Intro to the Kibbe System: The Natural Family: Soft Naturals and Flamboyant Naturals
Welcome to the Kibbe for Beginners Series
This post is part of my Kibbe for Beginners series, where I explore the nuances of each body type family with clarity, depth, and real-life examples. My goal is to help you observe your natural silhouette, understand your Yin-Yang balance, and see how your body’s shapes, proportions, and energy inform your personal style.
In this article, we focus on the Natural family, diving into Soft Naturals and Flamboyant Naturals. You’ll get detailed breakdowns of scaling, frame, and undercurrent, along with comparisons to related types, styling guidance, and what to avoid—so you can fully appreciate the Natural family’s unique expressiveness.
The Kibbe Natural Family
The Natural family in the Kibbe system is defined by Softened Yang. To understand this, it helps to first picture Pure Yang:
- Sharp, narrow, sleek, and columnar
- Angular lines that feel precise and pointed
Now, imagine taking those sharp corners and stretching them both sideways and upward. The result is:
- Greater broadness and width
- Subtle angular elongation
- Edges that are blunted rather than sharply pointed
Think of a corner of paper folded over—the abrupt change in direction replaces sharpness with a softer, more approachable form. This is the essence of Softened Yang, the structural underpinning of the Natural family.
The Kibbe Flamboyant Natural
Flamboyant Naturals are defined by a Softened Yang frame paired with a Yang undercurrent. Their key characteristics include:
- Frame & Bone Structure: Broad, wide, and elongated, but without sharp or overly angular edges. The overall silhouette feels expansive yet soft.
- Flesh & Musculature: Naturally slightly muscular, with a lean or solidly defined appearance. This contributes to a strong but approachable presence.
- Overall Impression: The combination of broad, elongated bones and subtly defined flesh creates a silhouette that is commanding, structured, and relaxed at the same time.
The Kibbe Soft Natural
Soft Naturals have a gentle Softened Yang frame, combining subtle broadness with a soft, flowing silhouette that balances strength and ease.
- Scaling/Size: Slightly smaller overall frame, moderate height, gentle width throughout the torso.
- Frame/Bone Structure: Softened Yang—slightly broad, squared, or angular without sharpness; maintains relaxed, natural lines.
- Undercurrent/Flesh: Soft, slightly rounded flesh; small waist with gentle curves through the bust and hips.
- Overall Impression: A relaxed, approachable silhouette with understated strength and harmonious proportions.
Soft Natural vs Flamboyant Natural
Soft Naturals and Flamboyant Naturals differ in size, flesh, and overall definition, with each type requiring tailored consideration for styling:
- Soft Naturals: smaller, more Yin in flesh, subtle curves, softer broadness, slightly small waist with more curvature through hips and bust.
- Flamboyant Naturals: broader, taller, more solidly defined, expansive Softened Yang frame, leaner/more muscular definition.
- Variation Across Spectrum: Individual Naturals may require different levels of accommodation depending on undercurrent, overall proportions, and natural silhouette.
- Styling Insight: Adjust clothing to enhance your unique shape, balancing comfort, structure, and natural movement rather than forcing extremes.
Soft Natural and Flamboyant Natural Styling and Accommodations
Soft Naturals and Flamboyant Naturals have different natural silhouettes, and dressing to honor these shapes emphasizes their unique flow, breadth, and undercurrent:
- Soft Naturals:
- Favor relaxed, softly flowing lines without sharp angles or heavy tailoring.
- Soft waist definition enhances natural curves.
- Loosely geometric shapes and uncluttered detailing allow the body’s natural freeness to show.
- Flamboyant Naturals:
- Embrace a T-shaped silhouette, emphasizing shoulder broadness.
- Rest of the body remains relatively straight, with relaxed, loose, sweeping lines.
- Irregular, oversized, and unconstructed details work well as long as vertical continuity is preserved.
Soft Natural and Flamboyant Natural Casual Styling
Casual styling for Soft and Flamboyant Naturals should honor the natural flow, breadth, and vertical momentum of each silhouette:
- Soft Naturals:
- Simple, cohesive separates work best.
- Slim pants are ideal if they don’t feel overly constraining.
- Pair with a slightly relaxed, figure-hugging top to maintain softness and flow.
- Soft waist definition and minimalistic patterns highlight natural curves without overpowering the silhouette.
- Flamboyant Naturals:
- Elongated jeans, oversized blazers, longline cardigans, and long coats enhance the vertical line.
- Waist definition is optional; fussy cinching or tucking disrupts the natural vertical flow.
- Embrace loose, sweeping, and unconstructed shapes while preserving continuity.
Soft Naturals and Flamboyant Naturals Styles to Avoid
Dressing against the natural flow of the Natural family can obscure or disrupt the beauty of their silhouettes:
- Soft Naturals:
- Avoid overly tapered or form-fitting garments.
- Steer clear of ornate, sculptural, heavy, or sharply tailored pieces.
- Excessive structure or intricate detailing can constrain their naturally soft, flowing lines.
- Flamboyant Naturals:
- Avoid narrow, overly sharp, or intricately detailed clothing.
- Steer clear of garments with too many curved lines, flares, cropped lengths, or dainty accents.
- Anything that breaks the vertical momentum or continuity of the silhouette diminishes their natural presence.
FAQ: Soft Naturals & Flamboyant Naturals
Q: What is Softened Yang in the Kibbe system?
A: Softened Yang is a type of frame that blends Yang structural traits—broadness, width, and elongation—with softened edges. Unlike Pure Yang, which is sleek, sharp, and columnar, Softened Yang adds gentle curves, blunt transitions, and a less severe silhouette. This balance creates a naturally relaxed, slightly broad, and expansive body shape.
Q: What defines a Soft Natural in the Kibbe system?
A: Soft Naturals have a Softened Yang frame with gentle width and subtle broadness. Their flesh is soft and slightly curved, with a small waist and more definition at the hips and bust. Their natural silhouette is enhanced by relaxed, flowing lines without sharp tailoring, maintaining a harmonious, effortless appearance.
Q: What defines a Flamboyant Natural in the Kibbe system?
A: Flamboyant Naturals also have a Softened Yang frame but appear broader, taller, and more defined than Soft Naturals. Their bones are elongated, wide, and slightly muscular. Their verticality dominates, and they thrive in sweeping, loose, unconstructed silhouettes that emphasize continuity and flow.
Q: How do Soft Naturals differ from Flamboyant Naturals?
A: Key differences lie in breadth, verticality, and musculature:
- Soft Naturals: Smaller, softer, more Yin in flesh, subtle waist definition, and gentle curves
- Flamboyant Naturals: Broader, taller, more muscular or defined, and vertically dominant with looser, flowing lines
Q: How can I tell the difference between Flamboyant Naturals and Dramatic Classics?
A: Though both are Yang-leaning:
- Dramatic Classics: Moderated width and elongation, compact frame, need structured, sculpted garments
- Flamboyant Naturals: Expansive Softened Yang, broader and more vertical, relaxed, flowing lines. Overly tailored Dramatic Classic styling may weigh down or restrict Flamboyant Natural beauty.
Q: How can I tell the difference between Soft Naturals and Soft Gamines?
A: Both types share Yin undercurrent and smallish scaling, but:
- Soft Gamines: Narrow, sharp, delicate frame, benefit from tapered, nipped, and structured clothing
- Soft Naturals: Broader, softer frame with little sharpness; relaxed, unconstructed garments highlight natural curves
Q: How should Soft Naturals dress for everyday styling?
A: Soft Naturals thrive in:
- Relaxed, flowing lines without sharp tailoring
- Soft waist definition and loosely geometric shapes
- Simple, cohesive separates, like slim pants with a figure-hugging but relaxed top
- Uncluttered detailing that highlights natural curves without constriction
Q: How should Flamboyant Naturals dress for everyday styling?
A: Flamboyant Naturals shine in:
- T-shaped emphasis with broad shoulders and straighter body lines
- Loose, sweeping, and sometimes oversized garments
- Long vertical silhouettes (coats, blazers, long cardigans)
- Minimal waist definition to preserve vertical continuity
Q: What should Soft Naturals avoid wearing?
A: Avoid overly tapered, sharp, heavy, or sculptural garments. Tight, ornate, or structured clothing disrupts their relaxed, flowing silhouette and natural curves.
Q: What should Flamboyant Naturals avoid wearing?
A: Avoid narrow, cropped, intricate, or curved lines. Overly structured or detailed garments break vertical continuity and diminish their naturally expansive, flowing lines.
Q: Can I get personalized guidance for my Soft Natural or Flamboyant Natural type?
A: Absolutely! My custom styling service Style and Silhouette provides:
- Individual assessment of your silhouette
- Personalized wardrobe strategies honoring your undercurrent, bone structure, and proportions
- Practical, wearable solutions that honor your personal lifestyle, preferences, and unique beauty
xx
Nona
