The Elements of

DesignIn Fashion

The 7 Elements of Design

Shape Line Color Focal Point Proportion Balance Texture

Shape refers to the 4 Clothing

Silhouettes

Hourglass Fitted bust &

waist give a contour look

Favored by women with hourglass figures.

Rectangle The shape isn’t

form-fitting through the waist and bust.

It hides rather than reveals body shape

Triangle The dress

creates a triangle shape

A high fashion look

Inverted Triangle

The broad shoulders widen the top

The tight skirt narrows the bottom

LineHorizontal Draws the eye

across the width of the figure

Makes the body look wider and shorter

Vertical Line Leads the eye

up and down Makes a person

look taller and thinner

Diagonal Line Diagonal lines

are dynamic They lengthen or

shorten, depending on their direction

Curved Line Adds fullness to

the figure because it emphasizes roundness

The curved collar widens the shoulder

ColorColor has the power to change your shape.

You can use color to your advantage in your clothing.

If you are tall

and want to minimize your height, wear a two color outfit.

Contrasting colors call attention to an area.

The mono-chromatic look avoids color lines and contrasting color. The effect is to emphasize height.

Focal Point

A focal point is a place to which the eye is drawn first; it is a point of emphasis.

Proportion Deals with how

the parts of your outfit relate to each other.

Avoid outfits that cut you in half.

Balance Formal or

Symmetrical Balance – both sides are the same

Informal or Asymmetrical balance – both sides are different, yet balanced

Texture Heavily textured

fabrics enlarge the figure.

Smooth, lightweight fabrics will minimize your weight.

When you understand the basics of design, you can emphasize your best features and even have fun building a wardrobe that is best for your shape.