Kendall Jenner: Body Type, Essence + Style Analysis | Kibbe and Kitchener

What is Kendall Jenner's Kibbe Body Type?

I have determined her to be a Flamboyant Natural. However, she also has a strong Romantic essence.

This post is a detailed account of how I got to this conclusion. I'll be focusing on the lines of her body and clothes as well as her essence. I also hope this is a fun read that helps people trying to type themselves to better understand the lines and other things to look for.

Please keep in mind that I'm no expert and these are just my thoughts. They could very well be wrong. Anyway, let's begin.

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

Let's take a look at the lines of Kendall's body:

Kendall has length, she is clearly tall. She also has width. Her shoulders are wide and her chest is broad and open. Her bones are long and rounded (not sharp).

Although very slim, or even potentially underweight, she didn’t look waspish. The flesh in her thighs and arms is present- it’s there, it’s pinchable. She looks strong and physically capable (for lack of a better term). I don’t feel that she is frail.

All this points to her being some sort of Natural. Let’s explore further.

Elongation/Vertical

This is not a measure of height or perceived height (i.e. how tall a person looks), as is often said in body typing circles and as I myself have thought/ said).

The vertical line is observed in the silhouette between the shoulders and knees, and has to do with how fabric falls on the body.

Kendall has a long vertical line. She looks (and is) tall. The middle dress that hugs her body from shoulders to knees creates a long straight line that makes this easy to see. She is easily able to pull off all these lengths.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Athleisure

Kendall looks great in these athleisure outfits. She looks easy and relaxed, but still good. Importantly, she doesn't look underwhelming.

Actually, the only thing I see as taking away from her is the lack of makeup. An effortless face does look underwhelming on her. While the 'Natural' laid back clothing looks great, I think she has a strong Romantic essence- which shows up in her face- which needs to be done up.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Oversized Blazer

Kendall looks great here. These blazers (left, middle) sit perfectly on her shoulders and anchor her outfits. They bring visual and actual structure and elevate the looks.

Similarly in the third image (right), the shirt elevates the outfit and completes it beautifully by being the loose and unconstructed (but importantly, structured) element that typically complements Flamboyant Naturals.

Kendall was made to wear a slightly oversized blazer dress. The structure speaks to her strong frame and the looseness provides the space and movement that Flamboyant Naturals need.

Importantly, she is least flattered by the first (left) look of these three outfits. This is the most Dramatic of the outfits, it's sharply tailored and tightly fitted. It looks restrictive on her, especially as compared to the other two.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Oversized Coat

Unstructured Coat, Lightweight

These lightweight coats are very unflattering on Kendall. They are too light and unstructured both in fabric as well as visually. As a Flamboyant Natural, she needs both Dramatic and Natural elements. Without the Dramatic, she looks unsupported by her clothes.

The first look (left) comes off more casual than it actually is. The t-shirt is casual, but a heavier, structured coat/ blazer would create a different (elevated) overall feel that would match her shoes and bag. This coat pulls the entire look down.

Similarly, the kimono in the second look (middle) drags her outfit down. It's too billowy and offers no structure.

The third look is actually better because the fabric of the kimono is heavier, and the cut is closer to the body (instead of large and billowy). Also, the black sheath dress acts as the grounding Dramatic element that gives her outfit some grounding and structure. It's still not the best look on her, but it's better.

Dramatic Staple- Structured Coat

Yes! Kendall needs this structuring, and she looks great in these coats- but not equally.

In the first look (left), her coat is too large. Her Dramatic element is strong, so this coat is better suited to a pure Flamboyant Natural (like Gigi Hadid). It doesn't quite drown Kendall (because she does have the structure to carry it, but it takes up too much space and overpowers the outfit.

Read: Flamboyant Natural Style Analysis: Gigi Hadid

The coats in the second and third (middle, right) outfits are pure Dramatic, but they look better on her (compared to the first look). I think the middle jacket is too narrow and tightly fitted. I wish there was just a little space between her and the jacket, but she still looks good.

I love the third look, I think the longer length of the coat and the slim (but not tight) fit make it perfect.

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Denim

This is interesting as it acts as a window into Kendall's essences.

The first look (left) is fully 'Natural' and is quite underwhelming on her. It doesn't give a sense of her body. The patches on the jeans and the loose fit of the denim shirt (and the sneakers and cap) all work to create an outfit that's too casual and boring on her.

The second look (right) is the better of the two. It's still casual denim, but these jeans are clean (no patches) and the fit is tight to the body. The top with the ruffles (and flag of midriff) as well as the heels and handbag all create a more Romantic outfit.

The second look is much better on her, highlighting how important it is for Kendall to honor her Romantic essence.

Flamboyant Natural Styling- Flare jeans

The styling and lines of each of these flare-cut denim outfits are decidedly Flamboyant Natural; the overall boho vibe of the first look (left), the leopard print, fur-lined jacket of the middle outfit, and the oversized shirt of the third monochromatic look (right).

These are not the best fits and looks for Kendall. On her, these outfits are boring and something of her beauty and essence is lost.

Clean, straight mature

This is Kendall's best denim fit. The long length honors her long vertical line, the slim (not tight) fit honors her Flamboyant Natural essence which requires looseness and her Romantic essence which requires a mature and done up expression.

These outfits are objectively casual, they feature a hoodie, t-shirts and even sneakers- but they all look elevated. Her hair, makeup, and accessories (with again honor her Romantic essence) pull together to make them work.

Gamine-leaning

All of these outfits look childish on Kendall. The graphic t-shirts and ripped jeans take away a sense of maturity and sophistication that her overall essence calls for.

The first look (left) is particularly childish to the point of being silly on her. The ultra-ripped jeans, graphic tee, hat, and shirt all work to create a grungy look that best aligns with the Flamboyant Gamine essence (not the lines). It's very separate from her.

Silhouette Comparison

Dramatic Lines

The Dramatic silhouette is a long, thin line.

In lines that create this purely Dramatic silhouette, Kendall looks fine. She displays a great figure, but these are not her best outfits. There is something missing.

The middle outfit is the most dramatic, and it's the least flattering. The tight black crop and skinny leather pants, shoes, and shades all create a tight, thin line. Keeping the pants very similar, I think she looks better as she adds some contrast and space between herself and her top (so not skin-tight).

The first look (left) is second best for these reasons, but the t-shirt is too slouchy and open for Kendall. It's too Flamboyant Natural without honoring her Romantic.

The third look (right) is the best. The white top is gently structured (not slouchy), fitted but not tight, and it offers contrast.

Let's compare that to a pure Dramatic:

The opposite is true for Bella Hadid. She looks her best in the two images to the right, where everything is sleek and tight. I think the middle image even looks better because of the added sharpness of the leather jacket and tight bun.

The first look (left) is the least flattering with the loose sweater-top and frayed jean ends, both of which make the look more Flamboyant Natural.

The first silhouette is purely Dramatic. It's sharp, stiff, and straight (minus the sleeve ends). It looks restricting on Kendall.

The second silhouette is her best and most flattering. It has a long vertical line, an open neckline, waist definition, and a slim, straight leg. The fabrics are heavy, yet flowy- all of which honor her Flamboyant Natural lines and essence. The sweetheart neckline honors her Romantic essence.

The third look is how Kendall can pull off Flamboyant Gamine lines and essence correctly, while still honoring her own lines and maintaining her best silhouette. She looks cool, edgy, and fun.

Let's consider short outfits:

With her great legs, Kendall looks amazing in very short outfits. But, again, she is still better suited by the look that respects her best elements and essences.

In the first look (left), she looks her best. The loosely fitted dress with distinct but subtle waist definition, weighted but flowing fabric, and more open neckline are all Flamboyant Natural elements. The figure-hugging nature of the dress is Romantic in essence.

The outfit is then balanced by the structure provided by her bag and boots which are solid, heavy, and stiff.

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

Dramatic Staple- Monochrome (for separates)

This is surprising for me. I think Kendall looks better in the look to left, where her red suit is color-blocked with the black shirt and shoes. In the monochromatic suit outfits to the right, she looks fine but less interesting.

Monochromatic suits are a purely Dramatic element, and it's rather dull on Kendall who is a Flamboyant Natural.

Dramatic Lines- Short, Tight, Stiff

In the two outfits to the left, I think Kendall looks restricted. The first outfit (left) is too stiff and boxy, and the skirt of the second outfit (middle) is too tight. While interesting, I also think the dramatic shoulder overwhelms her.

The third look (right) is her best. The dress is loosely structured, the neckline is open, and her waist is defined, but not severely so- all Flamboyant Natural elements.

Ingénue Essence

The lines of all these dresses go against what is best for a Flamboyant Natural (short, frilly, high sheen, ruffles), yet these are not her worst looks.

Kendall looks cute, fun, and innocent. These looks, while not flattering her lines, don't look separate from her.

This proves that she has some Ingénue essence because otherwise, she would look incredibly awkward in these girlish silhouettes, fabrics, and colors.

The third look (right) does push this cuteness a bit too far in my opinion, and the long, pink tulle does start to feel like a bit much for her Flamboyant Natural structure- but even so, I can't deny that she genuinely looks good. Her face looks youthful and natural, nothing looks awkward.

The first look is more Romantic in my opinion. It's cute, yes, but in a grown and sexy way. It mixes both these essences and it works for her.

Misses

Flamboyant Natural Staple- Loose, Unconstructed Silhouettes

Kendall is lost in these looks. Without the structure of stiffer/ heavier fabrics and tailoring, she just swims in fabric. There is nothing to anchor these outfits.

The dress on the right looks the best, I think due to the tighter rouching around her waist that creates definition and gives her body some shaping. The first look is just there, it's not doing anything for her.

The middle look is the worst. Everything about it works against her. The monochromatic flesh-tone color, the slinky fabric, the unconstructed fit, the high neckline, the open sleeves- It's all bad.

Bold Prints

Kendall cannot handle a print, she gets overpowered. The bolder it is the worse it gets.

All I see in these looks are the prints. The prints (and thus, the dress) and Kendall are separate from each other and competing auger each other.

The patterns, being so bold, comets and win against Kendall such that I have to make myself concentrate to focus on her face.

The third look (right), has the most subtle print, and it’s this the best. I can actually look at her face.

Same thing here. All I see (and see first) are these prints and Kendall is behind them. The prints are wearing her.

Cropped Silhouettes

Being of a body type made up of elongated lines, Kendall looks off in cropped garments. The short lines clash against her bone structure and she looks like a gigantic human wearing small clothes.

This is the case in the first image (left) where all the lines are cropped. Nothing is harmonious and the outfit looks like it belongs to someone else.

The second look is much better because although the jacket is cropped very high (too high), the pants are long and high, which almost creates a long vertical line. If the crop was lower (thus revealing less mid-section), the vertical line would look closer to being unbroken which would suit her better.

This can be seen in the third image (right). This is actually a great silhouette for Kendall, and an example of how she can pull off cropped pieces. It crops at the natural break of her waist, where her pant immediately starts, creating an unbroken line. She looks cool.

Overall

Worst: Loose, Weightless + Cropped + Flared Silhouettes

First look: The neckline is too high, the fabric is too lightweight, and the fit is too unconstructed. I have no sense of her body underneath. This silhouette does nothing for her.

Second look: The crop is too high, the top and bottom are too unstructured, the skirt is too flared. Her vertical line is broken by the large crop in the middle and her body shape is lost.

Third look: The top of this dress is too stiff (yet it is the best of thes three because it does provide shape and structure and defines her waist. The skirt is too flared and the fabric is too lightweight. This unbalances her silhouette and makes her appear wider.

Interestingly, the third look is almost purely Romantic in essence (corset, sheer bottom, visible underwear, red cross necklace, loose hair) and it's not her best look. This shows that while she has a strong Romantic essence, she is still primarily a Flamboyant Natural and that essence needs to be satisfied first.

Now compare all these to these:

Fitted (not tight) + Solid color + Waist definition

Kendall looks amazing in all these looks. Her waist is emphasized without being strictly defined. The fabrics are heavy enough to handle her visual weight. The dresses are narrowly fitted, without being too tight. The necklines are open.

The colors (no bold patterns) don’t compete with her, they complement her. I will say, I think she is slightly overpowered by the red- I see the dress first, but that's not my focus right now.

Read: How To Find Your Color Season | Style Analysis

Overall Best Silhouettes: Everyday Wear

Straight, long leg, high waist definition, structured T-silhouette (long or very long), medium to heavy fabrics, softly elongated lines (not sharp).

First look: The crop at her natural waist, where her pant starts. Some looseness provided by the gently slouchy top. This balances the skin tight bottom.

Second look: The dress is structured and fitted, but loosely so. It has waist emphasis and an open neckline. The fabric is medium weight.

Third look: Straight-leg denim, high waisted, narrow, loose fit. Oversized blazer- structured and loosely fitted. T- silhouette.

Essence- Hair

I think in hair styling it becomes very clear that Kendall is a Flamboyant Natural, but again with a strong Romantic essence.

Firstly, she is best suited by some styling and not the 'just wake up and go' styling of true Naturals.

Within this styling, she looks beautiful with subtle volume and waves, and some (but very little) inexactness (like flyaway hairs). She also looks good in sleek hair. This can be seen in the top row of images, which I think are her best.

When she leans too much in the direction of Flamboyant Natural (by adding a lot of volume, tousled hair, asymmetry and too many flyaway hairs), it begins to take away from her. She doesn't look as good and I have a desire to brush her hair or tuck it back in. This can be seen in the second row of images.

Hair color is where her Flamboyant Natural essence really comes out. She is suited by her natural dark hair best (top row), everything else looks off (bottom row).

Understandably, within the unnatural colors of the bottom row, she is best suited by the darkest shade (left) and least suited by the lightest (right), because the lighter her hair gets, the further away it gets from her natural coloring and the less harmonious it is with her overall coloring.

Essence- Makeup

This is Kendall at her best. Beautiful, subtle (but clearly visible) makeup in natural tones, but with two different feels.

On the left, the lighter inner eye and general light and bright makeup makes her look fresh, open, and youthful- many of the traits of the Natural type.

The sharp and dark eyeliner of the second look (right) and slightly darker lip makes her look edgier, sexier, and more mature than the first image- many of the traits of the Romantic essence.

The top row shows Kendall at her best in subtle, yet sensual makeup. She has an intense brow (full, sharp) which acts as the structure of her face.

The middle look with the lighter hair makes her look more dramatic and slightly alienish because of the loss of contrast. Her makeup is still good though.

Looking at the bottom row:

Intense makeup does not look good on Kendall. It contrasts starkly against her dominant Flamboyant Natural lines and essence.

In the first image (left) her lips and eyebrows are too dark and they overpower her face. I find it very difficult to keep my focus on her eyes, it is drawn to her lips/ brows. She also looks very pale. The middle picture where she has no brows looks crazy. In the third look (right), her eye makeup is odd and distracting.

Let's do a quick comparison of a true Dramatic in similar makeup:

This makeup is even more severe than what we see on Kendall, but Bella (right) looks cool in it. She looks intense and dramatic, but in a good way. Gigi (left) looks scary.

Gigi is a Flamboyant Natural like Kendall and the effect of such severe makeup on them is similarly bad.

Best Looks:

This suit is everything Kendall needs. Long vertical line. Structured and fitted, but loosely so. Subtle but defined waist emphasis. Open neckline and the fabric is heavyweight.

The make-up is beautiful. The red lip is a nod to her Romantic essence. The hair is right. The shoes pop. I love it.

I know I said babygirl can’t handle a print, but this outfit was a moment. This works and I think it’s because of all the other elements of this look that perfectly support her bone structure and essence requirements that make this risk safe for her.

The black latex turtleneck is the structured grounding (Flamboyant Natural) that gives this look life and edge. That same black color runs the length of the dress (the pink flowers are painted on black fabric), which creates an unbroken vertical line.

The fit from neck to knees is skintight (Romantic), which is then balanced by the dramatic flare of the mermaid tail. The print itself (huge pink roses) is very Romantic in nature.

Hair and makeup are perfect. I love this.

This dress came quite late in the 'nude dress' era, so I think people, in general, were so over this style of dress that it was easy to overlook just how beautifully executed this is. This looks stunning on her. It's incredibly Romantic yet natural (Natural) on her.

Kendall looks like a dream here. It's 'drip drip' but elegant. It's equal parts high drama-the chocker necklace, the jewels; and subtlety- the nude color, the gentle makeup.

It's long and figure-hugging, but also delicate and flowy. It's intricate but it also (almost inexplicably) gives the impression of ease- I feel like she just had this lying around and threw it on. It's simply, perfectly beautiful.

Conclusion

If I had to type Kendall I would say she is Flamboyant Natural, with a strong Romantic essence. Both of these style lines have to be accommodated for her to look her best.

I'd love to know what you think. Please let me know if you came to the same conclusion or if you'd type Kendall differently.

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

Talk soon,

Nonjabulo

Who Is David Kibbe and What Is The Kibbe System?

I like the Kibbe system of body typing and I think it's a helpful tool for anyone who wants to understand and/or holistically develop their personal style.

However, it's no secret that the Kibbe system is confusing as hell. Add to that, there's a glossary of terms that come up again and again, whose understanding is critical for the new Kibbe enthusiast.

What is 'Kibbe width', or 'double curve' anyway? And what on earth is your 'vertical line'?

In this post, I break down what all these terms and others that are common in the 'Kibbeverse' mean so you can have an easier time getting through it all.

A very necessary disclaimer:

I do not claim to be an expert on the Kibbe system, just a random internet enthusiast. I've done a fair deal of research which, at times, is based on other people's interpretation of the system. I'm sharing what I've learned to hopefully help others better understand this new world. The views and ideas shared here are my interpretation of the system. They could be wrong.

Who is David Kibbe: The Man Behind The System

David Kibbe is a stylist who came into prominence in the 80s and is most famous for his book Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can in which he outlined 13 body image identities. You can Find Your Kibbe Type by taking the test here.

The identities were based on how much Yin and Yang (I'll explain this later) a person has and demonstrates. Going from most Yang-dominant to most Yin-dominant, the original 13 image identities are: Dramatic, Soft Dramatic; Flamboyant Natural, Natural, Soft Natural; Dramatic Classic, Classic, Soft Classic; Flamboyant Gamine, Gamine, Soft Gamine; Theatrical Romantic, Romantic.

Kibbe later modified this list of 13 down to a list of 10 by removing all the pure types. He now believes that nobody is a pure type, but they lean more soft (yin) or dramatic (yang) within their image identity.

The updated 10 image identities are: Dramatic, Soft Dramatic; Flamboyant Natural, Soft Natural; Dramatic Classic, Soft Classic; Flamboyant Gamine, Soft Gamine; Theatrical Romantic, Romantic.

As of January 2023, David Kibbe still lives in New York and continues to work as a stylist and uses his unique system to identify which image identify his clients belong to.

Understanding Kibbe: Learn The Lingo

Yin and Yang

The Kibbe system essentially measures a person's Yin and Yang composition to determine into which category or body type they belong.

Yin: soft, small, curved, and rounded. In short, yin refers to elements that are traditionally considered 'feminine'.

Yang: hard, sharp, elongated, and structured. In short, yang refers to elements that are traditionally considered 'masculine'.

Kibbe Width

This refers to an openness to the features, particularly seen through the upper torso and back. Kibbe width does not mean 'wide' or 'broad' and we should be careful not to assign it in such a way.

To demonstrate this, let's consider some examples:

If I look at the three women pictured above and had to judge who I thought had width through their shoulders, I would look at the size of the T-silhouette, as demonstrated. The T-silhouette measures the width of the shoulders as measured against their length and their overall width from top to bottom.

I would say that Charlize Theron (right) has the widest T-silhouette, followed by Kiera Knightley (left), and Gisele Bundchen (middle) has the narrowest silhouette.

Based on this, I would expect Gisele to be a Yang-dominant type without width, which is a Dramatic type. I'd expect Charlize to be a Yang dominant type with width, which is a Natural type (likely a Flamboyant Natural). Lastly, I'd expect Kiera to be either of the two.

However, in reality, while Charlize is a verified Flamboyant Natural; Kiera is a verified Dramatic; and Gisele is a verified Flamboyant Natural.

So, in Kibbe terms, Gisele has more 'width' than Kiera Knightley and a similar width to Charlize Theron.

So, again, Kibbe width is not broadness. Understanding it may take some time and practice because it's not as straightforward or intuitive as we might first think.

So, what is Kibbe width?

Kibbe width is more a measure of openness in the structure and is designed to answer the question, 'does this person have to accommodate their width? Do they have to take it into account when putting on clothes?'

Naturals and especially Flamboyant Naturals have to consider their shoulders when buying an item. They have to ask, 'will this item fit my shoulders?' and the answer to that determines whether they buy it or not.

Note: As a Flamboyant Natural, this is so real for me. I have always had to make sure that items, particularly closed tops (t-shirts, turtlenecks, etc.) and outerwear (jackets, blazers) would fit my shoulders.

I have a narrow frame and broad shoulders (for my frame), so a typical T-silhouette. You can see it in this post where I tried on different body type lines. So, I'm a size small everywhere except my shoulders and chest. If I buy 'small' t-shirts or turtlenecks, the shoulder line sometimes (depending on the cut) sits at the wrong place. So, I always fit items because accommodating my width is a thing.

Let's look at what the absence of width looks like by considering some Theatrical Romantics: Jada Pinkett Smith, Mila Kunis, and Salma Hayek.

For me, all of their bodies are clearly compact but, unlike the other two, Jada's is also visually wide and squarish.

However, she does not have Kibbe width. Theatrical Romantics do not have Kibbe width because even with a possibly broad appearance, their small stature means they will never have to accommodate for width in their search for clothes.

Theatrical Romantics, even the widest-looking ones, never have to ask, 'will this shirt fit my shoulders?'. As such, they don't have Kibbe width.

So, again, Kibbe width' is not a function of visual broadness.

Petite: small-boned with a delicate bone structure

Kibbe Curve

In common language, "curves" means the general existence of a defined waist/having a desirable (somewhere between 0.6 and 0.80 according to science) waist-to-hip ratio. In Kibbe terms, "curves" means rounded lines in someone's body.

As stated before, the Kibbe system is one of determining which accommodations are necessary for each body type. Having Kibbe curve doesn't mean you're curvy, it means you have to accommodate for curve in your clothing.

Let's look at some examples to understand this better:

According to Kibbe, Romantics and Theatrical Romantics are curve dominant. So, since Jada Pinkett Smith and Mila Kunis are Theatrical Romantics, they have Kibbe curve even though their outward representation is not what we generally consider 'curvy'.

In comparison, both Candice Swanepoel (left) and Gigi Hadid (right) are Flamboyant Naturals. This means that they are Yang types and further, they are frame-dominant and don't have to accommodate for curve.

So while they are visibly curvy, their Yang bodies don't require them to accommodate for curve in their clothing. That means that they can wear and actually look their best in free-flowing clothes that don't follow their curves.

In contrast, curve-dominant types like Romantics need fitted clothing that follows their curves or they get lost. I'll demonstrate:

Salma Hayek, a verified Theatrical Romantic, looks amazing in this figure-hugging gown. Her curves are front and center and she oozes sexiness.

In similarly tight styles, Cindy Crawford, a certified Flamboyant Natural, looks bound and restricted. Her clothes need to be looser and allow for movement to suit her lines and essence better. This also highlights that even when curvy (because I can see Cindy's curves), Flamboyant Naturals are still frame-dominant. I see Cindy's large frame more than I see her curves.

Kibbe Double Curve

'Double curve' is a way to describe a body that is made up of two circles (curved lines) sitting right on top of each other, like a snowman. For someone to have double curve, these curved lines have to clearly encompass most of their body.

There is a smallness required for this to be possible. So, typically, only Romantics, Theatrical Romantics, and occasionally Soft Gamines showcase double curve.

Again, double curve has nothing to do with whether a person is visually curvy or not.

double disclaimer: Double curve is one of the concepts I struggled the most with in Kibbe, so my understanding and thus my explanation may be flawed. Do your own research and see if this fits with what you find.

Let's look at some examples:

In this example, Jada Pinkett Smith (right) has double curve and Hannah Waddingham (left) does not. Visually, Hannah is clearly curvier than Jada, but let's consider how the 'snowman' sits on each of their bodies:

The 'snowman' sits comfortably on Jada's body and, more importantly, it covers most of her body including her entire chest. She has double curve.

It sits well on Hannah from the chest down. I believe Hannah is a Soft Dramatic. This is unverified, but if correct, that would make her both frame and curve dominant- which I think describes her perfectly. She is both large and curvy.

So, her curves make a natural home for the curved lines of the snowman, but her large frame means it can't fit over her entire body or most of it. Namely, her upper chest and shoulders fall squarely outside the demarcated area. So she does not have double curve.

Yes Double Curve:

All three of these women have double curve. Mila Kunis (left), and Selena Gomez (middle) are both verified Theatrical Romantics and Beyoncé (right) is a verified Romantic.

Their snowman encompasses most of their bodies and their entire chest. There is also a certain petiteness and delicacy to them and their bone structure.

No Double Curve:

All three of these women, while curvy, do not have double curve. I believe Hannah Waddingham (left) is a Soft Dramatic, I believe Kendall Jenner (middle) is a Flamboyant Natural and Jennifer Lopez (right) is a verified Soft Natural.

The top of their snowman does not cover their full chest. In each case, the upper chest falls outside of the demarcated area. What's more, the shoulders are large and pronounced outside of that area in a manner that the women with double curve (above) are not. In other words, their dominant frame stands out.

A person with double curve will not have a large, dominant frame.

Kibbe Vertical/ Elongation:

The vertical line is observed in the silhouette between the shoulders and knees and has to do with how fabric falls on the body.

In the images above, let's consider the length of the skirt of each dress as measured against the entire dress and the proportions of the wearer.

In the first image (left), although it's floor-length, the skirt looks short to me, making the whole dress seem awkward in its proportions. This means that the wearer has a short vertical line. As such, a floor-length gown will not visually sit correctly because she doesn't have enough length to let it flow naturally.

In the middle look, Lupita Nyong'o looks great in her dress. She is a Classic, meaning she is perfectly blended and her vertical line is moderate (neither short nor long). The length of her skirt looks balanced and she looks beautiful.

In the last image (right), Blake Lively looks amazing in her dress. I believe she is a Flamboyant Natural, and she clearly has a long vertical line. The skirt of her dress is clearly the longest part of the dress and this length falls naturally over her frame. She looks perfectly proportional.

Here again, these floor-length full-skirt dresses highlight the presence or absence of vertical of the wearer. To support the long length, a long vertical is needed, otherwise, the dress will swallow the person wearing it.

This is what happens to Kate Bosworth in the first image (left). She has a short vertical line so this very long dress looks off on her. The skirt looks as though it's shorter than it should be, and it swallows her bottom half. Visually, the skirt is not in balance with her as a whole and she looks out of proportion.

Jennifer Lawrence (right) is a Flamboyant Natural, so she has a long vertical line. While this style of dress is not necessarily her best, she carries off this length effortlessly. The skirt is clearly the longest part of the dress, and her frame animates it beautifully. She looks perfectly in proportion.

Kibbe Verified

A person or celebrity whom David Kibbe saw and typed in person. In the Kibbeverse, this is the most accurate typing that can be done and Kibbe is seen as the final word on any body types that may be causing confusion.

Unfortunately, very few people have been verified by Kibbe himself, which is why there is so much (heated) online debate on so many celebrities.

My Thoughts on the Kibbe System

I obviously love this system. I think it has great merit, the best of which is how it isn't corrective in nature. Instead, it teaches people to view their bodies holistically and lean into and highlight what they naturally have.

That said, it is very confusing. I've circled through my fair share of body types to know just how confusing it can be.

In his defense, David Kibbe has clearly stated that his system is not meant to be a rigid body typing system. Rather, it is an image identity system based on someone's physical traits and intangible and shifty ideas such as overall 'softness' and 'essence'.

So difficult is it to grasp this system that David Kibbe himself is the only person who can unquestionably verify an image identity. While I understand this to an extent, I think this is where the confusion begins. As far as systems go, when one person's view can trump even his own previous systematic analysis, it creates space for great misunderstandings.

Add to that the general hazy and ever-shifting nature of the 'rules' and you have the perfect scenario for confusing and even contradicting ideas on what David Kibbe means by certain things.

So, the system is imperfect. That said, it's very useful and I think with some time dedicated to trying to understand the Kibbeverse, it can be grasped enough to be really beneficial to any user.

My advice is to give yourself time to play with the lines of the body types you think might be yours. Keep in mind that it's difficult for most people to answer the Kibbe Test questions objectively (often because the language makes it difficult to understand the test because most of us don't think about our bodies in those terms).

So, you might have some false starts- I would go so far as to say you should expect it. I've heard that finding your image identity can take about six months of experimenting, and this seems realistic.

My journey was much shorter, but I was determined and I think my type was rather obvious. What's taken longer for me is learning how to translate the style recommendations for my body type into a real wardrobe. This is a long process I'm enjoying.

So, in short, use this system as a tool. Be patient with yourself and don't lose your mind. Lastly, have fun with it.

Conclusion

Wherever you are on your personal style journey, the Kibbe system can be a great one if used with understanding and discernment. I hope this glossary will help in that understanding.

Did I miss something? Or did I get something completely wrong? Please let me know so we can continue to learn together.

Wishing you well and talk very soon,

Nonjabulo

Soft Gamine Style Analysis: Reese Witherspoon | Kibbe Body Types

In this post, I explore and discuss the Soft Gamine style identity and essence, focusing on a selection of outfits by American actress, Reese Witherspoon.

The basis of this analysis is primarily the Kibbe system of body typing, and secondarily the Kitchener system for understanding Essence. These systems are unique and independent, but I like to use them together.

Please keep in mind that I'm no expert and these are just my thoughts. They could very well be wrong. Anyway, let's begin.

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

What Is The Soft Gamine Body Type?

According to Kibbe, the Soft Gamine body type is a Gamine with an undercurrent of yin or Romantic elements. That is, a body type defined by an uneven mix of yin and yang characteristics, distributed unevenly (and not blended perfectly as in a Classic type).

Even with the added softness and curve, the defining characteristic of Soft Gamines is their small stature or petiteness, they look small.

Soft Gamine Body Type:

• Short limbs and compact curvy frame

• They are usually 5 ft 5 in and under

• Small hands and feet

• They have a delicate bone structure and they tend to have doll-like features (larger eyes, full cheeks, and moderate to full lips

• Soft Gamines tend to be slightly rounded and may appear slightly fleshy

Following their lines, Soft gamines are best suited by short, sharp or blunt lines. Edges may be gently rounded and fabrics should be medium to heavy-weight. Silhouettes should follow their curves. Patterns should be bold and the overall look should be compact, fun, and bright.

What Is The Soft Gamine Essence?

David Kibbe describes the Soft Gamine body type style identity as 'Spitfire Chic'. The Soft Gamine essence is energetic, youthful, and playful. They give off a rebellious yet fun 'I make my own rules' vibe, however, the Soft Gamine essence is more mature and feminine than the Flamboyant Gamine essence. Their best looks are those that give off a sense of high energy.

Related: Flamboyant Gamine Style Analysis: Zoe Kravitz

Reese's Body Structure:

Looking at Reese Witherspoon's body, I see a small frame with width all throughout. I see short limbs and soft flesh. I see soft curves and a feminine physique.

She is a combination of short lines, soft flesh, rounded edges (shoulders, knees, etc.), and sharp edges (elbows, chin, etc.).

Elongation/ Vertical Line

The vertical line is observed in the silhouette between the shoulders and knees and has to do with how fabric falls on the body. Soft Gamines have a short vertical line.

Reese Witherspoon has a short vertical line. She is her most harmonious in the first two images that respect this short vertical. The fabric falls naturally and harmoniously, it doesn't feel like it's dragging on her body and it doesn't make her proportions look off.

The dress in the last image (right), is the longest and also the least flattering on Reese. That long vertical line drags her down and actually makes her look shorter than she is.

Athleisure

Reese looks great in these sporty looks. They are midi-length (in terms of body coverage) and tight so they outline her small, curvy body and it looks great.

Reese does not look as great in these sporty outfits. The shorts cut off her vertical, which isn't a big deal because she has an overall short vertical line.

However, the fit of the shorts (and in some cases, the top too) is boxy and unfitted. This results in the outline of her body being lost, which makes her look frumpy.

Color Essence - Fun and Bright

Reese Witherspoon seems to be one of those sunny, fun, and happy people. I just imagine that she wakes up happy and excited- that's the aura she has.

This photoshoot leans into that and it works so great for her. This perfectly encapsulates both the Gamine essence- bright, bold, bite-sized fun as well the sweet and innocent Ingénue essence, both of which I think she has to a lesser extent.

That is Reese at her best, bright colors, bold patterns, and compact silhouettes.

A Pattern and Color Study

Bold Color Contrast and Patterns

Reese looks amazing in these outfits. The colors and patterns are bright and bold. In each case, the top and bottom are sharply contrasted against each other. She looks lovely and lively in these combinations. She looks harmonious.

Subtle Color Contrast and Patterns

Here again, she looks great in these bold patterns and/or highly contrasted (top to bottom) ensembles.

I think she is especially suited to the middle and third (right) outfits because in them she is wearing a crisp, white collared shirt. This 'Classic' piece elevates the look and makes it 'preppy' which (as we will see later) it's ideal for Reese.

Color Contrast, No Pattern

In these looks, there are no bold patterns. This strips them of the excitement and fun of the previous looks and the outfits as a whole start to look boring on her.

At best she looks interesting and at worst, she looks matronly. The lack of fun ages her.

No Color Contrast, No Pattern

In these looks, not only are there no bold and fun patterns but there is not even any color contrast.

These monochromatic styles look deathly boring on Reese. At first glance, I don't even know that it's her I'm looking at- these looks rob her of her essence.

This is particularly true in the first image (left), where even her bag and shoes are the same white color as her dress. She vanishes. It's not that she looks bad, it's just she doesn't look like herself. She's could be any pretty blonde actress- again, her essence is gone.

Preppy (Fun, Bite-Size Classic)

While certainly a Soft Gamine in lines, I think Reese has a Classic essence. She gives off a very polished and even 'high-maintenance' vibe. It's very central to her character, or at least how she comes across. So, she needs to honor it to be harmonious.

Her style can be bold, fun, and even eclectic - all Gamine traits, but it always has to be put together and polished- which are Classic traits. She needs both to look her best.

Preppy (in my view) is bite-sized Classic. In Reese's case, I think of it as Soft Gamine meets Classic. All the same elements, but smaller to fit a more compact frame and a lot more fun.

Preppy allows for more details than Classic. This allows preppy to be both fun and polished on a Soft Gamine like Reese Witherspoon.

Pure Classic lines and styling on a Soft Gamine would be boring. Pure Soft Gamine lines and styling on a Classic would be fussy.

Preppy is Reese Witherspoon at her best. The lines are sharp and crisp, the silhouettes are compact, narrow, and fitted, the edges (wrists, ankles) are cuffed and/or tapered AND there is so much detail!

Cocktail Dresses

Reese looks so good here. I love this silhouette on her. Short and sharp lines, heavy and structured fabric- beautiful. In these dresses, my eye is drawn to her hair, legs, and face- that is, to her- and she looks beautiful.

The length of the dresses honors her vertical and the stiffness of the fabric and silhouette makes her softness shine against it.

I especially love the first (left) and third (right) looks. The lighter purple color with the contrasting gold buttons (left) and bright floral pattern (right) are more harmonious with Reese's light coloring and need for brightness and fun.

The black color of the middle image is rather dull and aging on her.

A Study in Casualwear

More preppy outfits, more wins! Reese looks great in all these looks. She looks relaxed, the (in some cases) untucked and unbuttoned shirts, open necklines, and denim create casual, laid-back looks.

But the crisp fabrics of the shirts, the clean cuts of the denim, and the subdued color palettes are all Classic elements that elevate the looks and give them a certain polish.

As a result, she looks cool and chic, and completely within her element.

Soft Gamine Misses

Ultra-Casual

Reese looks disheveled in these outfits. They are too casual for her. Particularly in the first (left) and middle images, the fit of the jeans and tops is loose and slouchy, likewise her bags and other accessories.

This creates a very 'boho' feel to the outfits that does nothing for her. These very relaxed lines and textured fabrics make her look like she got dressed in a rush.

Yin-Dominant: Soft Fabric, Draping, Ruffles

These are not the best styles for Reese Witherspoon. The fabrics are too soft and the detailing is too feminine. All of these are better suited for a Romantic type who has a complete absence of Yang.

Reese has a lot of Yang. It's not dominant because she has more Yin, but her Yang (and its blend with her yin) is pivotal to her Gamine structure. So, when her looks lack the sharpness and structure of the Yang influence, they look inharmonious and thus separate from her.

Each of these outfits looks off on Reese. Some, like the first (left) and last (right) outfits, look childish on her. They are too reminiscent of little girl attire. And some, like the second outfit (middle-left) are too mature and aging on her.

There is too much delicacy without structure to these outfits. Thus, they fail to support Reese's structural makeup in its entirety.

Remember that Gamines are an uneven mix of Yin and Yang. Reese, as a Soft Gamine, has some additional Yin that is most visible in her flesh and overall figure. Her clothes need to mirror this makeup to be harmonious.

These dresses don't sit quite right on Reese Witherspoon. The fabrics aren't too delicate, they each have enough weight, but the cuts are too feminine. Again, they are more Romantic than Soft Gamine.

In the first (left), second (middle-left), and last (right) images, the silhouettes are too rounded. There is an excess of fabric that creates ruffles at the hemline. This is not flattering for her, a sharpener and narrower silhouette would suit her better.

These dresses are aging and matronly (last), or childlike or too girly on her (first, second). In all cases, they are inharmonious.

The third look (middle-right), is the straightest in silhouette, which makes it better than the rest. However, it's not fitted. That large gap between her and the dress, particularly in the bottom half, drowns her body, and is thus also not flattering on her.

This is a great example of what some structure can do for Reese. This dress is a poor choice for her for all the reasons mentioned above; it's too soft in fabric and loose in silhouette, it loses the curve of her body.

However, the jacket (and the bag) adds structure and rigidity to this look. Suddenly, it's balanced. It's not her best on account of the dress, but taken as a whole, she looks good.

This juxtaposition of soft and rigid, rounded and sharp, lightweight and heavy is perfect for Gamines.

Now, compare that to this: Yang-dominant: Stiff Fabric, Sharp Lines and Edges

Silhouette

This is one of Reese's best silhouettes. Short, sharp, and narrow; weighted fabric; structured and fitted. She looks beautiful and balanced in each of these.

The Yang nature of the dresses (sharp, stiff, structured) is in harmony with her bone structure. In addition, the close fit of the dresses also shows off her curves, which accommodates her Yin. Her additional Yin then also comes across in the softness of her face and hair.

All in all, she looks very feminine in these looks because they themselves are not.

Color, Pattern, and Styling

Silhouettes aside, there is an element of boring to some of these looks because they are too simple in their color palette and styling. Reese is a Gamine, not a Classic.

These looks lean more Classic in how clean the styling is. 'Clean' is deadly boring for Gamines. Reese has a Classic essence, so she can handle it better than most Gamines, but I find this to be too boring even for her.

An exception is the yellow dress in the third look (middle-right). Here, I think she doesn't look underwhelming, just understated but beautifully so. I think the bright color of the dress does most of the heavy lifting, and the additional contrast and pop of color offered by the shoes seals it. She looks radiant and polished.

A pop of color in the shoe, a different colored belt, a cute, bright bag, or an interesting pattern on the fabric would do wonders for each of these other looks.

A Silhouette Study

Let's consider the following looks, all of which feature a different silhouette. For control, they are all purple and monochromatic.

I think that Reese looks better as we move from left to right and I found this very interesting because, at least for me, it isn't intuitive.

For a start, I thought she would look her best in the shorter lengths with no exceptions, but this isn't the case. Let's discuss:

The first dress (left), is the very worst on her because not only is it too long, but it's also ill-fitting. It doesn't hug and caress her body, it's kinda just shaped to follow it. A more elastic fabric with a tighter fit would suit her better.

The big flare of the skirt expands the silhouette and loses her bottom half. Also, it creates visual weight at the bottom of her body, which drags the entire look down. This is not a good dress for Reese.

The second look (middle-left), has a great length, and it has a few individual elements that totally work great for Reese. However, in this combination, they create an altogether unflattering look.

I like the stiff fabric of the skirt, but the cut is too long, straight, and narrow. If this was a short (mini) A-line skirt, this would look great. But as is, this skirt is too mature and aging on her.

I also dislike her shirt. I like the clean lines and good construction, but I think it's too visibly feminine. The rounded shoulders are delicate and puff sleeves balloon at her wrists to highlight the excess fabric which creates a sense that the shirt is not fitted.

Altogether, the look comes across as boring and matronly. It's both stiff and billowy. In this case, the juxtaposition isn't cool and harmonious (because Gamines are a mix of opposites), it's confusing and unflattering.

I think she looks her absolute best in the long, tight, purple dress in the last image (right). The next best is the fitted purple knee-length (middle-right).

This tells me that the most important factor for Reese is a fitted silhouette- I need to see the outline of her body. This is even more important than respecting her vertical.

Soft Gamine: Preppy but NOT Classic

Essence does not and cannot overpower body type lines.

While Reese has a strong Classic essence, she is not a Classic and this becomes glaringly obvious when she wears purely Classic lines.

Suits to the right:

Reese looks restricted and boring in these looks. The head-to-toe black ensemble with no contrasting element creates a solid block of color that is stiff and stagnant on her.

The weight is the fabrics have the same effect, which normally is a credit to Reese. However, in these cases, the suits don't follow the curve of her body (like the dresses above do). So, she just looks trapped in heavy fabric.

That's why, of the lines to the right, the middle outfit is the best. In it, the suit does a better job of conforming to her body. Still, the color palette is too limited and the whole look is very underwhelming.

Suit to the left:

Reese looks great here. The suit is fitted yet relaxed. I see sharp, short lines and boxy silhouettes from the parts of the suit to the handbag and sunglasses. Softness is brought in by the soft t-shirt that gently drapes where it is tucked in as well as her hair.

The sharp color contrast/ color block created by the black suit and white top adds visual interest. I love the red lip pop of color that is reiterated in her toenail polish. There is an ensemble effect, but it's broken up with fun and contrasting pieces that bring the look to life.

Overall, she looks polished and relaxed. Sophisticated and fun. In a word, preppy.

I concede that some of these suits are more Dramatic than they are Classic, in which case this argument is perhaps better made in the discussion of dresses above. Regardless, the argument remains:

To look her best, Reese must honor her Classic essence, but she must foremost honor her Gamine lines and the essence of her body type.

Related: Soft Classic Style Analysis: Kirsten Dunst

A Coat Study

Reese looks great in these coats. They are short, which honors her vertical line. They are also weighted and structured, with sharp and rounded edges that honor her bone structure. Overall, the coats are harmonious with her.

The colors are flattering, whether subdued (first image) or brighter. Contrasting button detail provides visual interest.

The coat in the last image (right), is more Yin leaning than the others. It's lighter in fabric, and it cinches at the waist which highlights her femininity by highlighting her figure. She looks great in this too because she does have a curvy figure.

In this way, she has the freedom to play with her silhouette, what's important is that she keeps the balance of the overall look in mind when making outward choices.

This is further illustrated by the last image (right) where she is wearing the blue coat. Again, this is a Yin-leaning choice. The coat is weighted, but it's very smooth in texture and finishes, and it cinches at the waist, all of which make it feminine.

However. Reese looks great and very balanced in it because while the coat honors her soft figure, her accessories (shoes, bag) and styling (hair) offer the sharpness and rigidity that she needs to encapsulate her entire structural makeup. So, altogether, she looks balanced.

Gamines- be wary of vertical

In the first two images (left, middle), Reese's coat is great in all aspects except one- the length. Unfortunately for her, length is a critical factor.

Gamines are short and compact, so it doesn't take much for them to be drowned by a very long garment. This is even easier when the garment in question is a coat as outerwear is typically larger than regular (under)garments. So a piece that is both large and long will easily overpower a Gamine's small frame.

I think for Gamines, the longest coat length they should opt for is just past the knee.

This coat is not terrible in this regard, it's longer than I would like for her, but at least it's cropped at the ankle. It could be worse, it could be floor-length.

That said, this is still not ideal for Reese. There is a definite sense of her being overwhelmed by the coat.

A Mix of Misses

The first look (left) has quite a few things wrong. The first thing I see is the leather. As a fabric, it's too intense for Reese, particularly if it's making up most of the outfit. (It's great for accessories, for example)

I especially dislike the arms of this dress. The ruffles don't suit her, and they enlarge her shoulders- another detail that doesn't suit her small frame. Lastly, the way the fabric gathers along the arm, but particularly toward the wrists creates a sense of chaos. The opposite of clean and polished. The opposite of what works best for Reese.

The skirt is not great but it's not the worst. I think if there had been continuity of fabric and style to the top part of her body, and she lost the arms- this look might have maybe worked.

But there is a great disjoint in fabric type and pattern from the top to the bottom of the outfit. This mixed pattern style is normally great for Gamines and I have recommended it- in this very post- but not like this. It doesn't work here.

I get a feeling that parts of the outfit were cut and pasted together to create something interesting. There is no sense of a 'complete set'. The pieces are all too separate from each other. I think I understand and even like the concept, but it fell flat on execution and it does very little for Reese.

The second look (middle-left), has great color contrast and a staccato effect pattern with the repeated black and white elements. This is generally great for Gamines, but unfortunately in this case, it doesn't matter as the fabric choice is terrible for Reese.

The fabric lacks structure and is light weight so as to pool/ balloon wherever it gathers, creating a frumpy fit and an unflattering silhouette.

The fabric of the third dress (middle-right) is too lightweight and the striped pattern is somehow doing too much while simultaneously not doing enough. The dress is both busy and boring.

The details make it busy; the big bow tied at her neck, the asymmetrical skirt, and the general eye-bending illusion of a black and white striped pattern.

That said, the fact that the pattern is uniform from head to toe (with no added visual interest from accessories) makes the overall look underwhelming. She looks boring.

The last look (right), is not terrible, and I think it's the best of these, but it still misses the mark. I like the top part of the dress, it's sharp, structured and fitted. It's in the bottom half that things get less than ideal.

The silhouette of the skirt is too open and unfitted for Reese. The skirt doesn't closely follow the curve of her body, rather it gently balloons to create a rounded silhouette. The juxtaposition with the fitted top is odd and it gives her body a weird shape.

The symmetry of the skirt is neither here nor there, but the long part of the high-low cut is too long. I wish the dress ended at her ankle instead of her feet.

The bright floral pattern gives this dress life and I like how her lipstick picks up that red color to create 'complete set' effect. However, the cons outweigh the pros in this look.

Essence- Hair:

Comparing shorter hair lengths on Reese Witherspoon, I'm surprised to see that she is better suited to a longer bob (bottom row) as compared to a very short, chin-length bob (top row).

This is surprising because in general, the shorter the length, the better it works for Gamines. The short haircuts mimic the short lines of their structure. However, Reese has a very sharp and prominent jaw.

While youthful in essence, I think cuts that end at her jawline highlight her strong jaw, and this 'strength' and sharpness overpower her face. She doesn't look bad, just not her best.

In the longer bobs, I find it easier to take in her entire face and features, including the softness of her facial contours. She looks beautiful and harmonious.

Reese obviously looks great in her signature blonde hair top row). The surprise for me was how well she also wears dark hair (bottom row).

It makes her eyes pop and it doesn't negatively affect her skin (making it look sallow or ultra pale). She doesn't look like 'Reese Witherspoon' as we've come to know her, because her blonde hair is such a signature part of her image, but she looks good.

Best Hair Looks

These are some of Reese's best hair looks. I'll be sticking to blonde as that's how she mostly chooses to wear her hair.

She can do curls, but they have to be on the larger side and very polished (nothing too messy or ornate) such as in the first image (left). This leans more towards her Classic essence.

She can of course wear her hair bone straight, which I think is her natural texture and this looks beautiful on her as pictured in the second and third images (middle-left, middle-right).

Lastly, Reese looks great in some bangs! Whether with her hair long (middle-right) or shorter (right), the bangs draw attention to her eyes beautifully and help to visually shorten and balance her face.

Essence- Makeup:

Reese Witherspoon looks her best in precise, visible makeup.

If we look at her makeup as we move from left to right, we'll notice that it gets more visible (particularly the lip color) and she looks better.

In the first two images (left, middle-left), her makeup is barely there and the 'no makeup' look does nothing for her. For me, she even looks less like her herself.

In the last two images (middle-right, right), her lipstick gets brighter and more visible. She looks better in both. In the last image, her sharply defined red lipstick stands out and brings her face to life.

We can see this effect again in these comparative images. To the left, she looks better in the image to the right where her pink lip is brighter and more visible. In the nude lipstick (left), she looks a bit underwhelming, as though her makeup were incomplete.

To the right, she looks good in both images as they each showcase a bright lip shade. However, I think she looks her best in the last image (right), because the red lipstick is brighter and even more visible than the pink.

For Reese, a visible lip color is best, and the brighter the better.

Let's consider Reese's eye makeup:

While I think she looks her best in a defined eye look, I think when this is extreme/ excessive it becomes inharmonious, such as can be seen in the first two images (left, middle-left).

In these looks, her eye makeup is all that I see, which means it's inharmonious and it overpowers the rest of her face. Interestingly, it doesn't look terrible on her, it's just not ideal.

I think she looks much more natural in the images to the right (middle-right, right), where her eye makes up is defined but not extremely so.

Specifically, the black eyeliner doesn't outline all around her eye, it outlines most of it. The nude/ silver/ white liner in her inner eye/ duct area softens and opens it up.

The last image (right) is also interesting because it highlights how flattering (visible) makeup is on Reese Witherspoon.

Here, while I can see her subtle eye makeup, the rest of her face looks rather bare. She looks beautiful and fresh-faced, but she doesn't look quite complete. I have a desire to 'finish' her makeup. I wouldn't feel this way, for example on a Natural essence type.

Related: Flamboyant Natural Style Analysis: Gigi Hadid

Best Makeup Looks

This is Reese Witherspoon's best makeup.

In each case, her eye make is natural and subtle, and the eyeliner is sharp and defined, but not extremely so. Her eyeliner is focused on the top and outer parts of her eye, leaving the inner duct area open- which makes her eyes appear big, clear, and bright.

Her lips are sharp and bright. The color brightens her face and the entire look is balanced and harmonious. She looks beautiful.

Best Looks:

I like this look. I love the white edging on the bodice, it provides visual interest and a sense of fun.

The length is perfect for Reese and I like the fabric. While it isn't stiff, it does have weight and the construction allows it to beautifully hug her body.

The hair and makeup are simple and clean and she looks beautiful. I do wish for a brighter lip but I'll live.

This is very similar to the first look (above) and I love it for much of the same reasons. I think that purple stripe is so fun and this dress has an added advantage with the heavier and thus stiffer fabric.

Also, I like her hair being down and neatly curled in this look, it's both beautiful and gives her some extra softness to balance the yang-dominant look.

This look has it all.

Short, sharp lines; stuff fabric; bright, vibrant color; visually interesting and bright shoes; and a narrow and fitted silhouette. She looks so dreamy and beautiful.

I love it. Reese looks amazing in this short and fitted dress. The fabric is heavy and stiff and her curvy silhouette is front and center.

The color palette is subdued but everything else is so perfect that even that detracts very little. I love the hair and makeup. She looks amazing!

Plus, I think her expression (big smile, great excitement) exudes a certain high energy that is quintessentially Gamine in essence that it adds a certain flare to this image.

There is something about pink that suits Reese Witherspoon. Pink, for me, conjures up a youthful innocence and robust energy- traits I believe Reese embodies. It's why she was such a perfect casting job for her standout Legally Blonde role.

I love the just-past-the-knee length of this dress, the figure-hugging design, the fabric and, of course, the color.

I love her hair and make up, that pink lip is the perfect touch that brings the entire look together. Simple, elegant, and fun.

I love this dress on Reese Witherspoon. The fit is skin-tight to accentuate her dominant curves, which is her best silhouette.

It's well-constructed (I love that I can see the seams) and the black bands create visual interest through a (Gamine staple) staccato effect. Her styling is clean and polished. She looks beautiful.

This is just perfect. Reese Witherspoon looks like a sophisticated pixie dream. This look is subdued in color, but it does everything it's supposed to. So the 'all black' ensemble makes it sexy and dramatic, but not dull. So, so beautiful.

Conclusion

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

If you think you could be a Soft Gamine, 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.

Please let me know if this helped you and if you agree with my analysis.

Talk soon,

Nonjabulo