A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body Type

What is a Gamine?

Gamines are a balanced combination of yin and yang. David Kibbe originally identified a total of 13 body types that fall along a yin/yang spectrum in his book, Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can. On this spectrum, yin represents a more romantic, feminine figure while yang is associated with a dramatic, masculine figure. The Gamine falls in the middle of this spectrum with a balance of contrasting feminine and masculine characteristics. The pure Gamine body type has a delicate body with square shoulders and long arms and legs with small, narrow hands and feet. When a Gamine gains weight, it tends to accumulate in the hips and waist. This can give them a square or stocky shape.

Characteristics of a Gamine

Gamines are under 5’5” with extremely sharp features. They are often very petite with a figure that is straight, lithe, and lean. The Gamine tends to be sinewy with a flat bustline. Their legs are often described as “coltish.” If you have most of the following characteristics, your body type is most likely a Kibbe Gamine. 5’5” inches & under. Angular or delicate bone structure Square or tapered shoulders Sharp, delicate facial features Long arms & legs Slightly short-waisted. Large eyes, thin lips, & taut cheeks

Gamines aren’t tall, and they don’t have an hourglass figure. If you’re still questioning whether you fit into the Gamine category, there are characteristics that aren’t seen in this body type. Use this list to help you rule out the pure Gamine body type: Over 5’5” tall Extremely large bone structure Prominent or exotic features (except for large eyes) Large hands & feet Hourglass figure with a wasp waist Full bust & hips Symmetrical body or facial features

Styling Clothes & Accessories for Gamines

Wear crisply tailored clothing with severe lines. When dressing your Gamine body type, think of fitted garments with precise tailoring to match your yin energy combined with crisp fabrics and sharp detailing for your yang energy. Use straight lines to create a severe silhouette for the most flattering look. An abundance of detailing adds interest to the precisely fitted pieces.

Choose well-tailored tops with sharp details. Shirts and blouses that are very tailored or form-fitting in stiff fabrics like crisp cotton or oriental silk are the best choices. Look for sharp cuffs, collars, and pleating. Wear cropped shirts or tuck shirts in to maintain a boyish look with a square silhouette. Avoid anything oversized or unstructured that can swallow your petite frame. Stay away from frills and flimsy, sheer materials that can throw off your natural yin/yang balance.

Try cropped pants with pleating or a skin-tight fit. Crisp detailing like cuffs, pleats, and sharp waistlines compliment your straight figure. Skin-tight, stretchy pants in cropped lengths from the calf to the top of the ankle are excellent choices that bring your long legs into balance. Avoid baggy, unstructured styles with tapered legs that can overwhelm your petite frame. Give plain-front pants and drapey styles a pass because they clash with your square silhouette.

Opt for short shirts with straight cuts and narrow hemlines. Always go with waistlines that are very fitted. Crisp gathers can work, but only if they’re small and shallow. Keep hemlines above the kneecap. If the skirt is very slightly flared, it can graze the top of your calf. Longer skirts must be pencil-thin and have a high slit. Avoid full, flouncy skirts that can make you look extremely young and clash with your boyish yang energy. Over-sized or strong A-lines can look dowdy on you because your petite frame can get lost in all that fabric.

Go for very tailored dresses with lots of crisp detailing. A trim dress in a fabric that keeps its shape is ideal for Gamines. A dropped waist or asymmetrical hemline that calls back to the flapper styles of the 1920s is a fun way to showcase your long legs. Slim mini dresses like those worn in the 1960s are another great choice. Avoid flowy, flouncy dresses since they can seem too feminine for your yang energy. Ornate styles with lots of shirring or plain unstructured styles are too much for your petite stature.

Wear sweaters with skinny knits or ribbed styles with fitted waists. Short, cropped cardigans with ribbing at the wrist are extremely flattering. Ribbed collars and waistlines are also good choices. Thick knits can work for you as long as they are fitted at the waistline. Avoid oversized sweaters, heavy textures, and fluffy knits that are too bulky for your delicate bone structure.

Choose very fitted jackets in cropped lengths. A men's-style bomber jacket can work for you as long as it’s got a short, cropped length. Try a precisely fitted, structured blazer with a sharp lapel and piping or other trim to accentuate the crisp lines. Avoid long jackets or anything too unstructured or oversized because they can make you look like you’re borrowing a larger person’s clothes. Stay away from ruffles, droopy lace trim, and ruffles.

Try angular shoe styles with unusual shapes in the toe and heel. Choose lightweight materials in fun and funky styles that use trimming or patent leather. Asymmetrical detailing, wedges, and sharp points are all good choices for the pure Gamine body type. All types of flats work for you, as do bold colors and printed fabrics, like plaids and stripes. Avoid overly delicate or strappy styles that can accentuate your narrow feet and make them seem overly delicate. Plain pumps don’t match your fun sense of style, so give them a pass.

Always opt for crisp fabrics with flat or very light textures. Mid-weight fabrics capable of holding defined shapes and precise tailoring are best. A matte finish is the most flattering choice, but the occasional metallic can add a little extra pizzazz to your eveningwear. Avoid rough textures or oversized floppy fabrics because they can seem heavy on your delicate frame. Sheer, flowing fabrics that drape can’t hold up to the precise tailoring that looks best on your body type.

Go for sharp, colorful prints with a contemporary feel. Geometric and angular prints that make you think of Picasso’s paintings are a perfect choice. Gamines can also get away with larger prints that are almost cartoonish as long as they aren’t oversized. Avoid watercolor prints that are too ornate or symmetrical for your already-balanced square frame. Intricate or realistic prints are not as flattering because they can come off as a little too serious for the Gamine’s boyish style.

Choose small accessories with sharp contrast in color and detail. Carry clutches or bags that are small and boxy. Wear belts that are either stiff leather or elastic fabric in bright colors with geometric buckles. Try small hats like berets or cloches that have crisp lines and tailoring. Avoid anything oversized, whether it’s a big, floppy hat or a giant hobo bag. Ornate or heavy styles are also a no-go for this petite body type.

Gamine Hair & Makeup

Short or cropped hairstyles with a tousled finish look amazing on you. Bobbed hair looks great on Gamines, especially if they wear it angled or asymmetrical. However, the signature hairstyle for all 3 of the Kibbe Gamine body types is the Pixie cut, which fits their balanced masculine and feminine energy. Ask for layering around the face to soften a more geometric cut. A side part can bring more asymmetry into your look, no matter what hairstyle you choose. Avoid long hair and heavy bangs that can hide or overwhelm your delicate facial bone structure. Overly smooth or blunt cuts can look too severe with your sharp features.

Keep makeup fresh-faced with an emphasis on your eyes. Glowy or slightly dewy foundation looks great on you. Light contouring with subtle highlighter can emphasize your natural “lit-from-within” complexion. Play up your big “doe-eyes” with smokey eye colors and heavy mascara. Choose deeper shades for your cheeks and lips. Dial up the glitz for your evening look with a liberal application of sheer sparkle on your cheekbones, temples, collarbones…basically, any spot you want to showcase. Avoid soft watercolors or frosty makeup sheens and neutral looks without the more dramatic eye and lip makeup. “No-makeup” makeup looks are too plain and can tip the balance toward the masculine side of the scale, making you look a little too boyish.

What celebrities are Gamines?

Kibbe identified several celebrity Gamines in his book, but because he removed this body type from his system, there’s some disagreement over who fits the category. These celebrities have been identified as having a Gamine body type by some fashion and Kibbe imagery experts: Paulette Goddard Jean Seberg Mia Farrow Leslie Caron Edith Piaf Coco Chanel Geraldine Chaplin Rosanna Arquette Pat Benetar Heather Locklear Michelle Williams Kate Mara

How do you know if you’re a Gamine?

Take our Kibbe Body Type test. If you think the descriptions of this body type sound like you, you might just be a Gamine. Don’t worry about Kibbe removing this body type from the system. The recommendations for a pure Gamine can still help you develop your personal style. If you’re still not totally sure, {[Kibbe-Body-Type-Test|take our Kibbe Body Type test]] to find your match. Remember, the most important thing is finding a style you love that makes you feel comfortable and confident. If the test says you’re another Kibbe type, but you love the Gamine style, ignore the results and wear what you like! Unfortunately, Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can by David Kibbe is out of print, so check your local used bookstore or thrift store if you want a copy. The good news is that David Kibbe is working on a new book with updated style tips.

Pure Gamine vs Other Kibbe Gamines

Kibbe identified 3 body types that fall within the Gamine spectrum. They are the Gamine, the Soft Gamine, and the Flamboyant Gamine. All three of these styles are small with angular bone structures. However, there are a few characteristics that differentiate them from one another. Soft Gamine is slightly taller with shorter arms and legs. She has a delicate hourglass shape with slightly rounded hips. Pure Gamine is very short, with long arms and legs and a straight verticle line. Flamboyant Gamine is short but often appears taller than she is because her arms and legs are long in relation to her torso. Her waist is straight or very slightly defined.

Pure Gamine vs Soft Gamine Soft Gamine is slightly softer and curvier than the pure Gamine. Her facial features are also softer than the more angular pure Gamine. The Soft Gamine can have shorter arms and legs.

Pure Gamine vs Flamboyant Gamine The Flamboyant Gamine looks slightly stronger and more square than the pure Gamine. Their angularity is slightly broader than other Gamines, but still not broad. They also tend to look a little younger than the pure Gamines.