Caldwell, K. (n.d.). Retrieved 9/17/210

 Elements are the building blocks of design.  Color: Most exciting element of design  Shape: Overall outline of a garment, it is the form or silhouette.  Line: Distinct, elongated mark as if drawn by a pencil or pen.  Texture: The surface quality of goods.

 SHAPE:  Form or silhouette of a garment  Shape or outline seen from a distance  Can reveal or hide a natural body contour  Try to flatter good features and hide less attractive features Full, wide shapes make you look bigger Trim, compact silhouettes make you look smaller Straight, tubular shapes make you look taller Form fitting clothes reveal any unattractive contours, should only been worn by figures that are near-perfect

 LINE:  Have direction, width, length  Eyes follow lines  Lines suggest movement, leading eyes up, down, side- to-side, around  Outline outer and inner spaces of garments  Categories of lines: Type Direction Application

 Line Types:  Straight: bold, severe Show dignity, power, formality, steadiness, stability  Curved: rounded, circular Less conservative, formal and powerful Give soft, youthful, gentle, charming, graceful feeling Make things look larger than they are Circles are closed lines and stop the eye entirely Flattened curves are most flattering to the human shape  Jagged: change direction abruptly (ex: zigzags) Create a jumpy, confused feeling Use sparingly, they are very noticeable Wear them if you are self-confident

 Feeling of dignity, strength, poise, sophistication  Leads eye up and down, makes wearer look taller and thinner

 Degree of slant determines the visual effect  Draws attention to where they are used

 Feeling of restfulness and gentleness  Leads eye across the body, makes wearer seem shorter and wider  Use where you want to look wider

 TEXTURE:  Surface quality of garments (how it looks and feels)  Roughness, smoothness, dullness, glossiness, stiffness, softness  Bulky fabrics Add visual size (make you look bigger) Can disguise a flaw Can overpower a small person  Smooth, flat textures Make you look smaller  Shiny textures Make you look bigger, as they reflect light  Dull Textures Make you look smaller, as the absorb light