If you’ve ever looked at the Kibbe system and thought…
“I don’t feel delicate… but I’m definitely not long or tall either and I have width”
You’re not alone.
There’s a group of women I see again and again who don’t quite fit into the existing categories. And that’s where I introduce:
✨ The Short Soft Natural
This isn’t an official Kibbe type.
It’s something I’ve observed through working with real women, over and over again.
Women who have:
- Short, compact bone structure
- Blunt (not sharp, not delicate) features
- Visible width
- Softness layered over subtle musculature
And yet… nothing in the system quite reflects them.
What is a Short Soft Natural?
A Short Soft Natural carries the Natural family which means:
- Width
- Bluntness
- Ease
But instead of length or vertical…
They have a short, condensed frame.
Key Characteristics:
- Bone size: Moderate to small (but not delicate)
- Bone structure: Blunt
- Bone length: Short to very short
- Shoulders: Broad and blunt
- Flesh: Soft with underlying musculature
- Width: Present in shoulders and/or hips
- Vertical line: Short
- Overall impression: Wider, grounded, slightly boxy (but not fragile)
Think:
Soft… but not delicate
Structured… but not sharp
Compact… but not petite
🎥 Watch: Short Soft Natural Explained
I just posted a full video breaking this down visually, this will help you see what I mean instead of just trying to picture it.
Why Kibbe Doesn’t Fully Capture This
The Kibbe system tends to associate Naturals with:
- Moderate to long vertical
- Elongation
But in real life?
There are so many women who have width without length.
And when they try to dress using other categories, it feels… off.
- Gamine → too sharp, too rigid and too delicate
- Romantic → too delicate, too ornate
- Classic → too balanced, not enough room
This is why I always come back to:
✨ You are not one category. You are a blend.
Dressing the Short Soft Natural
Your goal is to balance:
Width + Softness + Compactness
Not fight them. Not hide them.
Your Core Dressing Lines:
- Soft waist emphasis
- Wide and open necklines
- Asymmetrical lines
- Short or cropped proportions
- Mini or above-the-knee lengths
- Relaxed, flowy fabrics
- Blunt or rounded edges
How This Translates Into Real Outfits
Tops
- Relaxed (not stiff, not tight)
- Can be tucked or softly shaped
- Open necklines to allow width to “breathe”
Bottoms
- Straight or bootcut
- Cropped or ankle length
- Avoid overly long or heavy silhouettes
Dresses
- Mini or knee-length
- Slight flare or bell shape
- Can do wrap dresses too
- Soft draping over rigid structure
Overall Fit
- Relaxed, but never shapeless
- Shaped, but never tight
- Effortless, but still intentional
The Most Important Piece: Soft Waist Emphasis
Because you’re still in the Natural family, this matters a lot.
You don’t want:
- Tight cinching
- Corseted shapes
- Overly defined hourglass styling
Instead:
✨ Gentle shaping that follows your body
Think:
- A relaxed tuck (French tuck)
- Soft draping inward
- Light waist definition without restriction
Let’s Talk About Width (This Changes Everything)
Width is one of the most misunderstood parts of body typing.
It’s not about size.
It’s about:
- How fabric sits on your frame
- How your shoulders or hips create horizontal presence
- How clothing needs space to fall naturally
If you’ve ever felt like:
- Things pull across your shoulders
- Structured pieces feel restrictive
- Narrow cuts feel “off”
You likely have width.
👉 I go deeper into this in my YouTube video on width
Where Beauty Blend Comes In
This is exactly why I don’t believe in using just one system. Because you’re not just a body type. You are a Beauty Blend:
- Your body
- Your colouring
- Your essences
All working together.
For example a Short Soft Natural could also be:
- Soft Autumn
- Classic + Ingenue + Ethereal essences
And that completely changes how everything looks on you. Same body… completely different outcome.
If You’re Trying to Figure This Out On Your Own…
This is usually the point where people feel stuck.
Because they:
- Understand parts of themselves
- But can’t bring it all together
And that’s exactly what I help with.
Work With Me
If you want this personalized to you, here’s where to start:
✨ Start Here
👉 Colour Analysis
This is the best entry point if you’re brand new & it gives you a foundation to build from.
✨ Body-Focused
👉 Body Type Analysis
This is where we go deep into your proportions, lines, and structure, so you’re not guessing anymore.
✨ Essence & Personal Style
👉 Essence Analysis
This is what brings your style to life, how you express everything in a way that feels like you.
✨ Want the Full Picture?
Everything I do is designed to bring you back to your full Beauty Blend. You can explore how I approach this here or see all services.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve felt like:
- Nothing quite fits
- Everything feels slightly off
- You’re “close”… but not quite there
It’s not you. You’re just more nuanced than a single category. And once you understand your full blend…Everything starts to click.