Kibbe: Soft Dramatic Body Type Style Guide
Soft Dramatic: Soft and statuesque with a diva essence
I assume if you’re here you’ve fallen down the kibbe rabbit hole, attempted to type yourself, and have now come to the conclusion (or hope to have finally come to the conclusion) that you are a soft dramatic body type.
Now what? Well, the kibbe body IDs can be extremely helpful in understanding style lines, silhouettes, and overall personal style essence. If you’re not sure, here’s a breakdown of all the kibbe ids and the kibbe system in general.
What is the Kibbe Soft Dramatic ID?
The Soft Dramatic is dramatic with a romantic undercurrent.
As you know the Kibbe body system types people based on their yin/yang balance. For the soft dramatic you have bold yang and yin undercurrent. Your bone structure is long and angular, but your flesh softens your overall shape.
Your facial features are marked by large eyes and full lips, which are both parts of your yin influence.
The soft dramatic is yang dominant and your yin is a secondary feature.
You are technically a combination of the Dramatic ID and the Romantic ID. However, you are not equal parts, and will always have more dramatic dominance.
You are bold and alluring, so embrace that!
What are the physical characteristics of the Soft Dramatic?
Remember that while the Kibbe system is very detailed, it is also full of nuance. So, if you don’t check all the boxes for one type you could still be that type. It’s best to refer back to the quiz (I added detailed pictures to help!) or get outside help to be sure.
Keep in mind the kibbe system is based on three main aspects- your bone structure, the flesh on your body, and your facial features. It is a yin/yang style system which means it’s evaluating how sharp or round your entire body and face are and trying to match your style to that balance.
The Soft Dramatic has the following physical traits:
- Height: You are usually taller than 5ft 5 inches (but not always- there are no lower height limits!)
- Soft Dramatics usually have long limbs
- Most fleshy through the hip and bust (although not always if you are extremely thin)
- Moderate fleshiness on upper arms and thighs
- A defined waist that is moderate in width in comparison to the rest of your body
Your bone structure:
- Long limbs, larger hands and feet. You can have either wide or narrow hands or feet, but they are most prominently described as having length.
- You often appear taller than you are
- Long and angular qualities
Facial Features:
- Full features, exotic essence
- Large eyes
- Full lips
- Fleshy Cheeks
- Prominent facial features
- Wide range of hair types from wavy, coarse, or fine (don’t use this is a determining factor)
When you gain weight you tend to gain it in your bust, hips, waist, upper arms, and upper thigh area. Your face may also become more round if you gain weight or are overweight.
Soft Dramatics do not have:
- They are not petite
- They do not have short limbs
- They do not have a boyish figure
- They do not have delicate facial features
Soft Dramatic Coloring:
For the most part, soft dramatics can have a variety of seasonal color palettes. They usually have a distinct coloring that has vivid or rich contrast. While I would not use your coloring as a qualifying trait for determining your kibbe ID, it is very helpful to guide you on color palettes. So if you’re interested in figuring out your seasonal color, check out my in-depth guide.
Soft Dramatic Style Guide
One of the main benefits of the (albeit complex) Kibbe system is understanding your natural silhouette and being able to pinpoint your style lines more strategically.
All of a sudden, you realize why a certain trend doesn’t work in its natural form for your body type. Or why you just can’t seem to make a certain dress work on your body.
Personally, I see a lot of value in the Kibbe system concept and the in-depth look at our entire essence. However, I also believe there are ways to make certain silhouettes and trends work for each kibbe ID. Fashion is personal, and you shouldn’t view this as putting yourself in a box.
Instead, look at this style guide as a great place to start your fashion journey and a great place to create a “comfort zone” or foundational fashion style.
And if there is a trend or look outside your Kibbe ID that you’d like to try, drop a photo in the comments and I’ll do my best to help make that style a reality for you.
Style Goals for a Soft Dramatic
When I think of a Soft Dramatic, I see a unique and exotic blend of the Dramatic body type (extreme Yang) and Romantic undercurrent (extreme Yin). You are bold, dramatic, and incredibly charismatic.
To translate that into a style goal or style identity, it might best be described as Diva Chic.
Your style silhouettes are bold and best described as “T” shape. You have strong geometric silhouettes that are softened by drapey, flowing fabrics. This reflects your yang/yin balance.
Overly embellished and ornate accessories are essential for your look, and you always make an impact with your entire look.
Lightweight fabrics that create subtle elegance and drape over your strong lines create the perfect symbiotic style balance.
Soft Dramatic Style Do’s and Don’ts
When it comes to their style Soft Dramatics should:
- Lightweight, drapey fabrics are essential
- Lavish, flamboyant details and embellishments
- Oversized, soft lapels
- Cowl necklines
- Slits
- Sensual femininity
- Jewelry (don’t be afraid of those statement pieces!)
- Sparkly, ornate details
- Glamorous
- Subtle elegance and sophistication
- Polished Sophistication
- Strive for a “full” ensemble and not a quirky mix-and-match look
Soft Dramatics should avoid:
- Understated or conservative pieces, this just doesn’t work for your style essence
- Heavyweight fabrics that make you appear boxy and shapeless
- Wide, oversized silhouettes that don’t show off your natural lines
- Tailored pieces with stiff fabric or overly sharp lines (see examples of what tailoring works below)
- Rough textured fabrics
NOTE: A lot of the kibbe types, especially in the dramatic family, were not originally created with casual clothing in mind. This is a reflection of the Old Hollywood star image roots where these archetypes were based on. Whereas, currently, casual clothing and everyday clothing has made a huge leap in terms of style and necessity. So, take my suggestions for casual options with a grain of salt and understand they slightly deviate from the “strictly” kibbe soft dramatic. However, I find them wholly necessary to actually develop a style around your ID.
Verified Celebrity Kibbe Soft Dramatics
Some of these are in Kibbe’s book, and others have been added more recently by Kibbe himself.
- Sophia Loren (prime celebrity example)
- Anita Ekberg
- Anita Morris
- Anne Bancroft
- Ava Gardner
- Barbara Carrera
- Barbra Streisand
- Christina Hendricks
- Diahann Carroll
- Jacqueline de Ribes
- Kim Novak
- Mae West
- Marlene Dietrich
- Michelle Lee
- Raquel Welch
- Rachel Weisz
- Sofia Vergara
- Valerie Perrine
- Adele
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Building a Wardrobe: Soft Dramatic
Silhouettes: As we already mentioned the “T” silhouette really shines on the soft dramatic. I also think outfits that draw out your long vertical line work perfectly with this ID. You want “draped, flowing lines”.
Fabrics: This guide is based originally on David Kibbe’s book Metamorphosis which was published in the 1980s. And he had a detailed outline of what fabric each ID should wear. However, the fabric section of the book has been amended by Kibbe himself. As fabric technology and options have grown so much since the ’80s the exact fabrics are less critical.
As a soft dramatic you should look for softer fabrics. While lightweight fabrics are probably the easiest choice for you. You can also try medium-weight fabrics as long as they “bend” and shape around your body. What you want to avoid are those stiff, rough, or unbending heavyweight fabrics. Your fabrics should have a soft, or round feeling to them, and should be able to hug your body.
Soft Dramatic’s dynamic balance of Yin and Yang is best embodied by balanced, yet flowing looks. Fabrics such as drapey jerseys, silks, and crepes provide the softness that your secondary lush yin demands while also adding a sensual touch for subtle elegance.
You can also try soft, plush textures that have a deep pile. And shiny, metallic fabrics also work well to up the glamour level.
Necklines: Soft Dramatic
It is important to remember that with the kibbe style system we are going with general recommendations to help point you in the right direction. But it is not overly strict and Kibbe himself has mentioned not to be overly concerned about the necklines of a garment. It is more about the balance of the entire look.
For Soft Dramatic your “recommended” necklines are the necklines with a bit more “sharpness” to them or necklines that have some drama to them. V-necks, plunging necklines, square necklines, large cowls, or necklines with flamboyant details all work really well for you.
If you opt for higher necklines like crew, turtleneck, or mock-turtleneck make sure it is in a lightweight, soft fabric so it hugs your frame.
Jackets: Soft Dramatic
Soft and wide lapels are a great option for the Soft Dramatic. While jackets often come in medium-weight fabrics, you still want your jacket to have a soft feel and hug your body. So make sure the fabric bends around your body and is not too stiff.
Mid-thigh jackets are the easiest for your type and help elongate your height. Wrap jackets, waterfall collars, and shawl collars are all great options.
Clean lines are the easiest to integrate into your wardrobe. You can add more drama through accessories or the use of color.
Outerwear: Soft Dramatic
Similar to the jacket suggestions, soft and wide collars and lapels are best. Wrap coats, shawl collars, fur-trimmed collars all add broadness to your shoulder line and drama to your silhouette without being overly fussy.
Waterfall collars also work.
Outwear with subtle waist definition or details like a simple belt or tie are good options. But you can also do a more straight silhouette as long as it isn’t too stiff (soft fabric).
Skirts: Soft Dramatic
The best skirts for the SD are longer, skirts that are made out of soft materials or have a straight (but soft) silhouette. Shorter skirts (about knee-length) work but you need to be aware of the verticality of your entire outfit and adjust accordingly. Remember, we don’t want to shorten our vertical line! This is why mini-skirts shouldn’t be your first choice.
Wrap skirts, slip skirts, and bias-cut skirts are going to be your go-to’s. Bonus points if they have vertical or diagonal lines or details.
You should also avoid large, full skirts and full A-lines. There are some exceptions to this remember and you should take a holistic approach to your entire outfits’ balance.
Extremely fitted or fussy skirts tend to overcomplicate your outfit and make your outfits too delicate.
Dresses: Soft Dramatic
Dresses for a Soft Dramatic should be broad in the shoulder, slimming at the waist, and flowing. A dropped waist is a great option for this body type. If you want to add drama you can use an exaggerated waist as long as the entire dress is balanced visually (remember that T-silhouette). The same goes for dress details which should be oversized, ornate, or otherwise eye-catching. Shirring, ruffles, gemstones, and embroidery are all great embellishment options.
Narrow, clingy shapes also work well to bring out that sensual femininity. Just be sure they are visually balanced and your outfit still feels sophisticated.
You want dresses that have a long silhouette to draw out your vertical line. The dresses should be in a soft fabric that drapes along your body, but the cut itself often has some sharper angles (think v-necks, slits etc). Larger patterns also work well on you because of your height and limbs.
Pants: Soft Dramatic
Remember our goals with this body ID? It’s all about soft structure and drape. So we want to avoid those stiff-tailored pants, baggy pants, or pants that have too many structural elements.
Pants that work well for the SD are soft fabric pants, straight legs, wide legs, and draped pants.
We want to avoid tight, and restrictive silhouettes.
Jeans: Soft Dramatic
So far, a lot of the clothing styles we have mentioned seem very elegant and almost formal. This is definitely where your ID shines, however, that’s not always a workable style.
We will get into more Soft Dramatic casual outfit ideas soon, but let’s start with some jeans that will work well with your type.
Jeans should hug your hips and thighs and have a straight or flared leg. Generally a mid to high rise will help you emphasize your beautiful verticality. Skinny jeans should mostly be avoided unless paired with a tonal knee-high boot. But, make sure to test these elements yourself because SD icon Sofia Vergara looks great in skinny jeans.
Tops & Shirts: Soft Dramatic
Subtle elegance is your theme for tops. You want soft edges and draped lines. You want to avoid tops that add excess bulk to your lines.
Large wide collars, wrap-silhouettes, and strong draping all work well for you. Large bows, side knots, or ties are also great options. These “details” are all oversized and not overly fussy.
Soft fabrics, satin textures, and drapey materials are your sweet spot. However, for more casual options, look for softer kinds of cotton that still hug your curves and round edges.
Overly fussy blouses, wide shapes, and unconstructed silhouettes should all be avoided.
Sweaters: Soft Dramatic
Knits with draped necklines, flowing silhouettes, and trim or embellishments are best. Kibbe-Identifying clothing features, such as broad shoulders and an elongated waistline, tend to be dramatic and ornate but are also closely identified with Romanticism. This works perfectly for your yin/yang balance.
You should avoid chunky knits that feel rough or heavy. Knits that feel overly delicate, overly fussy, or are very fitted don’t work well with your Kibbe ID.
Eveningwear : Soft Dramatic
The best evening wear for soft dramatics is satin, silk, or brocade evening gowns.
Again we want to play into that long vertical line, and silhouettes that hug our hips.
Draped dresses, dresses that hug our hips, and dropped-waist dresses are all great options. These are especially effective when combined with a wide v-neckline or anything with broad shoulders. Remember our “T” shape goals.
Body-con or clingy dresses also work but should be used cautiously with your style essence in mind.
Slits are also a great style detail to integrate as it helps your vertical line.
Color Palette: Soft Dramatic
While, generally, I suggest you determine your seasonal color palette for the most customized wardrobe options, here are some things to keep in mind with the soft dramatic color choices.
Soft Dramatics work well with bold, dramatic, and vivid colors. You can also wear pastel tints, but make sure your outfit has enough boldness in silhouette to balance out the lighter hues. Pastels work well in a monochromatic outfit look.
You want a polished color palette, which is why mixing dark bases with vivid and bright hues works well for you.
Generally, you want to avoid neons, multi-color hues, and any watercolor blended shades. We want our colors to feel strong and bold.
For prints, you can try animal prints, bold shapes, abstracts, and oversized florals. While avoiding anything too symmetrical, delicate, cute, or overly “fussy”.
Accessories for the Soft Dramatic
Shoes should be tailored and angular with a tapered toe and heel. High, narrow heels are best. Bare styles are also excellent.
Avoid: Chunky styles. Overly delicate styles with frilly trim.
Simple pointy-toe mules and pointy boots are also great options for a more casual look.
Nude-style shoes also work well as they allow your jewelry and color palette to take center stage.
You want to avoid the chunky boot or shoe trend that is so popular right now. It will shorten your verticality and create a heavy visual weight at the bottom of your look
Overly girly, fussy, or delicate shoes should generally be avoided.
Bags for the Soft Dramatic
Kibbe recommends soft-shaped and oversized bags and any bags with ornate details.
However, personally, with the soft dramatic I think you have more bag options than this. As long as your entire look falls in the subtly sophisticated look with bold elements, I think you can opt for a streamlined structure bag, clean leather textures, and interesting handles.
I would avoid overly small or fussy bags. But a streamlined clutch would work well within the evening category.
Hats for the Soft Dramatic:
You want drama and presence exuded with any hat choices. Try glamorous hats that are oversized, round, and even have ornate details.
Belts for the Soft Dramatic
Don’t be afraid of a bold belt. Wide belts, ornate buckles, and interesting details are all made for your style essence.
Jewelry for the Soft Dramatic:
Jewelry is going to be one of the most important accessories for the soft dramatic. Anything with sparkle, statement, or shine works well for you!
This is one of those accessory categories where “toning it down” will hurt your style efforts rather than help. Instead, it will feel timid and out of place with your style lines and essence. You don’t want to lose the strength and brilliance of your ID.
Large, bold, and ornate earrings, necklaces, and rings are all perfect. Hunks of metal, colorful gems, or intricate execution are all details in jewelry you should aim for. Costume jewelry also works well for you!
If you’re struggling to find “everyday” jewelry that works, here are my suggestions: (fancy, but still wearable)
All of these pieces have enough glitz and presence to fit the bill without being so over the top they look out of place.
I would avoid simple jewelry, anything that has a rough texture or feel to it (leather, studs, etc), and any jewelry that is made to look like it’s not even there.
Best Makeup for the Soft Dramatic
Just like with our clothing and style lines, we want boldness and strong lines. So naturally, we want to emphasize the full lips and large eyes. A strong high-cheekbone also works flawlessly.
Looking polished is part of the overall aesthetic vibes of the soft dramatic. And if you need more help pulling all those pieces together, I have an entire article breaking down how you can look polished every day, with very little effort!
Liquid eyeliner, strong brows, and bright-colored lips are perfect formal makeup options. But, for daytime, I would do an overall “polished” makeup look and emphasize one of your facial features. So if you opt for a strong brow, have light mascara, and a neutral lip shade to make it more daytime.
Kibbe generally discourages minimal makeup, smoky colors, and neutrals. However, I find this a bit outdated and difficult to translate for daytime. As long as your look feels “finished” and you emphasize one feature on your face, I think you’re good.
Hairstyles for the Soft Dramatic
If you haven’t been paying attention, polished perfection is the feel of the soft dramatic. So whatever hairstyle you choose, make sure it feels elevated, tamed, and put together.
You’ll want to avoid blunt cuts, overly layered cuts (like the wolf cut), sharp geometric styles, or asymmetrical hairstyles.
Unfortunately (for us lazy hair folk) Kibbe also recommends that you not opt for natural, wash-then-wear styles. But, I think this isn’t necessarily practical. If you feel your hair dries well and can look “polished” with minimal effort, go for it.
Because Kibbe’s system was created in the 80s, some of the hairstyle suggestions are bit…well…outdated.
If we were to modernize it and take the root of his suggestions to heart, I would say that clean, soft styles work best.
A soft wave with “medium-level” volumes would work:
But a simple pulled-back bun would also be totally in line for the soft dramatic.
Your ultimate hair goals should be understated elegance, polished, and put-together.
Hair Color for the Soft Dramatic
Again, we should take Kibbe’s original text on hair color with a grain of salt, since it came from the ’80s. I personally don’t think dramatic streaks are the way to go for highlights, as they don’t scream sophistication to me…
However, I do agree that if you are dying your hair your best hair color choices are going to be rich and bold. So don’t be afraid of a strong red, platinum color, or a rich brunette or black.
“Sun-kissed” highlights should be used cautiously if at all, as they give a more relaxed vibe to your look. Especially if they are overly delicate or subtle.
Soft Dramatic Outfit Ideas
Kibbe has some crucial style tips that can change your relationship with clothes and improve your style.
However, everything needs a bit of modernization. So here are some modern-day styles and casual outfit ideas for the soft dramatic ID.
Now, remember, these are my interpretations of the style and essence of the soft dramatic. Everybody (no matter what type they fall into) has unique qualities and not every outfit or style suggestion will work for you.
Have questions? Don’t agree? Feel free to leave a comment and we can discuss!
I think this outfit works for the soft dramatic because it has the right styles lines- the soft wrap cardigan, the silk camisole that hugs your body, and a wrap skirt that not only keeps your vertical line strong but also has a waist tie for curve accomodation and “sweeping lines”. Now the shoes and bag may not be exactly what Kibbe recommends, but I think their style essence fits the glamorous and sophisticated style of the soft dramatic.
While Kibbe might not want the soft dramatic to be “casual”, life often calls for some casual outfits and I think this one is perfect. The soft blouse with a boatneck cowl helps maintain that “T” silhouette and hugs the body appropriately. The jeans are flattering and the shoes (while flat) are angular enough. And the jewelry is bold, yet workable for the daytime. You get polished AND casual with this outfit.
This does break your “vertical line”, which is generally supposed to be avoided. However, I don’t think every outfit you wear will always uphold your vertical line unless you always want to go monochrome/tonal. So take this outfit suggestion and either tweak it to be monochrome or accept this outfit may shorten you a bit.
A great t-shirt option for the soft dramatic is a boat neck cap sleeve top. It keeps that “T” silhouette and looks polished. Paired with a bold-color, silk skirt that hugs the body, this outfit is a great warm-weather option. Plus we have a little glamorous touch with the gold hair clip.
I think the white shoe helps extend the vertical line slightly, even if we have broken it with the skirt. While this outfit veers a bit more classic, I think it’s still a nice casual option for the soft dramatic.
The soft dramatics are kind of left out of summer fashion, but no longer! This is a great outfit idea for you in the warm weather months. The longer Bermuda shorts hug your hips but are not skin-tight. And the asymmetrical one-shoulder top has that dramatic sharpness. And the accessories keep a casual and sophisticated vibe.
This outfit is best in a monochrome look because with the shorts you’re already shortening your vertical line.
There are so many silhouette variations that can work for the soft dramatic, as long as the overall essence is still diva chic. This silk blouse fits with most of the style lines for the soft dramatic, but not all of them. However, paired with either the dressy or daytime pieces, it achieves the soft dramatic style goals.
In order to accommodate your curves, you should tuck in the blouse.
The skirt is a bit shorter than the average SD skirt, however, because of the long wrap tie detail and the matching black shoe, the vertical line remains extended.
Monochrome, especially all-black monochrome really helps you lengthen your vertical line, which is perfect for the soft dramatic. And the accessories keep it sophisticated and glamorous. Don’t be afraid to use your shoes, accessories, hairstyle, and make-up to elevate a casual outfit.
I think this dress works for the SD because of the longer length, angular neckline, and the curve accomodation. It has draping that doesn’t over-emphasizes the waist (like a dress for TR would).
The simple sandal is nude and won’t really distract from your vertical. This outfit is great for a middle ground between casual and formal.
Kibbe has mentioned shoulder bags are find for the daytime, and I think this one is great because it has a tonal quality and won’t distract from your vertical line.
But honestly! Soft dramatics are made for glamour. This evening or cocktail outfit screams elegant diva and fits all of the recommended guidelines for soft dramatics while still looking modern.
With any fashion journey, don’t be afraid to take some wardrobe basics and find ways to use them for both casual and evening affairs. This wrap coat and the basic black dress fit the soft dramatic and as you can they can be easily dressed for a put-together daytime look, or for a more formal affair.
Now, yes, the soft dramatic is about glamour and boldness. However, at the office, you can’t go too bold. I find this outfit a great middle ground. It has the general style guidelines of the soft dramatic with the soft silk blazer, the soft wide-leg pants, but the color palette and limited bling keep it office-appropriate (and also extremely CHIC!).
Generally, the outfit also honors the vertical. Some soft dramatics may not like the mock neck tank, and can switch that out for something a bit softer. However, I think this depends on your unique proportions and preferences.
The soft dramatic ID is all about bold elegance, subtle sophistication, and a luxe look.
This takes getting out of your comfort zone and experimenting with new outfits. But as you tweak things here and there, eventually you will have a collection of outfits that work perfectly for the soft dramatic ID.
Now, go give Sophia Loren a run for her money!
Be sure to pin the below image so you can keep your wardrobe goals in line with the soft dramatic style lines!
Wow, one of the best descriptions of soft dramatic that I have read! I love the way you have modernized this Kibbe group, as I live in the countryside and wear more casual clothes most of the time. I live in puffer coats, which are not so glamourous, so what type (I need the hood and weatherproofing) of shape and style would you suggest. I am warm autumn going towards soft autumn with age.
I’m so glad you found it helpful! I think puffer coats can look really chic, it’s just about how they fit your body and how you style them. Here are some puffer coats I think would work well for the Soft Dramatic: https://widgets.shopstyle.com/?sc-widget-id=P-61891c5d1cc9ed7962be1cac
They have a longer hem which helps your vertical. They have subtle waist definition. And the hood/collars add to the “T” shape silhouette. In those examples I mostly went for the silhouette. For true or warm autumn I would avoid a stark black color and opt for a more muted green, blue, or darker warm gray. I have a post on the true autumn (also called warm autumn) : https://gabriellearruda.com/true-autumn-ultimate-guide/
This might help you pick out some good colors.
Hope this helps!
Thank you, Gabrielle,
I’ve got today my style-guide from a stylist and seems like I am soft dramatic:). Thanks a lot for so many details for my type. Love your article ???. Yuliya
I’m so glad you found it helpful! I love the soft dramatic style lines ?
Wow this is truly so helpful! I’m a very tall Soft Dramatic so most of my outfits are with flats, luckily it’s easier to find those with pointy toes now. I always thought you had to keep the tops and bottoms either light or dark as to not disrupt the line so I’m happy to see you’ve mixed it up a bit. I’m looking forward to trying some of these looks! I would love to see more of this. Following you now!
Hi Stacy! Glad you found it helpful! And yes, fashion has come a long way, I’m sure your flat selection or low heels are much better now! In Kibbe’s original text he does suggest to highlight your vertical that you keep your style more tonal or monochrome. But, with today’s fashion I’m just not sure that rule is feasible for every outfit. I like to think of it like when you do your makeup- sometimes you take turns with highlighting a feature- maybe a red lip one day, or a winged eyeliner the next, but the essence is still there and you’re still featuring a great aspect of your face. It’s the same with style, some outfits highlight your vertical line ( the monochrome black for instance), others put more emphasis on the hourglass curves, and maybe one draws attention to your face… They all have the essence of the Soft Dramatic, follow certain style lines of the SD but sometimes they don’t all highlight the same feature.
This was so helpful! I’ve been trying to follow kibbe while upgrading my very studenty wardrobe and couldn’t really find things with today’s style – now I have concrete examples of what to look for, thanks!
A style I’ve been dying to try but can’t figure out within this kibbe type is dark academia. Do you have suggestions for it?
I will work on adding some ideas for SD dark academia this week! That’s a fun idea!
This is the most helpful fashion advice I’ve ever read. I think I need to buy everything you linked.
I’m so glad it helps!
I love every single outfit and would buy everything! Wow. These are the outfits I’ve been wearing and have received the most compliments. I’ve recently discovered my Kibbe type as SD, and I’m going through the style tips and it’s amazingly strange to see my essence described and outfits I’ve been putting together. I’m 5’3 so on the shorter end, but this type describes me so well. I love the silk blouse with jeans and the Bermuda shorts, I have to try those combinations!
I’m so glad you like them! For SD’s just keep your curve accomodation and honor your vertical and that will be the best place to start, if you want to expand past these outfits!
This is awesome! Will you be doing one of these soon for DC?
Yes, DC is next on my list!
Nice Outfits and great inspiration, but not practicable for european weather conditions. I would not wear a Spaghetti top with a wool cardigan. Spahetti top is for hot summer days, wool for winter.
Greatings Mona
Yes, this is purely meant for general inspiration, I recommend everyone tweak it to fit their style needs, preferences and climate
Wonderful post. And with so many outfits. Please, make one for the Dramatics type ?
I plan to add dramatics eventually! (Just a bit behind lol)
None of this Kibbe stuff makes sense for me. I’m too curvy for the soft dramatic recommended cuts. Long hemlines in shirts ride up cuz they hit my hips. Than there’s all the extra fabric cuz my waist is narrow.
If my shoes aren’t chunky my feet look too small. I end up looking pig footed. Big body, small feet. I’m tall but I Need heels to make my legs look long.
A-line and full skirts always work best on me. Same with crop tops.
About the only thing that Does work is the long, wide pants. As long as it’s high waist, fitted top and I’m wearing heels.
But everyone keeps telling me I’m too tall for the romantic categories at 5’11” But those are the only ones that make sense!
Specially the hairstyles. Everything it says to not do, works best on my face.
But everyone keeps telling me the only thing that matters is my height. Doesn’t matter that I’m just a bunch of round circles in tall. I’m tall.
There needs to be a romantic category that’s tall but is dominated by softness rather than lines.
Kibbe can be kind of complicated, and I won’t go into his justifications for why your height makes you yang/frame dominant. And honestly, Kibbe is just one tool to find your own personal style. Sounds like you already know what you like and what works best for your body, so I wouldn’t even worry about finding your ID then.
Gabrielle, thank you very much for the time contributed to this article.
Personally speaking, I don’t really like blouses/tops offered here (that’s definitely not your fault, that’s all about my weird tastes, actually 🙂 ), and I’d rather wear classic shirts. What’s more, I do love wearing ties and bows (well, yes, this is my style). As far as I understand, it is not appropriate for SD. So, how can I adopt shirts to my Kibbe type? Or there’s nothing bad with them?
I wouldn’t ever consider something you like “bad”. If you enjoy classic shirts or ties/bows, then definitely keep those. If you want to apply them more to fit the SD parameters, a softer weight fabric might help accommodate your curves. And not going with anything overly heavy/stiff.
Thank you ?!
I am over the moon to have found your blog. So helpful!! I’m new to Kibbe, Kitchener, and color seasons, but I am completely enthralled by all of it. Your explanations are so helpful! I’m still on the fence if I’m soft natural or soft dramatic, but I find myself drawn to style elements of both. The outfits you have here for soft dramatics makes me lean more this way. Does my height of 5’8.5 make me more likely to be on the dramatic side than natural? I have read yes and no. In any event, I so look forward to reading more of your work!
At that height you would be too tall for Soft Natural, so I would explore Soft Dramatic. You can really apply any “style aesthetic” to any ID, for an SD you would just want to accommodate vertical and curve in your silhouette/fabric/line
@Gabrielle Arruda,
Thank you for your response!! Amazing advice ? One last thing – What about flamboyant natural? Is the differentiator between soft dramatic and flamboyant natural curviness from bone vs flesh? Or is height a factor there as well? This is all so fun to learn!
I have a difficult time dressing my soft dramatic body. These tips are helpful and true. I really love those long slightly clingy toppers and silk shirts yet wow talk about out of place feeling with the Jean and tshirt society. I finally found some light weight jeans that work now to find a more casual shirt that works
I would look for softer fabric t-shirts that can drape over your curves and not suffocate them
I just got into Kibbe Body Types and I was having a lot of trouble determining my body type but your explanation, by far, was the best! I can see myself wearing these things but I have yet to figure out more simple alternatives(?). What would a soft dramatic wear that’s extremely casual, like going to school? Would crochet look good? Do pleated skirts/tennis skirts look good on this body type?
Sophia Vergara is a great example of more casual SD looks. Ultimately you just want to keep your curve and vertical in mind. So bootcut, flare jeans look great. As do scoop necklines or t-shirts that are a softer fabric that can loosely fall over your curves. Crochet would really depend on the item itself, but I would guess it might be a bit heavier and harder to allow your curves to breath. And pleated/tennis skirts are also a maybe. SD’s should keep vertical intact and those type of skirts are shorter and don’t shape around your hips. You might be able to make them work, but you’d have to evaluate how the vertical looks.
This might be a silly question but I’m wondering how the recommendations would change if you’re a SD but are missing some features? For example, I have a smaller head/face, some smaller rounded (though not delicate) facial features, and sloping shoulders. But the rest of my body is very SD. I find it hard to match my body and my face…big ornate jewelry actually feels like it makes my head look smaller but small dainty jewelry looks odd with my body.
Kibbe actually removed the face from typing because I think a lot of people have some disconnect there. I would explore your kitchener essence and see if maybe that helps you meld the two. Here’s a video and article on essences: https://gabriellearruda.com/the-7-style-essences-explained/
You could have a classic essence that is making those bolder or small scale yin pieces look off
This so so great! I’m in between SD and Pure Dramatic, I can’t wait for your Dramamtic post!
I’m working on it! and thank you
This is amazing! Congratulations! I hope to see one for TR one day.
Yes, I’m working on them all! thank you!
Wow! Great article! I’m still trying to find myself in SD or D! I think I’m SD but reading your article has made me wonder if my body fits my personality. SD seems nothing casual or conservative, which I’m both. I struggle a lot every day to find what looks good on me.
@Laurie Kreischer,
What comes to mind from my closet that would be conservative is black pants that I like, and a black jersey t shirt that is scoop neck and cap sleeve.
All black is pretty conservative.
Scoop neck adds emphasis to shoulder and cap sleeve for the T shape.
Does that seem like something you could wear? Or already do?
This gave me so much direction and many ideas are flowing. I also found that several of the suggestions were styles I already chose or seemed to gravitate to already, nice to know I’m sort of on the right track 🙂 Funny the drama and flair part even suits a bit of my personality. Thanks for this great post!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad it’s helpful!
Thank you for your amazing guides. I believe I am a soft dramatic but was also typed as a soft autumn which is muted and low contrast, not dramatic. I feel a little lost to find maybe a style icon that matches this profile. Do you have any suggestions?
Your article has really helped me more than the hours I have spent trying to figure out my style since being color analyzed. It all makes sense! (And Kibbe is NOT the easiest thing to figure out especially since lifestyles have changed so much over the years. ) I do have a question however it is about shoes. Are kitten heals okay? What is the lowest heal a SD should wear with say a form fitting dress that hits at or below the knee. (I really hate high heals). Honestly, the only thing I dislike about my style type are the shoes as I am all about comfort in that area.
Kibbe has evolved his ideas on clothing guidelines and really focuses more on the head-to-toe look. So I would say kitten heels would work well if they go with the entire look. Ultimately you just want to focus on accommodating vertical and curve.
Could you make a winter/all season capsule for a soft dramatic in true winter tones with plenty of casual wear for a sahm. Natural and romantic essence.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I have the time to do dedicated capsule wardrobes for each ID with specefic color seasons. But I can see if there is a way to give some advice on this!
Amazing articles, website, everything! I have one question, what type would someone be if they scored all As for bone structure and more Cs than anything for body flesh and face? I have zero Bs and the rest are Ds and Es? There doesn’t seem to be an A/C combination type. Any insight would be immensely helpful!
Is there a way to appropriately style a chunky shoe as an SD? I got into the trend before finding out my Kibbe ID so now I have all these chunky boots that take away from my vertical line :/ Also, thank you for all this great style info!
Do soft dramatics have to have an hourglass figure? I feel like I have a long vertical line and am curvy but I’m more pear shaped and have a small chest unlike most of the soft dramatic celebrities you listed.
Kibbe doesn’t really use the term “Hourglass” anymore because curve can be more subtle than that. Rachel Weis is an SD and not busty- bust size doesn’t make an SD. it’s the outside line of curve on the top of your torso and the bottom, so they can be pear shaped but they would still have upper body curve in the line. (if that makes sense)
Hi gabreilla ,you work is great great and every things is so beautifully you describe .love your effort .Its a best description of soft dramatic that i ever read.regards shamaila
I’m a soft dramatic I’m pretty sure draped fabrics look fantastic like a goddess but I sure do feel out out of place in a sea of fitted. I like a little space for my curves nothing worse than being smashed down and not only that I can rarely find anything to accommodate unless it’s knit. I feel like a freak when I take off my coat compared to others who look well not like me. I have a huge problem with looking matronly or dowdy as I can’t find things to accommodate. Anyways I’m getting better at dressing myself finally people use to tease me I had no curves I thought it was truth until I really looked around one day and realized anyways good luck all you other SD also. And I cannot be dramatic it must be softened a lot and yet it looks dramatic
I wonder if Aurora James could be an FN? I think she looks quite good in a relaxed and uncontructed look like this one: https://fashionmaniac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AURORA-JAMES-1.jpg
And heavier knits like this: https://i.pinimg.com/236x/30/a5/1f/30a51fa9d814d184c3992d564001d90c–aurora-james-cuda.jpg
After looking at all the other celeb examples, she stood out to me, because her face shape is more rectangular than the rest, which made me wonder if she could be a natural (I have noticed that the rectangular face shape is more common in naturals/flamboyant naturals).
What do you think?
I could totally see her being part of the natural family- maybe soft natural just because i see more roundness and softness in some of her features. But again I’m not kibbe or Aurora, so just my opinion
I’m so perplexed right now.
This style is definitely me. I finally understand why I’ve always longed for more events to get dolled up for, always loved playing dress up as a child, wished that were still dressed more nicely a la the 50’s for daily life.
But I’m a stay-at-home mom, in a rural setting, with kid and chicken mucking to keep up with.
How do you suggest I live this style, that I do adore, but in a realistic way that isn’t going to be easily destroyed?
Specifically I’m not sure what to search for in tops or shoes that are comfortable, durable, but still chic?
Kibbe is all about embracing YOU, and not conforming. It’s about blending your inner and outer essences and finding your best traits and showing them off. If you’re an SD but this doesn’t resonate with you or work for your lifestyle, just focus on your vertical and curve. And find the pieces you like the best!
Thanks so much. I have been typed a soft dramatic finally and your description gives me more freedom to choose an outfit.
Two questions. Im also a true autumn and Iam considering dying my hair especially cause I like to change up my hair from time to time and now the grey hairs are getting out of comfort zone. Given the bold color recommendations and the true autumn color palette, wat about burgundy? I would love to try it out. I’m mixed so my skin is on the light caramel site.
Also second question. What are your recommendations for soft dramatic sleeves? Long sleeves loose or tight?
Great work!!
I would suggest a wedding dress video for kibbe type…maybe paired with essence
Hi Gabrielle! Thanks for the great article! I was just wondering, would I still count as a soft Dramatic if I’m thin? I’m 5 feet, eleven inches, but I do have curves, including my bust line.
So it has nothing to do with actual weight, your weight won’t change your kibbe ID. But Kibbe curve is a bit different than traditional curve, so I would explore that furter
@Gabrielle Arruda, Thanks! I really appreciate your wonderful article! It’s given me such helpful advice! I love all the outfits that you chose, and I did find out that I have Kibbe curves. Thanks for recommending that I explore this further! Do you suggest any clothing stores over others? Macys vs. Target, for example?
Thank you for this. I have been very confused about my type, thinking it classic, but I’m tall, long, angular, and delicate. Also, very long waisted so didn’t think classic was right. I believe I am an etherical in the Kitchener essences, so I think soft dramatic fits very well with that-which your article clarified for me. I am excited to try some of your offerings. One question, I recently purchased high waisted, wide leg jeans which I think look great on me and just feel right. However, my husband and future daughter-in-law preferred the new “mom” jean look. I think the long curve from hip to ankle works, but wasn’t sure. What do you think?
Appreciate you providing a modern take to this look! I have to get more comfortable with the suggestions because its semi not me at all, but there are some elements I can play up. It’s so hard with the current trends of today.
Thank you very much for such clear in-depth tutorial. That was super helpful!
Hi, can you please tell me which type is Jessica Chastain, Leighton Meester and Sydney Sweeny?
thank you!
Hi Gabrielle! I LOVE what you do – your website, your youtube channel, etc., thank you for making fashion easier for us all!!
I’m wondering if you have recommendations for tanktop strap styles for the SD? For example halter, tube top, thick vs. thin straps, etc.?
Is there also any hope for a SD who highly values comfort and casual styles lol
Hi! I’m really glad to find your site, it’s so helpful! Do you think it is possible to be an SD with smaller bust size? I have an hourglass figure, larger hands and feet,lush yin face….everything is checked except the “busty”… TIA
Yes, it’s possible. Rachel Weiz is a verified SD and not really busty. Kibbe curve accomodation is different than a traditional hourglass body shape
Thank you Gabrielle! Can you share where to find the brown sheath dress in the semi casual photo? The one beside the brown purse. It’s gorgeous!!
Unfortunately, I don’t remember! I’m sorry.. It used to be linked but that was from a while ago..
Hi, this is interesting. I cant decide whether I’m a dramatic or a soft dramatic. Facially, SD all the way. I am 5’9”, my bones are narrow and I’m very petite in the upper body with plenty of curve from waist to hip. Is there such a thing as a skinny SD? I can pick and choose from both ids. I actualy look ok in oversized clothes and big boots ect…but I don’t get on with the super sharp dramatic lines. The make up for SD is great on me and I do do glam in a dressed down kind of way but the shiny fabrics and formality don’t suit at all….there might be a bit of ethereal essence going on in there? Help
So waist to hip ratio is not a thing in kibbe, and FN’s don’t need to wear oversized. The question would be if you have kibbe width or not if you’re between FN and SD. And very narrow ppl can have width as well, it’s just the shoulder/upper back/upper body in relation to their other proportions. If you look at my body I don’t think I’m overly “wide”, but I do have kibbe width. SD’s don’t have to wear super sharp lines, in fact they wear things that drape over their curves. I would continue to explore if you have kibbe width. The recommendations are just a starting place
Thank you Gaby for all of this information, you’re so detailed! I have been driving myself insane trying to determine my Kibbe ID, and I keep coming back to SD. The only thing that doesn’t fit is that I definitely don’t have long limbs, but I do have quite a long torso. I think you can get your vertical from your torso instead of your limbs? I am just under 5”6, so right at the upper limit of a romantic. I am a very curvy “hourglass” but when looking at my outline from my photo I appear to have more space in between my top and bottom halves, so I’m thinking this means no double curve, which moves me towards the SD. Does this sound right to you? As for facial features- people tell me I look exotic (whatever that means) large dark eyes, prominent cheek bones, moderate lips. I really appreciate any input you have, I just found your youtube channel and basically binged every video, love your work. Thank you!
Am I the only one who likes harem pants and kimonos so I feel relaxed or at least somewhat casual? This has been my solution to the lack of casual options for the SD. It’s more of a ‘I don’t care’ kind of glamor that I prefer for every day.
Hi Gabrielle, I love this blog and post! Thank you for explaining everything very clearly! I am very interested in the jeans you suggest for Kibbe SD. I love the way your suggestions look, but the links are expired or the jeans are not available at that retailer anymore. Could you please add new recommendations here with links we can follow to purchase? I am trying to find similar options without a lot of luck. Thank you!
I am a soft autumn and pretty sure that I am a soft dramatic. I don’t really like the mocha and brown tones suggested for me and most of my colours are quite soft. I’m clinging to the one dark blue, mahogany and dark olive-ish green, as I really love deeper striking colours. Do you think its best to stick to these deeper shades but just add some of the lighter colours in my palette close to my face? Do you have any examples of soft autumn and soft dramatic? thanks so much!
Hi Gabrielle!! Your posts are the best! I definitely have the soft dramatic body type (5’8, long limbs, T shape, busty), but my facial features are more delicate/romantic and my style “vibe” leans more eclectic/fun/casual—most of the clothes I like would be considered “gamine” in essence. I’m also a light spring colorway. I have a hard time finding clothes that are “dramatic” without being too high contrast or not feeling like “me.” I do like to stand out and dress strikingly, but it always feels like soft dramatic is a certain type of glam/chic that isn’t really my vibe. Are there ways to translate the dramatic chic into something more light and playful? Thank you so much!!!
Can you please make one of these for pure romantics?
I decided not to finish the series, I’m sorry!
Any suggestions for bright spring soft dramatic?
I came here for guidance after spending hours browsing a popular clothing site. I nearly bought some items that were very highly rated, but that I knew would not flatter me.
When I came here, I saw everything that I’d figured out over the years, and the outfits looked very close to what I wore once I’d figured it out.
Very well done and extremely helpful. I kept myself from buying a lined linen full skirt with a chunky, thick gathered waistband and boxy linen top.
I also appreciate the author’s comments about how it’s okay not to follow every aspect of the method, but to be aware of the basic principles and, in various ways, stay true to it.
Thank you for providing this. It’s a ton of work, and it’s free to see, so it can be unrealistic to do more work if it’s not supporting you or if you have other things you need to tend to. I understand that, and I just wanted you to know that you did a fabulous job and it’s been very helpful.