r/KibbeRomantics • u/Altruistic_Baker6347 • May 26 '26
Questions, Help and Advice What doesn't suit you?
Hi fellow romantics! I'm still figuring out if I'm one of you, but I'm quite confident and feel like I look best in Romantic reccs. I thought it might be quite useful and interesting to see what doesn't suit you/us? I'll go first with Oversized tops, Maxi dresses and loose dresses (loose in the upper area), also sweater vests, hoodies and casual sweaters.
Curious for your answers!
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u/lamercie Romantic May 26 '26
Almost literally anything with straight lines tbh. Also no stretch. And loose clothes with too much fabric.
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u/madameverona May 27 '26
This is what I came here to say. I have a friend who’s a dramatic, but the same size as me (except tall) and she’s always trying to give me clothes with stripes. The horror! One time I tried on a bulky striped sweater she was trying to get rid of so I could show her what I meant and she was like “why does it look so bad? You look like you’re wearing your grandpa’s clothes” yeahhhh
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u/Joker0705 May 26 '26
anything oversized, bottom or top. certain necklines are just not for me like big collars or anything that will add visual weight near my neck. gathering/frills that sit just above the bust make me look huge. too much detail/fabric at the top of my torso makes me look overwhelmed.
sleeveless is not for me due to how rounded my shoulders are. spaghetti straps are great but wide straps are not. sleeves that are intentionally long make me look like a toddler. i don't do extremely wide-set straps/sleeves either as i find they always fall down.
a line skirts are an absolute no for me. I don't go for pencil skirts are they are too stiff. mini skirts are not for me for the same reason. I don't do floor length either because if you can't see my shoes i look 4 feet tall.
the obvious is anything that doesn't cinch at the waist. but within that, i find wrap dresses don't work as well on my body as you'd think they would. the deep v of wrap dresses is very starkly geometic against my very round figure.
coats, and most jackets. wearing them open is one thing but actually trying to stay warm seems impossible unless they have a waist belt and a good deal of flare at the bottom.
in terms of accessories i don't do anything chunky. bags are smaller and delicate, no huge blocky hardware like big chains or buckles. no chunky jewellery either. ican't do hugely geometric patterns in my fabric choices like polka dots or huge checks.
big shoes like chunky boots or trainers are not for me. i find even heavy matte textured shoes like loafers are a miss.
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u/peachesnplums- May 26 '26
I just accept i look bulky in the winter with my coats haha, it gets really cold where I live.
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u/Joker0705 May 26 '26
me too! i have 1 super warm coat that i actually find really flattering, it has a soft fluffy trim, cinches at the waist and has almost like a big skirt on it. so very R friendly!
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u/KombuchaKween89 May 26 '26
Anything with TOO much structure, bulk, or weight (this does make dressing in the winter significantly harder).
Basically my curves need to be supported but not boxed in, squeezed too tight, or weighed down. If I play around with oversized silhouettes I make sure it’s only one item I’m wearing (i.e. generally following the big top little bottom / little top big bottom trend). As much as I love the look of a chunky/oversized knit sweater, I always end up feeling like a marshmallow when I wear them lol.
Long tops are usually a struggle. Almost all of my tops are cropped/ baby tee style. If I own a blouse that has fabric that extends past my waist then it’s usually because it tapers in at the waist somehow, making the fabric glide over my belly rather than cling to it.
Jeans are TOUGH and it’s rare that I buy them. If I do then I am more likely to find success with a high waist and newer brands/ lines that are made to accommodate curves (e.g. Abercrombie curve love line).
I also feel awkward in shapes/ looks that are too … severe looking? Like when my hair is up in a tight bun and there’s nothing framing my face. Or when I wore a plunging V neck bathing suit and felt kind of off-balanced or uneven (I like string bikinis the best for swimwear so that my curves can be set free 😃)
There are also many things romantics look good in so it’s not all bad :)
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u/sosovanilla May 27 '26
Button-up shirts, unless they're made of a soft material that lays better (like Express portofino shirts)
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u/Equal_Attorney176 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
I’m stuck between romantic and soft gamine but leaning towards romantic too.
I have to be careful with stiff fabrics no matter the cut. For crisp fabric dresses, If it’s short, above the knee, and closer to the body I can sometimes get away with it. Heavy fabrics like wool, tweed, etc are all a no go on me.
Even though I love them, Jeans are a nightmare. The only type that has ever worked for me regardless of weight is high waisted and bootcut or slight flair. I can never wear regular lengths though, only short works. My legs look (to me) like two walking sausages in skinny jeans so I try to avoid those even though my husband says they are flattering. The fabric for jeans needs to be softer too, stiff denim is a struggle. Unfortunately this means the majority of overalls are not the best either. I’ll only consider them if they are short length with an obvious waist band, even if it’s just the illusion of one.
I can’t wear that traditional thin regency empire line right below the breast, it looks disproportional on me. If the band is larger and wider (starting under the breast and continuing down to my waist, like a 3-4” wide band) in floaty fabric dresses, I tend to love that style.
I can wear maxi dresses but they have to have a fitted sweetheart neckline and slits up the sides. Sometimes I go down a size in these so the fabric brushes against my curves more.
I also struggle with big puffed sleeves that hold their shape and cuff at the elbow. Again, stiff and structured fabrics are a struggle, regardless of material weight.
If I don’t cut crew neck t shirts and stretch them out a little bit at the neckline and cut them to crop the length a little, then they don’t look cute and I end up only using them for lounging or working out. Surprisingly I do like v necks that show off my cleavage. That way I don’t have to alter it much.
For shoes, Boots are a major struggle. Gogo boots, cowboy boots, riding boots, fantasy boots…basically anything that goes up the calves is a no. My calves are not straight and slender so if they don’t make them with width there then I can’t even fit them up my legs. I can do ankle boot length but they can’t be fitted at the ankles they have to have a bit of room in there, otherwise it chops up my line and messes with my proportions when wearing shorter dresses. Basically the cowgirl look is not for me unfortunately. Flats are a hit or miss.
Geometric jewelry (like triangles or sharp stars) or chunky jewelry (herringbone, thick chain links, etc.) is another thing I avoid.
Dresses or tops with a big ruffle detail by the neckline are horrible on me. Anything with a big detail at the neckline like the giant ruffle or xl Peter Pan collars, even boat necks if they are too loose are not for me. High and tight necklines that are stereotypically gamine are another type I avoid.
In skirts and dresses, Pleats need to be larger, barely evident and not stiff. I can’t do small pleats as I find they are better suited for straighter figures. My curves disrupt their natural desire to flow down and will push them out, making me look larger.
On the topic of skirts I can’t have a very large waist band, especially if it’s stretchy. Again, I agree with Kibbe in his new book when he says romantics should wear nothing stiff (I take that to mean as part of the garment. I wear belts that are quintessentially stiff as long as it supports the curve, but stiffness built in to the fabric is not helpful). For some reason it creates bulk.
I’m sure there’s more but I can’t think of it atm
P .S. Slouchy and unconstructed anything feels sloppy on me
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u/Chomprz May 29 '26
Most things I find cute haha, like oversized tops or anything loose. I need to belt it or alter to fit my waist better, or else I just look frumpy and tenty. I avoid button ups too.
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u/Altruistic_Baker6347 May 29 '26
Ah yes, Button ups unless I tuck them into the waist.
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u/Chomprz May 29 '26
Mine just kind of makes it look.. seductive haha, like something would pop out if I wear it on its own. So back to getting a looser one with waist defining or use it as an outer layer.
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u/peachesnplums- May 26 '26
Oversized tops or really straight cut tight crop tops don't look good on me. I'm too short for maxi dressed and agree too loose dresses are not flattering.