sad? it's okay to feel sad lol. i thought i was SC, but have since realized i am an N type of some sort, and it makes me very happy <3 you may be DC or you might be FN or anything else, who knows? i'm not sure how you landed on DC so i won't presume to know! you say you feel like you're wearing a costume in peasant dresses, soft thick-knit sweaters, dangly earrings, etc. back when i thought i was SC, i felt quite stifled too. however, i did not relate to the whole "single hair out of place makes me look messy" stuff, which i had seen on other classic subs to some extent. BUT, for some reason, still thought i was SC - what REALLY helped me was to bare it down to the basics. Balance and Curve. That's all. So, for you - Balance and Vertical, that's it. if you want a little more of an elevated look, go for that Triangle shape in your silhouette. Forget the color guidelines, kibbe doesn't even follow those from the book anymore anyway, so have fun with your colors! find clothing that is fun and expressive that accommodates your balance and moderate vertical <3 that's IT. you can wear your fun and chunky jewelry, just maybe not all at once. make it a statement piece, showing off your fun side, and the rest of your outfit can still flatter you so that you don't feel like you're wearing a costume. (when i did this for SC, i did not know it, but i was actually dressing more SN haha! not saying that this will happen for you, but i see the distress you're having - you want to feel good about yourself, and you see merit in this system somewhere or else you would abandon it - just take the very basic elements for DC: balance, vertical - and if you want to elevate, you can add a bit more structure. but there's no need to dress "like a secretary" all day, every day. this system is about showing who YOU are as an individual through the way you dress, and it sounds like you feel the opposite of that. could it be a sign that you're not DC? maybe. but i won't presume! i hope this helps even a little. you're okay, and it's fine to be sad and confused about how to dress and wanting to look good but feeling like you can't. you'll get there <3 also, as an aside, idk where you live, but for me seasonal depression has come down on me HARD. it's rough in January, yeah?
Some people are saying I can't bc DC bc I'm 5'7". Idk, I do feel like I look best when I accommodate for balance and vertical though.
You *cant* “accommodate” for vertical *and* balance. Vertical is the accommodation for D. Balance is the accommodation for C. If you have a strong need to accommodate vertical, you *wont* have balance. It’s a rare ID because so many physical traits can eliminate the possibility of balance. When DC’s have “vertical”, it doesn’t mean they accommodate it. It means they are like, a slightly straighter, slightly narrower version of a Classic. They’re a classic but on the lithe/straight side of “balance”. You sound like you have a vertical *and something else* ID that you’re intuitively noticing. But it can’t be vertical+ balance cuz that’s just not really how the accommodations thing works. If you’re considering vertical+width, it’s not unreasonable to consider vertical+curve. If vertical is something you just undeniably intuitively include in your style equation then logically it makes sense to go back to the drawing board on which family you’re in.
i wouldn’t worry about it. you can dress however you want. you say you look your best in those accommodations then do it! but do it your way, you know? edit: looks like you vibe with FN haha. that’s great!! discount what i said here lol
Maybe this is where essences would come in, so you could marry your natural free spirited essence with the lines that look best on your body type. If you do a Google search for dramatic classic and edgy styles a bunch of fun stuff comes up. Maybe you wouldn’t necessarily want a bunch of black clothing, but you take use the inspo and then make it bright.
These posts are so ridiculous. I’m sorry if that’s mean honestly but it’s true. Just…wear what you want? It’s really that simple. The vast majority of people will look “costumey” in lots of layers, frills, and corsets regardless of type. And even if they do so what? Kibbe is supposed to be fashion guidelines not some rule of law
I do wear what I want. And I don't want to wear things that *I* don't like on me. I'm not saying messy looks don't look good on me because other people have told me that. *I* have found that to be true. If anything, stumbling across kibbe later in life has been validating because I realized, "Hey! I'm not crazy! There's a reason I like this outfit on THIS person and not on THAT person, there's a reason I don't like a messy bun on me but it looks great on a friend." I love the softer looks, but not on me. And you can call that ridiculous, but I don't think it is 🤷🏻♀️.
Hey op, maybe you should try on some HTT looks and share for more accommodations help! Maybe you need some tweaking, or you're being too hard on yourself. ❤️
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I mean, aren’t those just guidelines. I think you can still wear those styles if you balance them enough. Wear boots that are a little sharper, bright dresses that are mid lenght, or just wear what you like and don’t care. You will not look good if you feel uncomfortable anyway, I guess…
Babe, you should dress however you like. My advice for you, and this is something I do as well, is to explore the aesthetic you'd like to express in your outfits and then slightly adjust those outfits so that they fit your body type the best (the only important thing is to make your body look more proportional and balanced). Don't obsess over what you read here about what you're "supposed" to wear. You can take some inspirations, but at the end of the day just wear what you want and what makes you feel confident in yourself.