Rhythm

Rhythm is a visual of carrying the eye gently through one area of the garment to another. Rhythm ties a design together. 

Rhythm in a garment can be achieved in several ways. 

Repetition- a pattern or line repeating on garment 

Gradation- the pattern changes gradually in color or size  

                          Radiation- Lines or patterns flow from a central location 

Emphasis

Emphasis is the part of the design that draws your attention. It highlights the best features of a figure while drawing attention away from anything one would want to hide. Emphasis is a focal point of a design.

    Emphasis can be accomplished with color, line,texture & accessories. 

High waisted black shorts emphasize Taylor Swift's long legs & tiny waist

The slit in Selena Gomez's  dress emphasizes her long legs & red  shoes. The cutouts in the hips draw attention to her tiny waist.  

Radiation gathering of the fabric in Octiva Spencer's dress de-emphasizes any bulge she might want to cover & her earrings with the updo bring attention to her face.

Kim Kardashian's V- neck body-con dress emphasizes her hourglass figure & the white shows off her tan skin

Proportion

Proportion is how separate parts of a garment relate to each other and to the whole in size. 

The 3-to-5 ratio is often used in fashion. This ratio provides a flattering look that equates to body structure. The way the ratio is used sometimes does vary, differing with different body shapes.

"Apple Shaped"

"Hourglass Shape"

"Pear Shape"

"Rectangle Shape"

Balance

Balance is when the space of the design appear equal on both sides of the central line, real or imagined.

Balance gives the feeling of stability. 

Symmetrical Balance

the spaces on 

each side of                                                                                               the garment 

look identical 

Asymmetrical 

                      Balance- 

the space 

doesn't look identical

 on each side of the real 

or imagined central line 

Texture

Texture describes the surface characteristics that determine the look & feel of an object. Texture affects the way a garment looks.

Fabric texture results from the fiber, yarn, construction, and finish used. Texture determines how a fabric moves when worn & can create different illusions for the figure.

Soft and Clingy Fabrics- wear closely to the body & can emphasize parts of the body one might want to conceal. When draped the fabric can be flattering. 

Close fitting chiffon dress 

Draped chiffon jumper 

Baggy chiffon pants  

Jersey fabric dress

Draped chiffon dress 

Chiffon dress 

Moderately Crisp Fabrics- wear away from the body shape & can make the figure look slightly larger. 

Corduroy skirt 

Denim shirt 

Denim jacket 

Corduroy dress 

Extra Crisp Fabrics- create a firm shell-like form around the body making the silhouette larger as well as making the body seem bigger.

Taffeta dress

Taffeta dress 

All taffeta tops, left & right taffeta skirts& last image vinyl pants

Smooth fabrics with a dull finish- fabric doesn't create any illusion for the body's size & shape.

Flannel shirt 

Broadcloth dress 

Gabardine Tennis Skirt 

Wool Jersey Dress

Nubby& Bulky Fabrics- can hid features of the body one might want to conceal but add dimension creating the illusion of the person seeming larger.

Wide-wale corduroy pants 

Mohair Sweater 

Tweed Jacket 

Tweed Skirt & Knit Sweater

Shiny Fabrics- fabrics that reflect the light & give the look of added size.  

Silk Shirt 

Silk shirt & pants 

Metallic pants, skirt & dress

Sequined pants & jacket 

Shape

Shape is the outline that forms when one or more lines come together to enclose an area.

The Natural Shape -follows the body's natural outline. The natural shape wears closer to body & emphasizes the natural waistline. Most body sizes can easily pull the look off.

Tubular Shape- shaped like a tube, was popular during the roaring 20's.The dominant lines go up & down, a waistline is not usually  defined creating a boyish & rectangular look with an vertical emphasis.

 

 

 

 

Bell Shape- both diagonal and horizontal lines creates the bell shape. This shape can create the illusion of a shorter person as well as add contour to the figure.

 

 

 

 

 

Bell-Shaped Pants, popular in the 70's

 

Full Shape- consists of more horizontal and curved lines than other shapes do. Full shapes were worn a lot when  Christian Dior's "New Look" was created. The full shape usually makes the body appear larger.