Ready for a closet refresh? We know the feeling. Our personal style can bring so much inner confidence and joy. It can also be overwhelming when we’re feeling stuck. Like everything else we do here at Melinda Menezes, MD, we want your clothes and accessories to help you feel like your best self. That’s why Kibbe Body Typing and Personal Color Analysis styling are now a part of our new Vitality Services!
Backed by thoughtful techniques and science, we love Kibbe’s approach and Color Analysis because it isn’t about fixing flaws or following strict rules. Instead, we view these techniques as an informative guide, one that really celebrates our bodies and natural coloring without trying to change them.
With the help of a guided expert, we can shop with more purpose by choosing colors and silhouettes that work with us, not against us. And our amazing Registered Nurse Donna is here to help you do just that!
These kinds of services have so much nuance and thought behind them, making it best to see a professional, like Nurse Donna, to get the most accurate typing. Nurse Donna has spent the last year dedicated to this service, guiding our staff and several patients to more inspired closets through Kibbe and seasonal color palettes. Are you ready to discover yours? Contact us to book an appointment!
So, who is David Kibbe? And how did the Kibbe Archetypes become a groundbreaking technique for approaching personal style?
An image consultant and beauty-lover himself, Kibbe secured his claim to styling fame when he published his book, “Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can” in 1987. Within his work, Kibbe focuses on what makes us unique rather than perfect, and how that can inspire a one-of-a-kind wardrobe..
When finding your Kibbe Body Type, an expert, like Nurse Donna, will take a deeper look at characteristics like bone structure, facial features, height, and overall essence. This approach is still revolutionary, which is why we love it! Instead of feeling pressured to fit into certain trends or focusing on measurements, our Kibbe ID honors unique features of all body types. Even if weight fluctuates, our Kibbe Body Type will never change. It’s about finding a style that feels good and complements the natural harmony of our bodies.
Within the Kibbe Body System, the body types are organized on a yin-yang spectrum with five overarching families: Dramatic, Natural, Classic, Gamine, and Romantic. This approach looks holistically at our bodies, ranging from yin (soft, rounded, more delicate) to yang (sharp, angular, more bold) features.
Within the five families, there are 13 Kibbe Body Types (or Kibbe IDs) in total. And don’t worry, there’s no “best” body type within Kibbe. Each ID has its own unique features to flaunt and love! In order to get typed, an expert will look at bone structure, facial features, height, and overall essence. From here, we’re able to discover silhouettes that just feel right.
This Kibbe ID has the most yang, with striking characteristics accompanied by strong vertical lines, sharp edges and a bold presence. They typically have very defining facial features, as well as long and narrow arms, legs, or shoulders. Dramatics are typically tall in height, with many Dramatics appearing taller than they actually are.
Naturals appear almost exactly how they sound: natural! There’s a very relaxed demeanor when it comes to those in the Natural family, with more broad and blunt features than sharp ones. Think: wider shoulders, 5’5” or taller, squarish silhouettes, long arms and legs. Besides Pure Naturals, there’s also Flamboyant Naturals who have both bold and soft yang features, and Soft Naturals who have the most yin undercurrent in the Natural family.
The most balanced of the Kibbe Body Types, Classics have the most moderate proportions that are neither yin or yang dominant. There’s no extreme sharpness, width, length, or softness for Classics, creating a very symmetrical appearance to them. While the most balanced ID, Classics can still learn ever-so-slightly yin or yang, as seen with Soft Classics (more yin) and Dramatic Classics (more yang).
Romantics are known for their soft, rounded and delicate features. As the most dominant yin ID within the Kibbe Body System, Romantics have a very feminine essence to them. Marilyn Monroe is a classic example of a Romantic type, with softer, rounder features that embody yin energy. While Pure Romantics are at the end of the Yin spectrum, there’s also Theatrical Romantics, who have the slightest yang undercurrent to them. Expect to see hourglass figures, shorter vertical lengths, and curvature within this type.
Gamines are one of the most distinct types on the spectrum. Although they lean more yin, Gamines also have many yang qualities, creating a beautiful juxtaposition in their features. They typically have a compact, petite appearance (yin) with more angular bone structure (yang) and a mix of sharp and soft features that create a very youthful presence. Think: Mindy Kaling, Twiggy, or Zooey Deschanel.
Not sure where to begin? Let us help! We’re offering Kibbe Body Typing Analysis as part of our Vitality Services.
Isn’t it the best feeling when we’re told, “That’s totally your color”? Well, with a custom color palette, get ready to hear that all the time. Let’s explore why Personal Color Analysis actually works, and how it can illuminate the best version of ourselves and our wardrobes.
It all began in the 1940s, when artist Johannes Itten discovered that people instinctively gravitate towards colors that harmonize with their natural appearance. This philosophy was carried through to Carole Jackson’s 1980s bestseller “Color Me Beautiful”, where the four-season system became more mainstream in style. Fast forward to today, and we find that color theory has undergone its own kind of evolution.
The four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) have expanded into 12 sophisticated subtypes. And this isn’t just an art, there’s actually a science to it! By measuring how much light interacts with our skin, hair, and eye color appearance, a professional color analyst can perfectly place us in the custom color palette we’ll shine in.
Have you always looked better in gold than silver? Or prefer warm tones over cooler ones?
Color Analysis helps us make sense of that. During a seasonal color consultation, we use controlled lighting and color drapes to test how different hues look on you. We look for specific undertones, contrast levels, and chroma in your skin, hair, and eyes to find colors that balance you. When placed in the right colors, we’ll often see it right away with glowy skin, brighter eyes, clearer complexions, and more.
Color Analysis is all about empowering us with knowledge that makes shopping easier and our wardrobes more cohesive. By better understanding our color season, we actually save money by having the knowledge to purchase colors that keep us feeling our best.
Ready to begin your style journey? Kibbe and Color sessions are available right here at Melinda Menezes, MD. Our in-house style expert, Donna, RN, has the eye and training to see what works most harmoniously with you, and you’ll see it, too!
She’ll analyze the shapes and lines that suit our silhouette best, guiding us towards clothing that is naturally flattering. Through color draping, she’ll determine the custom color palette that’s best at enhancing our natural features. Donna’s knowledge gives us all the insights we need on our Kibbe ID and color harmony, which are easily applied into everyday life.
The color and kibbe analysis with Donna was fantastic. She was so thorough and kind throughout. I’m quite shy about my body and often choose colors that don’t stand out. I learned that I am a True (Warm) Autumn and a Flamboyant Natural and that many of the basics I have in my closet suit me well. But, the biggest surprise was seeing how the color draping transformed my skin tone and eye color. I work with Dr. Menezes on reducing redness and unwanted scarring/texture on my skin, and I was shocked to see how some colors I have always avoided (marigold, purples) really made a difference in brightening my skin and eyes.
I also tend to stick to oversized clothing pieces or athleisure, and seeing all of the more interesting pieces, cuts, and accessories I can try is exciting. After the analysis, Donna sends a wealth of resources on clothing, makeup, hair color and so much more. I honestly did not know what I didn’t know and I am so glad I have these resources available now.
With significant life transitions like postpartum recovery, midlife changes, or career shifts, sometimes personal style can fall to the wayside, and we totally understand. Kibbe and the Color Seasons are the best way to bring back clothing confidence by helping us appreciate why certain styles work better than others. When we wear clothes that suit our body’s natural lines and coloring, we feel good. Understanding our color season also helps us make confident choices about clothing, makeup, hair color, and even jewelry with a palette that highlights and balances us.
Our patients say that having this knowledge is like a secret superpower. If you’re ready to feel excited about getting dressed, our Vitality Services can do just that.
Want to feel good on the inside and out? With our Perfect Half-Day Package, we’re here to help you unwind and bring out your natural glow. While this entire session typically takes around three hours, the knowledge of personal style will stick with you.
Here’s what you get to enjoy:
To get the most out of your personal style session, here’s a little checklist on how to prep for an appointment.
You deserve to know what makes you shine brightest. Come visit us and our resident style expert, Donna, RN, to experience the joy of the Perfect Half Day package. We’re here to help you unveil and celebrate an authentic style true to you. Pair that with some rejuvenating skin treatments, and it might be your favorite experience with us yet.
We’re not the only ones that love it, here’s what our clients are saying:
Our team is ready to schedule your appointment year-round, whether you’re a first-time client or an existing patient looking to elevate your self-care journey.
Call the clinic at 808-855-8436 to book your Perfect Half Day Experience or individual style sessions.