What Is Silhouette in Fashion？

Every day when people just open their eyes, they are faced with the pressing question: what to wear? For some, it may be a trifle, but some take their closet very seriously. Still, we do not live in the era of waistbands, so our appearance should not remain in last place. After all, our emotional state depends on it, affecting our mood. Every year, new fashion trends emerge and clothing preferences change. There is only one thing that remains unchanged - a pattern defined by time. Given that our clothes are constantly improving and becoming more complex, it is important to define their shape and outline.

Do you sometimes wonder what the term "silhouette" means in fashion? This fascinating term comes from the French language. If translated literally, it is the contour of an object, in other words, its outline. When it comes to how good a garment looks, the deciding factor is not the size and shape, but the basic fashion silhouettes and cut of the garment. Clothes can be sewn along straight lines, in which case they will have a tighter and more defined shape, or along curved lines, following the natural curves of the body.

Fashion designers seek to recreate the outline of an object on a plane, transferring the three-dimensional shape to paper as a symbolic image. When experts need to show the look of a garment, they need a sketch. It is by playing with the silhouette that famous couturiers manage to create an attractive image. With this drawing, the elements of the closet become clear. And you can already visually assess whether it suits your figure.

The classification of silhouette is directly related to the shape of the female physique. Therefore, the clothes put on the model should look good, emphasizing her advantages and hiding her shortcomings. Let's delve into more fashionable knowledge about clothing shapes together today.

The word itself appeared and began its existence in 18th-century France. At that time there was a minister of finance at the royal court of the 15th Louis, whose name was Étienne de Silhouette. He was the Comptroller General of Finance in France under Louis XV. He was born in Limoges. Traveling in Europe, lived in London, where he studied practical economics and the financial system of Great Britain. On his return to Paris, he translated several English scientific works on economics, which made him famous.

In March 1759 he was appointed Comptroller General of France. He tried to reform the tax system and reduce the exorbitant expenditures of the royal court. The austerity measures introduced by de Silhouette provoked sharp criticism from court circles. In November 1759, he was forced to leave his post.

But that's not all. He invented a new method of entertainment, that is, he came up with the idea of tracing the shadow of a man on the walls of his dwelling. Strange as it may seem, it had never occurred to anyone before him to do it. All this was very much liked by the guests of the minister, silhouettes of which circled the inventor, liked this funny idea, and the king himself and the fame of the silhouette quickly spread to all corners of France and Europe and even created his museum of various shadow profiles.

Accordingly, as a hurrah, they were also cut out of paper, such a pleasure could afford even not rich strata of the population. That's how simple it is, the word inherited its rightful name from Etienne de Silhouette. However, there is a slightly different version - the word in this sense came into use after a caricature in the form of a shadow profile was drawn on Étienne.

In the world of fashion, silhouettes of women's dresses play an important role, having a significant impact on the appearance and well-being of every woman. If we talk about memorable designer collections, it is fashion silhouettes that play the main role in them. Instant outlines of a garment's contour are the opposite of elusive details, which can be noticed and appreciated only by close examination or touch. Yohji Yamamoto, for example, turned the loose and flowing shapes of black into part of his signature style, which means his work is recognizable without checking the label or the presence of a logo. But silhouettes can characterize someone's identity beyond the brand or designer as well.

Among the variety of silhouettes, it is possible to find the perfect option that will emphasize the advantages of the figure and create a unique stylish image. Before choosing a dress, it is important to understand the differences between silhouettes, and their features and, of course, to take into account the individual properties of the figure.

One of the most popular silhouettes is the "straight" shape, which has simplicity and strictness of lines. It is ideal for women with a straight figure or those who prefer a more understated style. For women who have pronounced shapes, the "hourglass" silhouette is perfect, which emphasizes the waist and hips, creating feminine curves. There are other silhouettes, such as "trapezoid", "A-line" and "oval", each of which has its features and advantages.

Fitted silhouette
Clothing is maximally fitted in the chest, waist, and hips. The waistline is accentuated by darts, embossed seams, or a belt. This silhouette is not corrective, it emphasizes all the advantages and disadvantages of the figure and can be recommended only for women with an ideal physique.

However, a fitted silhouette is not always suitable for all figure types. It is particularly beneficial for women with slim waists, such as "pear" and "hourglass" figures. For "hourglasses" this style is especially advantageous, emphasizing their natural beauty. Even for women of different figure types who are overweight, the "hourglass" figure is considered the most attractive. Excess pounds on the hips and breasts give it an appetizing appeal.

For a fitted silhouette, it is better to choose dense fabrics to avoid translucency and creases. It is also important to pay attention to the length of the product: mini dresses can emphasize excessive tightness, so you can consider options with other silhouettes. For example, you can combine a tight top with a trapeze-style skirt, which will add freedom and confidence.

Another way to soften the tight effect can be to add a top layer of clothing, which can help hide some of the details of the figure and create a more balanced look.

Semi-fitted silhouette
The semi-fitted silhouettes are the intermediate between the low-volume straight and fitted styles. In general, it follows the shape of the figure, but the waistline can be moved above or below its usual position in the product. Semi-fitted silhouette follows the outlines of the figure without emphasizing it. It is characterized by a small volume on the chest line, which fits the figure, with a slight fit on the waistline.

The degree of fit depends on the woman's figure. The position of the waistline on the product does not always correspond to its position on the figure, ie the waistline on the product may be located above or below its natural position. The skirt is widened at the bottom; the degree of widening at the bottom also depends on the figure, and especially on the fullness of the hips.

Straight silhouette
A straight silhouette is a rectangular or square geometric shape. The width of the shoulder and hip line is the same. The degree of bulkiness can be different. Often clothes with straight shape has only breast darts or sewn without them at all.

Sometimes an Oval style is essentially a type of straight shape. It is characterized by more rounded shoulders and a slight narrowing of the bottom. The widest part falls on the waist or hips. Straight silhouette suits many types of figures but decorates not everyone. If you know some subtleties, then you can use them to successfully formalize a problematic figure.

Trapeze silhouette
The trapeze dress became popular in the 60's and won many fans around the world. A great figure correcting and trapezoidal cut. A silhouette in which the shape expands from the shoulder line, armhole, or line under the chest. The degree of expansion can be different: from moderate to very large. It hides nuances and structures the silhouette, as there is an expansion from the narrow part of the chest area.

Products of such a shape can be free throughout the length and do not emphasize the waistline. If desired, the waist can be fixed with a belt. The outline draws attention to the upper part of the figure and is suitable for most types of figures depending on the degree of cleavage downward. Lengths for this silhouette are better to choose not below midi. The plus size will look very favorable empire style with an emphasized line of the chest.

Loose silhouette
The loose and free silhouette looks voluminous and a little baggy, but it has its size. Don't just choose things a few sizes larger. Shoulder lines and side seams should be in place. As a top layer, oversize goes great with a tight shape. In the image, there should be one thing free silhouette. To avoid excessive looseness, you should add straight lines to the image with the help of accessories or shoes.

You've probably already read a lot about body shape types. And maybe you even know your figure type. But we agree that in most life situations we go dressed. Clothes have their silhouette and can visually correct our figure. For clothing to fit well on the figure, its outlines either must coincide with the silhouette lines of the body or improve if necessary.

Determining the appropriate shape of a garment can present certain difficulties. However, choosing the right shapes will allow you to create a harmonious look and best emphasize your proportions. The first step to determining the right silhouette is to determine your proportions. You need to know where the main lines of your body are: shoulders, waist, and hips. It is important to consider the correct proportions of the main lines to find the perfect silhouette for your figure.

The next step is to determine the silhouette that matches your proportions. To do this, each shape has its own rules when choosing clothes. For example, if the width of your shoulders, hips, and waist are about the same, a straight shape will probably work for you. If your shoulders are wider than your hips, then you should look for a fashion style with a highlighted waist. Following the rules of proportion and silhouette will help you choose the right style of clothing. Follow these tips and guidelines to always look stylish and attractive.