What are the Principles of Design in Construction of Clothing?

If clothes are observed, eyes move from colour and silhouette to the design of the dress. Two types of design are important in dress making.

1. Structural design.

This design is formed by stitching pieces together, like collar, cuff, yoke, pleats, etc.

2. Decorative design.

Decorative design is made after the dress is stitched, e.g., by putting buttons, frills, or lace, etc., by em­broidering with different colour, patch work, or dying in different colours.

For designing a dress, different lines, curves, colours, and textures are used. These elements should be blended in such a way as to make the design beautiful. For this, know­ledge of basic principles of art is essential. Elements of art are used on the basis of these principles only. These principles guide us about the proper use of various elements.

4.1. Balance

According to this principle, from the centered of the dress, design should be identities on both sides Balance may be achieved ways:

1. Formal balance.

When structure decoration and accessories are almost ideals calls on both sides from the centre of the dress (it is called formal balance. This is an easy way of balancing but such balance lends monotony to the dress.

2. Informal balance.

When the structure decoration and accessories are different both sides from the centre of the dress, it called informal balance. In this, attraction both sides is created by using different accessories.

Balancing is difficult in balance but can be used by using dark color pleats, buttons, embroidery, etc. To create balance, proportion should be used judicious Dresses with this type of balancing are attractive and are often used on form occasions.

Rhythm

Rhythm is an important principle of art. It is created by repeated use of the design. If there is rhythm in a design, the eye would move easily from one part to the other.

Wrong proportion Right proportion of yoke of yoke

Rhythm can be created in three ways in a dress:

(i) By repetition of lines, colours, or accessories. Parallel lines are formed by the use of seams, buttons, embroidery, lace, etc. which helps uninterrupted eye movement.

(ii) Radiation. Rhythm can also be cre­ated by the use of radiated lines. These lines are created by gathers. Eyes can move easily from one part to the other on the small lines created by gathers. Such lines can be seen in gathers on neckline, arm and skirt.

(iii) Gradation. Rhythm can be created by gradual change of lines, shape or shade of the colour.

Emphasis

There is some portion in every dress which is the centre of attraction. This portion is called point of emphasis. Point of emphasis is related to body structure. Emphasis should be laid only on that body part which is most attractive.

To lay emphasis, buttons, belt, lace, etc. of contrasting and dark colours may be used. Emphasis can be laid on a portion repeated use of certain elements. Salient features of body figure can be highlighted a: defects subdued by the use of emphasis. Po^: of emphasis should be around the neck in case of a person with beautiful face and on waistline for a person with slim waist. Emphasis should enhance the grace oft! Wearer and not the other way round

Harmony

Harmony means a relationship of different portion of a dress. Harmony should be achieved through judicious use of colour, shape, and texture to give a feeling of oneness.

• Unity in dress can be achieved repeated use of lines and shapes, with square collars only square pock should be appended.

• Colours used in a dress also have urn. e.g., with a blue printed shirt only blue salwar and pupate will match.

• There should be unity in texture also only silk blouse goes well with a silly sari.

• Personality of the person wearing to dress and the occasion should be complementary to each other.

• Texture and accessories of a dress should also be complimentary to each other. Dress should reflect a feeling of ‘one­ness’. Everything should be complimentary to each other-the dress, the wearer, is occasion. Too much similarity in a dress leads to monotony and uneasiness.

Therefore, vari­ety is must for creating interest. But its selection should be judicious and within lim­its. ‘Harmony is relatedness without Sámi nests.”

Various principles of designing can help in proper selection of dress, which will be attractive to look at and compatible to the personality. Dress should enhance the beauty and personality of its wearer.

In the last chapter, we have read that clothes are an effective medium of reflecting our personality and interests. Therefore, selection of clothes is an important and essential matter. Its knowledge is must for every person.

Selection of clothes seems to be simple but being judicious in selection is very essential. The same person may look more graceful in a proper dress. You should wear clothes that suit your personality and body. A good way of choosing proper clothes is one which fetches you maximum appreciation.

In the selection of clothes, personal experience is the best guiding force besides the durability and suitability of the cloth and beauty and personality of the wearer. But on account of latest trends in clothing, the old knowledge becomes obsolete. Therefore, we should choose clothes keeping in mind the general principle of clothing.