When finding our Kibbe Body Type, it is common to dicover some of the suggested dressing lines do not work for us. And no, this doesn’t mean you don’t have a Soft Gamine Kibbe Body Type. This only means, you are missing your Kitchener Essence lines in your style.
What’s the difference between the Kibbe System and the Kitchener Essences?
The Kibbe System focuses more on your body type (bone structure + body flesh), while the Kitchener Essences are mainly about your facial features.
Both of the Systems work with Yin (soft features) and Yang (sharp features). So, this makes it easier to combine both of the systems. However, it’s easy to feel confused about how to comibine them without messing up.
So, once you know your Kibbe ID, you want to figure out what your Kitchener Essences are. Essences can make a huge difference and they’re usually the missing part when it comes to figuring out what looks best on you. They are basically what makes everything make sense, and they go beyond only “looking good.” When you figure out what your essences are, you can actually understand why people see you the way they see you and surprisingly sometimes they go hand-by-hand with your personality (not in all cases).
So, how can you figure out your Essence Blend?
There are a few ways, like analyzing your own features, booking a consult with John Kitcher, you can try our free quiz to get an idea of what your essences might be, or you can simply book an Essence Analysis with us and we’ll be happy to make a Style Guide based on your Essence Blend + Kibbe ID.
On the other side, if you already know your blend, you might be looking for a way to incorporate your Essences to your style without getting in the way of your Dramatic lines. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Just keep reading to find out how to incorporate your essences to your Dramatic Kibbe ID.
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Dramatic Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
Everything in the essence is almost opposite to what David Kibbe recommends for Soft Gamines. Sharp, long lines, dark, bold and bright colors, animal print, everything pointy and angular, all of these are Dramatic elements someone can blend into their dressing lines. However, not everything works on a Soft Gamine. Soft Gamines have a small frame, by instance very long lines would be too much. So, how can you incorporate the Essence into your style?
If Dramatic is your main essence, you can never go wrong by being extra or too much. Just as Gamines, more is more. This means all the elements, except by exesive long garments will look good on you, just be careful to not overshadow your other essences. In fact, another way to incorporate the Dramatic essence is to maximilize your other essences. For example, if you have Ingenue, maybe wear a big baby collar or giant buttons.
If Dramatic is your first complementary essence, you can incorporate the essence by wearing bright and bold colors, wild prints, sleek hairstyles, heavy makeup, or a whole garment.
Finally, if Dramatic is your secondary complementary essence, you might want to keep it in the colors you wear, hairstyles, perhaphs a bold lip color, winged eye liner, an exotic print, or flamboyant jewelry.
Of course, some colors like black or very bright ones will not look good if you’re outside the Winter family in the Seasonal Color System. So, to learn how to dress Dramatic in your color palette make sure to book a consultation with us. We’ll be happy to guide you into your most authentic style.
Natural Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
The Natural Essence is all about oversized, heavy, long items and a relaxed style. It is not as playful as the Soft Gamine style, Natural is low-key. However, as a soft Gamine you can wear a garment with a Natural structure but a Soft Gamine print. To add the Essence you also have to consider that long lines won’t harmonize well.
If Natural is your main essence, you will look your best in relaxed lines, V necklines, shirts, and straight, even oversized wide leg pants. Coats that end below your hips with lots of extra fabric will be your best friend. Actually, anything with extra fabric will be. Just try to keep the length of dresses and pants above your ankles.
If Natural is your first complementary essence, you can incorporate it by adding an oversized garment to your outfit, handmade jewelry and accessories. Natural looking makeup and earthy colors are key.
Finally, if Natural is your secondary complementary essence, it’s a good idea to wear your hair down and free, natural fibers in natural colors, and accessories made of leather or canvas.
In this case, if you are not an Autumn in the Seasonal Color Analysis, there’s a possibility that Natural colors will look off. We can help you find a way to incorporate your Colors to your Kibbe + Esssences if you book a consultation with us.
Gamine Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
Gamine Essence is your friend and basically everything in the Essence will align perfectly to your Soft Gamine dressing lines. The “more is more” rule also applies with the Gamine essence. A Gamine looks best in short and small lines, lots of playful details, vibrant colors and fun prints.
If Gamine is your main essence, feel free to play with all the elements, crop tops, crop sweaters, short dresses, etc. Adding lots of color and pattern mixing will be the best you can do. (Again, this could change if you had Classic essence, as Classic is more about balance).
On the other side, if Gamine is your first complementary essence, don’t be scared and start incorporating fun prints and colors to your outfits. Accessories are also what makes an outfit for Gamines. So hats, belts, fun bags, creative small jewelry, and layers in your outfits will elevate it.
Finally, if Gamine is your secondary complementary essence, keep in on the details like jewelry, hair, colors and maybe eye makeup (if you have Gamine eyes, of course).
Classic Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
Classic is the middle point of everything. Nothing too sharp, nothing too soft and nothing too long or short. Because of this, having Classic essence means you have to search for balance in your outfits and in some cases, even elegance.
When Classic is your main essence, this means your rule becomes “less is more” and outfits must be clean, polished (unless you have Natural essence), and timeless. We recommend you choose “old money” style clothes. Classic shirts, v-neck knit sweaters, dressing pants and shorts. Your hair and makeup has to be neat and in place.
But then, if Classic is your first complementary essence, you should also consider not adding a lot of jewelry or accessories to your outfits. Clean lines and a polished style will be your best friends and let’s not forget about timeless colors like dark blue, white, black, beige and red. Monochromatic outfits will never go wrong.
And of course, if Classic is your secondary complementary essence, as long as you keep things balanced you’re good too go. This means, you can explore the colorfulness of Gamine or Dramatic, but in a way that isn’t too much. Maybe by keeping the prints in only one item or the pops of color in either your bottoms or tops.
Romantic Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
The Romantic Essence is all about curve, soft lines, round necklines, and a more mature style compared to the playfulness of the Soft Gamine. Still, it isn’t difficult to incorporate the Essence into your Kibbe dressing lines.
When Romantic is your main essence, it can feel difficult. However, this essence allows you to wear tighter clothes, you can go for round or square necklines, waist definition, colors like red, pink or black. Fabrics like satin and silk materials, that are very delicate and very soft. Don’t forget Romantics are also a lot about makeup, so glamourous looks, lots of volume on your hair, jewelry that feels and looks luxurious, high heels, long nails, all of these are Romantic features you might want to incorporate to your Soft Gamine Kibbe dressing lines. This way, you will respect what looks good on you without forgeting about your Romantic Essence.
What happens when Romantic is your first complementary essence? You don’t need to worry much as you can wear it in the fabrics you choose, like satin, silk, faux fur, any luxurious material. Of course, volume on the hair is key and makeup that accentuates the Romantic features in your face.
Lastly, when Romantic is your secondary complementary essence, you just need to always add a touch of glamour to your outfit. Pehaps red or glossy lips, long eyelashes, long hair, and jewelry.
If you don’t know which features in your face are Romantic, make sure to book a consultation with us, so you can learn which features are which essence and learn how to enhace them.
Ingenue Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
Ingenue is the easiest essence to incorporate into your Soft Gamine Kibbe ID. It is known for its softness and dainty details, you can apply it by simply adding a few delicate features.
If Ingenue is your main essence, you might need to change the fabrics you wear. Soft Gamines often looks best in fabrics that stay in their place, but when there’s Ingenue in your features, you have to soften these a little and maybe choose some light-weight materials. Makeup and hair are always a good way to enhace those delicate features, so adding lots of blush to your looks, pink and soft colors around your eyes is key. Don’t limit yourself and add a few ruffles or puffy sleeves.
In case Ingenue is your first complementary essence, adding a few round necklines or baby collar, would be best. Small, delicate jewelry, soft waves, flower prints, small purses and feminine shoes are all good ideas.
Finally, when Ingenue is your secondary complementary essence, you can simply add light colors to your wardrobe, like sky blue, yellow pastel, baby pink. And of course, small jewelry and accessories with a few girly details.
Angelic Essence + Soft Gamine Kibbe ID
The Angelic Essence is known as the most Yin essence. It includes a lot of soft, flowing materials. Shiny textures and transparencies and has an outwordly feel to it.
To incorporate the Ethereal/ Angelic to your Soft Gamine Kibbe lines, if it is your main essence, you might need to switch to soft and flowing materials. Simple as that. Don’t forget to play with textures, add lots of lightweight knits, transparencies, or shiny fabrics. Less contrast is prefered as Angelic is more delicate and very bold colors could interfere with the softness. However, if you are a Winter in the Seasonal Color System, this might not work for you. We’ll teach you how to mix your Kibbe + Essences + Colors here.
Very long hair and lots of shimmer in your makeup, glowing skin, all of these contribute to an Ethereal style. Unique accessories that feel outwordly. Don’t forget to consider which type of Angelic you are, as that could make the whole difference. You could be an ethereal that looks like a fairy or a mermaid and the accessories, makeup looks and colors you wear would be very different from an Angelic that has a witchy or godess vibe. The type of Angelic you are depends on the mix of your other essences.
When Angelic is your first complementary essence, adding garments that wrapped around your body and flowing sleeves will always work. Don’t forget about the textures, transparencies and irradiacent materials.
Finally, when Angelic is your secondary complementary essence, you can incorporate the essence by only adding metalic materials to your shoes, bags or simply wearing unique, long and delicate jewelry.
Don’t forget that you can strengthen your essences by wearing a perfume that smells like it.
Hopefully this guide helps you get inspired to play around with your essences. As long as we keep the right balance between our essences and respect the basics of our Kibbe lines (length + fit + silhouette), you will be able to achieve flawless outfits that represent who you are on the inside out.
If you’re still struggling after this, don’t be shy to reach out and book a consultation with us. We’ve got you!!
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