Dr. Su-Jeong Hwang Shin, Associate Professor

Email: su.hwang @ ttu.edu

Website: www.myweb.ttu.edu/shwang

Elements Silhouette Line Color/Value Pattern Texture

Principles Proportion Balance Unity Rhythm Emphasis

The most dominant visual element of a garment.

Shape of body, or exaggeration to emphasis a part of body.

Silhouettes are modified by: Adding fabric Padding various parts of the body Or, corseting the waist or bust to create a specific illusion.

The category of merchandise often dictates the basic silhouette, as does the influence of current fashion.

The natural body silhouette (Tate, p.141)

Slim-line silhouette pants (Tate, p.143)

Slim-line silhouette skirts (Tate, p. 145)

Rectangular, pants (p.147)

Rectangular, skirts (p.149)

Wedge silhouette (p.151)

Hourglass (p.153)

and extreme-volume (p.155)

• Typical garments:▫ Bathing suits, Exercise wear,

Bicycling shorts

• Fabrications:▫ Knits, Lycra

• Structure:▫ Tight fit emphasizes the body’s

curves

• Customer:▫ Youthful active body

• Decoration:▫ Color (Dark color slimmer and

smaller)

• Variations:▫ Combine with a loose bulky

sweater

Typical garments: Snug trousers, denim jeans

Fabrications: Bottom-weight (Heavier) /

blending Lycra

Structure: Fit smoothly over the top of

hips

Customer: Wide range of figure types

Decoration: Colors, patterns, belts

Variations: Hemline, pleats and pockets.

• Typical garments:▫ Slim skirts, Tailored silhouette

• Fabrications:▫ Knits and woven, bottom weights

(soft and slightly light)

• Structure:▫ Fitted with seams, darts, and ease.

Slits.

• Customer:▫ Business situation, Formal.

• Decoration:▫ Color (Dark color slimmer and

smaller)

• Variations:▫ Trims, colors, details, pleats, slits.▫ Good with properly fitted suit

jackets.

Typical garments: Sweat pants, athletic shorts Dressy pants.

Fabrications: Soft flannels, knits, or wool novelties Top weight fabrics like silks, or light

weight cotton.

Structure: Soft pleats, straight, flared, or slightly

full leg.

Customer: Tall slender figure.

Decoration: Bold prints, Colors

Variations: Style details should be balanced.

Typical garments: “Soft styling” Dresses: flare from the shoulder or high

waistline.

Fabrications: Light weight

Structure: Ruffles, gathers, flared, layers.

Customer: Camouflage a thick waist and hipline. Soft fabric, Feminine

Decoration: Appropriate with large prints.

Jewelry…

Variations: Scarves and Jewelry focus attention on

the face.

Typical garments: Shoulder pads, Leg of mutton and

raglan sleeves.

Fabrications: Soft fabrics Or, Crisp fabrics (Taffeta, Silk Organza)

Structure: Shoulder pads, Wider jacket lapels,

raglan, dolman, and kimono sleeves.

Customer: Camouflages a thick waist.

Decoration: Colors (w/ Dark skirts)

Variations: Norma Kamali (1980’s) Extreme wedge

silhouette

Typical garments: Full flared and gathered skirts with full

sleeves. Contrasts hip and bust line with a small waist.

Fabrications: Wide variety of fabrication

Structure: Soft top and fuller skirts, Loner skirts

with belt. Bustier

Customer: Camouflages a pear-shaped figure

Decoration: Belts, colors, soft ruffles.

Variations: Bare midriffs, tattoo (attention to the

waist area)

Typical garments: Appropriate for coats and outerwear Layering bulky garments. Capes and large shawls

Fabrications: Soft, heavy wool fleeces, furs, bulky

knits.

Structure: Full cuts, layers

Customer: Camouflage many figure problems.

Decoration: Colors, patterns, belts

Variations: Scarves, hats and boots

Sketch fashion figures and find silhouettes.

Examples

Examples

Bring the following materials: Journal sketchbook Tracing papers 4B or HB pencil and Eraser 1 Mico-pen (Fine tip). Text book Fashion Magazines