ELEMENT OF DESIGN - SHAPE/SILHOUETTE

SHAPE/SILHOUETTE

        Shape or Silhouette A silhouette can be described as the outline of the entire garment. This is the most obvious visual element of the garment. It creates the initial impact before any other details are noticed. The shape formed by the outer lines of clothing is known as silhouette. It is what others notice from a distance and it is responsible for the first impressions. In fashion, the term silhouette refers to the line of a dress, or the garment's overall shape. Silhouettes can be used to emphasize and alter a woman's shape to create a flattering illusion. Different dress silhouettes are designed to flatter different body types as well as meet the dress codes for different events.

SHAPE

• Shape is the area defined by the outside edges of an object, the boundaries of a colour, or a line.

• A shape can be geometric or organic.

• Geometric shapes include squares, rectangles, triangles and circles. Organic shapes are irregular and are often based on curves.

In fashion design SHAPE can refer to a few things...

> The overall shape of the garment which is called the silhouette.

> The shapes that are used as parts of a garment

eg. sleeves or collars etc

> Shapes created by a printed design or shapes created by seams, trims etc

SILHOUETTE FORM

    Silhouette is the outline or outside shape of the garment. The silhouette shapes of fashion are very specific to descriptions of clothing, they include: Tube - long, cylindrical, and narrow with minimal shaping.

• Trapeze – a triangle with a wide base, and pointed or narrow at the top.

• Bell – narrow and tube like in the top section, suddenly rounding out to a flat base.

• Hourglass – wide at the top and bottom, and narrow in the Centre.

• Wedge - an inverted triangle, wide at the top, narrowing to a point at the bottom.

SILHOUETTE TYPES- CIRCULAR

 

     • Wide Torso

     • Broad Shoulders

     • Average to fuller bust

     • Thinner Arms

Do’s

    • Longer length jackets and tops that sit just below the hip bone are the most flattering for your apple body shape.

    • Choose single breasted coats, and those with a deep V-neck to avoid adding bulk to your frame.

    • V-shaped necklines will elongate your body (and show off one of your best assets!).

    • Wide leg jeans and trousers can balance out a fuller tummy.

    • A-line, flared skirts.

    • A simple wrap dress — it will nip you in under the bust, bring attention to the smallest part of your mid-section,

Don’ts

    • Wear Belts

    • Wear clinging shirts or dresses

SILHOUETTE TYPES – RECTANGLE

• Undefined waist

• Similar bust, waist, and hip measurements

• Waist no more than 8 inches different from your hips or bust

• Arms and legs that are slimmer than their body type

• Usually don’t have thigh bulges

Do:

    • Wear clothing that falls smoothly and gently over the midriff

    • Look for styles that lend an illusion of an indented waist or flow past it altogether.

    • Wear dropped waist styles and adjustable or hipslung belts.

    • Keep necklines and shoulder area interesting

    • Reinforce the vertical line in soft fabrics and flowing lines

    • Wear knits.

Don’t:

    • Wear boxy, stiff shapes that reinforce your straight lines.

SILHOUETTE TYPE – TRIANGLE (PEAR)

• Wider hips and thighs than shoulders and bust wider hips

• Curvy lower hips and rear are the biggest part of the body

• Bust and shoulders may be on the smaller side

• Face and neck are slender in relation to the overall body size

Do:

    • Focus the attention above the waist with color, line, and detail

    • Wear separates

    • Wear light, bright colors that attract the eye above the waist.

    • Wear dark colors below the waist and softly pleated skirts or pants or flat-front pants

    • Use shoulder pads

Don’t:

    • Wear light, bright colored or print skirts or slacks and dark tops.

    • Wear skimpy tops.

    • Wear stiff, thick fabric skirts or pants – all fabrics should be soft and drape well.

    • Wear short skirts (short skirts can work only if the legs aren’t extra heavy and dark hose are worn)

    • Flat shoes (unless having comfortable feet wins out over dressing for your body type).

SILHOUETTE TYPE – INVERTED TRIANGLE

• Full bust, shoulders, and upper back

• Narrow hips

• Bust and/or midriff is larger than the hips producing a natural wedge shape

INVERTED TRIANGLE (EURO V)

Do:

    • Dress your body in shapes that work with, not against, your own natural wedge shape. Focus attention either at the should/neck/face area, or at your hip and thigh/leg area. Wear wedge-shaped dresses with shoulder attention and a narrow hem.

    • Wear long over lean outfits. (long blouson tops and leggings or a narrow skirt)

    • Wear monochromatic outfits.

    • If you wear prints, wear them all over or on the bottom half with a long jacket to cover.

    • Use necklines or scarves to create long, vertical lines, but be sure that they hang against the body and don’t cascade over the bosom into empty space.

Don’t:

    • Wear set-in waists and belts

    • Wear fitted jackets and tops.

SILHOUETTE TYPE – HOURGLASS

• Figure is curvy

• Hips and shoulders about the same width

• Waist is well defined -about 9 inches smaller than bust or hips

Do:

    • Call attention to your well-defined waist.

    • Deemphasize your ample bust line so as to not appear topheavy.

    • Wear soft, flowing, or “drape-able” fabrics and lines that acknowledge your shape without adding bulk.

    • Wear a slightly narrower skirt to balance your upper and lower torso.

    • If you are very curvy, soften the line with long open over blouses, cardigans, and soft jackets that flow in a line from shoulder to thigh.

Don’t:

    • Wear overtly sexy outfits with clingy, body-hugging shapes

    • Confine your curves into tailored, boxy clothes that broaden you.

    • Wear very full skirts