The ability to transform clothes’ design lines will open a new world of possibilities for the outfits you already own and ones you want to buy. Many times design lines can be changed by adjusting a hem, adding darts or by layering clothes and/or accessories. Have you ever purchased an outfit that almost works because it’s your favorite color, print or style; but, it sits in your closet because it doesn’t feel right? This is Sam’s problem.
She has a closet full of tops she would love to wear but something feels wrong about them. One of them is a green top. Learn how she can transform this top into one she can wear on a regular basis.
Sam’s Body Elements
As a review, these are Sam’s Body Element clues:
- Body Shape — H (Body Shape — The Girls)
- Angular clothes silhouette
- Can place horizontal and vertical lines almost anywhere when considering Body Shape
- Face Shape — Oval (Face Shape — The Girls)
- Curved design lines, prints and accessories
- Color Skin, Hair, Eyes — High Color Contrast (Color Skin, Hair & Eyes — The Girls)
- Favorite Colors — Blue, Pink (red/violet), Green
- Color Combinations (other colors) —
- Triadic — Blue
- Triadic or Complementary — Pink
- Complementary — Green
- Color Combinations (relative lightness and darkness) — High contrast
- First Scale Clue — Large
- Body Proportions — Short between chin/bust, Long between waist/crotch (Body Proportions — The Girls)
- Horizontal lines — Don’t place them between her chin/bust but do place them between her waist/crotch
- Vertical lines — Limit the amount between her waist/crotch but do place them between her chin/bust
- Second Scale Clue — Decrease overall scale between chin/bust and increase it between waist/crotch
- Body Frame Size — Medium (Body Frame Size — The Girls)
- Third scale clue — Medium
- Scale Strategy — Medium/Large (Scale Strategy — The Girls)
- Decrease it to medium between her chin/bust
- Increase it to large between her waist/crotch
Transform Clothes' Design Lines -- Top
Sam initially purchased this top because it’s her favorite color green, she loves the knit fabric, and it has long sleeves. However, there’s something about it that’s a little off and she can’t figure it out. She puts it on in the morning to wear to work; but, always ends up taking it off and putting something else on. She’s tried to pair it with different pants but nothing works.
Sam wants to figure out what’s wrong with the top and if it can be changed because she loves everything about it except when she puts it on.
Transform Clothes' Design Lines -- Design Lines
There are many things right about this top’s design lines and color. First, the silhouette of the top is angular which matches her H Body Shape silhouette. Second, the color is her favorite green. Third, the ruching creates horizontal lines between her waist and crotch causing the area to appear to be in balance with the rest of her body. Fourth, the hem also creates a horizontal line in this area. Finally the neckline is curved which matches her curved Face Shape.
The reason this top feels off for Sam is the neckline. The bottom part of the wide scooped neckline creates a horizontal line. She’s short between her chin and bust and the placement of this horizontal line makes this area appear even shorter. This factor is causing her to feel a little heavy when wearing this top.
Ways To Transform Clothes' Design Lines
This will be a recurring theme for Sam because many necklines can create a horizontal line right where she doesn’t want one. There are two ways to transform the design: layering clothes and layering accessories.
Sam can layer a jacket or cardigan sweater over a top that has a horizontal line between her chin and bust. The opening creates two vertical lines. Here are two examples:
Also to counterbalance this horizontal line she can pair this top with a scarf or necklace which can create a vertical line giving length to this area.
Sam should choose a scarf with a curved print with her favorite color combinations: triatic or complimentary. The scale of the print should be medium/large. Finding the right scarf with the right print shape, scale and colors can be hard, so she should keep an eye out for one.
When choosing a necklace, Sam should choose one with a curved medium/large scale pendant. Another type of necklace she can use is a lariat because it creates vertical lines.
Final Thoughts
Whenever you find a horizontal line in an area where your proportions are short, you can counterbalance it by adding several vertical lines. These lines can be created by accessories, layering other clothes or pressing creases. Try different options until you find the one that makes you feel light. Then you’ll feel yourself tapping into your confidence and personal power.
In the next blog post, Monica will learn how to transform the design lines in an outfit. It’s called: Transform Clothes’ Design Lines — Monica.
Wear Your Greatness!!
