How to Achieve a Minimal Look While Still Dressing to Your Body Type

I’m sure we’ve seen it all before: the simple objects on a white background, the rooms decorated with only a handful of plants and one candle, the clean and simple outfits that look effortlessly good. The minimalist aesthetic, which looks so easy to achieve, but in reality can be very time consuming to get.

Maybe you’ve tried to wear a minimal outfit, and for whatever reason it just looked wrong on you. Maybe you just don’t know where to start when it comes to having a minimal style.

In either case, don’t worry, because this post will help you achieve a minimal look while still dressing to your body type.

What is your body type?

In this post, I’m going to be using the Kibbe body type system. If you’re unfamiliar with them, the Kibbe body types are a series of 13 different body types, which are grouped into 5 families. You can read all about them in my overview of the Kibbe body types post.

I love this system of body types because it’s holistic. It takes into account your bone structure, flesh, and facial features in order to determine your body type. The suggestions for clothing are also ones that harmonize with your lines, rather than trying to correct them.

If you’re unfamiliar with which Kibbe body type you have, you can take this 15 question test to find out.

I won’t be covering silhouette suggestions in this post, as I’ve already gone over that in my post about the signature looks for the body types. That post also has some more info on the patterns, colors, and details that suit each body type, so I’d recommend checking it out.

Table of Contents

If you already know your Kibbe body type, then here’s a quick jump list for you. Just click on your body type, and it’ll bring you straight to the section on achieving a minimal look that suits you:

Romantic (R)
Theatrical Romantic (TR)
Dramatic (D)
Soft Dramatic (SD)
Classic (C)
Soft Classic (SC)
Dramatic Classic (DC)
Natural (N)
Soft Natural (SN)
Flamboyant Natural (FN)
Gamine (G)
Soft Gamine (SG)
Flamboyant Gamine (FG)

Romantic (R)

As a romantic, your body is soft, rounded, and extremely feminine, so make sure your clothing choices reflect that and you will always look cohesive and put together.

For more examples of romantic clothing and accessories, you can check out my romantic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials to wear, stick with soft and feminine materials such as soft cotton blends, cashmere, and silks. Though lace is a common material suggestion for romantics, the busyness of the material can interfere with achieving a minimal look.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, or black, going with a shade that has a similar darkness to your skin tone. Then add in a couple of pieces that are in light and airy shades for pops of color.

Outfits that have 1 to 2 colors throughout them will make you look put together, without overwhelming your features.

Details and patterns should be kept to a minimum. If you are going to be wearing something with a pattern, make sure that it is simple and rounded, such as a dot or floral pattern. Ruffles can take away from the minimal look, however soft pleating or gathers in the fabric will look great.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick to simple, clean, and rounded shapes. A pair of pearl earrings, or a simple necklace will go a long way.

Theatrical Romantic (TR):

As a theatrical romantic, your body is delicate, feminine, and shapely, so make sure your clothing reflects that and you will always look cohesive and put together.

For more examples of theatrical romantic clothing and accessories, you can check out my theatrical romantic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go with soft fabrics that have some draping to them, such as soft cotton blends, cashmere, and silks. Though lace is a common material suggestion for theatrical romantics, the busyness of the material can interfere with achieving a minimal look.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black. Then add a few pieces with rich but gentle shades for pops of color.

Outfits that have 1 to 3 colors throughout them will make you look put together, without overwhelming your features.

Details and patterns should be kept to a minimum. If you are going to be wearing something with a pattern, make sure that it is simple and rounded, such as a dot pattern. Ruffles can take away from the minimal look, however soft pleating or gathers in the fabric will look great.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick to simple and rounded pieces, with some slight ornateness. A delicate ring, or layering a few dainty necklaces will suit you well.

Dramatic (D):

As a dramatic, your body is long, lean, and straight, so make sure your clothing choices reflect that and you will always look cohesive and put together.

For more examples of dramatic clothing and accessories, you can check out my dramatic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go with stiff fabrics, such as leather, thick cotton blends, and wool. Make sure that your fabric is always clean and wrinkle free, and that it holds its shape well.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black, going with a shade that contrasts with your skin tone. Or go with a few pieces in bold colors to add some extra visual interest.

Try to go for a monochromatic look in your outfits, in one continuous line of color, to compliment the long lines of your bone structure.

Details and patterns should be kept to a minimum. If you are going to be wearing a pattern, make sure that it is simple and geometric. Verticle stripes or pin stripes are your best bet.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick to simple and angular pieces. Keep jewelry to a minimum though, as wearing no jewelry can make you look just as sophisticated.

Soft Dramatic (SD):

As a soft dramatic, your body is long, luscious, and womanly, so make sure your clothes reflect that and you will always look put together and cohesive.

For more examples of soft dramatic clothing and accessories, you can check out my soft dramatic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go with something slightly stiff, but that has a touch of feminity with some sheen or draping. Velvet, suede, and cotton blends will work well.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black. Then add in a few pieces in rich colors to add a pop of interest.

Monochromatic looks will be cohesive with your bone structure, so keep the number of colors in your outfits to a minimum.

Details and patterns should be kept to a mimimum. If you are going to be wearing a pattern, make sure that it is simple, rounded, and large. Any details to your clothes should also be large, to compliment your body.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick with simple but large pieces. Anything too small or dainty will contrast with your figure. One statement piece of jewelry, such as costume jewelry, will look sophisticated on you.

Classic (C):

As a classic, your body is very moderate, symmetrical, and balanced. Of all the body types, you will most easily suit the minimal look, since the signature look for classics and the minimal look have a lot of overlap.

For more examples of classic clothing and accessories, you can check out my classic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, the most important thing is to make sure that your fabrics are all clean, wrinkle free, and in good condition. Nothing will ruin your look as quickly as wrinkles, piling, or loose threads.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black. The number of colors in an outfit should be kept to a minimum, with around 1-2 colors.

Don’t wear patterns, as they quickly move your look away from being a minimal one.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick to something simple and symmetrical. Over-accessorizing is all too easy as a classic, so er on the side of caution and choose one jewelry piece for an outfit. Wearing no jewelry will also look very chic and clean.

Soft Classic (SC):

As a soft classic, your body is very symmetrical and moderate, but with an added touch of femininity. The minimal look suits you well, as the signature looks for members of the classic family and the minimal look have a lot of overlap.

For more examples of soft classic clothing and accessories, you can check out my soft classic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go with something that’s between moderately stiff or soft. The most important thing about your fabrics is that they are all clean, wrinkle free, and in good condition. Nothing will ruin your look as quickly as wrinkles, piling, and loose threads.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black. Your outfits should be simple when it comes to colors, so stick to 1-2 colors per outfit.

Don’t wear patterns, as they will quickly move your look away from being a minimal one.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick with something simple, rounded, and symmetrical. Over-accessorizing is all too easy for members of the classic family, so er on the side of caution and choose one jewelry piece for an outfit. Wearing no jewelry will also look very chic and clean.

Dramatic Classic (DC):

As a dramatic classic, your body is very symmetrical, and has some slight angularity. The minimal look suits you well, since the signature looks of members of the classic family and the minimal look have a lot of overlap.

For more examples of dramatic classic clothing and accessories, you can check out my dramatic classic Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go with something of moderate to stiff texture. Most importantly, make sure that your fabric is always clean, wrinkle free, and in good condition. Nothing will ruin your lookas quickly as wrinkles, piling, or loose threads.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, or black. Monochromatic outfits will make you look especially sophisticated, so go with 1-2 colors per outfit.

Don’t wear any patterns, as they will quickly move your look away from being a minimal one.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, stick with something simple, angular, and symmetrical. Over-accessorizing is all too easy for members of the classic family, so er on the side of caution and choose one jewelry piece for an outfit. Wearing no jewelry will also look very chic and clean.

Natural (N):

As a natural, your body is broad, muscular, and bluntly angled. Make sure your clothing reflects that and it will always have you looking cohesive and put together.

For more examples of natural clothing and accessories, you can check out my natural Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials stick to natural materials such as cottons, linens, wool, and leathers. Man-made and artificial materials look cheap on you, however natural fabrics will give you a sense of class and style.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, or black. If adding in pops of color, go with hues that look as if they can be created using natural dyeing techniques.

As for patterns, animal prints suit you the best, so having a high quality, animal print piece that you can wear with any outfit will look very stylish on you. A patterned coat, bag, or scarf will work well for this purpose.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories or jewelry, choosing one statement piece that looks hand crafted or unique will suit you, without straying away from the minimal vibe you’re going for.

Soft Natural (SN):

As a soft natural, your body is broad and blunt, but has some added softness and roundness. Make sure your clothing choices reflect that and you will always look cohesive and put together.

For more examples of soft natural clothing and accessories, you can check out my soft natural Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, stick to natural materials that have some drape or softness to them, such as cottons, linens, silks, and cashmere. Man-made and artificial materials look cheap on you, however natural fabrics will give you a sense of class and style.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, or black. If adding in pops of color, go with hues that look as if they can be created using natural dyeing techniques.

The pattern that looks best on you is animal print, so having a high quality, animal print piece that you can wear with any outfit will look very stylish on you. A patterned coat, bag, or scarf will work well for this purpose.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories and jewelry, choosing one statement piece that looks handcrafted or unique will suit your body, without straying away from the minimal vibe you’re going for. Just make sure that that statement piece has some rounded elements to compliment the softness and roundness of your body.

Flamboyant Natural (FN):

As a flamboyant natural, your body is long, angular, and broad. Make sure your clothing reflects that and you will always look put together and cohesive.

For more examples of flamboyant natural clothing and accessories, you can check out my flamboyant natural Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, stick to natural fabrics that are on the stiff side, such as cottons, wool, leather, and suede. Man-made and artificial materials look cheap on you, however natural fabrics give you a sense of class and style.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, or black. If adding in pops of color, go with hues that look as if they can be created using natural dyeing techniques.

Long lines of color will suit your bone structure, so try going for monochromatic outfits.

The pattern that looks best on you is animal print, so having a high quality, animal print piece that you can wear with any outfit will look very stylish on you. A coat, bag, or scarf will work well for this purpose.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories and jewelry, choosing one statement piece that looks handcrafted or unique will suit your body, without drawing your look away from the minimal vibe that you’re going for. Just make sure that the statement piece has some angularity to it, in order to compliment your bone structure.

Gamine (G):

As a gamine, your body is a mixture of opposites. Some of your features are long and angular, others are small and rounded. If you make sure your clothing reflects this mix and match vibe, then you’ll always look put together.

For more examples of gamine clothing and accessories, you can check out my gamine Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, try having a mix and match in each outfit. For example, wearing an outfit that has a soft top with lots of drape, but then pairing it with a stiff jacket.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black. Then throw in some bright and fun shades to use as accents colors!

Avoid monochromatic outfits though, as having one long line of color will look disproportionate on you. Instead, wear at least 2 different colors, though you can easily get away with 3 or 4 in an outfit.

Patterns look great on you, without looking too busy, so try a simple pattern to go with your minimal look, such as stripes or dots. You can also get away with wearing a bold print.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories or jewelry, go with a statement piece that is unique and individual. One avant-garde piece of jewelry will be attention grabbing, without being overwhelming. Or layer up lots of simple pieces!

Soft Gamine (SG):

As a soft gamine, your body is a mixture of opposites. Some of your features are long and angular, others are small and rounded, however your body leans more towards the soft, feminine side rather than the sharper, masculine side. Make sure your clothing choices reflect this, and you will always look cohesive.

For more examples of soft gamine clothing and accessories, you can check out my soft gamine Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go for a mix and match of softer and stiffer materials in an outfit. If you’re unsure of what balance to go for, then just go for more of the soft materials than the stiff ones.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, or black. Then add in some bright and fun shades to use as accent colors!

Avoid monochromatic colors though, as having one long line of color will look disproportionate on you. Instead, wear at least 2 different colors, though you can easily get away with 3 or 4 in an outfit.

Patterns look great on you, without looking too busy, so try a simple pattern to go with your minimal look, such as stripes or dots. You can also get away with wearing a bold print.

Accessories & Jewelry

As for accessories, go with a statement piece that is unique and individual, though more on the rounded, feminine side. Or layer up a few dainty pieces for a playful look!

Flamboyant Gamine (FG):

As a flamboyant gamine, your body is a mixture of opposites. Some of your features are long and angular, others a small and rounded, however your body leans more towards the sharp, masculine side rather than the softer, feminine side. Make sure your clothing reflects this, and you will always look put together.

For more examples of flamboyant gamine clothing and accessories, you can check out my flamboyant gamine Pinterest board.

Materials

When it comes to materials, go for a mix and match of soft and stiff materials in your outfit. If you’re not sure what kind of balance to strike, lean more towards the stiff side than the soft side.

Colors & Details

Stick to a simple color palette, made up of neutrals such as white, cream, beige, brown, grey, navy, and black. Then throw in a few bright and fun shades to use as accent colors!

Avoid monochromatic outfits though, as having one long line of color can look disproportionate on you. Instead, wear at least 2 different colors, though you can easily get away with 3 or 4 in an outfit.

Patterns and prints look great on you, so going for a simple, but bold pattern or print will look very stylish without taking away from the minimal look you’re going for.

Accessories & Jewelry

When it comes to accessories, go for a unique and bold statement piece. Something edgy or sharp will suit you well.

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And that concludes this post! If you found this post helpful, please leave a like or share it with someone else who’d enjoy it.

If you have any questions about the Kibbe body types, or any requests for future posts, please leave me a comment. Thanks, and I hope that I’ll be seeing you around!