A 22-year-old from the U.K. has revealed how she discovered why her "cute outfits always felt 'off.'"
Ellie-Jean Royden is the founder of Body & Style, a personal style and fashion guidance platform. In a video on her Instagram page, she shared two outfits side-by-side, demonstrating the importance of dressing for body type.
In the video, Royden is wearing a white shirt dress with a sweatshirt over the top. With a simple switch, she changes to a more flowing white skirt and zip-up hoodie—showing viewers the difference.
Her style advice revolves around various style systems, including the Kibbe body types, which categorize individuals into 13 distinct body types grouped under five main categories: romantics, dramatics, classics, naturals, and gamines.
Royden reveals that she has a "soft classic" body type, and emphasized the importance of understanding one's body shape and finding clothing that complements it.
She explained that Soft Classics like herself look best in outfits with moderate lines and a touch of softness, as opposed to sharp or angular styles.
"I realized that there are so many women out there who want a little help finding the clothes that work for them," Royden told Newsweek. "The body types framework is such a great way to do that; there are clear types with recommendations you can instantly bring into your wardrobe."
The Kibbe system, developed by stylist David Kibbe in the 1980s, aims to help individuals find clothing that harmonizes with their natural physical attributes.
Some key characteristics of the Kibble body types include:
Romantics: Often have small, rounded and soft features.
Dramatics: Characterized by sharp, angular, and elongated features.
Classics: Usually have balanced, moderate and symmetrical features.
Naturals: Often have wide, blunt and muscular features.
Gamines: Have more narrow, straight features.
In comments on the video, people shared their reactions to the body-type dressing.
"It's interesting how the first one looks very young on you and how my eye is drawn to the clothes, not you. The second one looks like you and I'm not distracted by the clothes. Cool comparison," said viewer taramcfarland111.
While Instagram user rafaella_chiarella said: "You look good in both. But there is always a style where we feel more ourselves."
Royden's expertise extends beyond the Kibbe body types, as she also advises on other style systems such as color seasons and her own creation, the style roots, which align personality and taste with eight different style "roots."
"Kibbe body types aren't for everyone, but if you are looking to find which clothes will make you look amazing in a way that is uplifting rather than critical, it's a great tool to do that," Royden said.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
