Finding your Kibbe body type doesn't require a professional consultant. With careful self-observation and our structured assessment, you can determine your type and start applying the principles to your wardrobe.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process of finding your Kibbe body type using the same criteria David Kibbe developed for his system.
Step 1: Prepare Your Self-Assessment
Before you begin, create the right environment for an honest self-assessment:
Stand in front of a full-length mirror in a well-lit roomWear fitted clothing (leggings and a tank top work well)Pull your hair back so you can see your face clearlyHave a notebook or phone ready to record your observationsApproach the assessment with curiosity, not judgmentThe goal is to see yourself objectively. This isn't about judging your appearance — it's about understanding your natural structure so you can dress in ways that complement it.
Step 2: Assess Your Bone Structure
Your bone structure is the most important factor in determining your Kibbe type. Here's what to look for:
Frame Size
Stand facing the mirror and look at your overall frame:
Large frame: You have broad shoulders, wide hips, and prominent jointsModerate frame: Your proportions are balanced and neither wide nor narrowSmall/delicate frame: Your shoulders are narrow, your bones are small, and your joints are delicateShoulder Shape
Sharp and narrow: Your shoulders are angular and slope slightly but with defined edgesBroad and blunt: Your shoulders are wide with a squared-off appearanceBalanced: Your shoulders are moderate and evenSoft and sloped: Your shoulders are rounded with a gentle slopeNarrow with softness: Your shoulders are small but not sharply definedOverall Bone Prominence
Prominent: You can clearly see your bone structure through your fleshModerate: Your bones are visible but not prominentBlended: Your bones and flesh work together without either dominatingStep 3: Assess Your Body Flesh
Now look at how your flesh behaves:
Flesh Quality
Taut and firm: Your flesh is tight against your bones with little softnessRelaxed: Your flesh has some give but maintains its shapeSoft: Your flesh is yielding and soft to the touchCurve Pattern
Straight: Your waist has minimal definition, creating a column-like silhouetteModerate: You have some waist definition but it's not extremeCurvy: You have a clearly defined waist with fuller hips and bustWeight Distribution
Pay attention to where your body gains weight first:
Evenly distributed: Weight gain spreads evenly across your bodyUpper body: Weight gain shows in your face, arms, and chest firstLower body: Weight gain shows in your hips, thighs, and bottom firstMidsection: Weight gain concentrates around your waist and stomachStep 4: Assess Your Facial Features
Your face provides important clues:
Face Shape
Angular: Square, oblong, or diamond-shaped faceRectangular: Longer than wide with squared jawOval: Balanced proportions with slightly rounded edgesRound or heart: Soft, full cheeks with rounded chinKey Features
Jawline: Strong and prominent, moderate and defined, or soft and roundedCheekbones: High and angular, moderate, or soft and fullEyes: Narrow and sharp, moderate and balanced, or large and roundNose: Narrow and sharp, broad and blunt, or small and delicateLips: Thin and narrow, moderate and balanced, or full and lushStep 5: Determine Your Yin-Yang Balance
Based on your observations, determine where you fall on the yin-yang spectrum:
Pure yang (1-2): Sharp, angular, tall/elongated, prominent bones, taut fleshYang-leaning (3-4): Some sharpness with slight softnessBalanced (5): Equal mix of yin and yang qualitiesYin-leaning (6-8): Softness with some structurePure yin (9-10): Soft, rounded, curved, delicate, petiteStep 6: Take Our Structured Quiz
The most reliable way to determine your Kibbe type is to take our interactive Kibbe body type quiz. Our assessment asks 7 targeted questions across all the criteria discussed above and calculates your type based on the aggregated results.
The quiz automates the scoring process, ensuring consistent results based on the Kibbe system's methodology.
Step 7: Verify Your Results
After receiving your results:
1. Read your type guide: Visit our types overview page and read the detailed guide for your type2. Check the characteristics: Do the characteristics resonate with your experience?3. Try the recommendations: Experiment with the style recommendations to see how they feel4. Consider similar types: If you're unsure, read about the types adjacent to yours on the yin-yang spectrumStep 8: Apply Your Knowledge
Once you've confirmed your type, start applying the recommendations:
1. Clean out your closet: Identify pieces that work for your type and those that don't2. Create a shopping list: Focus on acquiring key pieces that align with your type3. Experiment with colors: Try your recommended color palette4. Practice with silhouettes: Test different necklines and silhouettesUseful Guides & Next Steps
Understand the fundamentals with our What is a Kibbe Body Type pillar guideAre you typing a male frame? Check our dedicated Kibbe for Men guideLooking for curvy/plus-size guidance? See Kibbe for Plus Size WomenTake our Kibbe body type quiz now and discover your unique type with personalized recommendations.