Didn't catch it the first time around? Browse through our Newsletter Archives for further learning! 

• August 2010 - Developing Personal Style
• September 2010 - Clustering Your Clothes
• October 2010 - Evaluate Your Wardrobe
• November 2010 - Clothing Wear and Care
• December 2010 - Fashion in the Fast Lane
• January 2011 - The Power of Personal Apperance
• February 2011 - Art in Everyday Dress
• March 2011 - Line in Design
• April 2011 - Shape in Design
• May 2011 - Color in Design
• June 2011 - Fabric and Texture in Design
• July 2011 - Pattern in Design
• August 2011 - Developing Your Personal Style
• September 2011 - Which Fashion Trends Work into Clusters for You?
• October 2011 - Timely Tips for a Successful Wardrobe Evaluation
• November 2011 - 7 Ways to Find What You Need In Your Closet
• December 2011 - Love Plus Logic is the Key to Great Shopping
• January 2012 - Where Have All the Nice-Looking People Gone?
• February 2012 - Judith Rasband's Fashion Rule of ONETM

With the popularity of Project Runway and the advent of NBC's new show "Fashion Star" launched last week, I decided to approach the topic of Line in Design from a different angle this month. 

Look inside any garment and you'll find a label.  On the label is the name of the designer or a fashion company merchandising the garments.  A garment may be produced and offered singularly, or it may be part of a group of garments from the same designer or company, coordinated according to a specific season, inspiration, philosophy, theme, story, or personality--the group of garments being called a "line." 

A designer or company typically produce four to six new lines a year, corresponding to the fashion seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter, holiday, and resort.  Menswear lines that focus on tailored suits may only create two lines per year, spring and fall.  Newly upon us is the "fast fashion" trend (Review December 2010 Newsletter for a discussion of "fast fashion."), that supports manufacturers turning out scores of smaller lines. 

Jennifer Lopez

Designer lines may be small, relatively unknown, and be sold in many small stores at lower prices.  Quality varies.  They may, however, be large and become very well known such as Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Kenneth Cole, Chanel, Prada, and Burberry, and sell in small to large specialty and the few department stores at high prices.  Celebrity lines include names like Jennifer Lopez, Lauren Conrad, and Miley Cyrus.  Store buyers select the lines they want to carry in their stores based on what they see as potentially popular--trend worthy.  Some designer or company lines sell so well they open a store of their own, such as Brooks Brothers, Express, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap, Zara, Banana Republic, and so on.  Companies such as Penny's, Macys, Target, have their own slate of independent as well as in-house designers producing private label lines.

A fashion line may include from 12 to 120 related garments that easily work together in outfits with a variety of harmonious looks.  Snoop shopping in the new stores just opened in City Creek Center, it was fun to see complete lines of clothing displayed conveniently for easy coordination, each line reflecting the diversity of designer's inspiration, theme, personality, and so on.  Try to spot a few clothing lines you recognize to have related design elements.  What you want to be able to eventually do is recognize which lines relate most closely to your personality, values, and lifestyle.  The sooner you do, the sooner you can easily meet your clothing needs.

Pieces from Banana Republic's Spring 2012 collection

Shopping for a particular need of the moment, so many people don't notice or don't realize the ease and value of buying several garments in a particular line.  Then too, we're afflicted with a trendy attitude that sneers, "Too matchy, matchy, matchy," as though anything that goes together is to be abhorred.  Don't let the affliction infect your sense of what's good looking, lovely, or harmonious and might meet your clothing needs.

One of the designs from NBC's Fashion Star week 2

The fashion industry depends on creative individuals to design a line or lines of clothing that will catch media and consumer interest, sell like crazy, and make everybody rich and famous quick.  Right?  That's about it nowadays.  It certainly worked on the NBC show "Fashion Star" that launched last week.  The new reality show to air on Thursdays features designer contestants whose clothing the audience can actually buy in the stores the next day.  Macy's sold out.  At the same time, fans of American Idol want to dress like the contestants.  As a result, a new line of clothes is being designed, called Authentic Icon, and is set to hit Kohl's stores soon.  I'm going to suggest you not get caught up in preoccupations like these.  The clothes seldom relate successfully to real life roles.  

Looking at pieces from Banana Republic's Spring Collection, we see Sporty, Classic, Romantic, even Dramatic pieces.  If buying into that line, pick the pieces that work for your personal style, mixing them with pieces already in your wardrobe.  Half the fun is in the finding.  Get started.

To read more information about the wardrobe basics and line in dress and image, with instructions and examples regarding people just like you, order Conselle's wardrobe strategy Book #3, Line in Clothing Selection and Coordination at $27.97.   You'll find charts that will summarize the information and simplify your learning and application.  Order through Conselle's Store or call 801-224-1207 and order directly through Kathy.  Order Line In Clothing Selection & Coordination.

Buying into fashion lines that feature garments with simple design lines is the smart way to dress.  These clothes are called "basics" because you can build most of your wardrobe with them.  With simple design lines, basics don't call a lot of attention to themselves.  Basics don't have design lines that fight with other garment's design lines.  Most basics don't go out of style.  You can find basics that are affordable.  Some of my favorites are basic blazer and bomber jackets, basic V-neck tops, basic sport and camp shirts, basic straight and flared skirts, and basic straight-leg slacks.  With a wardrobe built on basics, you can afford a more complex or decorative garment once in awhile because it will go with most of your basics, adding a surprise element to your usual looks.  Building your wardrobe on basics is the way to go! 

Photo: Banana Republic basic blazer

Judith Rasband

Conselle Institute of Image Management

Check out our blog at http://conselleimageconsultant.wordpress.com! 

Next Image Enhancement Retreat 

May 8-12, 2012