1. Color, Shape, Line and Texture
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 diagonal A diagonal line is created by the
has been created
at the hem of
this skirt.
A diagonal line
is created by the
arrangement of
flowers in the
fabric of this 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

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

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 or button placket, vertical trimming, neck to hem closing or princess seam lines.
placket
Seam line
Narrow overall shape
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 horizontal effects
full garment, uneven horizontal stripes, contrasting belt, square neckline.
Square neckline
Full shape

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

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.