Theatrical Romantic Style Part 1: Silhouettes

If you haven’t read my article on How To Use Seasonal Color Palette Analysis and Kibbe Body Types To Elevate Your Style & Confidence– start there, especially if you’re new to either Kibbie body type and color seasons. In this article, we’ll discuss what shapes and silhouettes look best on Theatrical Romantic body types. 

Because I am a theatrical romantic, this is the type I feel I have the best understanding of. I’ve always intuitively known that dressing for body type is super important and, in my opinion, is the key to going from trendy and cute to timeless and sophisticated. Although I’ve always known dressing for my body is important, I’ve made mistakes dressing for my body type, and I understand how what I was doing was unflattering and correct those mistakes. I also understand how to create any effect I want now that I know (or am pretty positive) about my Kibbe body type. If you’re a theatrical romantic, I hope some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way will be helpful. Of course, when it comes to actual style, we are all so unique, and that’s what makes fashion fun, but our body types can help us filter through which silhouettes, shapes, lines, and details can automatically make us shine. 

 I’m so happy to be a theatrical romantic because I resonate the most with the style suggestions and tips recommended. I feel like someone who resonates with their zodiac sign and is insufferably proud. But, hey, we all have our wins, okay? I love femme fatal, dark feminine style that’s classically associated with theatrical romantics. It’s feminine and sexy yet balanced with a touch of disruption. But first, let’s talk about lines, silhouettes, and general advice for theatrical romantics that will ensure you know exactly what clothes to look for while shopping and how to feel confident in them. 

Theatrical romantic is the most misunderstood and rare of all the types- not that that means anything, it’s just true. It’s not the most desired type, as the Kibbe system isn’t about having “good” or “bad” features but about objectively embracing what exists and celebrating each body type’s unique beauty. But, if you think you are a theatrical romantic, some of these style tips can work for you when thinking about your wardrobe. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all system- each of us has our own unique style. However, the Kibbe system can help us figure out what silhouettes and overall aesthetics flatter our body type and teach us how to creatively create different shock factors or expressions. 

Theatrical Romantics Silhouettes

Theatrical Romantics are the second most yin-dominant body type on the yang-to-yin body type scale. So, just like us, our clothes should also be yin. What is yin? Yin refers to being soft, round, petite, and delicate. Petite, in this context, means having narrow and short bones, not being small in terms of weight. So, no matter your current weight, you can apply these tips and tricks if you’re a TR. 

So, as you may have guessed, the silhouettes recommended for TRs are those with lines that are soft, round, and petite. Theatrical romantics can easily drown in stiff fabric and straight lines because of our short limbs. We are petite and have to accommodate for the softness of our bones and flesh. Anything too sharp, oversized, thick, or straight can also drown us. Clothing that’s soft, flowing, and curve accommodating looks amazing on romantics. Things that fall into this category are ruching, light-flowing fabrics such as tailored silk, delicate ruffles, rounded, soft necklines, and waist emphasis.

Theatrical Romantic Silhouettes: Tops & Jackets

Regarding jackets, blazers, and even sweatshirts, a practical tip for theatrical romantics is to wear cropped ones. The funny thing is, if you’re genuinely a theatrical romantic and have double curve, cropped tops and jackets will elevate your look, unlike other body types. It will look tailored to your frame and custom-made when it hits your waist at the right spot. I’ve tailored some of my jackets and blazers to achieve a cropped version because I love the oversized blazer trend, but truthfully, it’s not a trend that makes me feel like my best self when I wear one. If I wear a sweater or jacket that’s not cropped, such as a longer cardigan or blazer, I always make sure to wear short lines underneath, such as a ruched, fitted top or a slightly flowing shirt tied at the waist. A high-waisted straight pant and cropped top won’t look dated on a theatrical romantic, even though the combo is often associated with being a Millennial relic of the 2010s because the silhouette compliments our body type.

Soft sleeve shapes like bell, peasant, or puff sleeves look great on a theatrical romantic. Because of the sharp narrowness usually found in TRs’ shoulders, we can get away with some added sharpness near our shoulders and décolletage. The sharpness that looks amazing on TRs is still delicate and small, such as the point of a plunging neckline, a blunt off-the-shoulder top, or jewel details.

Finding soft, rounded, narrow shapes with cinched edges, such as batwing sweaters and tops, works best on theatrical romantics. Peplum tops are often recommended for TRs, even though these are usually thought about as dated. I think people took the category of peplum and applied it to a specific style of top that did have its moment in the Millennial heyday where business casual to the clerb was hot. But there’s so much more to peplum than that top that pops into your head if you’re a Millennial. It’s like hating bourbon but claiming you hate all whiskey. I hated peplum when it was popular and didn’t hop on the trend because of the mainstream version of the blouse style. I think the trendy peplum blouses in the 2010s were normally sharp, stiff, and excessively structured. The type of peplum tops that I prefer are soft, small peplums made with light, flowing fabrics, such as a few of the top recommendations below. If I chose a structured peplum look, I would have to consider color, design, and cut. But more about that in part two, where we’ll discuss TR style and how to create an effect with our body type.

• Knit cream sweater 
• Cropped puffer vest
• Mina Bustier tank
• Bali top
• Navy Fitted Corset Blazer Jacket
• Crepe peplum blouse
• Mina Bustier Top

Theatrical Romantic Silhouettes: Pants & shorts

For pants, I feel like a mid-to-high waist will look best on TRS because of the waist emphasis and curve accommodation. Although this is a style preference and not a silhouette tip, theatrical romantics tend to shine with glamorous details and touches to their outfits. If you wear jeans, try wearing either dark or white denim for a dressier look; otherwise, flowing trousers also look amazing. TRs look incredible in gently sharp, tailored pants with a cinched waist made with soft fabrics.

I often see harem pants suggested to theatrical romantics because of the soft, flowy fit but tapering on the ankles and waist. Harem pants are soft and round but with tailored cinching on the edges, like Theatrical Romantics. With luxurious fabrics and tailored details, they can be more glamorous than jeans and extremely comfortable; great for travel days or working from home. For a professional look, straight cigarette pants look flattering as well. Knit trousers with a defined waist can also be a good casual choice and look great on a TR.

The same suggestions for pants can be applied to shorts. Soft, flowing fabrics with a defined waist, such as cargo pants made from silk, crepe, georgette, chiffon, or other lightweight fabrics, and high-waisted denim with short lines can make casual looks feel laid-back and effortless. The important elements are waist emphasis and cuts or fabrics that aren’t too loose or too structured.

• Lululemon dupe joggers 
• Comfy Wide Leg High-Waisted Shorts
• Safari harem pants
• Classic black cigarette pants
• Knit casual trousers
• Curve Love High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jeans
• Sleek black harem pants with pockets
• High-waisted tailored shorts
• Silk shorts

Theatrical Romantic Silhouettes: Skirts & Dresses

While A-line skirts are commonly recommended for flamboyant gamines, they can also work well for theatrical romantics because they have petite in our frames and our yang undercurrent. Midi-length dresses can look so beautiful on Theatrical Romantics, especially if there is waist accommodation and added softness, such as ruffles, lace, or an asymmetric hemline. For length, above-the-knee skirts and dresses look best, with midi-length dresses and skirts being situational depending on the garment. Stay away from anything straight knee-length or floor-length, as those lengths drown a TR’s frame or look too stiff. Midi-length garments should have added softness and curve accommodation, such as being form-fitted, wearing a silk slip skirt with a belted waist and fitted top, or having an asymmetrical hemline with ruching or soft ruffles. Regardless of your personal style, you can add glamorous details such as lace to any outfit, even if it’s on the seams of the garment. Lace is a defying detail for theatrical romantics and perfectly encompasses a theatrical romantic. 

• Square Neck Corset Dress
• Satin Lace Mini Dress
• Bodice Mini Bodycon Dress
• Slip skirt
• Lace Ruffle Skirt
• Midi Mermaid Skirt
• Bandage Midi Mermaid Skirt

Theatrical Romantic Silhouettes: Shoes

Shoes are often neglected when discussing and dissecting style for the body types, but it’s just as, if not sometimes, more important than the clothing themselves. Shoes greatly impact how an outfit is tied together and can tremendously impact your lines, such as angularity, softness, and how tall you appear. Once you have a few outfit templates in your arsenal that you trust, it’s just a matter of figuring out what shoes (and accessories- but that’s less important for silhouette purposes) will flatter the outfit and your body. For Theatrical Romantics, the same “rules” that apply to our clothing can apply to our shoes. Shoes with a slender profile, soft, delicate features, and potentially a few sharp details.

Two designers that come to mind when thinking about Theatrical Romantics are René Caovilla and Badgley Mischka. René Caovilla’s signature jeweled shoes and snake details perfectly embody the TR’s aesthetic: feminine, delicate, with a touch of edge or danger. Think overtly feminine with a touch of masculine: animal influence and patterns mixed with fine gemstones and glitz and glamour. For boots, knee-high works well with Theatrical Romantic as long as the profile is slender and the fabric isn’t too thick or rough.

Shoes are an amazing element to add an extra effect if that’s what your personal style needs. If you want to look edgy, going against your lines and wearing a chunkier boot can look cool if it’s still moderate to your frame. Wearing sneakers can work and look good with a pair of harem joggers or a mini skirt, but a slender, petite silhouette will always look more cohesive than a clunky one. Depending on your own vibe, your shoe can pull together whatever effect you’re going for, so look for ones with a slender to moderate profile that achieve whatever style you want to pull off. 

• Badgley Mischka Blanca Pump
• Frye Ivy Low Lace Sneaker
• Kitten Heel With Bow
• Heels with rhinestones
• Slip-On Madori Heel
• Maryana Croc Boot
• Satin slides
• Waterproof suede boots

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