Active wear design is something that you may not have thought a lot about whether or not it’s something that is going to create harmony with your body or not.
So what should you consider when choosing your active wear tops?
There are some fairly common colour blocking options that you’ll find on a lot of activewear and it’s really easy when you understand the impact of lines (and the direction of those lines) and where they draw your eyes.
Horizontal Lines
- Horizontal lines are broadening. They draw the eye, we like looking for horizontals as they are calming and provide balance. But, the eye follows them from one side to the other – so the wider the horizontal line, the longer the eye lingers on the area, and the larger the area looks.
- Short horizontals can be used to highlight.
- Long horizontal lines can be used to balance as they are broadening.
Find out more about the impact of horizontal lines here.
Diagonal Lines
- These create movement and move the eye. Whether they are converging (drawing the eye inwards) or diverging (drawing it outwards) or just one way across the body, they can be a useful line to consider in your active wear tops.
Find out more about the impact of diagonal lines here.
Vertical Lines
- These lengthen and slim, are lesson common on activewear, (except the double Adidas stripe down the sides of sleeves and trousers) so if you see them, they can be something to consider if you want to elongate your body.
Find out more about the impact of vertical lines here.
A shape
- Look for horizontal up around your shoulders (at least above your bus) to balance hips.
- Horizontal lines across your waist are fine as they highlight your narrow waist.
- Look for Diverging diagonals that draw the eye up and outwards on the shoulders.
- Avoid converging diagonals.
X Shape
- Look for horizontals on shoulders if you want to make your hips look smaller.
- Horizontal lines across your waist are fine as they highlight your narrow waist
- Look for diverging diagonals
- Avoid converging diagonals unless you have very square shoulders.
8 Shape
- Look for horizontals on shoulders if you want to make your hips look smaller.
- Horizontal lines across your waist are fine as they highlight your narrow waist
- Look for diverging diagonals
- Avoid converging diagonals unless you have very square shoulders.
V Shape
- Avoid horizontals above the bust.
- Look for horizontal lines around the hips.
- Converging diagonals at the shoulders work well to balance your hips.
H Shape
- Avoid horizontal lines around the waist
- Diverging diagonals are good if you want to make shoulders appear broader (which can help to make your waist appear narrower)
- Wear tracksuit tops open to create a double vertical line that elongates your body.
O Shape
- Avoid horizontal lines around the waist
- Diverging diagonals are good if you want to make shoulders appear broader (which can help to make your waist appear narrower)
- Wear tracksuit tops open to create a double vertical line that elongates your body.
I Shape
- Create curves by using horizontal and diagonal lines to move the eye. You have many options available to you about where to put them.
Large Bust
Avoid any horizontal lines on the bust, just below (empire) or up high on the shoulders are both find.
Not Sure of Your Body Shape? Take My Quiz!
Discover your shape with my free body shape calculator here and download your body shape bible which gives you all the tips you need to know about which kind of lines to use to create harmony with your figure.
And if you’d like a professional opinion on your shape you can get this as part of my 7 Steps to Style program.
More Tips
What Does Knowing Your Body Shape Really Tell You?
How to Wear Horizontal Stripes Without Looking Wide
E is for Elongation
Is that Stripe Slimming or Widening? Discover the Rules of Stripes
