Kibbe Typology
Minimalist Style Patent
The Minimalist Style Patent® (MPS) by Olga Brylińska stands as the definitive foundation for structural identity. The architecture of this method has been created as an autonomous extension of Ethereal Typology, or as an advanced compendium complementary to the vintage Kibbe system.
The MPS methodology remains entirely intuitive and deeply functional without requiring prior knowledge of either typology. Its flawless execution relies on primal Yang and Yin vectors, honoring the rigorous geometry of line and silhouette. Additionally, this proprietary system defines the balance of elegance and extravagance, ultimately revealing your individual color architecture.
Discovering these core parameters is achieved through independent analysis or under expert guidance. The guidelines presented below define the unalterable, structural characteristics of shape, line, and garment construction.
YANG in structure – represents the elements of linear geometry, stark austerity, and the influences of classic tailoring. It encompasses minimalist forms, sharp cuts, and finishes of expressive sensuality. Furthermore, a Yang connotation is also embraced by styles of a sporty and youthful character.
YIN in structure – reflects the elements of softness, fluid lines, and forms defined as the essence of subtle femininity. It encompasses draping, lightweight fabrics, and details of a curved architecture (polka dots, frills). A high level of Yin is accurately illustrated by styles inspired by 1940s fashion.
LONG
MODERATE LENGTH
SHORT
EXAMPLES:
• mid-thigh blazer, long coat
• classic length blazer, over the knee coat
• short blazer, mid-thigh coat
EXAMPLES:
• classic trench coat, collared shirt
• knitwear and soft fluid fabrics
• wavy finishes and the hem of a flared skirt
STIFF, DEFINED
SOFT, UNDEFINED
TIGHT-FITTING
TAILORED
RELAXED
FLARED
The structural expression of a cut is always determined by the inherent properties of the fabric. Defined, architectural silhouettes require stiff and moderately stiff materials. Conversely, soft and geometrically undefined forms are shaped by knitwear, lightweight fluid fabrics, stretch denim, and noble, soft wools. Within the garment construction, we distinguish tight-fitting, classically tailored, and effortless oversize forms.
MINI – length shorter than above-the-knee to very short
MEDIUM – length prior to the knee, to the knee line, below the knee
MIDI – length up to mid-calf
MAXI – longer than mid-calf
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
EXAMPLES:
• silhouettes with a low or high waist
• structural darts or subtle gathering
• flared dress with a clearly defined waist
Defines the degree of alignment with formal dress code protocols or evening attire aesthetics. Elegance encompasses classic canons, refined minimalism, polished forms, and stiff tailored constructions.
Defines the degree of departure from the frameworks of rigorous minimalism and classic aesthetics. A high level of extravagance manifests through an uncompromising individuality of form, eclecticism, and a deliberate disregard for mass trends.
- soft necklines
- sharp necklines
- shallow necklines
- deep necklines
- exposed shoulders
- turtlenecks
- collars
- stand-up collars
- hoods
- draping
- frills
- lace
- floral patterns
- polka dots
- chequered patterns
- stripes
- animal motifs
- geometric patterns
- abstract patterns with soft lines
- blurry patterns
- shine
- asymmetry
- pattern size – small/medium/large
- number of decorative elements – small/medium/large
First, you should choose your best colors (colors, not their shades or hues). Next, you need to determine the characteristics of your chosen best colors and how they will function in the style.
COOL HUES
NEUTRAL HUES
WARM HUES
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
LIGHT-DARK LEVEL IN THE ENTIRE CLOSET
LIGHT COLORS – established in percentage
MEDIUM COLORS – established in percentage
DARK COLORS – established in percentage
Below are the main aspects of the MPS for individual Kibbe types with the correct answers selected. Placing them on this page is intended to facilitate understanding of how the system works in practice. This compilation creates a clear and highly concise image for each of the thirteen foundational archetypes from Soft Gamine to Theatrical Romantic. The guidelines presented below refer to clothing and style features. The list encompasses pure archetypes, excluding individual modifications.
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
DRESS LENGTH*
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
*Skirts are not the best choice for FG women.
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
DRESS LENGTH*
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
*Skirts are not the best choice for FN women.
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long*
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi (only for the evening)
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
*SC women look best in smooth dresses with no seams at the waist (the silhouette is not cut). Hence the long lines.
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi (only for the evening)
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi (only for the evening)
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
YANG LEVEL
YIN LEVEL
DOMINANT VERTICAL LINES
- long
- moderate length
- short
DOMINANT EDGES
CUTS AND FIT
- stiff, defined
- soft, undefined
- tight-fitting
- tailored
- relaxed
- flared
SKIRT AND DRESS LENGTH
- mini
- medium (above the knee, knee-length, below the knee)
- midi
- maxi (only for the evening)
LEVEL OF WAIST DEFINITION
ELEGANCE LEVEL
EXTRAVAGANCE LEVEL
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN ONE OUTFIT
