Learn the Language of FashionIntro to Fashion Design

Your Name:

Objective: Learn these terms and be able to use them to describe a garment…

• Silhouette• Fit• Proportion• Line• Fabric, Texture• Color• Detailing

Silhouette

• The overall shape of a garment– Ignore details, fabric, and texture– Look at shoulders, waist as key areas– Often applied to dress shapes• A-line• Empire• Princess• Ballgown• Sheath• Mermaid

Silhouettes in DetailBall Gown•Fitted Torso•Flared waist•Multilayered, full skirt•Overall hourglass silhouette

A-Line•Gentle flare from shoulders•Flared skirt to form “A” silhouette

Empire•High waistline•Narrow silhouette

Silhouettes in Detail

Sheath•Follows natural silhouette of the body•Often strapless or backless

Fishtail•Follows natural silhouette of the body, but flares at the bottom

Fit• How closely the garment fits the

body– Different areas of the garment can

have different fit– Look at arms, body, legs

Proportion

• How the garment divides or cuts the body into different zones– The waist of a garment does not need to

match your actual waist – it can be high, low, or absent altogether

– A garment can divide the body using vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines, or with changes in color or fabric

– For jackets, coats, and skirts, the length/hem is a crucial part of the proportion.

Line• How seams or other major lines affect the

visual impact of the garment• Also called the garment’s “cut”• There is no one place to put a seam – they

can be moved around the body to create the garment’s line

• Can accent the body shape or disguise it– Vertical lines lengthen the body– Horizontal lines widen the body– Straight lines are usually seen as hard or

masculine– Curved lines are usually seen as soft or

feminine– Layers of clothing create multiple lines

Fabric, Texture

• Fabric: the materials used in constructing the garment– Weight (light to heavy)• Affects how the garment drapes the body• Tied to seasons (spring/summer or fall/winter)

• Texture (what the fabric feels like)• Somewhat tied to weight – heavy fabrics tend to have

heavy textures

Color

• Like texture, often influenced by season– Lighter colors for spring/summer– Darker colors for fall/winter

• Red and black together is often seen as cliché• Mixing many primary colors can look garish or

too “loud”• But there are always exceptions

Detailing

• All the practical considerations that make the garment wearable AND any applied decorations:– Fasteners (buttons, zippers, snaps, Velcro)– Pockets (position and type)– Topstitching (stitches that are visible in the final

garment)– Embellishments (lace, beads, rhinestones, etc.)

• Crucial in men’s formal clothing, because it’s one of the few elements that are not determined by tradition

Practice: Describe this garment in terms of

• Silhouette• Fit• Proportion• Line• Fabric, Texture• Color• Detailing

From the G-Star Spring 2010 Collection

Sample Answer:“This is a closely fitted men’s suit. The shoulders have a natural silhouette, and the hip-length jacket is tailored to the body. The pants are slightly more roomy, but with tapered cuffs. The charcoal gray fabric is shiny and has a leather-like appearance. The sleeves are accented by white cuffs, and the garment is matched with gray shoes with white soles again providing a visual accent.”

From the G-Star Spring 2010 Collection

Now you try it:Describe this garment in terms

of:• Silhouette• Fit• Proportion• Line• Fabric, Texture• Color• Detailing

From the Wayne Fall 2010 Collection

Name:Homework: Describe this garment (silhouette, fit, proportion, line, fabric, texture,color, detailing). Create a paragraph of full sentences that is structured to provide the most import facts first, then add details.___________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From the Wayne Fall 2010 Collection

Homework: In your own words, define these terms, based on the handout:

• Silhouette:_______________________________________________________________________________________

• Fit:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

• Proportion:_______________________________________________________________________________________

• Line:____________________________________________________________________________________________

• Fabric,Texture:____________________________________________________________________________________

• Detailing:________________________________________________________________________________________