When buying pants, step 4 is looking at the design line shapes. Design lines come in two shapes:
- Curved
- Angular
The Body Element which gives you clues as to design line shapes is your Face Shape. You learned about your Face Shape in my post, “How To Keep Your Feet From Resembling Olive Oyl’s Feet.”
In this post you will learn about:
- Design line shape categories
- What design lines you can find on pants
Design Line Shapes -- Categories
Design line shapes can be divided up into three categories:
- Functional design lines: examples are pockets, collars, cuffs
- Purely decorative design lines
- Prints
Design Line Shapes On Pants -- Curved Vs Angular
Before I get into the design line shapes on pants there is one thing I want to talk about. That is matching your face shape to the design lines, along with all the other elements (silhouette, horizontal line placement, vertical line placement and color). This can be difficult. For example, jeans’ inset pockets in the front are mostly curved. If you have an angular face, it isn’t your best choice. Also the back patch pockets are mostly angular on jeans. If you have a curved face, it isn’t your best choice. But don’t fret.
It’s hard to find pants that match all of your body elements (unless you sew them yourself or have them sewn for you). The shape of pockets adds congruence; but in the ready-to-wear world that might be impossible. This is one of the major reasons I sew. I can create pants that match all my body elements so on the days I don’t feel 100% or I need to tap deeper into my confidence I can wear clothes that can get me closer to it.
If you want a pair of pants for one of those days and can’t find any with design lines that match your face shape, I recommend you buy pants without any extra design lines.
Functional Design Lines
The most prevalent functional design lines you will find on pants are pockets. There are two types of pockets:
- Patch
(Curvy-Fit Straight-Leg Jeans with Tummy Control, INC, Macys.com, Web ID 10577827)
(Belted Wide-Leg Utility Pants, INC, Macys.com, Web ID 10471980)
(Slim-Leg Cargo Utility Pants, INC, Macys.com, Web ID 10472025)
- Inlay
(Curvy-Fit Straight-Leg Jeans with Tummy Control, INC, Macys.com, Web ID 10577827)
Curvy-Fit Slimming Bootcut Pants, Alfani, Macys.com, Web ID 656431)
The key here is to look for pockets that match your face. If you have a curved face shape (round, oval, heart or pear) then the lines on the pockets should be curved. If you have an angular face (square, rectangle, triangle or diamond) then the lines of the pockets should be angular.
Purely Decorative Design Lines
Purely decorative design lines add dimension to pants. These lines are found in:
- Seam lines in the pants
(Faux-Leather-Patch Leggings, Bar III, Macys.com, Web ID 9532363)
(Stud Wide-Leg Pants, INC, Macys.com, Web ID 9911719)
- Hems
- Vents at hem
(Slit Hem Trouser, Mango, Macys.com, Web ID 10570184)
(Side Tie Ankle Pant, Alfani, Macys.com, Web ID 8051407)
As above, you look at the shape of the lines; are they curved or angular? If you have a curved face you look for curved lines and if you have an angular face you look for angular lines.
Remember if you don’t find pants with the right decorative design lines for your body elements and you want a pair to tap into your confidence and personal power, look for pants without purely decorative design lines.
Prints
Pants can come in great prints, which add dimension and texture. When buying pants with prints, look at print shapes; are they curved or angular?
If your face is curved, then you choose curved prints. On the other hand, if your face shape is angular, then you choose angular prints.
Before choosing the right print for you, there is one thing you need to consider and that is the scale of the print. I will address that in a later post.
I have a mostly angular face; however I love polka dot prints. They just make me happy. Theoretically speaking I shouldn’t wear polka dot prints because I have an angular face and the prints are curved. What is a girl to do? Well on days I don’t need the extra boost of confidence I wear clothes with polka dot prints. Also I make sure every other element of the clothes fits my Body Elements. That is how I get away with it; only one element isn’t perfect.
In the next post you will look at pants color and more specifically neutral color.
Did you learn anything new? Make a comment in the space below.
Wear Your Greatness!!
