1. Making Clothing Choices

2. External Factors – those outside you
These are some of the things that affect the clothing choices that you make:
External Factors – those outside you
Internal Factors – those inside you
Size and Shape – learning to dress well means learning what suits your body

3. External Factors
Those things outside of you that affect what you wear.
They may be the same for all of the people around you.

4. External Factors – those outside you
Environment – (the weather, cold/warm) OR

5. External Factors – those outside you
Geographic Location – (stores in your area sell only things that are popular in your area)

6. External Factors – those outside you
Lifestyle – (job or needs) – your parents’ wardrobes meet their work needs; your wardrobe is that of a student

7. External Factors – those outside you
Time – (to shop) – one trip, or time to look many places

8. External Factors – those outside you
Money – (to buy) – how much can you afford?

9. Internal Factors – those inside you
These are the things that are personal to you.
They express your personality and values.

10. Internal Factors – those inside you
Personal Values –
(express personality) –do you dress up or go casual?

11. Internal Factors – those inside you
Needs and Wants – (need a coat, want a leather jacket)

12. Internal Factors – those inside you
Beliefs – (religion directs clothing choice; T-shirt logo, etc.) – people assume you believe what is written on your shirt

13. Size and Shape – learning to dress well means learning what suits your body
Body Shape – determines your size, and which department you shop in

14. Sizes – learning to dress well means learning what suits your body
Frame – affects shape and style; long arms, broad shoulders
Two people of the same height and weight may look very different because of their frame. Body frame, the skeletal structure of the bones, is usually described as small, medium, or large. A person with a large frame typically looks bigger than someone with a small frame.

15. What frame size are you? Using Wrist Size to Estimate Body Frame Size
Height
Wrist Size for Small Frame
Wrist Size for Medium Frame
Wrist Size for Large Frame
Females under 5’2”
Less than 5.5”
5.5” to 5.75”
Over 5.75”
Females 5’2” to 5’5”
Less than 6”
6” to 6.25”
Over 6.25”
Females over 5’5”
Less than 6.25”
6.25” to 6.5”
Over 6.5”
Males over 5’5”
5.5” to 6.5”
6.5” to 7.5”
Over 7.5”

16. Sizes – learning to dress well means learning what suits your body
Proportion – the relationship between the parts of your body
rounded
hourglass
pear
ruler

17. The Language of Clothes:
Elements of Design
LINE
TEXTURE
SHAPE
When you look for new clothes, are some designs more appealing? While an outfit with a very simple design might attract one’s personal attention, someone else may like a more elaborate design. What may surprise you is that all designs, from simple to complex, come from only a few basic design elements. Whether an artist, architect, or fashion designer, the person who studies design in any part of the world uses the same basic tools, called elements of design. These are color, line, shape, space, and texture or pattern. All of these elements can be used individually and in combination to create different visual effects, whether in a fabric pattern, a painting, a home’s décor, or an item of clothing.
COLOR
SPACE
PATTERN

18. The language of clothes is visual.
Clothes communicate.
The language of clothes is visual.
The key to dressing well is giving the best visual image you can.

19. Color
Can reflect or alter a mood
Can create illusions about size

20. Color Warm Colors – red, yellow, orange Attract attention
Make things look larger

21. Color Cool Colors Are calming Make things look smaller
– blue, green, purple
Are calming
Make things look smaller

22. Line Directs the eyes – your eyes will follow a line on clothes.
LINE is a series of points connected to form a narrow path. How many basic line types do you see around you? Straight and curved are the main ones. A zigzag line is a variation made by combining straight lines. By putting different lines together, many patterns can be formed.
Suggests personality – straight lines are more professional, curved lines are more casual

23. LINE TYPES LINE DIRECTION
Curved
Zigzag
Straight
LINE DIRECTION
Whether curved, straight, or a variation, a line takes one of three basic directions. Vertical lines go up and down, horizontal lines go across, and diagonal lines rest at an angle. Eyes tend to follow lines in the directions they go. Line is the most essential element of design because it divides areas into shapes and space. Clothing designers use line for different effects.
Horizontal
Diagonal
Vertical
A line is defined by its path and length. The eye tends to follow both of these, sending an impression to the brain.

24. CLOTHING DESIGNERS USE LINES FOR DIFFERENT EFFECTS
Straight lines, which provide a crisp, formal look, often appear in classic or conservative designs.
Curved lines, which can be circular or waved, give a feeling of movement to a design. By adding softness and roundness to a garment, curved lines are often used to create a casual image.
With zigzag lines, the eye must constantly change direction to follow such lines, which builds a feeling of excitement or drama. If overdone, the feeling might become chaotic.

25. LINES CAN CREATE ILLUSIONS
Vertical lines lead the eye up and down, giving the illusion of more height. You can use vertical lines to create a taller, thinner look.
Horizontal lines cause the eyes to move from side to side, giving the illusion of width rather than height. Using horizontal lines in particular locations gives that area a shorter or wider look.
Diagonal lines add movement and excitement to the clothing. Due to their dramatic impact, diagonal lines are often chosen for high-fashion clothes and sportswear.

26. OTHER STUFF ABOUT LINES…
The eye will naturally find the dominant line in a garment. This is usually a center seam, a waistline, a curved neckline, or a bold stripe. Whatever it is, that line has the most influence.
The thickness of the lines and the amount of space between lines also creates illusions. Widely spaced vertical stripes may actually give the impression of added width. This is because the eye moves sideways across the lines. Widely spaced horizontal stripes have the opposite effect, causing the eye to move up and down instead of sideways.

27. HOW TO CREATE DESIGN ILLUSIONS
Which rectangle looks wider?
Which rectangle looks taller and thinner?
Which line makes the rectangle look thinner?

28. Understanding Shape
When you see the shadow of an object on the wall, you’re looking at its shape.
Most clothes fit four basic shapes:
Tubular. This shape is rectangular with vertical emphasis. The dominant lines go up and down. The waistline is not usually defined.
Natural. Clothes fit close to the body and emphasize the natural waistline. This shape is the most classic and is worn most easily on average body sizes.
Bell. Both diagonal and horizontal lines combine in a bell shape. This shape can cut height and add curves to a figure.
Full. Full shapes have more horizontal and curved lines than other shapes do. Full shapes tend to make the body look larger.

29. Natural
Tubular
Bell
Full

30. Fashion trends influence which shapes are in style during a fashion season.
Usually, silhouettes change gradually from year to year, but occasionally fashion designers introduce an abrupt switch to a different shape. Styles may suddenly swing from full to tubular when designers, magazines, and stores promote a new look.

31. Understanding Space The outline of a garment is its shape.
The area inside a shape is known as space.

32. SPACE is just as important as the shape, because what goes on within the spaces contributes to the visual effect of the garment.
Typically, internal lines, either structural or decorative, divide the space on a garment.
You’ll want tonote where the structural or decorative lines fall on your body when you select clothes. For example, pants and skirts with fitted yokes emphasize the hipline. Usually, the fewer lines within the space of a garment, the less attention they attract. By contrast, more lines, especially bold ones, draw attention.

33. Understanding TEXTURE
Texture describes the surface characteristics that determine the look and feel of an object.
Fabric textures include soft or crisp, smooth or nubby, and dull or shiny.
Texture affects the way a garment looks.

34. Textures Create Different Impressions
Soft and Clingy Fabrics
Moderately Crisp Fabrics
Extra Crisp Fabrics
Textures Create Different Impressions
Smooth Fabrics with a Dull Finish
Dull Fabrics
Shiny Fabrics
Nubby and Bulky Fabrics

35. Understanding Pattern
When the elements of design are brought together on a fabric; a pattern results.
Patterns come in a great variety:
Stripes, Plaids, Geometrics, Florals, Scenics, Borders, and more.

36. The Principles of Design
Balance
Proportion
Emphasis
Rhythm
Harmony

37. Balance
Symmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical Balance

38. Proportion
Proportion describes how the separate parts of a garment relate to each other.
Typically, about 3/8 of a person’s total height is above the waist, and 5/8 is below.

39. EMPHASIS Use Color, Line, Texture, Design, Details, Trims,
The focal point of a design.
The part that draws attention.
Use Color, Line, Texture, Design, Details, Trims,
or Accessories.
Highlight your best features Draw attention away from figure problems

40. Rhythm
Rhythm moves the eye gently from one area of the garment to another.
3 ways:
Repetition. A pattern repeats, as with rows of stripes.
Radiation. Lines or patterns flow from a central location, like the gathers in a skirt.
Gradation. A pattern changes gradually, as in a change of size or color.

41. Harmony …Is when design elements complement each other.
When harmony exists, each part looks like it belongs.

42. Elements And Principles
How Do The
Elements And Principles
of Design Affect You?