Like design lines in clothing, accessories create horizontal lines. As with clothing, the placement of these lines is important.
A woman makes an outfit her own with accessories. Oscar de la Renta
In my post Horizontal Lines: Friend Or Foe I explain that horizontal lines can be both friend and foe because they:
- Stop the eye
- Emphasize that area
- Cut the body and make it appear shorter
The trick is to understand their placement so they emphasize and cut the right areas.
In this post you will learn:
- Which body elements give you clues as to horizontal line placement
- How accessories create horizontal lines
- How to determine if an accessory follows your body clues
Horizontal lines -- Body Elements
Horizontal line placement is determined by two body elements:
- Body Shape
- Body Proportion
Understanding your body elements will help you with the placement of horizontal lines created by accessories on your body.
Body Shape
To review or determine your body shape go to my post, What Are Your Body Shape Clues.
In this post you learned not to put horizontal lines in your widest area:
- “A” (pear body shape) — at the hips
- “O” (apple body shape) — at the waist
- “V” (inverted triangle body shape) — at the shoulders
The best placement is at a spot that balances your body:
- “A” — at the shoulders or waist
- “O” — at either shoulders or hips
- “V” — at either waist or hips
Sometimes horizontal lines can’t be avoided, for example top hems, so place them around 2 inches above or below your widest area.
Body Proportion
To review or determine your body proportion go to: Body Proportion — Out Of Balance.
You learned in this post not to put horizontal lines in short areas because they shorten that area even more. Put them in long areas because they shorten those areas creating balance.
Horizontal Lines -- Accessories
I’m sure you’re asking: how do accessories create horizontal lines?
To figure this out, remember, look where your eye stops.
Belts naturally form these lines:
Your eye naturally stops at the waist for the jumpsuit and at the hips for the dress.
Handbags stop your eye at the top and bottom of it. The key is to place them in your right spots.
If you have an “A” Body Shape avoid handbags that start or end at your hips. Or if you’re big busted avoid handbags that start at the bust.
Many necklaces stop your eye at the bottom of the curve.
Notice where your eye stops. This is where the horizontal line lies. This could be a problem for bigger busted women when wearing necklaces to work.
Earrings can also have these lines.
Do you see them? Where does your eye stop? If you have a short neck, you need to be aware of their placement. However if you have a long neck these lines are perfect.
Scarves can create several horizontal lines: anywhere they’re wrapped and at the ends.
Be aware of horizontal lines when placing scarves. If you have a “V” Shape Body be aware of the shoulders. “O” Shape Bodies need to be aware of horizontal line placement at the waist.
Your Favorite Accessories
It’s time to determine if your favorite accessories horizontal line placement is perfect for you based on your Body Shape and Body Proportion. Put on each accessory. Where does the horizontal line fall? Is it perfect based on your body’s clues? If not can you adjust it so it is Put on others to look at the horizontal line placement. Do this until you find the perfect combination.
If you didn’t find anything at home, go window shopping and try all the types of accessories to determine what’s best for you. This exercise isn’t about what’s on trend. It’s about finding the right combinations that enhance your body resulting in your ability to tap into your confidence and personal power.
What did you learn? Do you have a better idea about how accessories create horizontal lines and how they can enhance your body? Make a comment below. We would love to hear about your experience.
The next blog post will be on how accessories can create vertical lines. It’s called Vertical Lines — Evaluate Your Accessories.
Wear Your Greatness!!
amazing post. Thanks for sharing the helpful post. really a very impressive post. I like your post
Your welcome. Learning how to identify horizontal lines is important.