Elements of Design: Lines
By:Jamie Reardon
Summary
Lines in fashion design are important because they give direction to a design. They can create illusions that are complimentary or derogatory. #yougottakeepthemseperated!
The 4 Types of Lines
Lines can create movement in a design, carrying the eye from one area to another. They can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curved.
Vertical Lines
Vertical Lines can help a person look taller and narrower. They give the feeling of height, strength, and dignity. More than one vertical line causes the eyes to move from left to right, so two vertical lines close together will make you look thinner while two vertical lines that are far apart will make you look wider. Avoid putting vertical lines at unflattering points like if you have big hips or thighs. A straight, unbroken style line will also create the illusion of the vertical line, accenting height and length. Vertical lines include pressed pleats, vertical tucks, buttoned front closures, V-necklines, and visible seams, such as the princess seam.
Horizontal Lines
These lines can add width, but suggest a feeling of calm relaxation. It also makes a person appear shorter. Avoid placing horizontal lines at unflattering points. Horizontals can be toned down by placing an off center, opposing vertical line or relaxing the line into a curve or diagonal. Although horizontal lines are hard to incorporate into your wardrobe, they are great for pear shaped women, women with a long waist, and those who are flat chested.
Diagonal Lines
Diagonal lines can create two illusions depending on how long or short the line is. If you are wearing something with longer diagonal lines, it will make you look taller and thinner. If you are wearing shorter diagonal lines, it will make you look shorter and will add width. Diagonal lines should go left to right, the same direction the eyes move.
Curved Lines
Rounded Neckline
If a person has a square face, a rounded neckline can make their face appear less square.
V Neckline
A v neck can emphasize a person's pointed chin, when a high or round neck can do the opposite.
Turtleneck
A turtleneck can make a person with a long, thin neck appear to be shorter.
It is hard to say what would happen if an outfit lacked lines. There are many lines: in the collar, in the design, in the way it is cut. It is hard to avoid lines. Lines are important because they help create illusion that could be to your benefit......or make you look less flattering. You need to know how to dress your body type, and lines help extremely well with that.
Citations
"Information on Design Lines." Joy of Clothes. 2015. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.