Proportion
Flattering the figure
Proportion
• Refers to how lines and shapes divide the
space, garment, or outfit into parts. It
involves the relationship of one part or
space compared to another part or space,
compared to the whole garment, and to the
body.
1 to 3 ratio
1
1
2
1
3
2
4
3
Proportion=
ratios
• Any fashion can be divided
into parts and compared,
which creates a ratio.
• Draw visual lines across the
design to begin.
• Where there is a line, color,
texture or shape change begin
the first part of your ratio.
• The second part of the ratio is
the remaining part of the
outfit.
Proportion
• A garment is generally more interesting and
pleasing if divided into uneven or unequal parts,
and if the parts are in scale with the body.
• For example, uneven ratios of one part to three
parts, two parts to three parts and three to five are
traditionally considered to be more interesting and
artistically pleasing than one to one or two to four
which can appear boring or bulky.
• Uneven ratios are more similar to natural body
proportions and less obvious than even ratios.
Natural
proportion
• With the waist as the dividing line, the body’s ratio
averages two parts above the waist and three parts
below or three parts above five parts below.
• Garment proportions that are harmonious with the
body do not reveal nor emphasize variations in body
proportions that occur due to bone structure and
uneven weight distribution.
• Clothing proportions can be manipulated using the
elements of design to visually alter body proportions
and created an illusion about the figure.
Mark the
proportion
1
1
1
2
3
1
Proportion
assignment
•
•
•
•
Choose two pictures of full length designs.
Cut them out nicely and paste them to a white piece of paper
Using a ruler decide what the proportion of the outfit is.
Draw your box and lines on top of the design, using a pen that can
be seen. Label with numbers the divisions
• Write on the back of the white sheet:
– What is the ratio?
– How does the proportion add interest, help the figure or detract from the
figure?
• EXTRA CREDIT: turn in to two portfolio pages
Portfolio
Assignment