#BlogchatterA2Z : “D” – Different types of Garment Shapes (A2Z of Image Management)

Hi Everyone,

This is my fourth post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge and all those who have read my previous posts especially Body Shape would be able to relate to this. In order to understand how different body shapes require specific garment shapes to be worn , first we need to understand – What Shape in a garment is all about?

Shape is the element of design created when a continuous line encloses space. The space within the lines is called shape. Line and shape are the foundation of all clothing design. Shapes define the outer edge, outline or silhouette of the body and clothing. Shapes add interest to a plain garment design. It create powerful illusions about the size and shape of the body and communicate visual meaning , message or mood.

In clothing two kinds of shapes are formed: Background shapes that are formed by the outline of the garment while Foreground shapes are formed by design details that lie on the surface of the garments and appear to advance. Now lets understand what kinds of garment shapes exists and this will help you in selecting which shape is appropriate for your body type.

Triangular garment shapes: They are composed of predominantly straight lines often with soft flare. They are narrower in the shoulders and wider at the hem. The waist may or may not be defined. They emphasis straight edges and the angularity of the body shape, while they counter roundness and camouflage width in hip and thighs.

Inverted Triangular shapes: They are wider in the shoulders and narrower at the hem. Again the waist may or may not be defined. They emphasis straight edges and the angularity of the body shape, while they counter roundness and camouflage width in upper back and chest.

Rectangular garment shapes : They are just that, rectangular with straight lines and tubes abound the body. Longer than they are wide, the dominant lines are vertical. In clothing, they are in opposition to the body and the waistlines is seldom defined. They accommodate width in the midriff and waist.

Hourglass garment shapes: They are designed with a mix of straight and softly curved lines. The garment is relatively fitted at the waist, emphasizing the smaller waist area as compared to the larger bust above and hip below.

Diamond garment shapes: They are narrower in the shoulder and at the hem as compared to the waist. The waist is not generally defined. They camouflage width around the midriff, waist and high hips area.

Bell garment shapes: They are similar to some triangular garment and full-skirted hourglass shapes, combining straight lines with softly curved to full-rounded lines in the bottom half of the garment. They features a mix of vertical and horizontal line directions, conforming more easily to the body yet camouflaging hip area.

Rounded or curved garment shapes: They featured more curved lines than other shapes. The shape changes depending on how full or rounded the curves are. They emphasize roundness and counter angularity in the figure.

Shapes can be manipulated and arranged to create illusions. A general goal in using clothing as a resource is to select and arrange design shapes in ways that enhances the body – in ways that make the face and figure appear more nearly ideal. Clothing lines and shapes can be used in ways that emphasize the most attractive lines and shapes of the body and camouflage or counter those body lines and shapes considered less attractive, in effect minimizing or eliminating them. The garment silhouette may or may not define or reveal body silhouette depending on the degree of fit or ease allowed. Degree of fit with its ease amount can be categorised as:

A very close fitting garment is snug to the body, repeat and reveals body contours exactly, with little or no ease allowed for body movement or comfort.

A slightly close fitting garment repeat and reveal body contours to a lesser degree, having allowed standard or traditional amounts of ease for body movement and comfort.

A slightly loose fitting garment stands slightly away from the body or flows loosely over it, due to a considerable amount of added ease or fullness for a relaxed and comfortable fit.

A very loose fitting garments stands stiffly away from the body or falls very loosely in folds around the body due to added or extreme fullness. Not revealing body contour at all.

A combination of close and loose fit in a garment is also partially fitted. The garment is more close fitting in specific areas such as the shoulders or upper bodice, the midriff and the waist while being more loose fitting in all other areas.

You can use different degree of close or loose fit to present your figure attractively, to accommodate and camouflage a figure variation and to reduce or eliminate the need for alteration.

No matter what the fashion trend , you are smart to select and wear only those degree of fit that flatter your body and its variations and that focus attention where you want it- closeness only in those areas you want the world to see and looseness everywhere you want.

This post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z Challenge.

In case you missed my previous posts you can find them here A B C

@Swati Mathur