Properties of Colors

Saturation / Intensity

The most important property of color is its ‘level of saturation’ .The saturation can be described as the process of lowering of color. Lowering saturation can be achieved by the mixing of grey of a similar value. As more grey is added the color loses its saturation eventually getting to a stage where pure grey is made.

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When we add grey to a color than it is called as ‘tone’- a less saturated version of the color. The saturation of a color can be decreased by mixing it with its complementary color, resulting in a muddy, neutralized version.

To increase the saturation of the color we have to add the more of the same color, displaying greys and neutral elements, or adding an already more saturated version of the same color.

Changing colors and saturation simultaneously

The value of the a color is changed, as mentioned above, by adding white , black or grey, to produce tints, shades and tones. By changing the value we can also change the saturation level of the color.

Effects of Colors

                                          Image source -www.freshcutfabrics.com

The colors have a language of their own, different types of colors evoke specific emotional responses. It is important for a designer to understand the language of colors to help them in using appropriate colors to communicate their ideas well. Different type of colors conveys different type of messages like convey ideas, emotions, feelings, commands and many more things.

White

White is aristocratic and refined. White produces different effects when used with different colors .When it is used with pastels, it become soft and romantic. White transcends the fickleness of fashion with its elegance, purity and honesty. When combined with warm hues it suggests a sporty and casual look. When combined with neutrals, it maintains composure and elegance. When transcends all culture and season with timeless elegance

Woven and transparent fabrics add to the flexible attitude of white. White has its own palette. Wool, linen, lace, woven, all fabrics of white have their own colors, slightly different from each other.

Black

Black is known as the monarch of fashion world. From ancient times, black has been associated with mystery and corruption. Black creates a definite statement on the silhouette and the form of dress. Black has a power to absorb vivid colors.

After red black has always dominated the fashion world. Black color is become the first choice for women in garment as it give them a warm , cold , modern , dramatic or seduced image . Just as white suggests innocence, black evokes sophistication. Black color is mostly used for evening wear; you can use it in any form like lace, silk, chiffon, velvet and brocade. Black fabric can be embroidered, pleated, crinkled or embellished. Every season new colors are forecasted and introduced but, black continuous to be in the league.

Gray

Gray is dignified and confident. Gray evokes a sense of permanence providing foundation for our wardrobe. Gray color suggests confidence, permanence and sophistication. Gray has dignity and elegance. When used with red and magenta, gray gives a lively and refined combination. Gray color is associated with professional dress, implying seriousness and hard work.

Gray never has a decided effect. The message also changes with the use of the fabric and texture. To break melancholy of gray color we pair up it with bright colors .The color baseline for gray textiles is silver gray, brown gray, steel gray, dove gray. Gray is used in interesting patterns in knitwear, specially the classic tweeds.

Lines and Its Various Aspects

The line refers to the direction of visual interest in a garment created by the outline of the garment and the style lines, which divides the space in a garment. These lines, created by construction details, such as seams, tuck pleats, gathers and top stitching. These types of construction tend to divide space within a garment and create visual illusion by making the eye follow the line.

There are different types of lines which are straight, horizontal and vertical lines. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Vertical Lines

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Vertical lines stand for stability. The vertical line tends to move the eye in vertical direction. This feature adds apparent height and length to the body silhouette and makes it look narrower or thinner. A person wearing a garment with vertical lines in the form of stripes, plaids or vertical seams appear taller and more slender.

Straight lines in soft fabric tend to follow the curves of the body. It creates a rounded effect; whereas the straight look is maintained with a stiffer fabric .The same vertical lines, when placed spaced out, lead the eye in a horizontal movement; thereby, measuring the width of the fabric.

Horizontal Lines

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Horizontal lines lead the eye from one end to the other, adding apparent width and shortening the body silhouette. Horizontal stripes and borders , boat necks , off shoulders , yokes , wide collars , belts , large pockets , all move the eye across the garment , emphasizing its width at that position .

However , regularly placed thin horizontal lines with narrow spacing in between can have a lengthening illusion , as they lead the eye up and down . Irregularly spaced or thick horizontal lines tend to widen the area on which they are used as the eye moves across the area.

Textures and Its Usage in Clothing and Fashion Industry

The textures can be known as the sensuous element of a design and it adds interest of the surface of the fabric by its design and its construction. Texture s can be felt by different mediums like by the play of the light on the fabric, or can be felt by hands and can be heard by rustle of the fabric. Different combinations of textures create interest to a garment.

The prevalent style of a season determines the textures that will be in vogue, as they both need to be compatible with each other. The best fabric choice for tailored styles are crisp and firmly woven fabrics such as gabardine , twill , woolens , while soft fabrics like chiffon , silk , crepe are ideal for drapery purpose .

The designers use different garment construction techniques to manipulate fabric in the desirable way, such techniques are pleating, tucking, shirring and gathering. There are some classic fabrics; these fabrics are neither very soft nor very rough.

Some of the examples of classic fabrics are cotton and terry cot. Textures must be appropriate for the season and occasion. For example, heavy and warm fabrics for winters and cool light, thin and absorbent fabrics for summers.

Dull fabrics are suitable for casual styling and shiny fabrics are good choice for party wear. 

Usage in clothing

Textures can be used for making illusion, as fabric qualities, such as weight, light absorbent and reflection are dependent on fabric textures .

The texture of fabric should be in the harmony with the texture of skin and hair.

The shiny fabrics make the body appear larger as light is reflected from the fabric, especially in the case of fitted garment.

The usage of dull fabric is very suitable for all body types as they do not bring unintended attention to the body.

Soft fabrics tend to cling and therefore suitable for those who want to reveal their body figures.

Stiff fabrics stand away from the body and hide figure problems but very stiff fabrics add bulk and weight, making the body look very heavy.

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Influence of colors on clothing

The colors of our clothes greatly influence the various factors of a person who is wearing that color .There are four factors that influence the colours in clothing.

• Complexion
• Body shape
• Age
• Emotions

Complexion

The color of garment that a person is wearing should be in harmony with the complexion of the skin of person that is wearing the garment. For example-

Soft pastel colors look good on the people who have lighter complexion. And dark or bright color looks good on person who has dark complexion. If a lighter complexion person wears dark color it will make them look pale, while light colors values add color to skin. Warm  and contrasting colors look flattering on person who has darker complexion. Undesirable tones in the skin can be subdued by using analogous color schemes in the garment.

Body shape

The body shape of a person is affected by the color of garment that he/she is wearing . Light colored clothes should not be wearied the people who has heavy body shape , it will make them look more heavier. Dark color of the garment make the person appear more slimmer than the actual body shape it gives the illusion of slimness . The usage of light colors on the garments make people look more heavier.  Dark or very low values outline the silhouette and light or high values reflect the light falling on them. Value contrast should be placed on the are of the body which needs to be highlighted , such as waists, neck and bust.

Age

While selecting the color of your clothes you must consider the age of the person that is going to wear the garment .As we get older our skin and hair color gets changed.For older people we must not select harsh and bright colors. Cool colors are a good choice , as they convey a feeling of releaxation and restfulness. Subtle colors , such as neutrals and dull intensities are very important colors of older people wardrobe.

Emotions

Every color convey its different emotion and feeling . Most of the times these emotions are generalized. Here are some example of them-

RED – Passion, love and danger

BLACK – Death, mourning and sorrow.

WHITE – Peace , purity , and also mourning in Indian culture.

BROWNS – Stability and nature .

ORANGE – Excitement and youthfulness.

GREEN – Growth , nature and freshness .

BLUE – Restfulness and new born baby boys.

PINK – Tenderness , sweetness and new born baby girls . 

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Clothing Terminology

Clothing terminology comprises the names of individual garments and classes of garments, as well as the specialized vocabularies are given to different types of garments that are manufactured and designed according to person to person.
Clothing terminology ranges from the arcane (watchet, a pale blue color name from the 16th century) to the everyday (t-shirt), and changes over time in response to fashion which in turn reflects social, artistic, and political trends.

The different types of clothing terminology are-

BASIC GARMENTS-

Shirt,coat,skirt,dress,suit,underwear etc.

ACCORDING TO THE LENGTH OF SKIRT AND DRESSES-

Mini skirt,cocktail dress,evening dress,full length, mini,mid or maxi length.

HISTORIC GARMENTS-

Corset , shift dress,gowns.

DIFFERENT PARTS OF GARMENTS-

Sleeve,collar,lapel etc.

CLOTHING DETAILS-

Pockets,zippers,buttons,french cuffs etc.

FASHIONS AND ANTI - FASHIONS-

Preppy,new look,hip-hop,rational dress etc.

Persistence of clothing terminology

Some terminologies are still recognised today in their original forms.The examples of these types of terms are gowns,shirt,skirt and coats Gowns are originated from the medieval latin word gunna . It was a basic garment that hangs from the shoulders.

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