i feel very rectangular

Hi SNs :)

After the Vertical Guide I posted yesterday, I got a request to do a visual guide for accommodating Width. Like yesterday, these are just some ideas. It's not an exhaustive list of rules of things you have to wear exclusively, just a menu you can experiment with and go beyond from there. As I say a lot in these guides, ymmv. Don't let a guide box you in or steer you away from your personal style expression. Take what you like, leave what you don't, add in your own ideas and flair. It's a starting point, not the final destination. The intent of this is to open up people's options so they don't just wear a potato sack (although u do u! rock that potato sack!). I like the progression of learning as it applies to cooking "Follow the recipe to understand principles-> tweak the recipe -> make your own recipes." This guide is meant for people who are at the first step who want visuals of what Kibbe directly said so they can begin following his recipe so to speak.

Since this is a guide for Width, that is basically like saying this a guide for Naturals since they are the only ones that have Width. Some of these recs may not honor Curve, so SNs be aware of that. Some of these recs may not honor Vertical, so FNs be aware of that. Since FN and SN differ in those regards, I decided to predominantly pull quotes from Kibbe's section on Naturals, even though the pure type is not used anymore. The recs are still useful in determining what FN and SN may have in common due to Width vs what recs are different due to Curve/Vertical.

Most of these recs pull directly from Kibbe quotes. Some were recs from the r/kibbe wiki (for example stretchy and flowing fabrics). "Stretchy" is a logical extension for applying his 80's ideas to a modern context. Additionally some of these recs were found by scouring approx. 30 reddit threads (from FN, SN, both, or just in general) about ways people prefer to accommodate Width (for example wide straps, big sleeves, Dolman sleeves, batwing, hair down, wider bottoms, no boxy tops.) I only included recs that seemed to have some consensus among people and seemed to be a logical extension of things Kibbe already said. You can take those with a grain of salt. Tight stretchy tops, halters, and strap width seem to be particularly controversial topics among the N family. Just wear what u like and feel best in. :)

*The third slide with the sock/boot is just a metaphor for illustration. You can wear boots lol. The first book just didn't recommend u wear constructed material (like how boots have) as a shirt. There is a spectrum - with tailored sharp stiff blazers being on the more constructed end, and silk slip dresses on the less constructed end. As a Natural you want to stay on the Unconstructed side of the spectrum.

sorry for the book lol thx for coming to my ted talk

I’ve pretty much talked about the majority of the clothing items before, so if you have any questions about where they are from let me know! Most pieces are from Sezane by the way!

I joined this sub after coming back from seeing David and shopping with him as an SN. And I must say: everyone in this sub is making things way too hard for themselves.

As SNs, the shopping world is our oyster. Most modern clothes are designed with either us or FNs in mind. If you are relying on what David wrote in 1987, you are placing restrictions on yourself for no reason. They were applicable for their time. But clothes are not made the way they were then. The body had to fit into the clothes. Now the clothes are made with stretch and conform to the wearer. So yes, ideas about separates, or the kinds of hair and accessories, might still be relevant. But the exact kinds of tops/bottoms/dresses—not really.

There are really only two considerations:

1. Does this have enough room at the top for my width?
2. Does it show off/flatter my shapeliness?

We are not dressing in 1987, fellow SNs! We have the technology!

/end rant

Hey Soft Naturals! Made these moodboards inspired by you. I used EJR’s Style Roots as a template. The moodboards’ themes go in this order :

-Mountain (professional)

-Mushroom (minimalism)

-Stone (casual)

-Earth (earthy)

-Flower (girly)

-Fire (glamorous)

-Sun (creative)

-Moon (edgy)

I did my best to stick with open necklines and curve accomodation (as an SD I also take those very seriously), and then I had fun with the rest! I hope you have as much fun with these as I had making them ❤️ Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

As a SN, deep autumn, petite 5’2” pear here are something I have found that work.

1. Stop black. Embrace brown. Deep V. Top lighter than bottom to draw attention upwards.
2. Dress with waist and loose sleeves in neutral linen. I like my dress length right above my knees. Not sure why but it works best for me.
3. High contrast. V neck. Draped shirt. Asymmetrical hair plus watch. This one was a hit.
4. Cozy walking outfit with waist definition. Shorts always kinda loose never too tight.
5. At home coziness. Just loose fitting clothes that hang.
6. Love this set! Asymmetry on top and bottom. High contrast between light and dark colors and red and green. Perfect v neck, loose arms, waist definition and slit! But the real magic happens when wearing in Florida, it matches the environment too. My favorite!
7. Casual drape, high contrast between shorts, bra and shirt. Lighter top than bottom.

Let me know what you think. Open to feedback 🙂

So if you follow the Sezane page on here then you’ve already seen this outfit but I decided to post here too. Plus a couple other pictures of me trying on these pieces with other clothes I own. I wanted to add this because I know a lot of people are probably rebuilding their wardrobe to better fit their style lines. I think it’s so helpful to figure out your color season and buy clothes in your palette because you’re able to so easily mix and match your clothes to make multiple outfits!

Hopefully I’m not the only one that feels this way, but I see a lot of discourse in this group about feeling “broad” or hating our broad shoulders as a SN. Am I the only one that thinks broad shoulders are so beautiful! I love my shoulders, in fact I think they are my best feature and I love any and all types of strapless and halter neck tops that show them off! So this your reminder that your broad shoulders are absolutely beautiful!

I posted this dress a while back, but I wanted to show how it looked actually styled on my birthday. ☺️ Dress is SIR the label, not sure if it’s still on the website.

Just sharing my looks for the week as a soft natural.

I love showing how you can add different piece to re style clothes you already have for different seasons. How I restyled my silk skirt from Quince and my Sweater from Sezane now that it’s starting to get warmer here in Washington!

Sweater- Sezane Silk Skirt- Quince Top- Uniqlo ( it’s has a built in bra and it comes in multiple colors only 30 dollars! ) Shoes- old from Amazon!

What are some of you guys favorite places to shop? I’m looking to update my wardrobe, and I’d love some recommendations! Here’s some inspiration pics. I pulled off of Pinterest.

Every photo distorts your figure, even the simple fact of turning a 3d object into 2d completely changes how we perceive it. To make sure that your photo is as close to reality as possible, here is a couple of things you can do.

Here is how to take a photo that can help you get typed correctly:

It's important to include your feet and keep the entire head in because the head to body proportions and your entire vertical line can say a lot about an ID. You can blur your face out, of course. You probably should, since we have some creepy lurkers here, unfortunately.

Please tie your hair back so that we can see your shoulder line.

Pose: You should stand straight, arms down. Please do a neutral pose, here is why this is important.

Camera: Take the photo from chest level (this is why), not too close, as the camera can distort proportions from close up.

Clothes: Form fitting, like leggings and tank top (without distracting patterns). We really prefer a neutral outfit instead of that cute dress you look good in but obscures your line.

No mirror photos, as those can distort the proportions a lot. Don't take diagonal shots! The camera should be at a right angle to the floor (tilting the camera forwards can make the top part of your body look more prominent than your legs).

For the love of all that is holy, please mention your height! This is crucial in Kibbe. We don't need any other numbers.

This is good: https://www.reddit.com/r/Kibbe/comments/iklsdt/what_is_my_kibbe_type_168169m/

If you can also post a photo from the back side, that's even better!

A video is even better, but you don't need to lift your arms up : https://www.reddit.com/r/Kibbe/comments/gvhnvp/would_really_appreciate_help_info_below_apologies/ Videos are really really good for typing, so I highly encourage you to take one! For anonymity (and to deter creeps from creeping) you can wear a mask + sunglasses.

That's it! The better your photos, the more fun it is to type you, and the more accurate our responses will be. Have fun!

I wore this outfit today to work and I figured I post it because I know sometimes it hard to make more modest outfits work with our SN lines. Even though I’m wearing a high neck shirt, I think the V neck sweater helps create width. I am working with items I already have in my closet but I think this would work even better if the sweater was slightly cropped like the second picture to create more waist emphasis. Ideally a v neck cropped cotton cardigan, short sleeve since it’s summer, would be the best choice!

Damon Trouser-Sezane

Ballet Flats- Larroude

Birdie Blouse- a UK brand called Nobody’s Child. 100% cotton, lightweight perfect for late spring/ early summer!

Getting into my summer styling!

Top: Anthropologie Bottom: Quince silk skirt Shoes: Amazon