What the style families mean
David Kibbe is an image consultant who developed a personal styling system. His 1987 book, Metamorphosisintroduced the approach. Discussions of Kibbe body types often focus on assigning a label, but clothing lines are a useful place to begin.
A clothing line is the shape your outfit creates. A long coat creates a different line than a short jacket. Fabric changes that shape, too: stiff cotton holds its form, while soft jersey falls in folds.
This page uses five broad family names as starting points for outfit experiments. Older guides also include individual categories within those families. The summaries below suggest clothes to try as you explore the five broad families used on this page.
How this quiz works
The quiz has 15 questions about clothing preferences. You’ll choose fabrics, garment shapes and details you would like to wear. Questions about jackets, necklines and bags help you think about the choices you make across an outfit.
Your answers guide the match to one of five style-family results. Choose what you want to try, even if it’s different from what’s already in your closet. There’s no correct answer to a question about which pants you’d enjoy styling.
The result is an unofficial preference-based suggestion for exploring clothes associated with a Kibbe style family. You can enjoy clothes linked with several families. The quiz doesn’t need your measurements, and its result says nothing about your health or worth.
Outfit ideas for each result
Romantic style family to explore
Soft fabrics and rounded details are a starting point here. Try a top with gentle gathers or a skirt that falls in soft folds. You can compare a draped neckline with a firmer one to see which you enjoy wearing.
Gamine style family to explore
Experiment with shorter garment lengths and clear changes between pieces. A cropped jacket over a longer shirt gives you one way to try that contrast. Small prints or contrasting trim can add detail without changing the whole outfit.
Dramatic style family to explore
A long, straight coat or pants with a defined crease can help you test clean lines. Keep details simple for one outfit, then add a sharply shaped bag. Notice which version feels closer to your taste.
Natural style family to explore
Start with relaxed shapes and fabrics that move easily. An open overshirt with straight-leg pants is one experiment. Texture, such as a loose knit, gives you another way to change the feel of familiar clothes.
Classic style family to explore
Try an outfit with similar amounts of detail across its pieces. A simple shirt and lightly structured jacket give you room to compare small changes. Swap a large print for a smaller one, or compare two collar shapes.
Use what you already own
You can test these ideas with clothes in your closet. Change one piece at a time so you can tell what you like. Comfort and your own taste belong in that decision.
If you’d like another approach to style, the Kitchener essence quiz explores a separate set of style ideas. Its labels don’t need to match this result.
A – 3
B – 5
C – 3
D- -1