Kibbe: My Style Journey as a Flamboyant Natural

My journey to embracing my Flamboyant Natural beauty.

This has been a long time coming.  I’ve explored the Kibbe system for years, talked about it in articles and youtube videos, and genuinely felt like I was helping get the word out on the beauty of the Kibbe System.

Then I stumbled upon some feedback that (was true!) I wasn’t seeing “the trees in the forest” and I was being a bit reductive or outdated with my content.  VERY FAIR!  

So, I decided out of respect for David Kibbe, and the system I enjoy, I was going to step back from the Kibbe-centric content I was creating. 

Now, you may be thinking… What the heck Gaby? This article is definitely centered around Kibbe.  And you’re right.  However, I think sharing my positive experience with Kibbe, is not the same as creating guides from his work.  So this post won’t teach you how YOU should dress as a Flamboyant Natural.  But I think seeing how effective the Kibbe system can be, and how I personally use it (which may not be 10000% Strictly Kibbe approved) might be helpful.  

Full disclosure, I was removed from the Strictly Kibbe Facebook group.  I never posted within the group, but I assume because I was a blogger I was rightfully removed from the group. Obviously, David Kibbe’s goal is to share his system, prevent misinformation, and ultimately find clients to help, not to give me information.  I still believe it is worthwhile to join if you’re considering it.

(I do want to note though, I’ve always tried to show respect towards his business and his message, and have never myself offered any sort of Kibbe typing services).

My Thoughts on Strictly Kibbe

If you’ve tried to join the SK groups and have been waiting for MONTHS or scrolled the various Kibbe Reddit forums only to find people declaring “It’s a cult!”  or “It’s terrible!”.  Pause. 

Kibbe (including SK) is not a cult.  And it’s certainly not filled with hateful or crazy people. 

But you should know a few things going into it.  Firstly, this is David Kibbe’s system.  Yes, he was inspired by previous yin/yang systems (like Harriet McJImsey, Grace Morton, and Belle Northrup).  However, he created these labels and he wrote the book we are basing these image identities upon.  So, while no one is saying he is an infallible God… Generally, if you’re joining Strictly Kibbe, you need to respect him as an informational source (and a very valuable one at that).

The SK group is not a place to pontificate or dissect any YouTuber’s thoughts (including my own!) or try to guess a celebrities ID.  Reddit is a much better place for that if that’s your jam (but please be kind if you’re talking about me😉). 

It can take a second to adjust to the culture in the SK group.  They are attempting to correct the misinformation spread by people (sometimes even me, unfortunately- but unintentionally).  They are also trying to remove your stereotypes and have you embrace YOUR ID, not confirm your bias or wishes to be a specific id. 

They want you to fall in love with your body and your style.  

Can it feel a bit restricting at times? Of course! It’s a new way of thinking about clothes and it can be jarring to get feedback you might not understand or like. 

But, it really can be an enlightening and informative group if you give it some time and really reflect on his information. 

The exercises can also be great, but the hurdle for me was really the way David Kibbe writes in an almost stream-of-conscious manner. He tends to not edit his words, and he speaks with almost flowery, slightly subjective terminology.  And he isn’t a big fan of succinct paragraphs.  He’s an artist, and while I like to be overly analytical, he is a bit more creative in his words.  But there are really great nuggets of information once you get the hang of parsing through it. 

Now some people don’t love the way the moderators operate in the SK group.  But, I really believe they are trying their best to show respect and loyalty to Kibbe, even if it comes out in the wrong way at times.  Think of them as the slightly protective mothers at the playground.  They might not have great social etiquette at times, but their hearts are in the right place.

While I’ve never seen Kibbe in person, I have read multiple accounts of people who have.  They all agree that he is a wonderful, creative, and kind individual.  Who genuinely wants you to find your own confidence through style and embrace your best self.  But, let’s be honest, the man doesn’t seem to love the internet and social media (for now), so those moderators are kind of assisting him.  I don’t think he’s trying to gatekeep anything from anyone, and in fact, has gone out of his way to give people a DIY approach.   So, let’s cut him some slack. 

Overall, I say the SK group will help simplify your Kibbe journey and it will also help you learn how to apply these styling techniques to your outfits (even if you don’t finalize an “Image Identity”). 

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Kibbe Over the Years {my take}

Now, the Kibbe system has changed a lot over the years.  David Kibbe has occasionally changed celebrities’ IDs, and the system is not without a few contradictions.  But, screaming into the void that you are a 5 ft 10 gamine because Audrey Hepburn was an outlier is not going to really help you determine your ID. 

We can all lament about what ID we wish we could be, or what ID we feel best in… But, the Kibbe system is not a law being forced upon you.  If you want to dress in those style lines, dress in those lines. 

I believe you should find strength through style, and while many find the Kibbe system incredibly helpful, no single system will work for everyone.

So instead of ranting that gamine lines look best on you… just wear the gamine lines? I promise no Kibbe Police will come to get you.  

A lot of the original style suggestions in Metamorphosis,  are somewhat outdated or not heavily relied upon currently. It’s definitely still worthwhile to read the entire book cover-to-cover and can clarify a lot of misconceptions or stereotypes for you.  But, what Kibbe can really help you do is be more mindful about your body and how clothes work on the body. 

Don’t throw out an ID because so and so said only “oversized clothes work for Flamboyant Naturals”.  

Treat this as part of your larger style journey, which should be evolving for the rest of your life. 

My Style Journey as a Flamboyant Natural 

When I first explored Kibbe I had the same reaction a lot of people have.  Mostly filled with doubt and a bit argumentative in spirit.  But how can that height be automatic vertical?  What about when you age? Or gain weight? This is silly.

But then I read the book and was like “Ohhhh, he’s taking basic art and design principles and applying them to the body… We learned this concept in design school!”.  I started to check my attitude. 

Now, my ID wasn’t much of a struggle.  Once I read the book I basically knew I was a Flamboyant Natural.

But for years I had been dressed with more color breaks and separates in mind.  A much more “Gamine approach” if you could loosely call it that. 

Those outfits weren’t “Oh my god, look away, it’s a horrible fashion monster”, but they weren’t my best either.  Some of my outfits used to naturally accommodate width and vertical, but a lot of my “worst” looks (see some above), just didn’t harmonize with my body. I got a lot of “That’s a cool outfit” and not as many “Wow, YOU look great!”.

When I first created a Kibbe youtube video, I tried the style lines from each ID and a lot of people found it a fun video.  Is it somewhat outdated? Yes.  A bit reductive? Sure. 

But, then people started suggesting Dramatic Classic or Soft Dramatic, and even a few gamines in there as well.

I knew I was too tall for gamines and not balanced enough for DC… But could I be the elusive, gate-kept Soft Dramatic?

Haha, no…. I was not.  But through the Kitchener essence system, I justified pulling off those looks with a secondary Romantic Essence (w/ a Natural and Dramatic essence as well).  Though again, this had a split reaction.  (And it’s important to remember that these are two different systems with different requirements for each essence, in Kibbe your ID is your essence).

While I was working through my Self-Guided Personal Style Workbook, I explored both the SD and FN Ids.  While this book does not help you find your ID, it can help you explore your outfits and reflect on what is working and what is not.

I had embraced that I was an FN in Kibbe with 99% certainty, but I thought for the sake of exploration and to completely explore my own product, let’s see what “diva chic” really looks like on me.

For what it’s worth I see a lot of people in the Kibbe communities “trying” SD and FN lines and the FN lines are almost always baggy, overly loose, or just unfinished. So while some of these “SD” pieces do work for FNs, the overall vibe in my SD is clearly Diva Chic. And the overall vibe in my FN outfits is much more Free Spirit Chic.

I tried more traditional SD looks. (really going for the Diva Chic essence)

I tried more traditional FN looks. (NOT baggy, boho, or unconstructed, but relaxed and Free Spirit Chic)

And yup, still Flamboyant Natural.

I actually tested out “re-doing” that House of CB rose dress in my personal style workbook, and found a much better application of it with more carefree beauty over “diva”.

In a Kibbe Reddit thread, someone once referred to the Flamboyant Natural as “All American Glamour”. Now, they actually saw Kibbe (and seemed to have a very positive experience!!), so I’m not sure if this could be liberally applied to all FNs.  But, I loved that explanation so much and I felt it really rounded out my style well.

I’ll never be a Monica Bellucci or Sophia Loren-level Diva.  But “All-American Glamour” could be possible… I hope. 

Now How Do I Dress as a Flamboyant Natural?

I personally don’t think there are hard and fast rules anymore (or really were ever to begin with).  I think it’s more about creating cohesive and balanced looks that highlight your best traits.  He’s had decades to refine his system and adjust it to the more modern approaches to style and upgrade his techniques with each new client.

I have “kibbe width” and “vertical”.  And ya- longer hemlines look way better on me.  Who knew? Well, David Kibbe… That’s who. 

So I’ve ditched some of my shorter hemlines and avoided kneed length (because that just doesn’t work for me proportionally).  Occasionally, I’ll wear shorter mini-length hems, but I watch my outfit’s shape, overall style lines, and the outfit’s harmony. 

Is everything you wear baggy, oversized, boho, or unconstructed?

HARD NO! That’s a general misconception or oversimplification of the Flamboyant Natural (imho). 

FN’s can show off their waist and I love a simple tuck or fitted waist dresses.  I also love a knit bodycon dress (which bodycon dresses pretty much work for all IDs because they form exactly to your body’s natural lines). 

In my opinion, Kibbe provides you with an education in style and it is up to you to apply it in your own unique way.

My Style Process

I’m a firm lover of daily outfit photos (please forgive my massive RBF in most of these photos!) and using that data to really hone your personal style goals and understand what your lifestyle needs, and the most flattering silhouettes. { which is what I help you learn to do in my Self-Guided Personal Style Workbook}

While taking daily outfit photos I found I came to really resonate with the more open neckline silhouettes, diagonal lines around my shoulders, and longer hemlines. 

It really started to make sense for me.  I didn’t have to reject my width but embrace it in my own unique way.  This isn’t a recipe for all, it’s a recipe you customize for your own taste. 

I still pull from the original Flamboyant Natural suggestions, but I don’t feel confined by them.  Because I feel I understand where Kibbe wants to take his system.

It’s not about rules, or the most “desired types”  or even boxing you in.  It’s about helping you SEE your body, and see how lines work on it.  Then, shopping and dressing with those in mind (when you want to!). 

My Outfits as a Flamboyant Natural 

I’m including this section not so you can try “FN-approved outfits” for yourself.  But more for you to see how I personally dress and how certain elements work on my body. 

Are all of these outfits “perfect” for a Flamboyant Natural?  Probably not.  But they do work for my body and are heading toward the direction I want to take my style. 

Sometimes my outfits are ideal, and sometimes the outfits are just the ones that worked for that day.  It’s ok to give yourself some style grace on busy or hectic days.  

I created the Self-Guided Personal Style Workbook and actually did all the exercises myself so that people could see example answers… And I must say, it really helped me realize how much Kibbe has positively influenced my style.  

(To be clear, it is not a guide on determining your ID or using Kibbe techniques, but rather how to find your own style parameters and test them for yourself, and ultimately apply them in a sustainable way). 

Is Studying Kibbe Worth it?

In my opinion, it is absolutely worth it.  And I have a lot of respect for him as a creator. 

But, it’s not for everyone.  

Style should be fun!  So if it’s just not vibing with you, explore your style in a different manner, that’s ok! 

I doubt much (if any) Kibbe content will be in the cards for me moving forward.  I have never offered typing or Kibbe-related services, but I really only want to be a positive influence on the fashion community and that includes the Kibbe community. 

But, I hope reading my journey has helped one or two of you who might still be stuck in the kibbe terminology trenches. (or any reluctant FN’s out there!)

I hope you find strength through style.