Cracking open: the components of a garment
- Diksha Priya
- Jun 5, 2022
- 5 min read
We wear new pieces of clothing everyday but how many of us actually know the different components our garments are made up of? It's not just a t shirt and shorts or skirt, each of the garment has different types are certain names given to it. To break down the garment we can look at the various necklines, waistlines, sleeves, collars and even pockets.
Let us begin by breaking down a t- shirt
A basic t-shirt has several parts to it too! We might wear one everyday but most of us would not have been aware of these terms.
Necklines
Necklines are the top edge of the garment and it surrounds the neck and covers it from the front. The illustrations below help to gain better understanding of the various necklines which can be found in the garments we all wear in our everyday lives.
1. Square neck: this neckline creates the shape of a square and most often it is cut wide and little low to show off one's collarbone.
2. V- neck: it is what it's name says. It’s a “v” shape that can be either in the front of the back or even both
3. Cowl neck: A cowl neck is when there is extra fabric cut at the top of your shirt or dress that drapes or folds around the neckline. It has been popular since 1930's.
4. Boat neck: A boatneck, or bateau, neckline is one that is very wide and goes past the collarbone and rests on the shoulders. It draws attention to the shoulders.
5. One shoulder: goes from the top of one shoulder to under the arm of the other should. It is asymmetrical
6. Off shoulder: An off the shoulder neckline is when the fabric rests off the shoulders to create a very wide opening. It showcases your collarbone and shoulders while the sleeves cover a bit of your upper arm.
1. Round neck: It is also what it's name says, round . It isn't that close to the neck
2. Crewneck: It is also a round neck but sits above the collarbone, much closer to the neck. It is very common in sweatshirts.
3. Turtleneck: A turtleneck is also called a polo neck. This neckline fit high and close fitting around your neck. It most often has excess fabric that is folded down.
4. High neck: It is like a mock turtleneck, the only difference is that it isn't as high as a turtleneck and doesn't have excess fabric.
5. Sweetheart: This neckline has many variations. The strapless one is the most popular. This style, as the name hints at, is shaped like the top half of a heart which creates a “v” at the middle.
6. U-neck: As the name hints at, It is shaped like a "U". It's a little wide and deep. It is also more curved.
Waistlines
Let's now take a look at the different waistlines our garments can have.
1. Empire line: It is characterised by a waistline which cut just under the bust area. It is a women's waistline style. It was very popular in the victorian era.
2. Drop waist: It is a waistline which is cut way lower than one's normal waistline. Diagonal drop is a variation of this style.
3. peplum: .A short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline
4. Drawstring: A waistband which can be tightly secured with drawstrings attached on the waist is called a drawstring waistline.
5. Paperbag: The pants with these waistlines have a scrunchy waist like a paper bag and hence the name. They are also tied together with a belt or ribbon.
6. Cinched waist: Cinching is done to accentuate the waist and the same can be done using belts/ribbons or drawstrings which pulls the fabric closer at the waistline.
Collars
Even collars come in several shapes and few are very interesting even and have history attached to it. Collars are pieces of fabric attached to shirts or blouses that goes round the neck and ends in the centre front.
1. Mandarin ( Band collar) ; It is an important part of chinese culture. It has a button opening in the centre front and is an unfolded stand up collar.
2. peter pan: It is named after the play peter pan and is cut to fit around the neckline.John White Alexander designed this style of collar
3. Sailor: This collar was taken from the sailor suit which were worn by those who were enlisted in the navy.
4. Bertha: It is a round, wide and flat collar often made using sheer fabric or even lace.
5. Notch : this is style of collar where the collar meets the lapel of the garment and they join. They are used in tailored suits and evening wear.
6.. Shawl: It is nothing but round lapels combined with v necklines and its width gradually decreases as it goes down to the waistline.
7. Ruff collar: It is a pleated or frill collar which is full ,voluminous and wide around the neck. It was popular during the 16th century
Sleeves:
Sleeves also, like all the components discussed about come in a variety of sizes( cap or 3/4th), puff or ruffled or even voluminous or fitted. Let's go through the most widely used and seen sleeves
1. Tulip: this is one of the variations of a cap sleeve and the sleeves overlap and take the shape of a tulip.
2. Bell sleeve: It takes the shape of a bell, especially noticeable from the bottom.
3. Leg of mutton: this sleeve resembles the leg of a mutton and is voluminous of the top and tapers to fit snugly from the elbow to the wrist
4. Kimono: the sleeves are taken from the traditional japanese dress called kimono
5. Puff : it can be a short sleeve or full sleeve and it is voluminous of the top and tapers down to be fitted. leg of mutton is a variation of this sleeve
6. Raglan: the sleeve extends till the collar in one piece and there is a diagonal seam line from the underarms till the collarbone
7. Bishop: It is a long sleeve which is loose from the shoulder and tapers around the wrist.
That was a lot of information but the good news is we have made it to the end of the post. Let all the information of different components of the garment sink in. There are in fact even more variations and styles for each garment component! Unbelievable right? But knowing the basics is pertinent. The best way to truly understand is by simply looking at our own garments first and trying to find out the different components. Keep learning more about the components, try to even sketch out the components so it visually registers in your mind. Look forward to another convivial post, until then
Diksha
(a.k.a the fashion student you live vicariously through:))
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