Kibbe Dramatic Style Analysis: Tilda Swinton | Kibbe Body Types

Finding your Kibbe body type can be confusing and even distressing. I've found that it helps to have a person who embodies the body type and essence perfectly (with lots of great, analyzable images) to use as a reference.

In this post, I explore and discuss the Kibbe 'Dramatic' body type, using a selection of outfits from style icon Tilda Swinton.

You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

What Is The Dramatic Body Type?

According to Kibbe, Dramatics are pure yang. Their bodies are made of sharp, narrow lines so that they come off as angular and dry. There is no softness to their structure, and even when they are overweight, they still appear sharp. They have a long vertical line so they are tall, and tend to look even taller than they are. They are best represented by a long, thin line.

Dramatic clothing lines are long and sharp and fabrics are stiff, creating an altogether sleek, sculpted, and elongated look. Following these lines, pure Dramatics look great in a tailored men's suit, in a long tailored coat, and a head-to-toe monochromatic look.

What Is The Dramatic Essence?

The Dramatic essence is powerful. They may come off as masculine, intimidating, and domineering. They give off a 'straight to business' and 'I'm in control' vibe.

Related: How To: Find Your Body Type Using Kitchener + Kibbe Style Essences

Tilda's Body Composition

Normally, I use a picture of the person I'm discussing in a swimsuit so we can clearly see their bone structure and flesh. I could not find one such image of Tilda Swinton, so I will have to just describe her body as fitting the Dramatic profile- long and sharp bones with lean, taut flesh.

Dramatic - Hits

These are outfits that encompass all the best aspects of the Dramatic body type, and so naturally look amazing on Tilda.

Monochromatic - Long Vertical Line

Dramatics are long and lean, so they look amazing in a head-to-toe, single-color ensemble. These looks highlight their long vertical line which is their most prominent feature. This monochromatic look can be created by a single garment, or it can be created by separates in one color.

I love this look on Tilda Swinton. This bold, long, and straight dress highlights her tall, lean frame. It's perfectly harmonious with her bone structure. The weighted fabric and the sharp, asymmetrical split are also decidedly Dramatic. In this dress, she looks powerful- her Dramatic essence is on full display.

In these looks, Tilda has some elements of stiffness and sharpness, which matches her bone structure, to further elevate these outfits. The white outfit (right) has crisp corners and while the blush tone outfit is gentler (the skirt flows and the jacket fabric isn’t too stiff) it still has sharp corners.

Long and Lean

I love this look. The long skirt honors her long vertical line and the bold colors bring out her striking Dramatic essence. The outfit is full of geometric shapes in the form of long rectangles, the skirt, the top, and the bag. The sharpness in the shoe completes the look and the lines.

Long Tailored Coat

Sharp tailoring and a long vertical line are typical aspects of a Dramatic silhouette.

Tilda looks amazing in these coats. She looks complete, I perceive her and the outfit together. In each case, the coat isn't an afterthought, it's a critical and natural part of the outfit. In the second outfit (right) the menswear elements (the shoes and pants) add more Dramatic elements and further elevate this look on her.

Menswear

With their long, lean and sharp bone structure, Dramatics are the ideal models for menswear.

Tilda is at home in the sharp tailoring and medium to heavy fabrics of these suits. In each of these looks, Tilda looks great and not at all like she was wearing a man’s clothes’. The first look (left) is a straight-up men's suit and it is my favorite of the three looks. I like all the others but, at least for me, I think this proves just how well menswear captures the Dramatic lines and essence.

The other two looks have stylistic elements that are feminine in nature- the gold detailing in the middle suit and the shoes in the third (right) outfit. These make the looks less masculine, which seems to take something away.

Dramatic - Misses

These are a few looks that go against the natural bone structure and body contours of a Dramatic, and as a result, don’t flatter Tilda at all.

Multi-colored

Dramatics look better in monochromatic looks and tend to look busy in multi-colored ensembles.

I don’t know where to look in this outfit because there are so many parts that are all competing for attention. At first glance, the purple sash catches my eye, then the gloves. Then I see the sleeve detail and only then am I able to actually see Tilda’s face, which looks severe next to the rounded edges of the shoulders and neckline.

There’s just too much going on and it all takes away from her.

In this outfit, Tilda looks slightly offish. I want to stretch out her pants so they 'fit' her better. This cut also makes her look wide at the hips. She is a very tall and thin woman, so that speaks to how unflattering it is when her long vertical line is not respected (and cropped).

Where her jumper hits on her hips also aids her to appear wider. The pattern on the jumper is geometric so it doesn't clash too much, I just think the colors are not the best. Lastly, the shoes are not the best for her.

Unconstructed Silhouettes

Dramatics are best suited by sharply tailored silhouettes that honor their narrow, sharp bone structure.

Both these outfits lack structure, and since the Dramatic body type is frame dominant, this is inharmonious with Tilda. To me, it looks like her body is jelly underneath her clothes, as if she literally had no skeletal structure.

These looks do nothing for her, and in fact, they take away from her strong frame.

Lightweight, Excess Fabrics

Dramatics are best suited by heavy fabrics that visually support their frame-dominant build.

These dresses have too much fabric and it’s too lightweight for Tilda’s bone structure. Her visual weight and that of the dress don’t match, so it just looks off. I get the feeling that she is swimming in fabric.

The pattern (right) itself is not terrible for a Dramatic, remember they can pull off bold colors and patterns. I think in a stiffer, heavier fabric that was tailored well, this pattern would pop and this look would be everything. As is, it's lacking something.

Cropped Items, Staccato Effect

Dramatics are best suited by looks with long, unbroken (vertical) lines that honor and highlight their most prominent feature- a long vertical line.

Tilda Swinton's outfit makes me frown, involuntarily. There are a few things that work against this look for her, but none worse than the crop, so that's all I'll focus on here.

This horizontal cut across her body looks so random, haphazard, and unnecessary. A typical Dramatic body (like Tilda's) is a straight line, so there are no natural breaks (like at her waist) where this crop would look at home or natural. As a result, all my attention is drawn to this line that shouldn't be there. It's very disharmonious on her.

Shapeless

Dramatics are best suited by sharply tailored silhouettes that fit close to the body.

These looks are doing nothing for Tilda’s body composition. Most noticeably, the lack of structure of each outfit works to create an overall frumpy look on her. The only positive is that the fabrics are weighted.

The first look has poor tailoring, everything is ill-fitted, particularly the jacket and pants, and the shirt is loose, silky, and drapey. The clothes give the impression of sliding off her. Then there's the poor color choice. It's not flattering at all. The second look has such a poor silhouette and color, the fringe detail is odd and unflattering.

Unconstructed Feminine Draping

While these dresses have the long vertical line Dramatics need, they are missing the structure and sharpness.

The draping, excess fabric, and the waist definition of the left and middle dresses all work to create an ultra-feminine or yin dress. This means it doesn’t create space for her dominant yang structure and essence. As a result, the dresses appear to just awkwardly hang off her body, where they were meant to hug it.

In the third dress (right), the lightweight fabric, polka dot pattern, and the cinching of the waist further add to the yin elements and she actually looks wide (for Tilda Swinton) as a result.

Now compare this to this look:

This look has all the same issues as the one above, except it is saved by the long structured coat. Suddenly, my focus is drawn to the large, sharp lapels of the coat as well as its sweeping length and bold, electric blue color- elements that complement a Dramatic beautifully.

These overpower the ultra-feminine elements of the ensemble like the paisley pattern and glossy sheen of the dress, as well as the gathered neckline. This works.

Best Looks- Dramatic

Constructed Feminine Draping

I live for these looks. Tilda is perfection here. While a clear Dramatic, Tilda also has an ‘Ethereal’ essence. There is something about her that is otherworldly/ alien.

These looks work so beautifully because they honor both her Dramatic lines (the tailoring and fabric of both the yellow dress and the blue jacket) and her Ethereal Essence (the skirt and hair of both looks give the impression of floating away).

The long vertical line created by the monochromatic color scheme also ties these two essences together. I have no notes.

Tilda looks amazing here. It's so elegant and complete on her. The lines of her clothes and body blend into each other and almost move into the background to highlight her feminine features (of which some are on her face). In this suit, Tilda actually looks more feminine.

Both these looks showcase a long vertical line through a monochromatic color scheme, sharp tailoring, and geometric shapes. They are also both creative and fun, with a leaning toward androgyny. Amazing.

Essence- Hair

Tilda's best hair looks are clean, sharp, and bold. The three top looks are her best as the sharp cuts and bold colors bring out her bone structure and complement her essence.

The top right image showcases wispy and slightly messy hair, which evokes the idea of flying or floating away. This works on Tilda because she has a combination of a Dramatic essence and that otherworldly or Ethereal essence. On a pure Dramatic, this hairstyle might feel messy.

She is aged and not complimented by soft hairstyles and undefined lengths. Anything too ornate, such as seen in the bottom left and middle images, looks 'too much' and even matronly on her. She needs sharpness and edge.

Long hair takes away from Tilda and it makes her look ordinary. She no longer has that boldness, and I think it ages her. Interestingly, I think here she looks her best with the platinum blonde hair with the very blunt cut because it is the boldest and most severe hairstyle, which complements Dramatics.

Essence- Makeup

Tilda needs some definition in her face otherwise her features all disappear. As her eyes are dark and highly contrasted against her face, she seems to be best suited by defining her lips as this brings balance to her face.

I think all the looks on the top row are her best. She comes alive with a bold, sharp lip.

Contrarily, the looks on the bottom where her lips are nude/ neutral are less flattering. Or rather, they play up her 'alien' quality.

'Rules' Be Damned- An Ode To A Fashion Icon

I'm not sure who else could wear this black and white ensemble convincingly. I think this look and its design play wonderfully with construction and lack there off. Tilda's body (structure) acts as the perfect model to display this. I love this look.

The second look is showing up for the second time in this post because while I think the structural criticism of the lightweight fabric being inharmonious with her is valid, I do love the daring of this look.

It is a moment. I mean, the boots! The gloves! I wish she had on a red or black turtleneck underneath to balance the weightlessness of the dress fabric and also introduce a narrow, streamlined element. But I'll take this.

This first look (left) is daring, fun, and dramatic. From the hot pink balloon pants and shoes to the hand gesture buttons. I love it.

However, with respect to her lines and her essence as a Dramatic, she is best suited to monochromatic looks. Some of her elegance is lost when she breaks her vertical line with color blocks. But I don't care.

On the right, she looks like a tall glass of alien champagne. I mean that as the highest compliment I can think of in this moment. It's perfect.

Conclusion

The Kibbe Body Type system can be very confusing. I know it took me a while to train my eye to see the lines of the different body types, and one of the things that really helped me was studying the lines and outfits of 'verified' celebrities who embody their body type and essence.

It helped me to have something to refer to and compare how I looked in a similar outfit. My hope is that this breakdown does the same for you. If you're a Dramatic, it might even spark some outfit ideas.

Please share your thoughts- do you agree with my analysis of Tilda Swinton's iconic style?

You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

Talk soon.

Nonjabulo

Kibbe Body Types: Flamboyant Natural vs Soft Dramatic | Gigi Hadid vs Bella Hadid

The Dramatic and Flamboyant Natural Kibbe body types and style identities have quite a lot in common, making choosing between them a little confusing. Luckily, they also have some distinct differences which I hope to highlight.

In this post, I directly compare the Dramatic and Flamboyant Natural Kibbe body types and style identities to highlight these similarities and differences, using gorgeous model sisters Gigi Hadid (Flamboyant Natural) and Bella Hadid (Dramatic) for my comparison.

You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

What Is The Flamboyant Natural Body Type?

According to Kibbe, Flamboyant Naturals are soft yang. They are frame dominant, with broad shoulders and slim, straight hips that create a clear and prominent T-silhouette. They have a long vertical line and a broadness to their structure.

Following their lines, Flamboyant Naturals are best complemented by loose/ relaxed, oversized, and unconstructed silhouettes that honor both their dominant vertical and horizontal lines. They look great in a mix of natural textures and colors.

What Is The Dramatic Body Type?

According to Kibbe, Dramatics are pure yang. Their bodies are made of sharp, narrow lines so that they come off as angular and dry. There is no softness to their structure, and even when they are overweight, they still appear sharp. They have a long vertical line so they are tall, and tend to look even taller than they are. They are best represented by a long, thin line.

Dramatic clothing lines are long and sharp and fabrics are stiff, creating an altogether sleek, sculpted, and elongated look. Following these lines, pure Dramatics look great in a tailored men's suit, a long tailored coat, and a head-to-toe monochromatic look.

Related: Kibbe Dramatic Style Analysis: Tilda Swinton | Kibbe Body Types

Similarities between Dramatic and Flamboyant Natural

• Yang dominant (frame dominant)

• Long vertical line
  

Differences between Dramatic and Flamboyant Natural

• Width or horizontal line, which is narrow for Dramatics and wider for Flamboyant Naturals

• Essence (powerful and intense for Dramatic; easy and laid-back for Flamboyant Natural)

• Flesh, which is sinewy for Dramatics and more substantial (fleshier) for Flamboyant Naturals

What Is The Flamboyant Natural Essence?

The Flamboyant Natural essence is free-spirited, down-to-earth, and fresh. It's effortlessly bold and open.

What Is The Dramatic Essence?

The Dramatic essence is powerful. They may come off as intimidating and domineering. They give off a 'straight to business' vibe.

Let's Compare and Contrast

Body Structure Analysis:

Both Flamboyant Naturals and Dramatics have a long vertical line, but Flamboyant Naturals also have a width to their frame which makes them appear larger than Dramatics.

Bella (Dramatic) is long and taut. Her overall look is drier when compared to Gigi, who appears fleshier and wider (compare their shoulders).

Again, Gigi has more visual weight than Bella (they may very well be the same weight on a scale, but I’m just talking about how this translates physically).

Even though they have curves, both of them are definitely more frame dominant than curve dominant.

Long Vertical Line

Both Dramatics and Flamboyant Naturals have a long vertical line, so they are best suited to long garments that honor this trait.

Gigi looks good in all these outfits, but as the length of the outfit gets longer, it looks better on her.

Similarly, Bella looks good in all these outfits, but as the length of the outfits gets longer, they look better on her.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Oversized Blazer

Flamboyant Naturals have broad shoulders, which form the basis of their structural width. As such, they are complemented by oversized blazers which highlight this feature.

On Gigi (Flamboyant Natural), this look (right) works harmoniously with her T-silhouette and completes her frame. On Bella (Dramatic) the blazer drowns her narrow shoulders.

Bella is swallowed by these oversized blazers. Her narrow shoulders don’t support them as easily as Gigi’s wider shoulders do. She would be better suited to a fitted jacket.

The third look (right) is the best of these because the pants are slim and sleek, which is a characteristic of Dramatic lines. The pants (and monochromatic palette) help to balance out the jacket.

Gigi looks great in these outfits. The blazers fall perfectly on her and they highlight the width of her shoulders without swallowing her.

The blazer on the left is more fitted and looks good, but the other two (middle, right) where the blazers are oversized actually look better on her.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Casual Wear

Denim

Denim, being a casual, natural fabric, is undeniably a (Flamboyant) Natural element. We would expect denim-heavy looks to compliment Naturals more than they do Dramatics.

To start, let’s take a look at two very similar outfits, but whose overall vibe is very different.

Note, this is not a question of being able to wear the outfit-both these ladies are models who can wear anything. It’s a question of whether or not the outfit communicates the true essence of the person wearing it. If they look at home in it or if they look like they’re wearing someone else’s clothes.

Gigi looks at home. She looks powerful, confident, and like she’s ready to do anything.

Bella looks lost, her (sexy and fierce) essence is lost. This doesn’t feel like her and I almost want to ask if that’s really her in there.

Gigi was made to wear jeans and a t-shirt. She looks beautiful and effortless. The casualness of every aspect of these looks (jeans, t-shirts, hair) complements her. She looks like the supermodel next door.

In these outfits, Bella looks less beautiful than she is. She looks like she didn’t try but not in a good way. It’s not effortless, it lacks effort. It’s underwhelming.

Note that in the middle image, she is wearing a button-down shirt and heels, yet she looks more casual or as casual as Gigi does in her outfits.

A Tale of Two Denim Bodysuits

This is how each of the ladies can integrate the same outfit to honor the lines of their body type:

Bella- Dramatic

I love this denim bodysuit on Bella. While the denim is a Natural fabric (because it’s casual), the cut and fit of this bodysuit honor her Dramatic lines. It’s long and narrow, fitting tight to the body which highlights how tall and lean she is. The deep V opening adds sharpness which is congruent with her bone structure.

Gigi- Flamboyant Natural

This ultra-casual, loose-fitting denim overall looks amazing on Gigi. It respects the laid-back, unconstructed essence and lines of the Flamboyant Natural and she looks at home in it.

These bodysuits are worlds apart, yet I think the effect is the same. Both ladies look cool and sexy. If they swapped looks, however, Bella would look like she was wearing a sack and Gigi would look ‘try-hard’.

Athleisure

Athletic wear is a Natural trait because it is sporty, comfortable, and very laid-back. So, it looks great on Flamboyant Naturals but underwhelming and even disheveled on Dramatics.

Gigi looks amazing in these sporty clothes. She looks stylish and complete. While I can tell that these are sporty, I don’t necessarily assume she is going to the gym. In this outfit, she could easily be meeting friends or going on a date or whatever. She just looks good.

On Bella, these similar outfits make me think ‘oh poor thing, they caught her on the way to the gym’. It looks like she’s quickly running there (or somewhere) and when she gets back she’ll get ready. The' look is underwhelming.

Ingénue Essence- Overly Girly

Generally speaking, the Flamboyant Natural essence is grown, not childish. So, elements that evoke a young girl will clash with this essence and look childish. This is true for Gigi who lacks any Ingénue essence.

Ingénue Essence- Bella Hadid

However, it is not true for Bella who appears to have some girlish Ingénue essence. This was quite surprising for me as I assumed the Romantic essence was Bella's secondary essence on account of how outwardly sexy she is. This is true, but I think these images demonstrate her Ingénue essence as well.

Bella looks beautiful in these outfits. The sheer, lightweight fabrics bring out a softness in her. I would have assumed they would clash against her 'dry' Dramatic bone structure and essence, but they actually showcase how delicate she is. Even the fun and youthful print of the third look (right) looks great and not childish on her.

This blew my mind so I decided to explore it further:

Again, in these decidedly 'girly' dresses, Bella looks amazing. Even just the pose (never mind the pure white, full skirt dress) of the first look (left) would look awkward on a pure Dramatic without any Ingénue essence, but she looks sweet and innocent.

The frilly trim of the orange dress (middle) is also not clashing against her in any way. She looks stunning.

The feminine pattern and silky fabric of the third dress are altogether delicate, and far from clashing with Bella, she again just looks beautiful.

While I don't think Ingénue is her leading essence (that's the Dramatic essence for sure), it is present in her composition, just certainly not on her face.

Ingénue Essence- Gigi Hadid

Interestingly, Gigi has a lot of Ingénue essence on her face, but she does not carry it in her body. So, her hair and makeup can pull off Ingénue styles, but she cannot wear them. Let's explore this:

The first look (left) is the least flattering on Gigi. It is too far from her natural essence and it seems stark against her. The short length cuts her long vertical line, and the fabric is stiff and seems restricting on her, which is further compounded by the high neckline. The baby pink color is also not the greatest. Her hair is pulled back (not free and flowing which is best for her) and I don't like or get that hair thing. The middle outfit is fine. It's flowy and light which is great, but the high neckline, short length, and gathers of the skirt make it a bit too girlish for Gigi. So, it's not bad but it's not good either. I think her shoes are cool though. The third image (right) is not bad, I think she looks very cute. While the dress is short, it isn't constricting and the pattern is feminine without being girlish. It's more the accessories that work against it.

The socks and school shoes are very Flamboyant Gamine in nature, the detail across her chest is very random and distracting. If she lost the black detailing, socks, and shoes and replaced them with a simple sandal or even sneakers and added a kimono, this look would be great. As is, it's not the best on her.

This is how a Flamboyant Natural wears a short dress. This is free and easy, open and flowing. Styled with flowing hair and casual sneakers, this look is perfect for Gigi and Flamboyant Naturals in general.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Unconstructed Silhouette

Unconstructed silhouettes speak to the frame dominance of Flamboyant Naturals. These looks pull awareness to how big and strong they are, in a good way. These same silhouettes 'swallow up' and overpower Dramatics who seem to disappear behind them.

The white dress is both large and long, and it would easily overpower another silhouette. Gigi impressively appears to be wearing the dress, and not the other way around. In the second image, I'm drawn to looking at her body. That is, the dress highlights her frame.

These dresses should look better on Bella as they honor her long vertical line, but they lack the structure her Dramatic body type needs. The lightweight and flouncy fabric and shapeless silhouettes lose Bella and just hang shapelessly over her.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Knitwear

Part of the Flamboyant Natural essence is 'relaxed and comfortable', so they look especially chic and at home in weighted, chunky knits. Depending on the fit and construction, knitwear may also flatter Dramatics.

The look on the left is unflattering and underwhelming on Bella. The lack of structure and wide fit of the knit sweater does not complement her body and the look is just bleh.

On the right, she looks so much better. While the outfit is similar to the first one, this one is stiffer, narrow, and fitted to her body which complements her ‘narrow straight line’ Dramatic body. Over-the-knee boots are the perfect shoe for a Dramatic as they are bold, long, and sleek and they capture Bella’s sexy essence.

These unconstructed, loose, oversized knit sweater dresses look amazing on Gigi. While these looks might look too simple and even homely on a different body type, they look sophisticated on her.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Movement

Flamboyant Natural lines are characterized as bold and sweeping and their silhouettes are unconstructed. Added to that, their essence is free, natural, and unrestricted. This translates into clothes with some movement, that allows air to move between the garment and the body.

Dramatics are opposite to this, requiring garments with tight, sleek lines that fall very close to the body. They tend to get lost in garments with too much movement.

Far from creating a sense of floating, these looks drag Bella down. They look separate from her. The shapeless fits and airy fabrics don’t complement her Dramatic lines.

All these looks are amazing on Gigi. The long vertical line and the movement provided by the capes capture the 'free-flowing' and 'unrestricted' Natural essence of the Flamboyant Natural.

Dramatic Staple- Tightly Fitted Clothing

Evening Gowns

Bella looks incredible. These tightly fitted garments bring out her va-va-voom essence and she oozes sex appeal. The head-to-toe monochromatic looks honor her long vertical line and Dramatic essence and she looks harmonious.

These looks are too restricting on Gigi. The two bodysuits are sexy, but they look underwhelming on her. They expose and highlight a great body, but they don't capture her essence. The middle look is objectively beautiful and styled to perfection, but again it fails to capture her essence. While beautiful, at least for me, she looks like she's playing dress-up.

Tight and Short

Similarly in these looks, Gigi looks restricted because of how tight these outfits are. I almost get a sense that she is uncomfortable and I want to loosen her dress just a little bit. In the first (left) and third (right) looks, this sense of restriction is further emphasized by how short the dresses are.

Flamboyant Naturals have a long vertical line, so they need length in their garments to honor this. When a dress is both shirt and tight, this puts it at the opposite end of the harmony scale, and it looks separate from them.

Bella is a fiercely sexy human. That is her most dominant vibe and it marries well with her Dramatic essence. So, in these looks that are designed to be sexy- she looks incredible. She is harmonious with the lines and especially the essence of these outfits. She looks like the full embodiment of herself, cool, sexy, and fierce.

Mismatched Outfits

I wish I could make Gigi and Bella trade outfits. The fringe-covered dress would best suit Gigi as the fringe would give her the sense of movement that Flamboyant Naturals need. The skin-tight jumpsuit would best suit Bella’s narrower frame and bring out her sultry essence. As is, Bella looks boring and Gigi looks restricted and a little ‘try hard’.

Essence- Hair

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Flowy, Loose Hair

Flamboyant Naturals are all about flowy, sweeping lines. In hair, this translates into ear waves, effortless styling, and natural colors. A tousled mane is their go-to signature look.

Gigi looks her best in the top three looks. She looks effortlessly beautiful with the easy waves, and tousled hair that evokes the feeling of 'I woke up like this'. Her hair also looks best with a little messy feel, she needs a few strands out of place to create that 'natural' look. When the hair is too perfect, it looks stiff on her.

Contrarily, in the second row of images, Bella looks underwhelming and even disheveled. The loose, easy waves pull away from her and make her look simple. The lighter hair colors also take away from her. As a high-contrast Dramatic, she needs the high contrast of her very dark hair. As it gets lighter, her features stand out less.

Dramatic Staple- Sleek, Tight Hair

Dramatics are all about sharp, sleek lines. So, they are best complimented by hair that is sculpted, tight, and sleek. Not a hair out of place.

Bella looks stunning in the top row of images. The sleek hairdos highlight her sharp and prominent cheekbones and make her look beautifully put together and sophisticated. Every feature of hers pops and she looks like herself, like the complete expression of the supermodel she is.

These are not Gigi's best looks. She has low contrast coloring, so she is best suited for low contrast hair, which for her is closest to her natural dirty blonde. The bottom three looks demonstrate how dark and high-contrast hair colors look stark on her and take away from her. Tight and sleek hairstyles also look too severe on her as they lack the movement that is synonymous with Flamboyant Naturals.

Severely Dramatic Hairstyle- Side By Side

This is a Dramatic style; the jet black color, the severe cut, the long length, and of course the shaved side. This style couldn’t be further from what would suit a Flamboyant Natural, but it should suit a Dramatic.

That’s exactly what we find. Bella actually looks good in this insane hair. She looks super cool and fierce and her cheekbones are popping!

Gigi looks awful. It doesn’t even look like her. Everything about this look is too severe for her and I hope nobody ever does that to her again.

Essence- Makeup

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Soft, Natural Makeup

The essence of Flamboyant Naturals is effortless and, well, natural. They look their best in simple makeup with nude palettes. They can handle color, but nothing severe or too contrasted.

Gigi looks amazing in the top three looks, her face really shines in the barely-there makeup and I can see how beautiful she is. This makeup honors her Natural essence. The third look (right) with the red lip is balanced by a clean eye and an otherwise fresh face, and the red shade is not too contrasted against her skin.

Bella looks underwhelming in these images. The makeup lacks the intensity that brings out her sharp features and suits her best. It lacks the drama that Dramatics need. She doesn’t look bad, she just looks okay.

I think Bella needs a sharply defined eye more than anything else in a look and without it, her makeup feels flat. As seen in the third image, even with a bold lip, if she doesn’t have a defined eye her makeup could still be underwhelming. However, just an intense eye can carry a look as can be seen below.

Dramatic Staple- Sharp, Intense Makeup

Bella looks amazing in the top three looks. Each of these makeup looks has the visual interest and sharpness that she needs. The middle look is amazing because in it she has both intense, dramatic hair and dramatic eye makeup- all of which capture her Dramatic essence. All her best features are highlighted. Notice how Gigi is overpowered by the same look.

In the third look (right), Bella’s eyeliner is very dramatic. Interestingly, she is not overpowered by it and it complements her. She looks edgy and intense and complete.

In the bottom three looks, Gigi's beauty is overpowered by her makeup. I can hardly recognize her in the first look (left), her eye makeup is too intense and the lip detail is distracting. Similarly, in the middle look, her bright blue eyeliner is all that my eye is drawn to. It competes with and wins against Gigi's face. The last look (right) is not too bad, I think her eye makeup is beautiful. However, the lipstick shade is too dark for her and my eye is pulled to her lips and not her face as a whole.

Severely Dramatic Makeup- Side By Side

This is a great comparison that proves how far apart Flamboyant Naturals and Dramatics are in terms of essence.

This is a clearly Dramatic look; the harsh, intensely dark eye, lack of eyebrows (not sure who this suits), and long sleek hair are all Dramatic, so we expect this look to suit Bella and clash against Gigi. Which is exactly what happens.

Bella looks incredible because this makeup suits her Dramatic essence. She looks intense, badass, and otherworldly. I can’t say this is her best-ever beauty look, but there is something cool about it on her. I feel like how Bella looks is what the artist intended for all the models.

Gigi looks scary because this makeup clashes with her Natural essence. I want to run away from her. The look is so far from what would complement her that it is legitimately hard to look at. It also makes her look rather manly, which is strange because she has such soft feminine features. That's how inharmonious it is with her.

Best Looks

Flamboyant Natural- Soft, Natural Makeup + Loose, Flowy Hair

This is Gigi at her best. Natural makeup, nude lip, gentle eye, and loose wavy hair. She is stunning here and an embodiment of Flamboyant Natural beauty goals. Both her Ingénue essence and her Natural essence comes out.

Bella looks good. She's a stunning human so it's difficult to ever see her look bad, but this is not her best look. It's quite dull on her. It's beautiful but it subdues and blends out her beauty.

Dramatic- Sharp, Intense Makeup + Sleek, Tight Hair

This is Bella at her best. Sharply Defined eyes, chiseled cheekbones, light lips, and sleek hair. She is stunning here and an embodiment of the Dramatic essence beauty goals.

In a similar look, Gigi looks beautiful, but not her best. This look doesn't showcase the fullness of her beauty. I want to tousle her hair so badly to bring her to life.

Conclusion

Choosing between Flamboyant Natural and Dramatic can be quite tricky. There are so many similarities between these body types and the differences can feel so nuanced that it’s difficult to pick one objectively. I know I struggled.

However, I think that with practice and infinite patience, we can start to train our eyes to see these differences more clearly. That’s why these comparisons help and that’s why I make them.

If you came confused and stuck between Flamboyant Natural and Dramatic, I hope this post has helped you move closer toward making a clear choice, or at the very least know what you need to look out for to do that.

Please let me know if I’ve helped and if you agree with my analysis of the beautiful Hadid sisters.

You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

Talk soon,

Nonjabulo

Flamboyant Natural Style Analysis: Gigi Hadid | Kibbe Body Types

Finding your Kibbe body type can be very confusing, so it's helpful to have a person who embodies that body type and essence well, and whom you can look at as a reference.

In this post, I explore and discuss the Flamboyant Natural body type, style identity, and essence by focusing on a selection of outfits by fashion model, Gigi Hadid.

You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

What Is The Flamboyant Natural Body Type?

According to Kibbe, Flamboyant Naturals are soft yang. They are frame dominant, with broad shoulders and slim, straight hips that create a clear and prominent T-silhouette. They have a long vertical line and a broadness to their structure.

Following their lines, Flamboyant Naturals are best complemented by loose/ relaxed, oversized, and unconstructed silhouettes that honor both their dominant vertical and horizontal lines. They look great in a mix of natural textures and colors.

What Is The Flamboyant Natural Essence?

The Flamboyant Natural essence is free-spirited, down-to-earth, and fresh. It's effortlessly bold and open. They give off an easy and approachable 'girl next door' vibe.

Related: Kibbe Style Essence: Natural | What is It and Do I Have It?

Gigi's Body Structure:

Gigi has a long vertical line, meaning she appears (and is) tall. Along with this length, she also has a width to her. Her shoulders are broad, and her structure in general is prominent and solid. On top of this structure, she has pinchable flesh. She's a model, so she's obviously quite thin but even still, she appears fleshy.

She has a defined waist, which isn't always the case with this body type which tends to be rather rectangular in shape, but she is definitely more frame dominant than curve dominant.

Long Vertical Line

Flamboyant Naturals have a long vertical line, so they are best suited to long garments that honor this trait.

Gigi looks good in all these outfits, but as the length of the outfit gets longer, it looks better on her.

Flamboyant Natural- Hits

Oversized Silhouettes

Oversized Blazer

Flamboyant Naturals have broad shoulders, which form the basis of their structural width and T-silhouette. As such, they are complemented by oversized blazers which highlight this feature.

Gigi looks great in these looks. The blazers fall perfectly on her and they highlight the width of her shoulders without swallowing her. The blazer on the left is more fitted and looks good, but the other two (middle, right) where the blazers are oversized actually look better on her.

Oversized Coat

Flamboyant Naturals have both length and width, so an oversized coat highlights and honors both these features.

Gigi is at home in these oversized coats. She is wearing them and not the other way around. She looks cool and sophisticated. Flamboyant Natural is all about blunt strokes and relaxed lines, so she looks better in the first image (left) with the burnt orange coat with rounded shoulders as compared to the more structured blue coat (right) with sharp shoulders.

Oversized, Chunky Knitwear

Part of the Flamboyant Natural essence is 'relaxed and comfortable', so they look especially chic and at home in weighted, chunky knits.

These unconstructed, loose, oversized knit sweater dresses look amazing on Gigi. While these outfits might look too simple and even homely on a different body type, they look sophisticated on her.

Casual Wear

The essence of Flamboyant Naturals is easy and relaxed, so casual wear is their wheelhouse.

Denim

A head-to-toe denim look is not an easy thing to pull off, but as a true Flamboyant Natural, Gigi does it with ease. She looks cool and sophisticated.

Gigi was made to wear jeans and a t-shirt. She looks beautiful and effortless. The casualness of every aspect of these looks (jeans, t-shirts, hair) compliments her. She looks like the supermodel next door.

Athleisure

Flamboyant Naturals look sporty (generally strong and toned), so they look at home in clothes that evoke that 'active' feeling.

Gigi looks amazing in these sporty clothes. She looks stylish and complete. While I can tell that these are sporty, I don’t necessarily assume she is going to the gym. In this outfit, she could easily be meeting friends or going on a date or whatever. She just looks good and cool.

Flow and Movement

Flamboyant Natural lines are characterized as bold and sweeping and their silhouettes are unconstructed. Added to that, the Natural essence is free, natural, and unrestricted. This translates into clothes with some movement, that allows air to move between the garment and the body.

The see-through mesh dress of the first look (left) gives the impression of flying, which makes me think of freedom and movement, which looks great on Gigi. Similarly, the long sleeves of the third image (right) also create that sense of movement and flow.

The middle image is an example of how Flamboyant Naturals can successfully pull off a body-tight jumpsuit.

Firstly, the fit of this is tight but relaxed, it's not like a latex/ second-skin fit. I get the sense that Gigi can easily breathe and move in it, this is important for Flamboyant Naturals. Secondly, the bell-bottom flair creates visual width to balance Gigi's shoulder width (T-silhouette) while also creating a sense of movement (that wouldn't exist if this was a skinny leg fit).

All these looks are amazing on Gigi. The long vertical line and the movement provided by the capes capture the 'free-flowing' and 'unrestricted' essence of the Flamboyant Natural.

Unconstructed Silhouettes

Unconstructed silhouettes speak to the frame dominance of Flamboyant Naturals. These looks pull awareness to how big and strong they are, in a good way.

The white dress is both large and long, and it would easily overpower another silhouette. Gigi impressively appears to be wearing the dress, and not the other way around. In the second image, I'm drawn to looking at her body. That is, the dress highlights her frame.

Flamboyant Natural- Misses

These are looks that don't honor Flamboyant Natural lines or the body type's essence and so look unflattering on Gigi.

The first look (right) is overall too severe and stiff on Gigi. This outfit lacks movement. The jacket is too stiff and restricting, likewise the hair and even the shoes. The skirt, which is the only element with movement (added bonus for asymmetry) is not enough to restore the balance. The all-black-everything vibe is also too severe on a Flamboyant Natural.

The second look (right) is also too severe and restricting. It is also theatrical in an unflattering way. The bodycon fit, high neckline, head thing (?), and even the gloves all create a sense of closure and being restricted. The coat is stiff, so instead of giving her the sense of flying, it further weighs the look down (even with the feathers). The makeup is too much, and that eye detail detracts from her easy natural beauty.

Restricted Garments

These looks are too restricting on Gigi. The two bodysuits are clearly sexy, but they look underwhelming on her. They expose and highlight a great body, but they don't capture her essence.

The middle look is objectively beautiful and styled to perfection, but again it fails to capture her essence. While beautiful, at least for me, she looks like she's playing dress-up.

Related: Kibbe Body Types: Flamboyant Natural vs Dramatic | Gigi Hadid vs Bella Hadid

Similarly in these looks, Gigi looks restricted because of how tight these outfits are. I almost get a sense that she is uncomfortable and I want to loosen her dress just a little bit. In the first (left) and third (right) looks, this sense of restriction is further emphasized by how short the dresses are.

Flamboyant Naturals have a long vertical line, so they need length in their garments to honor this. When a dress is both shirt and tight, this puts it at the opposite end of the harmony scale, and it looks separate from them.

Let's compare that to this:

This is how a Flamboyant Natural wears a short dress. This is free and easy, open and flowing. Styled with flowing hair and casual sneakers, this look is perfect for Gigi and Flamboyant Naturals in general.

Overly Girlish Ensembles

Generally speaking, the Flamboyant Natural essence is grown, not childish. So, elements that evoke a young girl will clash with this essence and look childish.

Gigi has a very cute face that does embody the Ingénue essence, however, that doesn't translate to the rest of her body and her general vibe. I would say overall she has more of a Natural essence.

These just don't look like Gigi's clothes. She looks like she's playing a part. Both these dresses look separate from her. The first look (left) almost looks like a gag outfit, as if she wore it to make fun.

The high neckline, floral print, and bright shoes all make the second outfit girlish (right). The pigtails also add to the childish effect and her makeup is too severe. Overall, the look is not harmonious on Gigi.

The first look (left) is the least flattering on Gigi. It is too far from her natural essence and it seems stark against her. The short length cuts her long vertical line, and the fabric is stiff and seems restricting on her, which is further compounded by the high neckline.

The baby pink color is also not the greatest. Her hair is pulled back (not free and flowing which is best for her) and I don't like or get that hair thing.

The middle outfit is fine. It's flowy and light which is great, but the high neckline, short length and gathers of the skirt make it a bit too girlish for Gigi. So, it's not bad but it's not really good either. I think her shoes are cool though.

The third image (right) is actually not bad, I think she looks very cute. While the dress is short, it isn't constricting and the pattern is feminine without being girlish. It's more the accessories that work against it.

The socks and school shoes are very Flamboyant Gamine in nature, the detail across her chest is very random and distracting. If she lost the black detailing, socks, and shoes and replaced them with a simple sandal or even sneakers and added a kimono, this look would be great. As is, it's not the best on her.

Essence- Hair

The Natural essence is free and wild, and their hair is best when it embodies this. They are also best suited by natural hair colors.

In the top three looks, Gigi looks her best. She looks effortlessly beautiful with the easy waves, and tousled hair that evokes the feeling of 'I woke up like this'. Her hair also looks best with a little messy feel, she needs a few strands out of place to create that 'natural' look. When the hair is too perfect, it looks stiff on her.

Gigi has low contrast coloring, so she is best suited for low contrast hair, which for her is closest to her natural dirty blonde. The bottom three looks demonstrate how dark and high-contrast hair colors look stark on her and take away from her.

Tight and sleek hairstyles also look too severe on her as they lack the movement that is synonymous with Flamboyant Naturals. The looks in the bottom row would better suit someone with a Dramatic essence.

Related: How To Find Your Color Season

Essence- Makeup

The Natural essence is effortless and, well, natural. They look their best in simple makeup with nude palettes. They can handle color, but nothing severe or too contrasted.

Gigi looks amazing in the top looks, her face really shines in the barely-there makeup and I can see how beautiful she is. The third look (right) with the red lip is balanced by a clean eye and an otherwise fresh face, and the red shade is not too contrasted against her skin.

In the three bottom looks, Gigi's beauty is overpowered by the makeup. I can hardly recognize her in the first look (left), her eye makeup is too intense and the lip detail is distracting. Similarly, in the middle look, her bright blue eyeliner is all that my eye is drawn to. It competes with and wins against Gigi's face.

The last look (right) is not too bad, I think her eye makeup is beautiful. However, the lipstick shade is too dark for her and my eye is pulled to her lips and not her face as a whole.

Best Looks- Flamboyant Natural

Easy and Natural

This is Gigi at her best. Natural makeup, nude lip, gentle eye, and loose wavy hair. She is stunning here. The bright yellow pop of color in her inner eye (right) is bold without being distracting. It adds to her beauty. In both these looks, she is beauty goals.

Both her Natural essence and her Ingénue essence shine through and she looks like the best version of herself.

Best Looks

Let It Hang, Let It Flow

This outfit is a Flamboyant Natural checklist: Long monochromatic vertical line, blazer action, long flowing asymmetrical skirt action, a casual feel added by the bag and pocket, loosely wavy hair, and natural makeup. Perfect.

I just love these looks on Gigi. 'Cool and comfortable' is her whole vibe. The knitwear, the athletic wear, and the long oversized coat. The hanging shawl and the shades. The sneakers. Gigi knows her elements and she wears them well.

This look is about this coat and I love this coat on her. The sleeves are what make it what it is and also what makes it work for her. The puffed-out sleeve creates an even more oversized T-silhouette that is great for Flamboyant Naturals. She looks cool and edgy.

If the shoulders were sharp, this coat would be more suited to a Dramatic and would be rather stiff on a Flamboyant Natural.

I love this look. It is simple and elegant. The long vertical line is even further extended by the turtleneck and the same colored shoes, The knit fabric provides a gritty texture that is so great on Flamboyant Naturals. The fit is streamlined but not restrictive. The hair and makeup are perfect. Gorgeous.

Conclusion

Pinpointing your Kibbe body type can be challenging because grasping the nuances of each body type can be confusing. I hope this Flamboyant Natural body type and style analysis was helpful.

Gigi is such a great style study because she naturally, whether knowingly or unknowingly, leans into her Flamboyant Natural style essence. If you think you could be a Flamboyant Natural, try some of the same outfits and see if they suit you as they do her.

You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

Let me know if this helped you and if you agreed with my analysis.

Talk soon,

Nonjabulo