Lines and Shapes of the Pure Dramatic

Pure Dramatic (PD) — an extreme type, representing a 100% expression of Yang: smooth, long, narrow lines and sharp angles create a strikingly bold, expressive, intellectual, and sophisticated look.

Contrary to popular belief, Yang does not mean masculine clothing style. It is simply the opposite of the miniature, delicate, rounded, and soft Yin. The style recommendations for a Pure Dramatic are the complete opposite of those for a Pure Romantic.

Let’s take a closer look at the Pure Dramatic style through the example of four stunning representatives of this type:

All of them fit the definition of a Pure Dramatic: tall stature, elongated and angular narrow bone structure, with sharp, chiseled, or striking facial features.

The outfits of some of the women in these photos are far from ideal, but they still allow us to get a general sense of the Pure Dramatic body type.

Compare the figure of Pure Dramatic Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Princess Diana, with Diana herself — a representative of the Flamboyant Natural type:

Hairstyle is extremely important for the Pure Dramatic. Hair in this type usually falls into one of two categories: straight, sleek, and silky, or very voluminous and curly.

Pure Dramatics with the first hair type are lucky— a geometric haircut with a clean, sharp edge is often all they need to look stunning.

For those with curly hair, a smooth, asymmetrical style that keeps the face open is also recommended. However, is it really worth fighting against your natural hair texture?

Cate Blanchett’s sculptural, asymmetrical hairstyle is a perfect example of David Kibbe’s recommendations for the Pure Dramatic.

All Pure Dramatics should also pay close attention to the evenness and richness of their hair color: highlights or lightened strands disrupt the cohesion of the look and diminish the refined glow of the type.

While Caroline de Maigret’s bangs conceal her beautiful face—contrary to Kibbe’s guidelines—a style with sleek or sculpturally arranged, richly colored hair is far more flattering than tousled, natural curls.

Makeup for the Pure Dramatic should be clean, clear, and intense, emphasizing the expressive facial features. Like the Dramatic Classic, the Pure Dramatic is advised to maintain balance, but a higher level of saturation and contrast is allowed.

As with all bold types, the Pure Dramatic particularly benefits from an emphasis on the eyes—usually almond-shaped—accentuated with eyeliner on both the upper and lower lids:

A matte skin tone, sharply shaped eyebrows, and a defined eye contour add that distinctive Yang edge that sets the Pure Dramatic apart.

Online, sets labeled for the Pure Dramatic often actually represent the wardrobe of the Dramatic Classic. Kibbe’s recommendations for the Pure Dramatic are quite concise: a T-shaped elongated silhouette with a defined waist and sharp angles.

However, a Pure Dramatic wearing classic symmetrical clothing looks outdated and constrained:

Balanced classic silhouettes emphasize the length of the Pure Dramatic’s bone structure but tend to add years. One of Kibbe’s main recommendations for bold types is to combine modern, relevant, avant-garde styles.

However, both the Pure Dramatic and the Dramatic Classic are enhanced by fairly large, original details on slightly straight and angular silhouettes. In such looks, both Dramatic Classics and Pure Dramatics will appear modern and interesting:

Both the Pure Dramatic and the Dramatic Classic are enhanced by clear lines, structured tailoring, dense fabrics, and elongated silhouettes, as both types are built on a strong, straight, Yang-dominant foundation. They both suit clean, strict looks with minimal decoration that emphasize verticality and aristocratic restraint.

The Pure Dramatic differs from the Flamboyant Gamine in that it cannot tolerate horizontal fragmentation of the silhouette. Shortened sleeves, cropped pants and tops, as well as playful, delicate, youthful details look as if the Pure Dramatic has simply outgrown their clothes:

However, a voluminous top paired with a fitted bottom—while maintaining a vertical color line—works well for both the Flamboyant Gamine and the Pure Dramatic:

The Pure Dramatic and the Flamboyant Gamine share the recommendation to use original details, prints, and accessories. The Pure Dramatic should often look into the Flamboyant Gamine’s wardrobe and borrow the largest and most streamlined pieces from it.

Intricate patterns, voluminous hairstyles, drapery, and soft fabrics of the Soft Dramatic feel unnatural on the Pure Dramatic, who has not a trace of Yin. This is especially noticeable in the luxurious look of the Soft Dramatic:

However, the streamlined large shapes made from soft fabrics typical of the Soft Dramatic work well on the Pure Dramatic when paired with an elongated silhouette and an elegant hairstyle.

These Soft Dramatic looks appear organic on the Pure Dramatic. The key is simplicity, verticality, and bold shapes:

Fabric choice is critical for the Pure Dramatic: they suit stiff or structured, smooth matte fabrics of medium weight. Thin, soft, and draping fabrics are not suitable.

Some recommendations for the Flamboyant Natural—such as mixing styles and colors, soft fabrics, and a wide, shapeless silhouette—do not suit the Pure Dramatic.

In these photos, you can see that the rounded lines of the Flamboyant Natural and techniques like mix’n’match and oversize make the Pure Dramatic’s look appear tired and sloppy:

However, clothing that is slightly looser than what a Pure Dramatic typically requires—like that of a Flamboyant Natural—can still flatter the Pure Dramatic almost as well as it does the Flamboyant Natural, provided that coordinating accessories and angular shoes are included.

A unified color scheme, large details, and sharp edges compensate for drawbacks such as rounded necklines, soft fabrics, and loose cuts:

BLACKLIST

The Pure Dramatic should avoid:

• Lack of a cohesive look
• Classic, balanced, symmetrical styles
• An abundance of small details
• Excessive softness (such as round-toed shoes, drapery, and soft fabrics)

Dear Pure Dramatics, don’t be afraid to embrace simplicity and modernity at any age. The power of your beauty shines brightest through an intellectual, restrained, avant-garde, and expressive Yang.