Vertical line placements aren’t as important as horizontal line placements. However they do help to create proportion.
Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportion. Coco Chanel
In my post, Vertical Lines Can Be A Foe, vertical lines:
- Draw your eye up and down
- Elongate your appearance and make you look taller
- Cut the body vertically, creating a slimmer profile
Vertical lines properly placed can create balance in body shape and proportion.
Not all clothes have vertical lines. If your favorite outfit doesn’t have any, don’t fret. I would still read this post because you might need vertical lines to create better balance. Vertical lines can be created through:
- Darts
- Design lines
- Scarves
- Necklaces
- Handbags
In this post I will:
- Revisit the two body elements which give you clues as to vertical line placement
- Review the clues your body elements tell you
- Determine where vertical lines are placed on your favorite outfit
- Compare vertical lines on your favorite outfit and best placement for your body
Vertical Line Placement -- Body Elements
The Body Element clues to determine vertical line placement are the same as horizontal line placement: Body Shape and Body Proportion.
Body Shape
If you don’t know your body shape yet or need to review it go to: What Are Your Body Shape Clues?
As a general rule, you want vertical lines in your biggest area. For example:
- “A” (pear body type) body shape wants vertical lines placed around the hips to make the hips appear thinner and move the eye away from this area
- “O” (apple body type) body shape wants vertical lines placed around the waist to make the waist appear thinner and move the eye away from this area
- “V” (inverted triangle body type) body shape wants vertical lines placed around the shoulders to make them appear less wide and move the eye away from this area
If you are any of the above Body Shapes, make a note where you want vertical lines to be placed. You will refer back to it when putting on your favorite outfit and determining if the vertical line placement is right for you.
Body Proportion
If you don’t understand your body proportions yet or need to review them go to: Body Proportions — Out Of Balance?
As a general rule you place vertical lines in short areas to make them appear longer. Also by placing vertical lines in short areas your eye passes over that area not bringing attention to it.
Note any areas where you have short Body Proportions. You will refer back to them when evaluating your favorite outfit.
How Are Vertical Lines Created
Vertical lines are created by these design lines:
- Pockets
- Button closures
- Princess seams
- Center front and back seams
- Neckline
- Raglan sleeves
- Print lines
Evaluate Your Favorite Outfit
Now the fun starts:
- Look for vertical line placement on your favorite outfit
- Determine if the placement creates balance on your body
How To Look For Vertical Line Placement
Hang your favorite outfit on the door. Move your eyes down from the top to the bottom. Look for lines that move your eye from one section to another. If you don’t see them right off, look for the above design lines. Note what area these lines are placed.
Vertical Line Placement On Your Body
It’s time to see if the vertical lines on your favorite outfit are perfectly placed for your body.
Refer back to your above notes on vertical line placement for your Body Shape and Body Proportions.
Put this outfit on and look in the mirror. Going from the top to bottom ask yourself:
- Is this vertical line in the right place for my Body Shape?
- Does it balance out my Body Shape?
- Is my Body Proportion short in this area?
- Does it allow my eye to flow past areas I want to skip over?
Ask yourself these questions all the way down the whole outfit.
If your answers were yes to vertical line placement:
- Right place for my Body Shape
- Balances my Body Shape
- Placed in short Body Proportion area
- My eye flows past areas I want to skip
Then, you know the vertical line placement on your favorite outfit is perfect for you.
By going through this exercise you now have a better understanding of vertical line placement for your body. You are miles ahead of others and you’re one step closer to creating that closet full of clothes you love to wear, which helps you tap into your confidence and personal power.
In the next post you will learn about evaluating the colors in your favorite outfit. It’s called What Color Looks Best On Me?
Did you learn anything new? Are you better able to connect the vertical line placement dots? Tell us about what dots you have connected in the comments below.
Wear Your Greatness!!
