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. We'll be discussing Kibbe body type ideas in this article, and specifically, ways to dress as a Theatrical Romantic body type.
Because I am a theatrical romantic, this is the type I feel I have the best understanding for. I've always intuitively known that dressing for your body is super important and in my opinion is the key in going from trendy and cute to timeless and sophisticated. And although I've always know dressing for my body is important, I've made mistakes dressing for my body type that 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) of my body type. If you're a theatrical romantic, I hope some of these 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 that are recommended for us. I feel like someone who resonates with their zodiac sign and is insufferably proud of that. 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 actually 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 do 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 have our own unique style. But, the Kibbe system can help us figure out what silhouettes and overall aesthetics flatter our body type, as well as teaching us how to create different shock factors or expressions creatively.
Theatrical Romantics Silhouettes
Theatrical Romantics are the second most yin dominant on the yang-to-yin body type scale. So, that means that 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, and romantics in general, can easily drown in stiff fabric and straight lines because of our short limbs. Not only are we petite, but we have to accommodate for the softness in our bones and flesh. This means that anything too sharp, oversized, thick or straight can also drown us. Clothing that's soft, flowing and curve accommodating look 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
When it comes to 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 on your frame and custom-made for you 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 a short lines underneath, such as a ruched, fitted top, or a slight 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 just works for our body type. Short lines in clothes works with the short lines found in our body.
Soft sleeve shapes, such as bell, peasant or puff sleeves will look great on a theatrical romantic. Because the sharp, narrowness of usually found in TRs' shoulders, we can get away with some added sharpness near our shoulders and décolletage. The kind of sharpness that looks amazing on TRs are still delicate and small, such as the point of a plunge neckline, a blunt off the shoulder top, or jewel details. Finding soft and rounded shapes that are narrow with cinched edges, such as batwing sweaters and tops work the absolute best on theatrical romantics. Peplum tops are often recommended for TRs even though, again, 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 actually hated peplum when it was really popular and didn't hop on the trend because I thought I hated peplum. I think the peplum tops that were trendy in 2012 had really sharp and stiff flares to them after it cinched at the waist. The type of peplum tops that I prefer on myself are soft, small peplums that are made with light, flowing fabrics, such as a few of the top recommendations below.
- Pale pink Peplum tank
- Bali top
- Cinched peplum blazer
- Knit cream sweater
- Crepe peplum blouse
- Cropped puffer vest
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, loose fabric but tapering on the ankles and waist. Harem pants are a great representation of what a Theatrical Romantic is shaped like: soft and round but with tailored cinching on the edges, sort of like us. With soft, flowing fabric and tailored details, not only can they be more glamorous than jeans, but they're also extremely comfortable and great for travel days or working from home. For a professional look, straight cigarette pants look really flattering. Knit trousers with a defined waist can also be a good casual choice and will look great on a TR as well.
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. High waisted denim with short lines can make casual looks feel laid-back and effortless.
- Safari harem pants
- Classic black cigarette pants
- Knit casual trousers
- Curve Love High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jeans
- White mid-rise 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 due to both having 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 tend to drown a TR's frame or can look too stiff. Midi-length garments should have added softness and curve accommodation, such as being form-fitted, wearing something like a silk slip skirt with a belted waist and fitted top, or having an asymmetrical hemline with ruching or soft ruffles. Regardless of what personal style you have, you can add glamorous details such as lace to any outfit, even if it's on the seams of the garment. Lace is such a defying detail for theatrical romantics and perfectly encompasses a theatrical romantic.
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 have a huge impact in how an outfit is tied together and it can impact your lines (angularity, softness, how tall you appear) tremendously. Once you have a few different 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) are going to 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, with soft, delicate features and potentially some sharp details.
Two designers that come to mind when thinking about Theatrical Romantic is René Caovilla and Badgley Mischka. René Caovilla with their signature strappy, jeweled shoes and snake details perfectly embodies TR aesthetic: feminine, delicate, with a touch of danger. Think overly feminine with a touch of masculine: animal influence and patterns, mixed with fine gemstones and glitz and glamour contrasted with an unexpected element. 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 really cool as long as it's still moderate in proportion to your frame. Wearing sneakers such as Jordans can give off a really cool vibe and look good with a pair of harem joggers or even a mini skirt. 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.
You have an exaggerated understanding of the yang in tr. The yang is just a sprinkle of salt. And no, Aline are not supportive of their rounded lines.
Some of your links aren’t working.
Hi Maria- thanks so much for alerting me! I tried fixing all of them with updated links to similar items 🙂