-Most “C” answers with some “D” or “E” in the quiz.-
Soft Classics are mainly Classics, with YIN undercurrent. They have a balanced, hourglass figure with soft, rounded features. They often have a medium height and a softness to their overall appearance. Their facial features are typically rounded, with soft cheeks and a slightly rounded jawline. Their bone structure is moderate and can be delicate, and their overall body shape is balanced and proportionate.
When gaining weight, a Soft Classic’s body becomes very soft and the face becomes fleshy. The waist loses its definition, but they gain weight evenly in the bust and hip areas. When it comes to men, they loose their T shape and their body becomes square-ish.
ECTOMORPH
MESOMORPH
ENDOMORPH
Characteristics of a soft classic:
- Moderate height, neither short nor tall.
- Slightly fleshy body.
- Symmetrical with round edges.
- Soft arms, tights, and waistline.
- Tapered shoulders or slightly sloped.
- Can look delicate.
- Moderate arms and legs, but can be short, compared to your body.
- Evenly proportioned bust, waist, and hips.
- Soft and wide nose, cheekbones, and jawline. Somewhat rounded.
- Large eyes, soft cheeks, and full lips.
You’re not a soft classic if you:
- Have very contrasting facial features.
- Have very lean limbs, not fleshy at all.
- Have very delicate bone structure.
- Have very sharp features.
- Have narrow and straight hips.
Example of an average soft classic face.
Soft classic Celebrity examples:
Marion Cotillard, Naomi Watts, Deneé Benton, Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Kirsten Dunst, Joan Fontaine, Carolina Herrera, Grace Kelly, Dakota Johnson, Dianna Agron, Lupita Nyong’o
soft classic men celebrity examples:
George Clooney, Paul Rudd, James Franco, Jesse Spencer, Jude Law
Soft Classic dressing lines
Disclaimer: These are only David Kibbe recommendations, this doesn’t mean this is the way you should dress to look good.
The soft classic dressing lines should be symmetrical, soft, and with waist emphasis. Flowing garments with draping looks great on them. The fabrics should be light to moderate weight, nothing too heavy or stiff. High-waisted bottoms help keep the balance, they should have some shape.
Before we start with all the categories… Are you here reading these for the 20th time and you still don’t know exactly what garments to buy that will go with your Kibbe lines but still feel timeless. You can read the Soft Classic Shopping Guide: Only What You Need!
Fabrics and materials:
-High quality fabrics like cotton, wool, cashemere, linen, or silk.
-Moderate and lightweight materials.
-Small prints.
shapes and overall outfits:
Soft symmetrical feminine style.
-Items should fit in a moderate way (not too tight or oversized).
-Symmetric shapes and monochromatic combinations.
-Waist definition in every outfit.
Tops for the Soft Classic:
-Elegant, symmetrical tops made of lightweight fabrics.
-Round necklines, crew necklines and soft draping.
-Shirring and gathering.
-Loose turtlenecks
-Delicate lace.
-Tapered sleeves that gathers at the wrists.
Everlane / Christy Dawn/ Quince
Bottoms for the
Soft Classic:
-Pants must end above the ankle and high rise is preferred.
-Wide-leg pants made of lightweight fabrics.
-Tapered pants (at the bottom).
-Straight leg and mom jeans.
-Softly tailored pants.
Quince / Reformation
Skirts for the
Soft Classic:
Quince / Reformation
Dresses for the
Soft Classic:
Christy Dawn / Reformation
Sweaters for the
Soft Classic:
-Lightweight and soft fabrics like cashmere and angora.
-Turtlenecks and crewneck sweaters.
-Always define where your waist is (french tuck)
-Textured knits.
-Well-fitted cardigans with buttons.
Everlane / Banana Republic
Outerwear for the
Soft Classic:
-Waist definition.
-Soft shapes.
-Short to moderate length.
-For longer coats and jackets, always look for the ones that have a belt included or add one yourself.
Banana Republic / Everlane
For each Kibbe Body Type there are 9 basic garments that we believe you should have. These pieces are key to establishing a wardrobe with endless outfits that will flatter your silhouette. Read here to learn more about the 9 Essentials For The Soft Classic Kibbe.
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hair, makeup & accessories
*While we recommend to complement your outfits with your hair, makeup, prints & accessories based on your essences, you can apply your Kibbe suggestions. This is really up to you, but when you incorporate your essence blend you end up with a most authentic style that feels more like you and is unique.
Hair for the
Soft Classic:
-Soft wavy hairstyles.
-Shoulder lenght (at least).
-Soft curtain bangs.
-Minimalistic hair accessories.
Getty Images / Vogue Spain / Harper’s Bazzar
makeup for the
Soft Classic:
-Soft and muted makeup (nothing too bright).
-Neutral colors with pink cheeks and lips.
-Avoid heavy makeup, the lighter the better.
Getty images / Glamour / TAYLOR HILL-GETTY IMAGES / Wireimages
shoes for the
Soft Classic:
-Mary jane
-Heels with rounded edges.
-Two toned.
Anthropologie / Flor de Asoka / Vivaia
Accessories for the
Soft Classic:
-Clean, elegant shapes.
-Slim or medium-width belts.
-Pearls or golden necklaces, classic, delicate jewelry.
-For bags, timeless designs such as a structured tote, satchel, or a small to medium-sized shoulder bag.
-High quality scarves.
-Classic sunglases like cat-eye, aviators and wayfarers.
Banana Republic / Mejuri
Patterns & prints for the
Soft Classic:
-Watercolor.
-Floral.
-Stripes.
-Abstract.
-Classic plaid (with not a lot of contrast between the colors)
What if I am a Soft Classic but I don’t feel like I look good on these lines and clothes?
Chances are you have the body type, but you don’t have classic essence. This means, you should mantain the structure of your outfits based on your Kibbe, but follow the rest based on your essences.
OUTFIT SUGGESTIONS
Casual outfits for Soft Classic:
formal outfits for Soft Classic:
gown outfits for the Soft Classic:
This section contains an affiliate link for Vivaia. We will earn a commission if you click through the link, go to the website, and make a purchase. Thank you in advance if you choose to buy through our link.
Brands we recommend for Soft Classic:
-Christy Dawn
–Quince
–Reformation
–Sezane
–Everlane
-Nisolo
-Vivaia
–Banana Republic
We created a shopping guide with all the BASICS based on these clothing lines, to save you some time finding the best Soft Classic pieces for you. You can’t go wrong with these pieces. Check it out!
Not sure what your Kibbe Body Type is?
We can help you with that by following these 4 steps:
Contact us with the subject “My Kibbe.”
Let us know what type of clothes do you like to wear and how you would describe your personal style. If you don’t know or you’re not sure, tell us what you would like to improve by knowing your Kibbe Body Type.
When we receive your email, we’ll ask for a full body picture and email you the $22 USD invoice.
Once you pay, you’ll receive your results along with some tips that might help you blend your Kibbe Body Type with your personal style.
In the end, you can do whatever you want with your style. We always recommend using David Kibbe’s tips as a base and create a style around your essences and seasonal colors.
If you have any questions feel free to comment and let us know!
Great list and nice blog.
I’m convinced I’m a soft classic… I get SC on quizzes, I match with the descriptions, and the clothing options you suggest are already what I choose for myself and think what looks best on me. My biggest hang up is I’m 5’8”, which is technically too tall to be a SC. I’ve looked at all the Kibbe types that are for taller people and none of them fit as well as SC does. Is the height a deal breaker though? People say it is.
I am a soft classic but struggle a bit with the outfits because generally they are very fitted and I’m currently overweight and big busted. A lot of the inspo pictures show women who are slim or small busted – any tips for us bigger gals (until I manage to get the weight down!) ?
Hello. So I’m a petite Soft Classic and I have a problem with separates. What do you recommend?
I am a soft classic and in general I like to wear classic silhouettes, but what about if you want to wear a kind of high-fashion statement look? In general these are things that stand out and are not “moderate” etc, so that would imply we should avoid them. Do you have any advice for soft classics in this position?
Do soft casuals generally avoid tees and sweatshirts? Especially graphic ones?
I love the looks of, say, a denim skirt with a sweatshirt online or on other people, but I always find a reason why I just can’t today.
(I never bought any tees until I discovered capsule wardrobes about 10 years ago. Like I wouldn’t even have one to wear around the house!)
Hi Rhonda,
Soft Classics can definitely wear simple tees and sweatshirts, but if they are moderate and soft. This means not oversized and not too fitted, with a rounded neckline, and a soft fabric.
SC could also wear graphics on their clothing, in my opinion, the prints or graphics have to do more with your essences. Depending on your essence it is the size and colors of the graphic that will go better with you.
-Dani
Of course ! You can wear them as the basic piece and then add the pop of color from your winter color palette (that could be cardigan, sweater, jacket or accessories like bags).
Or you there’s also cotton trousers, if you’re into a colorful bottom :))
I am a Soft Classic with True Winter color palette. My question is will cotton, linen and/or bamboo as materials for my clothes look nice on me or not? Thank you very much.