Kibbe Soft natural
Body Type:

The Ultimate Guide

to Styling Your Relaxed, Elegant Silhouette

At Maeve Mélange, we celebrate the beauty of every Image Identity (body types isn’t what Kibbe calls them), and this page focuses on the effortless balance of the Soft Natural silhouette. This type blends a broad, slightly angular frame (YANG, pronounced YAH-ng) with a touch of softness (leaning YIN), creating a relaxed yet refined presence. There’s an inherent ease to this body type—never too sharp, never overly delicate—just an organic harmony of structure and curve.

What Defines the SOFT Natural Image Identity?

Soft Naturals (SN) are characterized by their broad shoulders and fleshy limbs, creating a natural blend of strength and softness. Their Kibbe “accomodation” (aka what makes them special) is width and curve - their clavicle is wider than their hip bones and therefore causes their shoulders to flare and become the widest part of their body, along with having a curve at their hip. 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. 

SNs have a softly defined hourglass figure and shine in styles that highlight natural shapes and gentle tailoring. Their look thrives in effortlessly chic silhouettes—never stiff, never overly structured—exuding an easy, timeless charm that feels both approachable and sophisticated. Here we call them ‘the Greek Goddess’ because when we dress them for special occasions we think, “Would they wear this on Mount Olympus?”

key features of a SOFT Natural:

  • Moderate to Small Height – Typically of average to shorter stature

  • Angular Bones with Broad Shoulders – A slightly athletic, yet natural frame

  • Fleshy Limbs, Hands, & Feet – Soft upper arms/thighs complement their angular bones; while hands/feet are moderate in size and slightly fleshy (aka soft)

  • Smaller Waist in Proportion to Bust and Hips – Doesn’t have to look like a corset, just has to be proportionally smaller

  • Blunt or Irregular Facial Features – Soft Naturals often have blunt, square, or slightly irregular facial structures, enhancing their unrefined, natural beauty

  • Soft Facial Features – Full lips, round eyes (though not always), and noses that range from small to broad create a harmonious balance of structure and softness

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

  • Height: Typically moderate (5'2" - 5’6”)

You’re Not a soft NATURAL If…

Soft Naturals require a blend of broad shoulders and a curvy hip — if any of the traits below resonate, you’re probably a different body type:

  • Your features are evenly balanced without a mix of broadness and softness

  • Your arms and legs are lean or sinewy rather than soft and fleshy

  • Your bone structure is delicate or fragile instead of broad and angular

  • Your facial features are sharp or intensely angular rather than softened

  • Your hips are narrow and straight instead of rounded and full

Jennifer Lopez, Scarlett Johansson, Doris Day, Fergie, Katy Perry, Jane Fonda, Viola Davis, Kamala Harris, Julie Andrews, Kat Dennings, Shakira, Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears

Soft Natural Female Celebrities

Sources: E!News, GettyImages, Variety

The Soft Natural

Style Code

Effortless ease. Organic movement. The Soft Natural body type thrives in relaxed, unstructured silhouettes with subtle shaping. With a naturally feminine yet free-spirited frame, your wardrobe should embrace flowing fabrics, asymmetric details, and a softly defined waist—creating a look that is polished, yet never stiff.

soft natural silk top by maeve melange

Fabrics & Materials

  • Soft, Flowing Fabrics: Fabrics that drape, breathe, and move naturally

  • Moderate & Lightweight Materials: Light fabrics for daily wear, moderate weight for outerwear

  • Natural Fibers: Linen, cotton, cashmere, and silk provide breathability and comfort

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

Necklines

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

  • Relaxed Styles: Cowl necks, flowy v-neck, collarless, soft drape

  • Avoid: Stiff collars, tight necklines, or intricate embellishments

kibbe flamboyant natural woman in wide leg pants and open neck blouse

Silhouette & Fit

  • Width & Curve Accommodating: Slightly oversized with draping stuns on you

  • Mantra: “Would a Greek Goddess wear this?” (doesn’t need to be dressy, can be casual)

  • Subtle Waist Definition: Swoops and gathers on dresses, belts the same color as the dress/skirt, & folds at the waist in dresses are all perfect examples of ‘soft’ waist emphasis

  • Avoid: Stiff tailoring and overly structured fits (that’s for Dramatics!)

Prints & Patterns

  • Moderate Size, Rounded Shapes: No bigger than a quarter (2.5 cm)

  • Abstract & Blended Prints: watercolor, ombre, marble/swirl, brushstroke

  • Soft Textures: Tactile fabrics like suede, soft leather, velvet, and cashmere

  • Avoid: large and angular patterns (triangles, diamonds, harsh/emphasized lines)

Accessories

  • Soft, Rounded Shapes: No larger than a quarter (2.5 cm)

  • Slouchy Bags: Large, rounded, shapeless bags (aka ‘boho bags’ - don’t worry if you don’t like the name, even Classic essences have a boho bag made for them)

  • Handmade, Creative Jewelry: The best place to find this is Etsy, Farmer’s Markets, or Craft Fair’s (if it looks like a hippie in a van made it, RUN - it’s for you!)

  • Organic Materials: Usually made out of leather, metal, pearls, feathers, gems, precious stones, etc. Anything real that came from the earth is perfect.

  • Avoid: Wire jewelry, geometric designs, arrows, chandelier earrings, tons of vertical/elongation

Shoes

  • Open-Toe Styles: Adds an airy, relaxed feel (espadrilles, anyone?)

  • Round-Toe Shapes & Minimal Detail: Simple, clean designs work best (The Natural/Naturals are gonna love this one: yes, Birkenstocks count here)

  • Tapered Styles: A comfortable, stylish option (If pointed and rounded had a baby, it’s this - essentially it’s every shoe that isn’t pointed, rounded, or square.

  • Avoid: Pointed toes and stiletto heels (you aren’t a Dramatic, there isn’t enough Yang in you for these)

plus size flamboyant natural mini dress

Tops & Dresses

Tops

  • Relaxed Fit with Gentle Draping: Not too tight, not too loose

  • Effortless Layers: Light, unstructured layers add depth

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

  • Best Sleeve Types: Dolman, batwing, raglan, flutter, peasant

  • Best Sleeve Lengths: 3/4 and the widest part of your upper arm (typically where your bust meets your armpit)

  • Avoid: Overly fitted button-down styles

DRESSES

  • Subtle Waist Definition: Swoops and gathers on dresses, belts the same color as the dress/skirt, & folds at the waist in dresses are all perfect examples of ‘soft’ waist emphasis

  • Best Dress Lengths: Slightly above the knee or midi

  • Look For: Relaxed wrap dresses, A-line dresses, shirt dresses, tiered/peasant dresses (you’re basically the only type that gets these, it’s your duty to ROCK THEM for the rest of us!)

  • Avoid: Stiff, tight silhouettes - need to emphasize width and curve

Skirts & Pants

SKIRTS

  • Skirt Length: Slightly above the knee, midi length, and sometimes maxi (truly depends on the SN)

  • Flared: Softly flared skirts follow natural curves

  • Tiered: Skirts with tiers (typically three) are for you; make sure they’re flowy

  • Shaped at the Hip: Skirts should gently flow over the body

  • Bias-Cut: Enhances movement and organic elegance

  • Avoid: Overly fitted, skin tight, or thick/starched fabric skirts

Pants

  • Best Pant Length: Lower than a crop, but higher than the ankle (it’s that perfect midway), slightly tapered/pegged

  • Soft, Draped Fabrics: Linen on you is -chef’s kiss-

  • Straight or Mom Jeans: Relaxed fits provide balance

  • Pegged & Folded Hems: Adds a natural, laid-back touch

  • Avoid: Sharp tailoring, straight jumpsuits, skinny jeans

OUTERWEAR, JACKETS
& Sweaters

outerwear & jackets

  • Unstructured with Subtle Waist Shaping: Relaxed, yet polished

  • Belted Jackets (Soft Fabric): Adds shape without rigidity

  • Shorter Lengths: Avoid heavy, long coats - best length for heavier jackets is cropped or right above the knee

  • Long, Soft Coat (Left Open): Adds effortless movement and best length is midi

  • Best Sweaters: Wrap sweaters, tunics, textured/chunky knit pullovers, midi-length dusters

  • Avoid: heavy coats, thick materials, stiff materials

Hair & Makeup

Hair

  • Free & Soft: Natural movement over structured styles (ya look better with a little bed head)

  • Loose & Layered – Frames the face softly (curtain bangs, anyone?)

  • Tousled Waves & Soft Curls: Think mermaid

  • Moderate to Long Length: Versatile and easy to style

  • Avoid: Pixie or angled cuts and sharp bangs

Makeup

  • Light, Natural Finish: Wearing too much makeup looks like a costume on you

  • Soft, Well-Blended Colors: Smoky, blended, smudged

  • Pink Cheeks: Looks like you’ve been basking in the sun

  • Glossy, Natural Lips: Get your lip color, just a tad bit better and in a satin or gloss

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

Brands for
soft Naturals

Brands that love you back embrace wide necklines, relaxed silhouettes, and gentle waist emphasis. Ones like the below are no brainers:

  • Aday

  • Karen Kane

  • Anthropologie

  • Boden

  • Free People

  • Madewell

  • Eileen Fisher

  • Sezane

  • Ulla Johnson

  • Mara Hoffman

  • Rachel Pally

The soft Natural MindseT

Style is about embracing your natural beauty. The Soft Natural aesthetic is all about effortless movement, organic flow, and relaxed elegance. When you lean into your natural lines, you exude all the confidence of a Greek Goddess.

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!