Proportion

Flattering the figure

 Proportion

• Refers to how lines and shapes divide the

space, garment, or outfit into parts. It
involves the relationship of one part or
space compared to another part or space,
compared to the whole garment, and to the
body.
 Proportion= ratios
1 1
2 1 • Any fashion can be divided
into parts and compared,
3 2 which creates a ratio.
• Draw visual lines across the
4 3 design to begin.
• Where there is a line, color,
texture or shape change begin
1 to 3 ratio the first part of your ratio.
• The second part of the ratio is
the remaining part of the outfit.
 Proportion
• A garment is generally more interesting and pleasing if
divided into uneven or unequal parts, and if the parts are in
scale with the body.
• For example, uneven ratios of one part to three parts, two
parts to three parts and three to five are traditionally
considered to be more interesting and artistically pleasing
than one to one or two to four which can appear boring or
bulky.
• Uneven ratios are more similar to natural body proportions
and less obvious than even ratios.
 Natural proportion
• With the waist as the dividing line, the body’s ratio averages
two parts above the waist and three parts below or three parts
above five parts below.
• Garment proportions that are harmonious with the body do
not reveal nor emphasize variations in body proportions that
occur due to bone structure and uneven weight distribution.
• Clothing proportions can be manipulated using the elements
of design to visually alter body proportions and created an
illusion about the figure.
Mark the proportion

1
1
1
1

3
 Proportion assignment
• Choose two pictures of full length designs.
• Cut them out nicely and paste them to a white piece of paper
• Using a ruler decide what the proportion of the outfit is.
• Draw your box and lines on top of the design, using a pen that can
be seen. Label with numbers the divisions
• Write on the back of the white sheet:
– What is the ratio?
– How does the proportion add interest, help the figure or detract from the
figure?
• EXTRA CREDIT: turn in to two portfolio pages
Portfolio Assignment