Styling for Authenticity

Life’s too short to not wear things that bring out the best in you. I really see fashion as a form of stewardship. I believe that you were given a priceless gift, your entire being. I see the body as both a container of one’s essence and soul, as well as a manifestation personality. I’ve always enjoyed fashion to an extent, but lately I’ve been taking the time to research and become an expert on my beauty recipe. I think becoming an expert on what makes you unique and how to best bring out your natural beauty is crucial for authentic expression.

Something that has helped me immensely was discovering the Kibbe Body Types. I’m still learning, but basically, it consists of a man named David Kibbe who created a system for the different body types. I stumbled on a video describing them on Youtube and I was intrigued. I never liked systems that compared women’s bodys to fruit or shapes, so I was keen to know more. I won’t go too much into the Kibbe Body Types since there’s dozens of blogs out there that are much better at explaining. However, it is basically a system that looks at the yin and yang features women have. Yin, being round, delicate, and feminine features, and Yang, being sharp, blunt, and masculine features. Women that are far on the Yang spectrum are called Dramatics, think actress, Keira Knightly, and women that are far on the Yin side are Gamines, an celebrity example would be Jenna Coleman. 

Anyway, once I discovered that I am a Gamine. It was truly eye opening. I noticed that in pictures where my outfits looked most flattering, I was without intending following the principles of style for a Gamine. Some of those principles consist of wearing contrasting shapes and textures, wearing items that emphasize the ankles, the waist, and the wrists. High necklines can look great. Gamines can pull off patterns without looking too clownish. They look stunning in more tailored outfits. I’m including a few pictures that featuring me wearing high necklines, fitted items, and contrasting colors.

This meant a lot to me, because as much as I enjoy style I also know how discouraging it is to try outfits that look amazing on Pinterest, but not so much in real life. Previously to having made this discovery I was attempting that monochrome, all-black, minimalist style. While I love black, wearing monochrome did not really look as stylish I would have liked. To paraphrase my mom, I looked like those people who move the set, quickly before the actors come on stage. Now, equipped with this new knowledge on style, I’m incorporating more contrasting pieces, patterns, and new colors, of course.

I also took it a step further and started becoming an expert on my color season. This was not as groundbreaking because I already had a sense that warm, earthy colors were flattering on me. However, I did discover that Hunter Green looks fantastic on Deep Autumns, which is what I am. So I invested in a beautiful green coat this winter and it’s crazy how such a  simple item elevates my outfits.

Discovering the Kibbe body types and my color season, has actually made me feel so grateful to be me. Truly God knew what he was doing when He made me. Is it any surprise that He made a person with a range of seemingly paradoxical qualities such as a playful, poetic, and analytical individual, to also be able to pull off patterns, contrasting colors that are rich and deep? In short, this discovery made me feel more comfortable in my skin, and more comfortable in expressing myself authentically. 

If you are like me and you are on a journey towards deeper self-acceptance, I truly recommend looking into the Kibbe Body System. You might learn some useful tips and pointers, to first accept yourself and move towards expressing yourself more authentically. I hope you find the confidence you need to highlight what makes you unique and the joy that comes with embracing yourself.

My deep, hunter-green coat, currently a staple in my wardrobe.

My deep, hunter-green coat, currently a staple in my wardrobe.

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Slow Down, Spread Joy