The Kibbe Sketching Method
Discover your Image ID by understanding the geometry of your body. No quiz, no guessing - just visual analysis of your unique silhouette.
The Sketching Method: Step by Step
Follow these steps to create your own body sketch and identify the geometric shapes that define your Kibbe type.
Take a Full-Body Photo
Capture an accurate image of your body that shows your true proportions without distortion.
- •Wear form-fitting clothes or a swimsuit
- •Stand straight, facing the camera squarely
- •Arms slightly away from your sides
- •Camera at chest height to minimize distortion
- •Avoid mirror selfies - they distort proportions
Trace Your Silhouette
Create a clean outline of your body shape by tracing over your photo.
- •Use a drawing app or tracing paper
- •Mark a horizontal line at your feet as reference
- •Trace from shoulders down to at least your knees
- •Include the outline of your head for proportion
- •Keep lines smooth and continuous
Add Interior Shape Lines
Optionally add internal lines that define your body's key shapes and curves.
- •Trace the curve of your bust
- •Mark the narrowest point of your waist
- •Outline your hip curve
- •Note the angle of your shoulders
- •This helps identify yin vs yang features
Finalize the Line Drawing
Remove the photo layer to reveal your pure silhouette outline.
- •Delete or hide the original photo
- •You should have only the traced outline
- •Check that proportions look accurate
- •Clean up any messy lines
- •The result should be a simple, clear silhouette
Interpret Your Shapes
Match the geometric shapes in your silhouette to Kibbe type characteristics.
- •Long straight lines = Dramatic family
- •Stacked circles/ovals = Romantic family
- •Broad trapezoid shoulders = Natural family
- •Compact mixed shapes = Gamine family
- •Balanced symmetry = Classic family
Common Photo Mistakes to Avoid
For accurate Kibbe typing, your photo needs to show your true proportions. Avoid these common mistakes that can distort your silhouette.
Mirror Selfies
Angles distort your body's true proportions and create asymmetry
Loose Clothing
Hides your actual body shape and curves
Bad Posture
Slouching or exaggerated poses change your silhouette
Wrong Camera Angle
Too high or too low distorts your vertical line
Poor Lighting
Shadows can obscure your outline and create false shapes
What Shapes to Look For
Once you have your silhouette sketch, identify which geometric shapes best describe your body outline. Each shape family corresponds to specific Kibbe types.
Elongated Rectangle
Long, straight vertical lines with minimal curves. The silhouette forms a narrow, elongated column.
Vertical with Curves
Long vertical line but with noticeable curves at bust and/or hips pushing outward.
Inverted Trapezoid
Broader at the shoulders, narrowing toward the hips. Shows width in the upper body.
Balanced Symmetry
Even, symmetrical proportions with moderate height and width. No extreme features.
Compact Mixed Shapes
Small, compact outline with a mix of sharp angles and soft curves. High contrast in a petite frame.
Stacked Circles/Ovals
Round shapes stacked vertically, creating a double-curved silhouette like a snowman.
Note: The Kibbe Body site represents these shapes differently for visual clarity. We use diamonds for Dramatics to emphasize their sharpness, rectangles for Naturals to highlight broadness, circles for Classics to represent all-around symmetry, triangles for Gamines to show their mix and compactness, and hearts for Romantics to emphasize curves.
Tips for Shape Analysis
Step back and look at the overall impression, not individual parts
Ask: "What shape does this most remind me of?"
The dominant shape tells you your primary family
Secondary shapes indicate your specific type within that family
Weight can change, but your underlying bone structure shapes remain
The 10 Image ID Sketches
Based on your dominant trait (Vertical or Curve) combined with a secondary trait, you'll match one of these 10 body sketches. Each represents a unique silhouette that clothing should accommodate.
Note: David Kibbe originally defined 13 types, but has since discontinued Pure Natural, Pure Classic, and Pure Gamine. Those who previously identified with these types are encouraged to explore the related sub-types above.
Vertical Dominant
5'6" and above, or visually elongated
Dramatic
Long, narrow vertical line with minimal variation in width. Fabric falls straight creating one long, narrow column.
Flamboyant Natural
Tall figure with relaxed lines and broad shapes. Fabric hangs vertically but reveals extra width through shoulders.
Soft Dramatic
Long vertical line with soft, rounded areas. Vertical dominates but bust/hips push fabric outward adding curvature.
Dramatic Classic
Balanced figure leaning towards yang. Shoulders and hips look evenly balanced with no extra width or narrowness.
Flamboyant Gamine
Compact frame with a straight vertical line. Fabric hangs straight in a smaller frame with youthful energy.
Curve Dominant
Under 5'6", curves define the silhouette
Romantic
Compact figure with smooth, full curves creating an hourglass. Fabric pushed out at bust and hips like stacked circles.
Theatrical Romantic
Curves accented by delicate sharpness. Fabric curves out in key spots but shoulders and hips are relatively narrow.
Soft Natural
Broader figure combining width with soft curves. Fabric curves around body while showing extra width in upper body.
Soft Classic
Gentle balance leaning towards yin. Fabric moves around gentle curves but shoulders and hips are symmetrical.
Soft Gamine
Compact figure with a blend of sharp and rounded elements. Gentle curves with a petite, compact frame.
Our Kibbe Sketch Process
See how our 3D body scanning and AI-powered sketch line process works across all 10 Kibbe Image IDs. Each type reveals unique bone structure and silhouette characteristics.
Our Process: We use advanced 3D body scanning technology combined with AI-powered line tracing to create accurate sketch lines. This helps visualize if your dominant element contains vertical or curve, as well as your additional elements.
Featured: Tilda Swinton
Original Photo
A full-body photo is captured with neutral pose and minimal clothing to accurately assess body proportions.
3D Body Mesh
Using advanced 3D body scanning, we generate a precise mesh model that captures the exact body geometry and proportions.
Sketch Lines
The mesh is traced into clean contour lines that highlight the key features: shoulder slope, waist definition, and hip curves.
Kibbe Sketch Descriptions
You always want an outline that is sleek and narrow. When looking at it, the eye needs to travel straight down in one unbroken vertical. It can be tailored with more structure, or it can be flowing, as long as it flows down instead of out.
View full Dramatic detailsYou always want an outline that is sleek and narrow. When looking at it, the eye needs to travel straight down in one unbroken vertical. It can be tailored with more structure, or it can be flowing, as long as it flows down instead of out.
Personal Line: Vertical + Narrow
You need both a strong vertical (long, unbroken) along with a soft, curved or draped outline. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel in one unbroken vertical downward but should also have curve or drape, especially on top. If there is flow, it still needs to be elongated.
View full Soft Dramatic detailsYou need both a strong vertical (long, unbroken) along with a soft, curved or draped outline. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel in one unbroken vertical downward but should also have curve or drape, especially on top. If there is flow, it still needs to be elongated.
Personal Line: Vertical + Curve
You need a relaxed, straight outline that is long and unbroken, with breadth through the upper back/shoulder area. When one is looking at you, the eye will travel in one bold sweep moving downward. Any flow/drape should move downward, not out.
View full Flamboyant Natural detailsYou need a relaxed, straight outline that is long and unbroken, with breadth through the upper back/shoulder area. When one is looking at you, the eye will travel in one bold sweep moving downward. Any flow/drape should move downward, not out.
Personal Line: Vertical + Width
You need an outline that has breadth through the upper back and then moves around the curve. When one is looking at you, the eye will travel out and then around. Any flow or drape should reveal the curves but not be stiff or too tight. Nothing fussy for you!
View full Soft Natural detailsYou need an outline that has breadth through the upper back and then moves around the curve. When one is looking at you, the eye will travel out and then around. Any flow or drape should reveal the curves but not be stiff or too tight. Nothing fussy for you!
Personal Line: Curve + Width
You need a clean, smooth outline with tailored or sharp edges. Nothing too extreme or severe. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel downward, relatively straight. Likewise, any drape or flow needs to move downward, not out. Keep it fairly close to the body, without being tight. Time-honored simplicity, with a fashion-forward skew.
View full Dramatic Classic detailsYou need a clean, smooth outline with tailored or sharp edges. Nothing too extreme or severe. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel downward, relatively straight. Likewise, any drape or flow needs to move downward, not out. Keep it fairly close to the body, without being tight. Time-honored simplicity, with a fashion-forward skew.
Personal Line: Vertical + Balance
You need a smooth, clean outline that softly skims the body. When one is looking at you the eye will travel in a fluid manner, subtly moving around the curves. Shapely without being tight. Time-honored simplicity, skewed toward the stylish.
View full Soft Classic detailsYou need a smooth, clean outline that softly skims the body. When one is looking at you the eye will travel in a fluid manner, subtly moving around the curves. Shapely without being tight. Time-honored simplicity, skewed toward the stylish.
Personal Line: Curve + Balance
You need an outline that includes a combination of two things: 1) a base of one long line moving straight downward close to the body, 2) on top of this, detail/separate pieces/accessories that add breaks to the base. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel downward in a staccato fashion. You need to keep your base close to the body. Any flow needs to move down, not out, and have the same breaks. Detail is crucial to your silhouette.
View full Flamboyant Gamine detailsYou need an outline that includes a combination of two things: 1) a base of one long line moving straight downward close to the body, 2) on top of this, detail/separate pieces/accessories that add breaks to the base. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel downward in a staccato fashion. You need to keep your base close to the body. Any flow needs to move down, not out, and have the same breaks. Detail is crucial to your silhouette.
Personal Line: Vertical + Petite
You need an outline that includes a combination of two things: 1) a base of one line that moves around your curves, 2) on top of this you need detail/separate pieces that add breaks to that base. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel around your curves in a staccato fashion. Any flow needs to move outward, like a flounce, adding the same breaks. Detail is crucial to your silhouette.
View full Soft Gamine detailsYou need an outline that includes a combination of two things: 1) a base of one line that moves around your curves, 2) on top of this you need detail/separate pieces that add breaks to that base. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel around your curves in a staccato fashion. Any flow needs to move outward, like a flounce, adding the same breaks. Detail is crucial to your silhouette.
Personal Line: Curve + Petite
You need a shapely outline that allows for and accommodates your curves. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel around them. It can be more fitted or more fluid, but the curves need to always be evident.
View full Theatrical Romantic detailsYou need a shapely outline that allows for and accommodates your curves. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel around them. It can be more fitted or more fluid, but the curves need to always be evident.
Personal Line: Curve + Narrow
You need an outline that is soft, allowing the curves to be accommodated. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel around both curves. It can either skim the body (not too tight) or flow outward. Fluidity is important. Nothing stiff.
View full Romantic detailsYou need an outline that is soft, allowing the curves to be accommodated. When one is looking at you, the eye needs to travel around both curves. It can either skim the body (not too tight) or flow outward. Fluidity is important. Nothing stiff.
Personal Line: Curve + Double Curve
Modern Method: Sketching and Cloth Flow is the most modern method of discovering your Kibbe Image Identity, as written by David Kibbe in his Power of Style (2024) book. Get your personalized sketch analysis
Understanding Yin-Yang Balance
The Kibbe system is built on the balance of yin (soft, curved, compact) and yang (sharp, angular, elongated) in your body. By understanding these traits through sketching, you can identify your Image ID and dress in harmony with your natural lines.
Yang Traits
Associated with angular shapes, sharp lines, elongated silhouettes, and geometric forms like rectangles and triangles.
- • Straight, elongated lines
- • Sharp angles in bone structure
- • Longer vertical line (taller stature)
- • Broad or square shoulders
- • Narrow frame
Yin Traits
Associated with rounded edges, soft shapes, flowing lines, hourglass figures, and gentle curves.
- • Curves and roundness in silhouette
- • Soft, flowing lines
- • Shorter vertical line (petite)
- • Rounded shoulders
- • Full bust and hips
The Fabric Draping Method
David Kibbe's current approach focuses on how imaginary fabric falls over your body. This visualization helps you determine your dominant trait: Vertical or Curve.
The Silk Chiffon Visualization
Imagine a strip of soft silk chiffon hanging from each shoulder down to the floor. How does this imaginary fabric behave? Does it fall straight down, or does it curve outward at certain points?
Vertical Dominant
Your silhouette creates a long, continuous line from shoulder to floor.
“Imaginary silk chiffon falls straight down from your shoulders with minimal deviation.”
- ▮Long, continuous line from shoulder to hem
- ▮Elongated appearance even without heels
- ▮Clothing hangs without being interrupted by curves
- ▮Visual emphasis on length over width
At 5'6" (168cm) and above, you are automatically Vertical dominant.
Curve Dominant
Your silhouette is defined by the outward curves of your bust and/or hips.
“Imaginary silk chiffon is pushed outward at the bust and/or hips, creating rounded shapes.”
- ●Bust and/or hips visibly push fabric outward
- ●Waist creates a distinct narrowing point
- ●Rounded, flowing silhouette shape
- ●Visual emphasis on curves over length
Curve dominance is only possible under 5'6" (168cm).
Finding Your Image ID
Your dominant trait (Vertical or Curve) combined with your secondary trait (Narrow, Width, Curve, Balance, Petite, or Double Curve) determines your specific Kibbe type.
Get Your Kibbe Type
Our photo analysis uses the sketching method to identify your type automatically.
Photo Analysis
Our AI creates a 3D mesh of your body for precise measurements, then sketches your silhouette shape overtop to define your type. You can optionally receive your mesh and sketch with your results.
Take the Quiz
Results
Flamboyant Natural
Description
Flamboyant Naturals have a tall, broad look with relaxed, strong features. There's a natural strength and openness in this frame.
Nickname
"The Nonchalant Showstopper"
Yin-Yang
Personal Line
Characteristics
- Usually 5'6" and over
- Broad and strong frame
- Relaxed, defined structure
- Wide shoulders
- Subtle curves
Physical Features of a Flamboyant Natural
Broad, blunt bone structure with wide shoulders and muscular build. Long limbs with athletic frame and natural width through upper body. Strong facial features with broad jawline, large nose, and wide-set eyes.
Note: Modern Kibbe emphasizes overall line, silhouette, and how fabric drapes on the body rather than checking off individual features. These physical descriptions serve as general guides to understand each type's accommodation needs (vertical, width, curve, petite), not as strict checklists. Your Kibbe type is about what your body needs in clothing, not matching every listed trait.
Strong Broad Shoulders
Long Broad Limbs
Tapered Wide Hips
Broad Muscular Shape
The traditional approach to Kibbe typing. Answer questions about your bone structure, body flesh, and facial features. Still accurate, just not the modern visual method.