THE 13 KIBBE ARCHETYPES

The Kibbe Body Type Test

The Kibbe Body Types are an

array of 13 style types and
categorised into 5 style families:
Dramatics, Naturals, Classics,
Romantics and Gamines.

Before you take the Kibbe body

type test, I would strongly
recommend that you read this
article, which will give you an
overview and introduction to the
Kibbe Body Type system. Not
understanding the principles
behind this test can lead to
incorrect results.

The following test is a comprehensive, guided version

(another way to say this would be - very long) of the original
test published in David Kibbe's 1987 (out-of-print) book
Metamorphosis.

How To Approach This Test

The best way to perform the test is by taking a picture of
yourself in a swimsuit or underwear. Make sure you are
standing straight and that the camera is around chest-
level. You need a straight shot of your body.

Next, you will need a piece of paper to record your

answers. You need to do this accurately because the test is
divided into three di!erent sections (Bone Structure, Body
Flesh, and Facial Features) and you will need to tally your
answers by section.

Record your answers like this:

1. Bone Structure: 1A 2C

2. Body Flesh: 5E 2D

3. Facial Features: 5E 2D

What You Need To Know Before

Taking The Test
The test answers are divided into Yin and Yang families. You
will find that answers A and B are Yang dominant, while
answers D and E are Yin dominant. This means the former
are sharper, more angular looking, and the latter are softer,
more round looking. Answer C is a blend of Yin and Yang. If
you don't strongly identify with either A/B or D/E, select
C. [Note: Some of the questions will have their answers
listed in the Yang, Yin order.]

When answering the questions, select the answer that best

describes your body even if it doesn't match perfectly. We
are looking for an overall pattern. Hence, a few deviating
answers here and there will not change your type.

Make sure that you clearly understand each answer. Every

answer has a number of images, so study these thoroughly
and try to understand what it is that makes up an answer
rather than simply selecting the one that looks most like
you.

So without further ado, let's get into the test.

···

The Wardrobe Guide

Learn how to build a flattering and
functional wardrobe tailored to
you.

LE AR N MOR E

Part 1: Bone Structure

The first section covers your body's bone structure. This is
not to be confused with the flesh on your bones. Regardless
of whether you are heavy or thin, your bone structure is not
subject to fluctuations in weight.

···

This is the most important section and will almost always

determine your Kibbe body type. This is because your bone
structure dictates how clothes hang on your body.

1. How long is your vertical line?

Your vertical line is your height but in relation to your
horizontal proportions. In other words, it's not how tall you
are, but how tall you look.

···

Two people can measure the same height in inches, but one
can appear taller than the other. (Mind, this is not when they
stand next to each other, but when looked at individually). If
you have a long vertical line, you will appear taller than you
actually are. And if you have a short vertical line, you will
appear shorter than you actually are.

You can see this at play below. Look at the two images
individually. Angelina Jolie, on the left, looks like she is pretty
tall. If we were to guess her height, we would probably say
she is taller than average. But when we look at Katy Perry,
we would probably guess that she is average or shorter than
average. In reality though, both ladies measure almost the
exact same height in inches. But Angelina looks taller and
Katy appears shorter.

So where does the di!erence come from? Angelina has a

long vertical line, and Katy has a short vertical line. If you
have a small head compared to the rest of your body, you
will appear taller. This is even more true if you have wide
shoulders. It's an optical e!ect: a small head stretches your
appearance.

Vice versa, if you have a large head compared to the rest

of your body and/or you have very narrow shoulders, you
will appear shorter than you really are. In this case, the
body is visually compressed from the top down.

···

How to answer this question:

Camera angles can distort vertical lines. You can make

someone appear taller by taking a picture of them from a
low angle pointing the camera upwards. And vice versa, by
pointing your camera downwards and taking a picture from a
high angle, you can make someone look shorter.

···

The same principle applies when someone else looks at you.

Depending on their height, they will either look up at you
from a low angle or look down on you from a high angle.

This is why it's important to take a picture of your body. Do

not look at yourself in the mirror to guess your vertical line.
You won't be looking from the right angle and neither will
anyone else. So don't go and ask someone to guess your
vertical line.

The best way to determine your vertical line is by taking a

picture of yourself at chest-level. And then check if your
head looks small or big in relation to the rest of your body.

My vertical line can best be described as:

 A) Long

A long vertical line will make you appear a lot taller than you
actually are. Even if you are short, you can still have a long
vertical line – if you look tall.

If you have a small head in relation to the rest of your body,

you will appear taller.

···

 B) Moderately long

Your head is moderately small in relation to the rest of your

body.

This answer di!ers from answer A only in that you don’t

appear extremely tall, but you do appear taller than your
actual height.

 C) Moderate

You look your actual height, not taller, not shorter. Your head
is in proportion to the rest of your body.

···

 D) Smallish

A short vertical line will make you appear shorter than you
actually are. Even if you are tall, you can still have a short
vertical line – if you look short.

If your head is moderately large in relation to the rest of your

body, you will appear shorter.

 E) Petite

It’s very obvious that you are small in stature. And your head
is large in relation to the rest of your body.

···

The Wardrobe Guide

Learn how to build a flattering and
functional wardrobe tailored to
you.

LE AR N MOR E

2. What shape are your shoulders?

Be aware of your posture when answering this question.