Figure and fashion

Figure and Fashion

Different human figures: - Not all human being have good figure. Few maintain them others do not. All types of clothes look good on a perfect body. But most of the people do not have a good figure.

Unproportionate human figures are classified into following types: -.

1 Height: Some people are too tall or too short

2 Face: - Broad or long face

3 Size: - some are too thin or too fat.

2        Bust: - Some females have flat bust others have big bust No proper curves

3        Shoulder: - No proper shapes of the shoulder

4        Hips: - Too small or large hips, No proper curves

5        Neck: - Long or short neck, fat or thin neck

6        Waist, some have too thin waistline and some have a protruding stomach. `

OPTICAL ILLUSION: -- Optical illusion means to make a person appear different from what he originally is in order to make it appear pleasing to the eyes. A designer never gets a perfect figure to design with. Hence he has to design the garments in such a way that they bring out the best of personality of the wearer.

Factors affecting illusion are: -

Lines: - Line is defined as that which has got length but no breadth. Eyes follow the lines so they affect the figure. A vertical line can make the figure look taller and slimmer. Similarly Horizontal lines make the figure appear short and stout because they cut the height. Therefore short and fat people should wear dresses with vertical line and long personalities should wear outfits with horizontal line. Oblique and diagonal lines are flattering and eye-catching. Curved lines are graceful than straight lines. Wavy lines give feeling of joy.

 

  

Boththe above lines are exactly of same length but there placement in above mannercreats such an optical illusion that the spectator thinks that line no, 1 is bigger than line no. 2

 

  

In the above figure both the square are of same size but due to vertical lines in the first square it appears longer than the second one

Prints: - Fat personalities should wear dresses with small prints and thin personalities should wear dresses with big prints. For a thinner personality to look healthier he should wear checks print

Color: Color affects the appearance of human figure the color you wear should make your skin look as vital and alive as possible. They should brighten up your eyes and bring out the lights in your hair. And also remember that there is no skin that cannot be helped by a becoming color, no eyes and no hair that will not yield some gleams when displayed in the right settings.

As people grow older they will generally find that the softened tones of their favorite colors will be more becoming to them than the brighter shades. Warm colors make the figure appear larger. Cool and dark colors make it appear slimmer.

 

Both the boxes are of same size but box no 1 appears bigger due to warm color in the box in comparison to box no 2 which has a cool color

Use dull colors for tall and slim figure. Use dark colors for short and stout figure.

 Anyone can wear black with a transition color between the garment and the skin of the face and neck. Warm flesh color, eggshell or soft pale pink, chartreuse green or old ivory, used in yoke, collar or vest. Will make black becoming to almost any skin.

            Many women are afraid to wear white. White is mostly used during hot seasons as it keeps the body temperature cool by not absorbing much heat. Off- white tones, however- especially in sheer or soft surfaced fabrics are becoming to most people

The question for you to settle is just what tint is best for you.

Texture :-It refers to the way the surface of something feels or way it is expected to feel. A shiny fabric makes the body appear larger, but a dull finish gives a slimming effect.

Silhouettes

A silhouette is the outline made by the garment on the human figure. Every fashion is not suitable for all figures. No two human figures are same. Every student of fashion designing must keep in mind that hardly any figure must have a perfect proportion. Hence a designers prime concern is to design garments in such a way that they would make a figure appear attractive by drawing attention to best features and covering worst features.

How to find your Silhouette
This is a very easy and perfect method to find your own silhouette.
Select a comparatively dark room. Make the room absolutely dark by closing all the windows. The best time to do this experiment is nighttime. Light a candle and place it on the edge of a table. The top of the candle must be exactly the same height as your waistline.

  Remove all the extra clothing you are wearing and be in your under garments that are perfect. Do not wear anything that will conceal the true outline of your figure. Don’t wear padded or push up bras.

  Now face a blank wall and walk straight away from the candle to a distance twice as great as your own height. Take care that the wall is plain and it’s preferable to have a white wall. This will throw a shadow of your correct silhouette on the wall. First study it facing the wall, then turn to the side and study your “profile” silhouette. Any little peculiarities of figure will be instantly detected
In taking your silhouette, if you find that the outline is not clear and sharp, if it is a little blurred or hazy, take a step forward or backward watching the wall carefully and you will invariably find the exact spot to stop.

Dressing for a particular  silhouette

Short :- We should use such optical illusions the personality should look tall. The outfit should have narrow shoulder.

The outfit should be tight fit

Belt should be narrow

Tall

Should wear loose fitting clothes

Use stiff material

The sleeves of the out fit should be puffed and little long Try to use more pleats or gathers around the waist to increase its fullness.

Use a wide belt

Don’t use deep neckline

Fat personality: - Mostly V neckline should be avoided

Plain sleeves are used

Any type of pleats and frills should be avoided

Avoid shiny material.

Slender personality: - Costumes should be not too tight. Deep neckline should be avoided. Use fullness at the sleeves

Short and Stout silhouette

Clothes with vertical lines should be used as they make the figure appear taller

Clothes should be well fitted. Not too tight or not too loose.

Select solid color material or material with small prints

Avoid puffed sleeves and round necklines

Soft fabrics like Crepe, Linen, Georgette can be used.

Short and slender silhouette

Use both vertical as well as horizontal lines

Use loose fitting clothes.

Use large prints

Use soft lightweight fabric rather than heavy fabric

Tall and stout silhouette

Diagonal lines should be used                           

Sleeves should be simple and well fitted

Use smooth material

 

Tall and slender silhouette

Use garments with horizontal lines

Should wear loose fitting clothes

Use puffed sleeves, padded shoulders etc

Use stiff material

Flat busts:- Mostly use padded bras

Artificial padding  should be done

Clothing near the bust should be not too tight.

Large busts: use plain bras , Padded bras should be avoided

Clothing near the bust should be not too tight.

Necklines:-
For Short necks
. Don't choke them or muffle them or put strings of large pearl beads around them. Give them air. Deep V necklines add inches to short necks
For long  necks\
Bateau necklines should be used.                                                                                        Use frilled collars, draped blouses and unsymmetrical necklines,

minimize those hips.
: People with large hips mostly have narrow shoulders compared to hips , increasing the broadness of the shoulder may create a optical illusion of smaller hips as due to broadness of the shoulders the viewers look instead of going directly to the hips gets divided between hips and shoulder. . Choose a pattern with a V bodice construction when you can, but be sure the V is in good position, standing right side up, with two of its points somewhere near the shoulders and its third point centered somewhere below the waistline Wear a two piece garment so that  the viewer attention will get distracted from the hips. Boleros, cape backs and jackets have a little swing that distracts attention from rounded contours below the waist. Soft blousing over a judiciously placed waistline often produces the desired effect.

Use circular skirts.

For narrow shoulders
. Narrow shoulders require sleeves set as far out on the tip of the shoulder as is consistent with a good fitting armhole. Capes are very acceptable. Shoulder epaulette yokes increase the apparent width of the shoulder.