The document discusses various elements of clothing design including shape, line, and texture. It describes how different shapes, lines, and textures can be used to visually alter the perceived size and proportions of the body. For example, wide shapes can make a person look larger while straight lines can create the illusion of height. Smooth textures minimize size while rough textures subdue colors. Overall, careful manipulation of these design elements allows garments to emphasize or disguise certain body features for a tailored fit and flattering silhouette.

1. Elements of Design
Color, Shape, Line and Texture

2. Shape
The overall shape of a
garment is its form or
silhouette, its overall
outline.
The shape is created
by the cut and
construction of a
garment.

3. Shape
Clothes can reveal or
disguise the natural
body contour.
Clothing shapes that
are most flattering to a
person emphasize his
or her good features
and hide the less
attractive ones.

4. Using Shape in Clothing
To look larger
• wide, full shapes

5. Using Shape in Clothing
Look smaller
• trim, compact
silhouettes

6. Using Shape in Clothing
Look taller:
straight tubular
shapes

7. Using Shape in Clothing
Form fitting clothes
reveal any unattractive
contours a body might
have.

8. LINE
A distinct, elongated
mark as if drawn by a
pencil. Eyes follow
lines up, down, side to
side or around.

9. Line Types
Straight - bold and
severe, suggest
dignity, power and
formality.

10. Straight Lines
The straight line is
seen in the light blue,
blue and tan stripes
going across the T-
shirt.

11. Line Types
Curved - rounded,
circular or flattened
out.
• increase the size and
shape of the figure
• give a soft, gentle,
youthful, charming,
graceful and flowing
feeling.

12. Curved Lines
The curved line is seen
in the inner and outer
edges of the collar.

13. Line Types
Jagged - change
direction abruptly and
with sharp points.
• For fun/ not serious
events
• can create a jumpy
confused feeling if
overused.

14. Jagged Lines
The jagged line is seen around
the edges of the black diamond
shape in this blouse.
The jagged line is seen in
the design, knitted into this
sweater, across the chest
and arms.

15. Vertical Line Directions
Vertical - up and down
• gives the impression of
being taller/thinner.
• gives a feeling of
dignity, strength, poise
and sophistication.
• Blue vertical lines are
seen in this men’s
dress shirt.

16. Horizontal Line Directions
Horizontal - from side
to side, like the
horizon
• gives the impression of
being shorter and
heavier.
• gives a relaxed and
calm feeling, suggests
rest and gentleness.
Red, white, gray and
black horizontal lines
are seen in this
sweater.

17. Line Directions
Diagonal - slanted, the
degree it is slanted
determines the visual
effect on clothes.

18. Diagonal Line
The diagonal line is
seen in the white line
that goes from the
shoulder to the waist
of this garment.

19. Diagonal Line
The
A diagonal line
diagonal
is created by
has been
the
created
arrangement of
at the
flowers in the
hem of
fabric of this
this skirt.
dress.

20. Line Directions
Horizontal Slant -
adds width
• This pocket has a
horizontal slant
which adds width.

21. Line Directions
Vertical slant - adds
height.
This pocket has a
vertical slant

22. Line Applications
collar
placket
Structural - formed when
seam
parts of the garment
are constructed. (darts,
pockets, collar)

23. Structural Lines
Structural lines are
seen in knitted into the
fabric of this garment.
Structural lines are
also seen in the button
placket and row of
buttons.

24. Line Applications
Decorative - Created
by adding details to
the surface of the
clothing. (lace and
trim)
• too much detail causes
competition between
the lines and creates
confusion.

25. Line creates many optical illusions

26. “I” Illusion
“I” illusion
• Vertical lines carrying
the eye upward without
an interruption will
give the illusion of
tallness.

27. “T” Illusion
The “T” illusion
As soon as a horizontal
line crosses a vertical
line, the eye will move
back and forth creating
the illusion of
heaviness in that area.
• The eye goes upward
until the black fabric
stops

28. “Y” Illusions
The “Y” illusion - creates
the feeling of height as
the eye is guided upward
with nothing in its way to
impede its motion.

29. Upward Arrow Illusion
the upward “arrow”
takes the eye upward
and then suddenly
downward to create an
illusion of less height.

30. Size:
How the garment lines divide the figure
Illusion of more height
and thinness.
Narrow center panel
placket
or button placket,
Seam line
vertical trimming,
neck to hem closing or
Narrow overall shape princess seam lines.
with vertical lines added

31. Size:
How the garment lines divide the figure
Illusion of larger,
heavier figure.
• Widely spaced vertical
lines
• large bold stripes
• large stripes, even
vertical ones

32. Size:
How the garment lines divide the figure
Illusion of more body
width and less height.
• Wide overall shape and
Square neckline
horizontal effects
• full garment, uneven
horizontal stripes,
contrasting belt, square
neckline.
Full shape

33. Texture - the fabric’s “character”
The surface quality of Structural Texture-is
goods. created when fabrics
The quality of or garments are
roughness, manufactured.
smoothness, glossiness Visual texture is
or stiffness. “printed” onto the
Texture is determined surface of fabrics or
by a fabric’s fibers, garments.
yarns and method of
construction.

34. Smooth Texture
Smooth, flat textures
make people look
smaller

35. Shiny Texture
Shiny Textures make
the body look larger
because they reflect
light.
They make fabric
colors look lighter and
brighter, thus making
the body look larger.

36. Rough Texture
Rough textures tend to
subdue the colors of
fabrics.
The texture of this
jacket is fuzzy.

37. Sheer Texture
Sheer fabrics reveal
the true body shape. It
tends to soften the
figure when used over
a soft lining.
This blouse is sheer

38. Dull texture
Dull textures make a
person appear smaller
because they absorb
light.
The dull texture of the
blouse and jeans,
make the person
appear smaller.

39. Clinging, soft Texture
Clinging, soft textures
reveal the body’s true
silhouette.
This blouse’s soft
texture, reveals its true

40. Stiff, crisp Texture
Stiff crisp textures
make the total shape
appear bigger because
they stand away from
the body.
This linen jacket makes the
body appear larger because it
stands away from the body.

41. Visual Texture
A motif is one unit of
a design that is usually
repeated.
A small, overall print
tends to make the
wearer look smaller.

42. Visual Texture
Large, bold patterns
increase the apparent
size of the wearer.
The large flowers
on this dress, makes
the wearer appear
larger.