Learn the Language of Fashion

1. Learn the Language of Fashion Intro to Fashion Design Your Name:

2. Objective: Learn these terms and be able to use them to describe a garment… • Silhouette • Fit • Proportion • Line • Fabric, Texture • Color • Detailing

3. 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

4. Silhouettes in Detail • Ball 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

5. 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

6. Fit • How closely the garment fits the body • Different areas of the garment can have different fit • Look at arms, body, legs

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Practice: Describe this garment in terms of • Silhouette • Fit • Proportion • Line • Fabric, Texture • Color • Detailing From the G-Star Spring 2010 Collection

13. 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

14. Now you try it: Describe this garment in terms of: • Silhouette • Fit • Proportion • Line • Fabric, Texture • Color • Detailing From the Wayne Fall 2010 Collection

15. 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

16. Homework: In your own words, define these terms, based on the handout: • Silhouette:_______________________________________________________________________________________ • Fit:_____________________________________________________________________________________________ • Proportion:_______________________________________________________________________________________ • Line:____________________________________________________________________________________________ • Fabric,Texture:____________________________________________________________________________________ • Detailing:________________________________________________________________________________________