Do I need a Face & Body Type Style Analysis?
- Joanna
- Dec 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 18
What is in this article?
Can't I just style myself?
David Kibbe's 'Metamorphosis'
Dwyn Larson's 'All Types of Beauty'
Stylemap's 'Style Analysis'
David Kitchener's 'Essences'
Horizontal and vertical body shapes
An artistic approach to body shapes
Can't I just style myself?
Yes, of course! From past experience of experimenting with different styles or an intuitive understanding of which styles do not suit us, we typically gain an instinctive grasp of which styles do flatter us. Many times, we partially get an outfit right, but we are not sure exactly which parts work and why. A face and body type analysis allows us to be more intentional in our choices.
David Kibbe's 'Metamorphosis'
Many body type enthusiasts recognise David Kibbe's body typing system from his initial book, 'Metamorphosis' (1987) and have attempted to identify their own 'Image Identity' or 'Kibbe type.' Many have explored different possibilities and perhaps, discovered their best fit Image Identity. Others, perhaps, have abandoned the effort, feeling confused by the unclear outcomes. I started my own exploration of this in 2012.
David Kibbe's style philosophy proposes that lack of perfect balance has it's own beauty, and we can utilise our Image Identity guidelines to emphasise this and create our own 'look', irrespective of whether the resulting appearance aligns with traditional or so-called 'ideal' beauty standards.
Dwyn Larson's 'All Types of Beauty'
In approximately 2015, I came across Dwyn Larson's website, initially called '20 Types of Beauty' and later renamed 'All Types of Beauty.' Larson extended the Kibbe typology to accommodate body types that don't perfectly align with Kibbe's framework. I communicated over email with Dwyn about her system and she requested my assistance with editing her style guides for the different types. She also identified my type.
Stylemap's 'Body Type Style Analysis'
David Kibbe now emphasises the overall silhouette and how fabric falls over it, as discussed in 'David Kibbe's Power of Style,' 2025, instead of urging people to categorise themselves using the quiz from 'Metamorphosis,' 1987. I think that with his extensive experience as a successful personal stylist, Kibbe now provides a more subjective and artistic approach.
In my experience with clients, I've discovered that your style's artistry naturally complements your physical appearance when it mirrors the bone structure and features of your face. I think this more objective method of styling provides even those with minimal styling experience or confidence the means to craft looks that are effective.
I now use the results of facial analysis (your'Style ID') to guide the artistry of your appearance: the garment 'finish,' as well as hair, makeup, jewellery and accessory guidelines; the 'inside' styling lines of an outfit. I use the results of body analysis (your'Body ID') to guide the size and shape of lines, cut, fabric and drape; the 'outside' styling lines of an outfit. The analysis report will show you how to combine these results in a way that is uniquely flattering to you.
David Kitchener's 'Essences'
While I am intrigued by the idea that your face hold various 'Essences', I consider the process of identifying a client's essences to be subjective, when it includes personality traits. Nevertheless, there is likely a link between the lines and features associated with these 'Essences' and your 'Style ID.' Nonetheless, I do believe your personality and psychology significantly influence how you express yourself aesthetically and how you are perceived by others; the results of which can be used in conjunction with the Style Analysis in the Psychological Style Analysis.
Horizontal and vertical body shapes
Along with evaluating your image identity, I assess both your vertical and horizontal body shapes and provide a checklist of styling techniques designed to visually downplay or emphasise certain features for a more balanced look. These methods can be used if you feel self-conscious about certain aspects of your appearance and want to achieve a more visually balanced look whilst also adhering to your 'Style ID' and 'Body ID' guidelines.
Some personal stylists apply these balancing techniques only to create a flattering look for the client. However, this can sometimes lead to neglecting the overall harmony between the outfit and the client's face and body type. Without an understanding of image identity, the stylist may overlook other potentially more effective options.
An artistic approach to body shapes
Going further into individual artistry, Carla Mason Mathis and Helen Villa Connor demonstrate in their book, 'Timeless Beauty' (1993), techniques for accentuating and minimising various body shapes and features to achieve a range of desired style effects, all of which, at one point in history have been celebrated in art and fashion. This can help us see ourselves through a more timeless lens. I take a brief look at some of the changing body shape ideals through time in the following article:https://www.stylemap.com/article/style-refections-ii-body-shapes-in-fashion
