I am a soft classic and ONE time I wore scrubs to work that were full of animated pictures of tinkerbell. Everybody else wears cartoon scrubs many times a week, but the ONE time I wore mine I got asked if it was Halloween. Now I finally get why.

THIS is why I've always hated shopping and have lived in tshirts and jeans forever! As a soft classic, almost all women's clothes I find is too cute and detailed than I like or look good in. Thanks for the video!

I just wanna say that you can be a flamboyant gamine and still be a minimalist, I just add some colour to my usually black, grey,white or camel outfits and keep the lines geometric and respect the lines, you don't have to wear polka dots and a lot of different patterns to look good! Think of Audrey Hepburn!

It took me a while to accept that I am a dramatic classic. I always struggled with the being fun department. Everyone would tell me that I looked so nice in the more classic stuff but I wanted to be more fun, interesting and care free. I used to take it too far though. That left me with a closet filled with items that looked like costumes that I couldn't mix and match at all. Once I started really accessing my body type and lost the extra weight, I could see my body lines. Dramatic classic lines are just so easy for me to dress up and down. I really love how you showed ways for a dramatic classic to punch up an outfit without looking crazy. You are right when you say that one must try on those styles a see what they look like on ones own body. For years I use to love the idea of bohemian as in flamboyant natural and soft natural but they looked bag lady/dirty hippy on me. I also thought the vavavoom soft dramatic and theatrical romantic type looks would make me look sexy while being sophisticated. Nope, I wound up look like a little girl playing dress up or princess. It surprised the heck out of me that I am able to blend both my desire to look polished with a cool edge once I started actually wearing dramatic classic lines. The general recommendations for an inverted triangle (because of my broad shoulders) doesn't make me look my best. Following my bodylines make me look slim and curvy. Who would ever think that I could look curvy. Soft classic was a little too matronly and sweet for me, but I knew I needed a soft element. Funnily enough, it turns out my coloring is soft and muted. I sometimes find it hard to acquire clothing that has a dramatic classic cut but in soft muted colors.

You know what i rhink about? Audrey Hepburn, flamboyant gamine, in "brealfast at Tyffany's" with the small black dress that supposed to be boring but all added detail in jewelery, big hair and strong makeup made it gorgeous and elegant when piling it up on a classic lady would just look like a parody.

i would love more videos like this on other body types (like naturals 😭); this was so interesting!! and the elemental comparisons at the end were a nice touch!

I really love the way you think and teach this. I understand Kibbe a lot more from watching your videos. I can tell you're really creative. Only a creative person can problem solve like this.

This is my favorite of all of your videos. I was afraid to admit that my body was dramatic classic because I thought any "drama" made me look masculine and because my face has gentle curves rather than the sharpness that DC ladies have (more yin like theatrical romantic), but this made me realize that I looked "masculine" when I tried to wear super cutsy clothing because those lines are not right for my body, but I look adorable when the lines are right! Thank you so much!

Thank you for this video! Now I understand why my best friend ( flamboyant gamine) can wear all the crazy colors and patterns and look great and for me (some kind of classic) an ornate belt could be sometimes overwhelming. 😁

As a flamboyant gamine who really loves that minimalist/chic look on others, I always wondered why I felt like it looked so boring and dull on me!!! Your description was amazing, it's wonderful to know I can still look chic with quite a bit of detail. (Why is it so hard to look at yourself objectively?!?) Thanks for making this video!!

Can’t tell you how much I appreciate this and the way you explain everything in detail is beautiful. I am a dramatic classic and now I understand why I felt boring growing up. Everything about me is so average and I would try and make myself look more unique by dressing crazy. But now I’m older and happy with a minimalist style

This is such a well and thoughtfully done video. I think the "classics being boring" stereotype was really perpetuated with some of the videos that Carole Jackson and others put out in the late 80's. They seemed to glamorize the dramatics, the gamines were fun and childlike, the romantics were pudgy and wore a lot of lace, and then everyone else was chopped liver. lol. Well, I take that back. The naturals were reaaaalllyy into sports. I specifically remember one of the actresses who was identified as classic for the video ask the presenter "Well, what if I like to wear a more romantic line from time to time, would that be alright?" The presenter responded with something to the effect of that she would look ridiculous and too overdone if she went outside her lines and to sort of get over it. I think it's only recently that we've been starting to figure out that the box that each of the categories we fall into really isn't so tiny and conforming, and there is actually a lot of room to play around within each set of recs. On a side note, I'm actually a little confused now how to tell the difference between an SG and an FG. It seems like SG's have more square/rounded faces and FG's have oval/pointed faces with high cheekbones? I suppose too that FG's look a bit more long in the arms and legs from the D influence, and SG's are more compact from the R influence. I sort of gave up trying to figure out which one I fall into more, because I can do some from both, and have ended up just sticking to straight G. *sigh*

The XS example was hilarious! 🤣🤣 But it also made me understand the concept a LOT better: thank you!

I adore your videos, I get so happy when you upload, I would love to hear your opinion on looks for a soft natural, and how could one achieve a more cute girly look or a more glamorous look instead of just the relaxed girl type.

Love your analytical approach to understanding the Kibbe system! After struggling for months, you helped me realize I am a DC which explained every question I ever had about why certain clothes “worked” for me and others that I thought should have just didn’t. This video was extremely helpful, As I haven’t found much info on DC’s. Now I can overhaul my closet with confidence.

Great! You put a lot into this. Great point about the role of hair, accessories and makeup.

I could listen for you for hours! I just love how you elevate clothing and style to another level of personhood and essence of every human being. Very refreshing and a great counterbalance to "seasonal trends", "celebrity style" and "style hacks for body types" videos. I feel that even though it is about clothing your body, it is a very useful tool of getting to know oneself and cultivating your true essence.

This was very helpful, thank you! What I am getting is that the Soft Gamines are slightly boxier, less curvy, and details make them look lively and interesting; meanwhile, Dramatic Classics are curvier, and patterns often distract from their natural shapes. Gamines are paintings, and Classics are sculptures.

Wow, great video and so well explained! Thank you! 😊👍 Could you make a video with the differences between soft classics and soft naturals? I think it would be helpful for many of us as these two types have this romantic influence and it can be confusing deciding which type one is. Thank you!

Very very useful. I love how you look at Kibbe styles and your voice is very soothing

Hi Merriam. Thanks for another awesome video. I just love listening to your voice. The info you present is always interesting and well presented.

please do more of these comparisons videos, especially for naturals and romantics, i think I am theatrical romantic although my face is romantic so i don't know. I I really like the natural's chilled/relaxed lines so so much but their lines look baggy on me, Like I am lost in the clothes although they are my size and if i go a size smaller i look overweight. I was so sad cause I thought I can only look nice in girly looks. Oh please please please do a romantic and natural comparisons, I went to your website and I cannot afford the packages (student life) PRETTY PLEASE!!

Your videos are always amazing! thanks for the advice ♡

Wow! Thank you for such a detailed explanation of the types! I also thought I was doomed to boring clothes. But I get it now. Thank you💕

Loved this! informative, entertaining, and practical. ❤️ Could you please go more in depth on naturals?

I am so inspired by your videos! Finally, I think I know how to dress elegant or fun. Thank you! I am a flamboyant gamine, and I have been looking boring forever... I have been binge watching your videos for the past 3 days. It's FUN :))

I love your well-thought out perspectives and thank u thank u thank u for uploading!!!

Amazing you're very talented with great attention to detail I was very impressed by you catching the similarities between balanced stones and Nina, this is next level styling.

Great video! I appreciate how You take time and explain the same idea from different perspectives through videos. Could You make a similar video to this one but with soft classics and dramatics or a video on how classics can look more dramatic?

Great video! I think you give the clearest explanation of working with your lines to achieve different effects. I'm soft gamine and even in clashing prints i look normal but well put together. If i wear the same lines in my clothes but without the prints i look ready for an elegant dinner.

Soft natural is so confusing. I need more info and help with clothes. I feel like there isn't much info for soft naturals.

The comparisons and the horizontal chart were very very helpful

Thank you for the video! So insightful!

Brilliant! So helpful in explaining the difference between the body types and what works the best on them. Thanks Merriam 👍🏻

I really like this explanation. Thank you!

That video - again - was amazing. I just yesterday realized what detail can really be. I used to think, I always need ruffles, frills, bows and lace detail to look good and to be honest, I got sick of it. Yesterday I was looking up some fashion pictures and found clothes that were designed with a lot of color blocking, gathers, cuffs, prints etc. and then it clicked for me "hey, that's detail too!", and I felt stupid for not realizing that before. I like wearing ruffles and stuff once in a while but it's not really my prefered style. There are many topics I'm interested in and body typing might be one of those that are the most difficult to fully understand. But that makes it even more interesting to me.

Thank you Merriam, for another excellent video! 😘😘😘

Oh I like your videos in that way so much. I'm interesting in the types between classic and soft natural. I even not know my bodytype.

Fantastic video again Merriam! I’m a flamboyant gamine and your videos have helped me really understand and appreciate my body type. I think that a lot of people have a hard time grasping FG and what Kibbe meant when he wrote about it. You hit the nail right on the head! Would you consider making a video about Audrey Hepburn’s FG style? I am drawn to classic, minimalist fashion, and she struck a balance between FG essence and more timeless clothing. I have seen some pictures of her wearing prints and lots of detail, but I’ve seen more pictures of her wearing solid neutrals, such as white poplin blouses and black trousers. Her evening wear seemed to include more classic necklines, if I’m not wrong. However, she wears some FG details, such as her asymmetrical choppy bangs. Instead of looking “fun” and “out-there”, her bangs just look polished and normal on her. It would be an interesting topic for a video, and I would love your insight on it!

Beautiful way of describing the differences! the images are also a great addition! Please, make more comparison videos using the Natural body type compared with the soft natural or Flamboyant Natural with Dramatic Classic.

You have a really good eye! It was interesting to see how curly hair plays into being a classic. It creates animation! I struggle with dressing myself when my hair is curly and your comment was a light bulb moment for me!

Can you please talk about every day winter clothes? I'm a soft classic and I feel like my only options are to look like a working soccer mom or not wear my lines

Thank you Merriam! So useful!

Thank you for this comparison video! I took the Kibbe test 3 different times and I came up Dramatic Classic each time. I now have an even better handle on what type of looks are best on my body.

Thank you so much for making this. I'm stuggling to determine my body type, and I think it's also because people always ignore classics for videos! I'm getting great at typing others, but still can't pin down my body. I think I'm a bit closer to figuring out what I am now because of you

For me as dramatic classic this was very interesting. Thank you!

Hi Merriam. Can you do a video explaining how to tell the gamines apart? I can never tell which one I am. And as a side note, giving some tips on how shorter gamine women can avoid being mistaken for a teenager/child in professional setting? Contouring soft, flat cheeks is especially hard with my babyfaceness/ Ingenue. Thank you.

would love to see an episode of fragrances to suit the body types

Great examples! Thanks

You are really smart... thank you for your videos 👍🏻

I still don't know what my Kibbe body type is, but this video gives such an excellent explaination regarding how style, personality and expression work for classic and gamines types. I think you did great work here, thank you.

I am a size small and for a while I thought the right way for me was picking up the tiny shirt or jacket or dress...when I realized I was soft natural, I tried picking up size small t-shirts that look a bit oversized on me and wow! What a difference, I look so much better. That relaxed look really confirmed I was right. An interesting fact is that I am only 5’ 2” but I had a growth issue when I was a child (I could had meant to be taller) this made very confusing to identify my body type (I thought I was TR) but when I focused on my bone structure and the lines that made me look more sophisticated, it was very clear I was a soft natural.

I´m struggling wether I´m a Soft Classic or a Soft Natural. Can you please make a video on comparing these two types? Love your videos!!!!

Nothing on Soft Classics at all. It appears this type is one of the least represented in Kibbe related in videos. :(

Very smart. Good job! :)

Your awesome videos helped me so much! Thank you! I am a soft classic and when I discovered my Kibbe type it explained a lot in my wardrobe and why some things that seemed good idea while on a hanger didn’t work on me. Still, I think that being classic is a bit boring. Not because you *look* boring, but because your type leaves you *so little* wiggle room. No place for experiments with accessories, nothing cute, nothing perky, nothing edgy - everything looks too much on you. You cannot have fun shopping and putting together your look - you just have to walk straight line. One step right - and you are frumpy, one step left - and you are gaudy. You have to stick to plain dresses and minimal jewelry (which *is* boring in the process, however elegant your reflection in the mirror is). The perk of the soft classic is that you look regal even wrapped up in a sheet. The downside - that’s about all you can wear to look your best. Unless you are a first lady or belong to a royal family that is not a very exciting type to be.

Thank you so much for this video. After many weeks of constant study, last weekend I took the Kibbe test again with the help of my mother and brothers and I got typed as a Dramatic Classic. And hells it felt depressing! The more I searched about how to dress as a Dramatic Classic the worse I felt because I don't relate at all with the style in general. Now, after watching this video I feel as if I understand a little bit more of what a Dramatic Classic is beyond the stereotype, and even found some information that does ring with parts of my personality. I have to admit I'm still having a hard time digesting it, but I believe I have a better direction now. Obviously, I'll not force myself to use something I don't like, but I really wanted to try to incorporate one thing or another.

Hi Merriam, it is wonderful how you notice compare an dread different body types and your eamples with pictures are so helpful. Thankyou for all your addort that goes into these. I have one question. After I discovered I am soft gamine, I bought few tops that have high neckline, fitted at waist and details but didn’t quite suit me. I had secomd thoughts about my body type but I cannot be any other type. I would like to take your style offer but can I pay in 3 installments or so

Can you do a video talking about gamines specifically? I get a little confused with flamboyant gamine style and plain gamine one. How different is one from another?

excellent video as always, and I love the longer form with the extra examples and explanation. could you advise on how a romantic might try to look edgier? I'm a romantic but have always wanted to give more of a butch Marlene Dietrich impression - which I know might be impossible, especially considering my very prominent chest

You are a genious, thank youuuu so much!

Could you please do a video on how to integrate/ interpret kibbe along with “traditional” body analysis. I’m a definite flamboyant gamine, but I’m also an inverted triangle (5’2” and 115 pounds). I don’t want to appear top-heavy but many of the kibbe recommendations (narrow pants, cropped jackets, different top and bottom color, etc.) create a top-heavy result which makes me very uncomfortable.

I think I have a romantic body type, but I like to dress more Soft Gamine/Gamine. How do you think this would this effect my aesthetic? I think it looks more classic on me, but maybe I'm wrong. And your long explanations are great! The more examples and info, the better! 😀

Now I understand why I look my best when I put it the minimum effort eg going out for errands or not being in a mood to dress up. Whenever I am trying to express my stylistic abilities and experiment with crazy patterns, something is off. As a dramatic classic that settles it.

Very interesting! I’ve pretty much narrowed down I’m a dramatic Classic... and your right! I really thought Classic was boring. I sternly avoided it because I’m short with thinness, roundness & a square jaw like Sophia Loren. Too small for Womens too big for some Jrs. with styles in my closet that were both classic & trend. I’d leave my house feeling great but could see friends analyzing my funky style like something was off lol. In pictures I’d see something “off” but could not figure it out until I realized I AM a Classic!! This video explains my problem! I’m a fun personality but was dressing “too gamine” or “too soft natural. (I already knew dressing dramatic was like putting on a sack lol) I absolutely love your insight and in-depth angles of thought creatively helping us look at our selves and not everybody else. Yes we have to compare to the other types but I feel so individualized now! I’ve removed 2/3 of clothing from my closet and express my funk in shoes or jewelry. Hey people! Save yourself some time and get your typing done by Miriam!😃💜

This comparison on how to look fun or elegant for dramatic classics and flamboyant gamines is super interesting and useful. I am learning so much from your videos and the kibbe system is fascinating. Thank you

I just wanted to say, thanks for all your videos. Now that I'm older, I gravitate to simpler clothing and feel very uncomfotable in busier/geometric/boxy/dramatic clothing. I thought it was just because I was hitting 30. In reality, I'm a *soft classic*. It becomes clearer when I notice that a lot clothing overwhelms my frame, even though I'm not petite. If I add a simple print, I look "fun."

Wow I'm super early. Please do a video on how theatrical romantics can try different styles or look less sexualised. I'm a TR and always seem to look a bit slutty even when I try to wear something basic

Ohhhh I love this video!! Do you have one with Romantics and detail? I have a more fun essence with a romantic body type

This is fun. I found out that I am a dramatic classic like Nina Dobrev, and I can never wear clothes with to many details. I love classic fits, and I just accessorize it with some details for going out. It makes a huge difference. It's nice that I already have the type of clothes that fit my kibbe type even before finding out what it was.

Great research!

I think it's difficult to adapt lines to differents styles. I'm a SG and I have a hard time finding the right clothes for work (lawfirm) and for being a bit more sexy, I always look childlike in a way which is not helping when we wanna be taken seriously in the dating and the work departments. When going to a store the "office" clothes are more fitted for classics and dramatics and the night/"sexy" clothes more for R and TR. It really makes it hard when we don't know how to arrange outfits correctly. And reading others comments I get that each type have problems with adapting the theory in real life outfits for everyday occasions, could you do a serie about that? or maybe an article/section on your site explaining how each type can adapt each style using their lines with tips like playing with a funnier/less classic blazer for gamines for work (I guess it can work) etc to give us ideas ? I love how you show that those mythes are false, I love your way of explaining Kibbe types.

I still can't believe you have to explained this logic to people. Great video as always!

Can you make a video about soft naturals and types they can be confused with? Still not sure if im SN or romantic, i do have an hourglass figure and have soft flesh, but struggling to see the difference between SN shoulders and romantic shoulders for example, also cant fully get the difference between rounded nose and broad nose. It’s the lines I’m confused about. Thank you so much 🌸

Really helpful video.

I’d love to see a video of just artistic pictures as Kibbe types like you did at the end of this vid. I think that would help me understand the system better :)

This made me feel so much better about being a DC, thank you!!

I am a dramatic classic, I love accessories frills colour; but I look crazy lol. I have a very simple fit and flare dress. I look fun in this dress, so I am just embracing my elegance. It’s enough. If I want to be edgy , I use something like shoes or handbag.

Your videos are like factual storytelling! I know the Kibbe system is about clothing and lines but do you think there is any correlation or crossover between Kibbe body type and interior design style? Of course clothes are worn and a room is lived in but would Gamines be able to decorate with more "fun and interesting" objects, patterns and textures and Dramatics be more suited to living in large, hi-tech, architectural structures with geometric shapes etc. or is that way too much of a jump from the Kibbe system!? I can imagine Jennifer Aniston living in a cool beachouse with wood panelling and linen fabrics that compliment her laid-back Natural style.

Nina on the right at 4>08 is perfect!!

Well this makes sense. I’m a Dramatic Classic with high contrast. I’ve always had to keep things very simple. The way I add interest is to wear an interesting ethnic necklace. I keep that the focus and keep everything else to a minimum. Now I know why.

I really enjoyed your explanation of the types. I'd like to know what type you think Iris Apfel is? I think she is a flamboyant gamine. Great job!!

I found out about kibble body type few days ago and it already explained a lot..I'm a flamboyant gamine and i couldn't understand why the prototypical type of everyday clothes, aka clothes that are plain without much detail looked too boring on me. if I put a common pair of jeans and some t-shirt on, I even feel bored. and I can wear some clothes that most people think are weird, avant-garde, with a lot of details, accessories that are extravagant and exaggerated, they look good on me. I also look good with clothes that are more for the dramatics(some say I have an intimidating vibe although im only 5'5''), like suits and jackets. id add more details when im wearing these clothes.anyway really like your videos and thank you for explaining things in such clear way!

Thank you for this...I feel better about being a dramatic classic. I too thought classic was boring but I understand it more now. Thanks again

Merriam- enjoyed the vid! I think you may have answered this question somewhere else but I am wondering if one can have a classic face on a dramatic body and what that translates into re Kibbe type?

Thank you for your incredible videos. I understand myself now much better. I think I am a soft classic, but what always confuses me is that it is described as symmetrical. Neither my body nor my face are very symmetrical but I still fit overall the classic type most.

I'm somewhat older and have just discovered Kibbe system . I'm pretty sure I'm a DC and this video is super helpful! I see how instantly Nina's look changes with just silhouettes and how easy it would be to look Clownish, over the top, or trying too hard. I'm also comforted about my near lifelong aversion to many printed or intricate tops! 😮 even beautiful,, sophisticated looking ones...either I felt like a grandma or an attention seeker, or plain crazy when others looked so polished, elegant, and professional. A little too much makeup and I look like a hooker or a matronly m'am. I guess it's going to be really easy. Seeing Tessa look so fab but needing to wear something that's 'a lot' to get there. I'm going to save a lot of 💰 But sadly have to pass up so many cute, trendy styles. This Era of polyester fabrics is killing me though and I guess I do have to spend on better materials to achieve a good look. ahh. fashion. Thanks so much for this video, hope to see more!

Could you make something about kibbe bodytypes and aging? My mom really wants tips about what to do with her hair and such, she´s 57 and dramatic, she still looks very skinny and she's very tall. Edit: she also has a sort of etherial essance, angelic

Yes the balanced stones are so Nina energy!!! 😀👍

Classics aren’t boring. We’re spectacular! Like diamonds, we don’t need anything extra to shine. Thank you for this video - I recently discovered I’m a classic - now I know why I look ridiculous in trends and jeans 😆

This helps me to feel more confident about just wearing simplicity. I’ve always gravitated towards that, but I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I just bought the stupidest blouse with giant puff sleeves and a print. It has to go :) lol. Not for me, a dramatic classic.

Great content. Only thought is calling straight hair “neater” was a weird word choice when the contrasting hair was more textured but very manicured.

Merriam, please post another video for Soft Classics

Súper vídeo could you do casual outfits for classics

I am soft natural and want to look less heavy, what can i do?

Very good!

My body and face is more similar to soft classic but my height is 5’2”. Does this mean I should go for more gamine looks??

Hi! I am a theatrical romantic and my hair is as flat and straight as it can be. How can I make it work with my style without spending a lot of time and products to style it? Thanks in advance!

Super cool

more videos on how to look elegant as a soft natural