Body Types

List appropriate clothing choices for different body shapes and sizes.

Keep body height, shape, and size in mind when choosing clothing that emphasizes your best features.
Frame
Size Ratios
Geometric Shape

The skeletal structure of the bones.
Small
Medium
Large
Can use wrist size to determine frame size.
Height
FM under
5’2”
FM
5’2”–5’5”
FM over 5’5”
Males over 5’5”
Wrist size for small frame
Less than 5.5”
Wrist size for medium frame
5.5” to
5.75”
Wrist size for large frame
Over
5.75”
Less than 6”
Less than
6.25”
5.5” –
6.5”
6” –
6.25”
6.25” –
6.5”
6.5” –
7.5”
Over
6.35”
Over 6.5”
Over 7.5”

The waist divides the upper and lower portions of the body.
Two people of equal height may not have the same size ratio between the upper and lower portions of the body.
Long upper body and short legs vs. short upper body and long legs
Various arm lengths

Body shape can be thought of as triangular, rectangular, hourglass, etc.

Elements of Design

Define the elements of design.
Demonstrate the use of design elements in choosing and creating fashions.

Line
Shape
Space
Texture
Pattern

Defined: a series of points connected to form a narrow path.
Straight, Curved, or Zig-Zag
3 directions
Vertical, Horizontal, or Diagonal
Used for different effects
Line can emphasize or minimize portions of a person’s body.
The eye naturally finds the dominant line in a garment
Direction, thickness of the lines, and the amount of space between the lines create different illusions

Straight
Formal, crisp, seen in classic or conservative designs
Business suits have clean, straight lines
Seen in striped and plaid patterns
Curved
Give a feeling of movement
Used to create a casual image
Adds softness and roundness to a garment
Found in necklines, lapels, ruffles, and scalloped edges
Zigzag
Eye must change direction to follow zigzag lines
Gives a feeling of excitement or drama
Seen on sweaters or on a garment’s trim

Vertical Lines
Lead the eye up and down giving the illusion of more height and less width
Can be used to create a taller, thinner look
Give a feeling of strength, dignity, and formality

Horizontal Lines
Moves the eye from side-to-side
Gives the illusion of width rather than height
Two-piece outfits and contrasting belts divide body length with horizontal lines
Create a feeling of stability and restfulness

Diagonal Lines
Add movement and excitement to clothing
Effect depends on the slant of the line
Zigzag diagonal lines create the most excitement

Defined: the outline that forms when one or more lines come together to enclose an area.
Also known as a silhouette
4 basic garment shapes
Natural
Tubular
Bell
Full

Follows your body’s outline
Fit close to the body and emphasize the natural waistline
Worn most easily on average body sizes

Rectangular with vertical emphasis
Undefined waistline
Adds height and thinness to the body
Ex: t-shirt dress, straight-leg pants, and tailored business suits

Moves outward from the body in a triangular shape
Can add or subtract width depending on where the top and the bottom of the bell hit
Ex: A-line skirts & dresses and flared pants & jackets

Horizontal and curved lines
Make the body look larger
Ex: gathered skirts & dresses, full sleeves, and pants with wide legs

Defined: the area inside the shape.
Internal lines, either structural or decorative, that divide the space on a garment
Seams provide inner spaces
Decorative stitching and trims also divide space
Ex: lace down the front of a blouse

Defined: the surface characteristics that determine the look and feel of an object.
Texture results from fiber, yarn, construction, and finish used.
Determines how a fabric moves when worn and can affect the overall way a garment looks on the body.
Soft or crisp, smooth or nubby, dull or shiny.

Stripes, plaids, geometrics, florals, scenics, borders, etc.
Large or small
Even or uneven
Light or dark
Spaced or clustered
Muted or bold
Small pattern decrease in apparent size while large pattern increases it
Widely spaced designs can make you seem larger as it draws the eye across the distances from one part of the pattern to the other

Principles of Design

Define the principles of design.
Demonstrate the use of the principles of design in choosing and creating fashions.

Proportion
Balance
Emphasis
Rhythm
Harmony

Defined: how separate parts of a garment relate to each other and to the whole in size.
Parts with somewhat unequal sizes look best together.
Clothing looks best when it’s in proportion to your own size
Small-framed person might avoid large, overpowering details such as collars & pockets
Large-framed person might avoid tiny details

1
1
1
3

Defined: when the spaces on both sides of a central line, real or imagined, appear equal.
A balanced design gives a feeling of stability.
Can be achieved in different ways
Symmetrical
Asymmetrical

When the spaces on each side of a garment look just the same.
Gives a formal or tailored look.
Ex: a shirt with two identical sides divided but a center front closing.
Ex: a skirt with a center front seam that divides two similar sides.

Don’t look the same on each side of the real or imagined central line.
Add interest or a sense of excitement
Has an informal look
Often more difficult and costly to make
Ex: a wrap skirt
Ex: A colorful pocket on one side and two vertical stripes on the other

Defined: the part of the design that draws attention.
The focal point of the design
The part of the outfit that catches your eye first
Can be accomplished with color, line, texture, design details, trims, and accessories
Ex: a colorful belt emphasizes the waistline
Ex: a contrasting color draws attention toward the face

Defined: carries the eye through a regular pattern produced by design elements.
Repetition
Radiation
Gradation
Good rhythm is apparent when the lines of an outfit work well together.
Ex: when stripes and plaids don’t match at seam lines it breaks rhythm

•
•
Defined: a pattern repeats itself.
Ex: rows of stripes, polka dots, etc.

Defined: A gradual change in pattern.
Ex: change of size or color.
Light to
Dark
Small to
Large
Thin to
Thick

• Defined: Lines or patterns flow from a central location.

Defined: when all parts of a design blend well together.
The elements relate in a unified way.
Each part looks like it belongs and the result is eyecatching.