Shape

Apparel Designing and Construction 3(1+2)

Lesson 5 : Shape, Space And Silhouette

Shape

Definition and concept

Shape refers to the contour of the two dimensional object and when third dimension adds to it, the shape becomes a form that has volume (hollow interior) or mass (solid interior) of its own. In garments, shape is thus a flat, two dimensional area enclosed by a line. These shapes are formed by the internal lines present in the garment within the silhouette lines. These internal lines are contributed by the structural components (Fig. 5.1) collars, belts and pockets) as well as the decorative surface components (Fig. 5.2) (pattern, trims and embroidery) in the garments.

The human body is a three dimensional solid mass while the structural framework of the garment are hollow forms. The interior volume of the garments relates to and matches the exterior contours of the body to give a pleasing look to a dressed individual.

i
 j

Shapes in garments

Different types of shapes are used in garments.
These shapes and forms can be incorporated in the dresses by two different means:

  • Structural means: It can add both two dimensional shapes as well as three dimensional form in the garments.
  • Decorative means: It can add only the two dimensional shapes in the garments.

Few of the shapes/ forms, the means of insertion and garment feature or parts depicting them are as follows:

Shape/ form

Means of insertion

Garment Feature/ Part

Square/ polygon (Fig. 5.3)
Circle/oval (Fig. 5.4)
Triangle (Fig. 5.5)
Diamond (Fig. 5.6)
Teardrop
Trapezoid(Fig. 5.7)
Heart (Fig. 5.2)

Structural

Pockets
Yoke
Collar
Necklines

Decorative

Pattern
Trims
Cutwork (embroidery)

Sphere/ ovoid
Cone (Fig. 5.8)
Box
Trumpet (Fig. 5.9)
Hourglass (Fig. 5.10)
Dome

Structural

Puff sleeves
Skirt
Formal gent’s suit
Skirt/ lehnga
Evening dress
Skirt

a
 b
c
 d
e
 f
g
 h

Guidelines for using shapes and forms in the garments:

  • It must balance the structural, functional and decorative aspect of design
  • Different parts are in proportion to each other and to the whole garment resulting in the pleasing harmony
  • It should not be too concealing or revealing or distorting; should be accentuating the desirable features of the wearer by repetition or contrast and camouflaging the undesirable ones
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Last modified: Friday, 27 January 2012, 6:15 AM