Optimising shapes and understanding colour (Fabrics)

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#1

Hello,

I have searched for this a LOT online but both of these are those things where search engines (and AI) falls over, I’ve also asked in a few WhatsApp groups/forums

Question 1
What effect do shapes have in clothes? What I mean it’s if you want to make an area appear smaller, what shapes are useful? Think sort of vertical lines are ‘slimming’ but a bit more advanced.

Is there some website with a list of optical illusions you can use on clothes? Like if you wanted a sleeve design that would make an arm appear larger, what would you do? Other than just ‘make it really tight’.

  • As an example Raglan sleeves are apparently good for rounding shoulders, but why? What about the geometry makes them work?

If you search for this you get 1,000s of pages about body shapes like apple or pear.

Question 2
How the f*** do colours work? I have seen a colour wheel and understand the opposite side is good? But I need a step beyond that. How do you pick a main colour and then work out secondary colours other than just copying colour schemes from Warhammer 40k? How do some colours that don’t follow the rules go together? How can some combinations evoke a specific time period?

Searching for this just gets you colour wheels again and again.

I hope the answer isn’t enrollment in fashion school.

Thanks in advance

Sam

Edited for formatting / clarity

#2

For #1 have you gone down any camouflage rabbit holes? It’s probably the most well studied (read: military funding research) for advanced shapes and patterns that affect perception of form. Also some great new stuff coming out on using garments and patterns to fool AI human and face recognition. Also a great rabbit hole.

For #2, many design professionals just use tools and then tweak if a client didn’t like something. Coolors is a great site for this. If you want the “why” then yes a double degree in art and psychology is probably necessary. But if you just want a workflow “How” answer, then UI/UX, interior design, and fashion blogs are the way to go. All colour pallet popularity shifts with trends. Some people prefer all one colour and focus on form (per your point 1).

One suggestion is start your colour exploration by limiting to three colours, and focus on each having a different Value (gray scale value). Think black gray white. This helps our brain not get confused and unable differentiate. From there, you might find that the actual hue itself doesn’t matter as much and falls entirely into the subjective.

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#3

Thank you loads @nhjansen camouflage is a great shout!

Coolors is actual witchcraft! Exactly what I needed.

#4

Hey Sam, Finally someone asking questions I can use my degree (fashion design) to help answer :joy:

Ill explain all tomorrow in person, but the biggest thing I can tell you is its all about a balanced silhouette. Now this varies from person to person and their style but thats without a doubt the most important aspect when considering shape and form and how fabric drapes over the wearer.

And of course, all depends on precisely what you in particular are trying to get out of the equation.

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#5

Can’t wait. I’ll bring some biscuits and a lot of half-baked ideas

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