In this post, you’re gonna learn the principles on how to dress a Dramatic Classic Kibbe body type. You have a Dramatic Classic body type if your Skeleton (shoulders, arms, legs, vertical line) is Yang-influenced (mostly C with some A/B answers) while your Body Flesh (bust, waist hips,) and Facial Features are primarily balanced (C answers). Put simply, you are balanced with a Yang influence specifically on your skeleton or bone structure.
This doesn’t mean you’re a half Dramatic and half Classic. Instead, you are a Classic above everything else. You might have more sharpness than a pure Classic but balanced, even, and symmetrical are still your main description. Your Dramatic aspects are only your undercurrents. While they need to be honored in your outfits, they should not dominate.
Confused about what’s Yin and what’s Yang? This article should help: Yin vs Yang Examples of Kibbe Body Types.
What makes a Dramatic Classic?
Skeleton (bone structure):
- symmetrical, with slightly angular edges
- straight and slightly wide
- tapered or slightly square shoulders, usually narrow
- moderate height (up to 5’7″)
- average to slightly long legs and arms
Body flesh (bust, waist, hips, thighs, upper arms)
- could be short-waisted
- average to slightly long legs and arms
- straight and even proportioned bustline, waist, and hips
Facial features (facial flesh and bones)
- symmetrical and even with slightly sharp, angular, or squarish facial bones (nose, cheekbones, jawline)
- moderate to large eyes
- moderate lips
A Dramatic Classic will NOT have:
- extremely long limbs
- hourglass figure
- extremely large bones, hands, or feet
- delicate bones, hands or feet
- extremely lush or full facial features
- have boyishly straight figure
Unsure of your body type? Click here to take the Kibbe test with pictures and examples.
How to dress a Dramatic Classic
In a nutshell: To dress a Dramatic Classic body type, you need to follow your own lines. For a Dramatic Classic like you, it means honoring your balance and symmetry first then sharpness second. The following tips should help:
1. Honor your balance and symmetry first.
First and foremost, you need to remember that you are a Classic more than a Dramatic. Meaning, in order for an outfit to look harmonious on your silhouette, your top and bottom need to be balanced.
Avoid clingy, ornate, and intricate fabric. Romantic looks best in them while you’d look like an overkill. On the other hand, wearing an extreme Yang outfit would look like you’re trying too hard.
2. Look for trim and tailored silhouette with sharp edges.
While you’re primarily a Classic, you can’t completely ignore your Dramatic undercurrent. That said, you need to honor your Yang and sharpness in addition to honoring your symmetry and evenness.
There are lots of ways to do this but the most basic is by wearing trim and tailored silhouette with sharp edges. A great example is this ensemble worn by Jackie Kennedy. Her coat honors her symmetry by not being too clingy nor too voluminous while the puffed shoulders, sharp collar, and angular sunglasses satisfy her Dramatic undercurrent.
The same thing applies to Olivia Munn with her balanced and slightly constructed ensemble and pointed pump shoes.
3. You can never go wrong with shoulder pads.
As a Dramatic Classic, your signature look is one that features your Yang-influenced shoulders and Skeleton. You can seamlessly accomplish this by wearing a set of shoulder pads our outfits with strong shoulders to showcase your wild angularity.
4. Look for Yang patterns and asymmetrics.
Stripes, zigzags, slashes, and sleek asymmetrics are your best prints. These will honor your Yang undercurrent. Avoid extremely Yin elements like prints that are soft, flowing, flowery, and ornate. Soft Classics though can pull it off no problem but you won’t look too flattering in them.
5. Opt for angular accessories
While you want your clothes to be mainly balanced with a little sharpness, you want your accessories (shoes, earrings, purse) to be clean, elegant, and crisply tailored with sharp angles. Your accessories are the perfect ones to insert your Yang in since they won’t overpower your balance but will definitely spice up up your outfit.
6. Best makeup for Dramatic Classic
Dramatic Classics should avoid:
Being primarily balanced with Yang undercurrents, you should avoid extremely Yin details like the following:
- clingy and tight fabric
- soft and hourglass silhouette
- curvy, rounded prints and details
Remember when Styling a Dramatic Classic:
- As with dressing other body types, do not focus on each piece of the outfit. Instead, focus mainly on the overall feel and look of the outfit. For a Dramatic Classic, it’s being mainly balanced with tiny hints and undercurrents of Yang and sharpness specifically on the shoulders.
- Just because an outfit looks great on a Dramatic Classic doesn’t mean it won’t look great on other body types and vice versa. For example: Contrary to popular belief, bodycon dresses aren’t exclusive to Romantics. Any body types can actually wear a bodycon dress and look great. They would just look different from one another but with the right detail and customization, anyone can pull it off.
- Meaning, don’t be scared to explore and experiment. The Kibbe body typing is supposed to liberate you so you can present your unique expression to the world. In fact, even Dramatic Classics look different from one another.
Dramatic Classic Shopping Guide
Looking for a shopping guide for clothing, makeup, coloring, and accessories? Here’s a Dramatic Classic’s head-to-toe shopping guide for you:
Being a Dramatic Classic, you definitely should check out Dramatic and Classic to get a good grasp of your dual aspects.
