Kibbe Flamboyant natural

Body Type:

The Ultimate Guide

to Styling Your strong, athletic frame

At Maeve Mélange, we celebrate the unique beauty of all Image Identities (body types isn’t what Kibbe calls them), with a special focus on those who embody the strong, athletic presence of the Flamboyant Natural silhouette. This type lies on the YANG (pronounced YAH-ng) side of the Kibbe scale, where broad shoulders, a long vertical line, and a robust, muscular build define the body’s commanding and energetic presence.

What Defines the Flamboyant Natural Image Identity?

Flamboyant Natural (FN) body types are characterized by their broad shoulders, wider than any other Kibbe body type. Their Kibbe “accomodation” (aka what makes them special) is width and vertical - their clavicle is wider than their hip bones and therefore causes their shoulders to flare and become the widest part of their body. Here at Maeve Mélange we refer to Naturals as the “Let the Décoletté Breathe” family because they need wide open necklines otherwise they look (and feel) trapped. FNs have both width and a long vertical line (aka they ‘look tall’), so they often exude strength, vitality, and a dynamic presence, whether standing still or in motion.

Flamboyant Naturals typically possess a robust, athletic physique that is strong and commanding. Many Maeve Mélange female clients will say, “Ugh, I have shoulders like a linebacker…” and Blair will reply, “No way, babe, you have shoulders like a supermodel!” because 90% of the supermodels in the world are Naturals, especially FNs. This is because high fashion requires their models to be walking hangers, and with their broad shoulders and small hips, FNs know exactly what a garment will look like on them just by looking at it on a hanger.

Kibbe body type

key features of a Flamboyant Natural:

  • Tall & Broad: Appear tall, with a broad, commanding silhouette that stands out

  • Wide Shoulders: Broad, blunt shoulders defining the upper body

  • Long Limbs: Arms and legs are long and proportionate, often paired with large, wide feet

  • Straight Waist and Hips: A straight waist with minimal curve at the hips

  • Muscular Yet Lean Flesh: Strong musculature that maintains a lean quality, emphasizing an athletic frame

  • Facial Structure: Faces are wide and angular, with blunt edges contributing to a bold and prominent look.

  • Facial Features: Wide-set eyes, broad lips, a wide nose, and fleshy or muscular cheekbones

  • Height: Typically moderate to very tall (5'5" and above), though they can also be shorter than 5'5" (ex. Sarah Jessica Parker)

  • Large Hands and Feet: Hands and feet are often large with long fingers and toes

  • Broad & Square Bone Structure: Bones are broad, square, and sturdy

You’re Not a fLAMBOYANT NATURAL If…

Flamboyant Naturals are defined by their bold, athletic features. If any of the below resonate, you’re probably a different type:

  • Your facial features are delicate or dainty (soft, round features, smaller nose, thinner lips)

  • You have a defined hourglass figure with a curvy waist and balanced proportions

  • Your limbs are soft or fleshy rather than lean and taut

  • Your bone structure is narrow or petite rather than broad and square

  • You have a smaller frame or lack the vertical dominance that characterizes a Flamboyant Natural (you can still be ‘short’ and be an FN, you just have to look tall - ex. you’re 5’4” but on camera to Blair you look 6’4”)

Flamboyant Natural Female Celebrities

Shirley Maclaine, Princess Diana of Wales, Michelle Obama, Cameron Diaz, Linda Evans, Julia Roberts, Brooke Shields

Flamboyant Natural

Sources: Carnival Film & Television Limited, Getty Images, FilmMagic

The Flamboyant Natural

Style Code

Wild elegance. Earth goddess energy. Fearless flirtation. Flamboyant Natural clothing is all about free flowing silhouettes, natural fabrics, and large scale details. With your supermodel width and natural elongation, your wardrobe should be bursting with texture and movement. 

Fabrics & Materials

  • Organic & Flowy: Flowy cottons, organic linens, muslin, bamboo, hemp, tencel, modal

  • Soft fabrics: Silk, satin, cashmere, soft drape velvet

  • Avoid: Clingy, stiff, or girly fabrics and materials (cotton poplin, ditsy lace, hard leather, etc)

Necklines

  • Wide & Open: Boatnecks, deep u-necks, scoop necks,

  • Asymmetrical Cuts: V-necks (wide/relaxed), one shoulder asymmetrical

  • Relaxed Styles: Collarless, relaxed collars, cowl neck, softly draped

Silhouette & Fit

  • Vertical Emphasis: Long dresses, tunics, pants, loose/relaxed lines

  • Width Emphasis: Drop shoulders, dolman sleeves, batwings, wide leg pants

  • Straight with Flow: Straight, slightly oversized garments with a slight taper or unstructured shape is perfect for you

  • Avoid: Clingy or overly tailored fits (you aren’t a Romantic or Dramatic!)

Prints & Patterns

  • Abstract: Swirls, brush strokes, irregular shapes, tie dye (organic looking, high-contrast)

  • Organic/Freeform: Mimic natural elements (waves, leaves, bark, marble), animal print (giraffe, zebra, snake - must be bold, not overdone)

  • Bold Patterns: Large scale (1.2 in or 3 cm), florals (tropical, wild, hand-painted, not delicate roses), freeform, bold geometric, stripes (wide, uneven, diagonal - avoid narrow)

  • Avoid: Tiny/ditsy florals, classic polka dots, cute patterns, baroque styles, traditional plaids, pinstripes

Accessories

  • Large Scale & Chunky: In order to match your stunning width and vertical (oversized hoops, cuffs, statement necklaces)

  • Natural Materials: Wood, leather, stone, raw materials (pearls, gold, silver, etc)

  • Purses: Slouchy bags, big totes, fringe details (FN rule of thumb in all things: if it looks like you got in a fight with a cat or has tentacles like an octopus it’s for you!)

  • Belts: (can be tricky with a vertical accommodation, so proceed with caution) can be wide and worn low, even slouchy

Shoes

  • Pointed-Toe Styles: Adds elongation and sharpness (particularly tapered - aka, round and pointed had a baby)

  • Height Increasing Styles: Wedges, platforms, chunky heels, cowboy boots

  • Flower Child Styles: Loafers, moccasins, Birkenstocks, strappy sandals

  • Avoid: Dainty, delicate, girly shoes - (aka rounded toe)

Tops & Dresses

Tops

  • Short or Long: Boxy crop tops, longline tops, tunics (emphasizes vertical)

  • Organic Texture: Knitwear, linen, cashmere, cotton, etc

  • Slightly Oversized: Enhances your width - drop shoulder, oversized button-downs, slouchy sweaters

  • Cropped Sleeves Above the Wrist: Enhances sharp, compact lines.

  • Avoid: Overly fitted button-down styles

DRESSES

  • Short or Long Lengths: Needed to emphasize vertical/height (mini or maxi)

  • Asymmetrical or Draped Designs: Adds movement and interest

  • Look For: Straight or slightly A-line cuts, relaxed wrap dresses, shirt dresses, sweater dresses, maxi dresses

Skirts & Pants

SKIRTS

  • Choose Movement: Flow, wrap, tulip, slits, draping, etc create movement

  • Short or Longer lengths: Mini, midi or maxi (for vertical emphasis)

  • Avoid: pencil skirts or too much structure

Pants

  • Relaxed: Too much structure looks off on you; pick boyfriend jeans, cargo pants, or harem pants

  • Wide: Wide leg, flared, palazzo pants

  • High-Waisted: Fine if waistband is a bit soft/slouchy

OUTERWEAR, JACKETS
& Sweaters

outerwear & jackets

  • Long & Oversized: Dusters, trench coats with drape, relaxed/oversized denim

  • Supple Materials: Soft leather or suede jackets, long knit cardigans

  • Avoid: Tight fitting blazers

Hair & Makeup

Hair

  • Effortless & Wild: Tousled, beachy waves or shaggy layers

  • Texture, Texture: Emphasize yours! Wavy, curly, or voluminously straight

  • Long: Longer hair works very well for FNs

  • Avoid: Overly sharp, geometric, or structured cuts (especially straight bangs…YIKES)

Makeup

  • Undone Look: More is less for you, typically (this is definitely essence dependent).

  • Smoky: Depending on your color season, smoking out your eyes with a smudged, undone color is typically stunning on you

  • Brows: We like a full brow on you - no overplucking here, babe

  • Avoid: liquid eyeliner or an overly precise/sculpted look

Brands for
Soft Dramatics

Brands that love you back embrace wide necklines, drape & flow, long (or short!) lines, and bold patterns. Ones like the below are no brainers:

  • Carolina Herrera

  • Mara Hoffman

  • Ramona LaRue

  • Jaki London

  • Johnny Was

  • Free People

  • Madewell

  • Anthropologie

The soft Dramatic MindseT

Style is about embracing your natural structure with confidence. The Soft Dramatic aesthetic is graceful yet powerful, striking yet refined. Embrace your natural curves and elongated silhouette, and let your wardrobe reflect your powerful elegance.

Discover Your Personal Style

At Maeve Mélange, we celebrate the beauty of every body type, offering Style Analysis, Personal Styling, Personal Shopping, and inspiration tailored to your unique body type. Learn more about our services below!