Now that you understand horizontal line placement for Body Shape – step 2 is to adjust for Body Proportion between your bust/waist, waist/hips, hips/knees, and knees/floor.
In my first post – Horizontal Line Placement On Pants — 1, I wrote about:
- The effects of horizontal lines
- How horizontal lines are created
- Determining placement for Body Shape
Today you will learn about:
- Determining placement for Body Proportion
- Bringing it all together
Horizontal Line Placement Based On Body Proportion
With respect to Body Proportion horizontal line placement is critical for pants if you are short between the areas of:
- Bust and waist
- Waist and crotch
- Crotch and knees
- Knees and floor
Remember horizontal lines can shorten an area and if that area is already short it becomes visually shorter. In my travels I have seen that a lot of women are short between their bust and waist, and long between their waist and hips, which is perfect for carrying babies. But given this fact, when determining the best place for a waistband, make sure the space between the bust and waist doesn’t shrink.
If your Body Proportion is the same for both of these areas you can place horizontal lines totally based on your Body Shape. However, if one of these areas is short or long then you need to position horizontal lines for your Body Proportion.
To examine the placement of horizontal lines on pants with respect to Body Proportion ask yourself these questions, “Am I long, short or the same between my:
- Bust and waist?”
- Waist and crotch?”
- Crotch and knees?”
- Knees and floor?”
Horizontal Line Placement and Your Body Proportions
Bust and Waist - Long, Short Or Same
To examine the placement of horizontal lines on pants with respect to Body Proportion ask yourself these questions, “Am I long, short or the same between my:
- Bust and waist?”
- Waist and crotch?”
- Crotch and knees?”
- Knees and floor?”
If you are long in this area, you will have the freedom to move the waistband up and wear high- waisted pants. By moving the waist higher it will create a horizontal line which will visually shorten this area. Adjust the horizontal line placement based on Body Shape while taking Body Proportions into consideration.
On the other hand, if you are short in this area, you want to move the waistband below your natural waist. A great place is at the belly button. I believe this is why the placement of waist bands has migrated to this area and has become the new norm. Women who are short in this area knew that this is a better placement without really knowing why. (It just makes them feel lighter.) Adjust the horizontal line placement based on Body Shape while taking Body Proportions into consideration.
Waist and Crotch - Long, Short Or Same
If your Body Proportion is the same between your waist and crotch, you can place horizontal lines based on your Body Shape.
If you are long between your waist and crotch, you want horizontal lines in this area to visually shorten it. Horizontal lines can be created through placement of the waistbands, pockets and plackets. Adjust the horizontal lines based on Body Shape while taking Body Proportion into consideration.
If you are short in this area, you don’t want any horizontal lines there because the area would appear even shorter. Place waistbands at the natural waist or higher. Adjust the horizontal lines based on Body Shape while taking Body Proportion into consideration.
Crotch and Knees - Long, Short Or Same
Once again, if your Body Proportion is the same between your crotch and knees you can place horizontal lines anywhere in this area. Horizontal lines can be created through design lines and patch pockets.
If you’re long between your crotch and knees, you want horizontal lines to visually shorten this area. However in most cases you will not have to worry about horizontal lines there because the eye will automatically pass over this area to the actual hem of the pants. Horizontal lines can be created through placement of design lines and pockets. Also when you wear shorts, the hem will create a horizontal line.
Once again, if you’re short between your crotch and knees, you don’t want horizontal lines in this area but you’re in luck because most pants don’t have horizontal lines there anyway. However, watch for design lines and pockets.
Knees and Floor - Long, Short Or Same
If your Body Proportion is the same between your knees and floor, you can place horizontal lines anywhere in this area. Horizontal lines in this area are created mostly by hem lines.
If you’re long between your knees and floor, you want horizontal lines this area to visually shorten it. Horizontal lines can be created through placement of hems which means you can wear any length pair of pants. Wearing capris and ankle pants are a good option because the hem will create that horizontal line.
Finally, if you’re short between your knees and floor, you don’t want horizontal lines in this area. Your biggest concern will be hemlines. In the picture below note how when the horizontal line is within this area the legs appear even shorter and the torso appears even longer. Capris (any pants with a hem above the ankle) are not a good idea. I’m short in this area. It wasn’t until I understood my Body Proportion that I was able to understand why capris don’t work for me. Another interesting fact about this body area is that most women are short there so we’re in good company.
This is the last of my 2 part series on horizontal line placement when shopping for pants. I believe the placement of horizontal lines can make or break creating a closet full of clothes you love to wear. The next post is on the shape of design lines for your perfect pair of pants.
Wear Your Greatness!!
