Today in this video, I’m taking you through the Principle of Coordination called Related Shapes.
Principle of Related Shapes
This principle talks about the shapes of pockets, collars and hemlines. To create a cohesive look, you want to repeat key design shapes within a garment or outfit.
A v-neck top will relate well to a necklace that ends in a point or has follows that v-neck profile.
A collar that is slightly curved will look best when the bottom hemline of the jacket also have that same slight curve
A pocket flap or pocket shape should relate to the curve at the bottom of the jacket.
This top has an asymmetrical hem which works well with the asymmetry of the moto jacket – both the zip and line of the jacket hem
Relating the shapes of your garments and the shapes of the details in your garments isn’t limited to the construction of a garment. A blouse with a geometric shaped pattern would be more congruent with a blazer with a notched lapel and pointed toe shoe than a jacket with a peter pan or mandarin collar and a rounded toe shoe.
Choosing Jewellery to Work with Your Patterned Garments
This is also one of the most important aspects of choosing jewellery to go with patterned garments. The pattern may have a distinct shape and so then finding an accessory (here it’s earrings) that have a similar or related shape provides harmony between the two parts of the outfit.
These Mr Piccolo snowflake earrings are a similar size and shape to the stylised floral motif on my top.
Here I’ve repeated the shape of the leaves with a leaf-shaped earring in a colour that is contained in the pattern with these Meredith Hoult earrings.
This butterfly motif top inspired me to wear this butterfly necklace (which you can see more clearly in the image below where I also paired it with a floral kimono).
It works with the kimono because the shapes of the flowers and the lines within the flowers are related to the shapes and scale of the butterflies.
This is where the shapes of the elements of garments and accessories need to work together in harmony. It’s particularly useful when choosing accessories and you can see in this post about choosing necklaces how it works in action.
Here are some other examples where shapes are related or unrelated – see how they do and don’t work.
Where to From Here?
Creating a versatile wardrobe is not about owning countless items but about making smart choices and having the right clothes that work in harmony with you. By understanding your unique colour palette, embracing your signature colours, and learning the art of coordination, you build a wardrobe that is not only versatile but also a true reflection of your personal style. Remember, fashion is not just about clothing; it’s about expressing your unique identity with confidence and grace. When you dress in a way that feels like the best version of you, no matter the occasion, whether it’s casual or more formal, you feel more confident.
If you’d love to discover your ideal colour palette, you can get a personal colour analysis here with me, and if you’d like even more, get your colour analysis with my 7 Steps to Style program which also includes body shape analysis and everything you need to know about building a stylish wardrobe that works for you, your personality and your life and includes ongiong support and a wonderful community too!
Further reading:
How interesting! Particularly that bit about the shape of necklines needing necklaces to fall in similar curves or shapes. I’m curious to see in my wardrobe whether I’ve been intuitively matching jewelry up that way without even realizing it.
Do you suppose purposely mixing shapes can liven up a look? Or is the end result always without harmony?
If your personality is more creative you can do this and it will work for you.
Thank you.
Do I understand it right – that it is always better if the shapes are related? So, designers don’t always look after the related shapes, do they?
What’s the difference between related shapes and lines – isn’t that similar?
What’s the different effect of a curved and a straight hem in a blazer?
Lee – yes sadly some designers ignore these principles and their garments often look just a bit ‘off’. Related shapes and Related lines are related! One is about the overall lines in the garments, the other about the shapes elements of the garments create, or when you are relating two pieces together.
A curved hem in a blazer, if very curved can add weight to your hips (think Round adds Pounds) as curved lines add the appearance of volume (this is why a frilled neckline on a blouse will make a bust look larger).
Surely the shapes we wear must relate to our own personal features?! You’ve already told me that I am mixed, cos i have curved lips, rounder eyes and nose, but angular eyebrows and hairline with a pointy chin, which means that in necklaces I should look for a piece that has elements of both curvy and angular. Shouldn’t this mean that logically, in blazers and other clothes, I should actually look for unrelated shapes?!
Yes you should look for details that suit your combination features – but related shapes is also about design features and overall relationships. For example you can wear a heart shaped necklace which has both curves and angles, with a jacket that has all the shapes relating. When you are combination I prefer to soft straight line, rather than lots of angles or really curved features on garments. You could wear a floral pattern that has straighter shapes and curved shapes, or a skirt with a pattern that is spots that are lined up in straight lines. Related shapes doesn’t rule out combination features, it’s just an element of good design (and sadly as you can see from the pictures I found that there is lots of not so great design out in stores).
Thank you for another great video. This type of content is very helpful and I will be mindful to watch for these details to further polish my style.
I found this an interesting post, especially matching toe shape on shoe to other lines in clothing. I think straight lines and pointy lapels look best on my angular features and just realised I don’t go for round toes on shoes as i think they make my feet look short and fat. Now I see that they don’t relate in shape either. Good post Imogen.
Yes nose and toes are so important. Round toes don’t work with an angular face.
Your website is absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much for your fabulous advice. You should write a book! I do have an observation though – see a lot of people wearing a vee-neck top paired with an unbuttoned crew-neck cardigan, even on ‘style’ tv shows. This seems wrong. I presume the same rules on related shape apply here also.
I would in general agree with you – if it’s a wide curved V a crew cardigan can work, but if it’s a sharper V then they don’t work so well together!