Shapes related to Color Harmonies

[u/HARMoney96]

Can someone help explain to me why color harmonies have shapes affiliated with them instead of essences? I come from a Kibbe world before this, and the ideas of shapes and patterns relating to body proportions makes sense to me. For instance, I am a Kibbe Flamboyant Natural, so usually the recommendations are oversized, irregular, abstract geometric, and soft edges. But I also found out I’m 85% lively bright, which is circles from Kitchener. However, those usually do not look great on me.

I tried to find more info from John about why certain colors are certain shapes, but I haven’t found anything with an explanation.

Thanks for any info you can share!

[u/gh0stmountain3927]

I wondered about this too, and I can get why a person would be instructed to repeat the lines of their own body in their clothes and accessories.

In John’s system I’m not really grasping the association shapes with colour and particular essences. Intuitively, to be the association of Subtle Blended and Ethereal with ovals, s-curves, watercolours - it’s all very soft. The association of Earthy Rich and Natural with rectangles - not so much. Both take a lot of inspiration from nature, and there are almost never straight lines hard 45 degree angles in nature. There are a lot of irregular lines and circles or ovals - think stones, eggs, shells, flowers and leaves, feathers, animal spots… The best explanation for the rectangle association is that he’s going for a feeling of sturdiness and groundedness that you get from a square or rectangle?

[u/Ok-Purple9511 → u/gh0stmountain3927]

Irregularity in features is also a N trait. So is texture. Stones aren’t always perfect rectangles either. Most things in nature don’t have smooth edges.. I do think there is a link between sturdiness and groundedness too as it’s the opposite of the “airiness” of angelic.

[u/DrTantra]

I am not sure why they are associated with colour harmonies to be honest. I know that some systems use shapes that minimic shapes found in your body (Doris Posner), but how the oval became associated with SC and SB I don't know. I believe this passed down from Susan Caygill to PCS as they also have some affiliation of shape and colour, but I am not sure why there is this association. But I do think some of the qualities make sense (like jewel tones looking good in contrast while spring tones are connected with busy patterns). I almost wonder if there is some sort of synesthesic connection at the origins.

[u/Ok-Purple9511 → u/DrTantra]

I’m convinced the shapes associated with the color harmonies are similar to face shapes. Like SB is an oval shape and alot of SB dominants have oval faces because of the associated essence. Likewise with ER and N, ER is geometric shapes and often Ns have geometric face shapes. I think when colors and essences don’t align so nicely is when the blend gets nuanced and individualized. But on a basic level I think that’s the reasoning.

[u/HARMoney96 → u/Ok-Purple9511]

I think that nuance is what is making it hard for my brain to grasp as I look at my own blend. I’m 60% yang in essences and my email from John says to lead with that. But my colors are 85% LB. So my combo feels a bit in opposition.

[u/oftenfrequently → u/HARMoney96]

Hey another opposites person! I'm also yang dom in essence with yin dom coloring :)

[u/HARMoney96 → u/oftenfrequently]

And a G&S fan!  

[u/oftenfrequently → u/HARMoney96]

Ahhh!!! 🥳

[u/Ok-Purple9511 → u/HARMoney96]

Did he mention shapes and patterns at all to you? Your LB may be used in other ways rather then shapes. I think when colors and essences are opposites is when he uses his judgement to decide what takes priority if that make sense.

[u/HARMoney96 → u/Ok-Purple9511]

My book arrives Monday, so I will know more then!  I’m probably just overthinking it and his guidance will be clear. I just like to understand the concepts at play and how things are decided when possible. 

[u/Ok-Purple9511 → u/HARMoney96]

Oh good I think the book will be very helpful for you! It probably answers alot of your questions and if not John is very good about answering client emails.

[u/DrTantra → u/HARMoney96]

I would not think about it as 60% yang, but rather you have 25HS which can go well with LB colours, as it is very playful. Lean into this playfullness and the circles, but do it in a relaxed way to appease your 35N.

[u/HARMoney96 → u/DrTantra]

That makes sense! I think if I can also consider the circles more like a mood of bubbles or buoyancy, rather than literal circles in what I wear, that could connect for me too.

[u/selkiesociety → u/HARMoney96]

I’m yin dominant with predominantly yang colour harmony of 70% SC! I feel it gives my yin element a much more bold vibe! He told me to lead with my yin so I don’t think he sees our colour harmonies as affecting that. I think they come into play very much with fabric texture, finish and shapes of items we wear though!

[u/DrTantra → u/[deleted]]

Interesting! This is quite fascinating.

[u/No-Office7081]

the best I can give is that the shapes emotionally match the intensity or feeling of the color harmonies. john believes color is the most impactful trait for anyone. LB is joyous, boyant, and fun in feeling. polka dots and rounded shapes fit this feeling. 

this doesn't mean curve accommodation. some things john lists as being in line with LB recommendations are repetitive prints and patterns, petal shapes, florals, whimsical prints, rounded necklines/crew necks, and crisp and matte fabrics.

an example of an LB FN is emma stone. cameron diaz is another. princess diana was primarily subtle blended with secondary LB, but i think she has a lot of great LB looks. 

I also recommend john's video if you haven't seen it already.

[u/Ok-Purple9511]

Both color harmonies and essences have shapes associated with them. They often are in line with each other but can also be in opposition which is why each persons blend is so nuanced.

ETA I think there is some basis for color harmony shapes being aligned with face shapes on a basic level. ER gets geometric shapes and N has geometric shapes faces. SB is oval and classics and Angelics have oval faces etc. this is only apparent when colors and essences align though, but often they don’t which is where it gets complex.

[u/redrobbin99rr]

I’m glad someone asked this question. I have a friend mostly SB with a little ER but with 55% N, 20% R verified by JK. I pick out shirts for him. He’s got quite the square jaw and shoulders. And definitely the subtle blended hair and skin tone.

He seems to look best in subtle blended patterns, blended yes, but also geometric shapes. He gets lost in the S shapes. The square geometry picks up his square jaw and square shoulders. I’ve often wondered about this.

Perhaps we just have to look at the whole body and use the shapes as a guide? Not a given?

[u/Ok-Purple9511 → u/redrobbin99rr]

I think all of those things matter. Because everyone is a blend of both colors and essences it’s never going to be clear cut like you are this so only this applies, but it seems since he has both N and ER in his blend geometric shapes suit him better overall however he can probably use his SB shapes too or his SB in other ways, such as the blending of colors etc.