Silhouette is the overall shape and outline of a garment. It is what you see from a distance, before you notice the color or the details. A silhouette can be narrow and fitted. It can be wide and voluminous. It can flare at the waist or drop straight from the shoulder. Designers use silhouette to create a mood. A sharp, structured shape feels powerful. A soft, flowing one feels romantic.

Silhouettes change with fashion eras. The 1950s favored a fitted waist and full skirt, the New Look. The 1960s introduced the shift dress and the mini, which moved the silhouette upward and shortened it. The 1970s brought wide-leg trousers and loose tunics. The 1980s emphasized broad shoulders and narrow hips. The 1990s favored minimal slip dresses and oversized grunge layers. Each era left its mark.

Contemporary fashion mixes silhouettes. A designer might pair a voluminous top with slim trousers, or a full skirt with a fitted bodice. The contrast creates interest. Silhouette is shaped by fabric, cut, and construction. Stiff fabrics hold a shape. Fluid fabrics follow the body. Padding and interfacing add structure. Darts and seams shape the fit. The silhouette is the sum of all these decisions. It is what a garment communicates before it says anything else.

Common silhouettes

• A-line
• Shift
• Hourglass
• Column
• Tent and trapeze