Every self-respecting woman should have a stylish and attractive dress in her wardrobe. The trapeze dress has already won the hearts of many women. Today we will talk about this comfortable and stylish outfit!
The history of the A-line dress
The trapeze dress first appeared in 1957, when the first collection of Yves Saint Laurent was created. The young designer, who took the place of director of the Christian Dior fashion house, gave the world his invention - a dress with narrow shoulders and a wide skirt, ideally emphasizing femininity. It was an invisible and lightweight product that did not hinder movement, which won the recognition of fashionistas all over the world. A-line dress in the style of the 60s is rightfully considered a symbol of freedom. Today, having such an example in your wardrobe is a rule of good form and subtle taste.
Models and styles of dresses - trapezoid
The classic version of the A-line dress is a sleeveless product that is narrowed in the chest and shoulders with an extended hem. A distinctive feature of the samples is simplicity, at the same time elegance and style. Despite the fact that the model looks slightly baggy, due to its laconic cut, the dress perfectly emphasizes femininity and creates an attractive image. The creator presented the world with a short trapeze dress, but these days the length is no longer of such fundamental importance. A wide dress usually has a length above the knee, while a dress that is not too wide can be to or below the knee.
Despite the certainty of the style, there are different models of a-line dresses. Depending on the purpose and seasonality, each model is unique and unique in its own way. Fashion designers offer products without sleeves, with short and long sleeves, with lanterns or in the form of wings. Products with ¾ sleeves look distinctly elegant and add sexiness to a woman’s look. Dresses look elegant - a-line with long sleeves and a belt at the waist. Such samples are used both for everyday wear and for festive events.
The shape of the cutout can be very varied– round, triangular, square, in the form of a boat, a collar or a turn-down collar. An interpretation of the A-line dress style is the A-silhouette item with a cut-off waist, worn with or without a belt. It suits everyone without exception, regardless of age and body shape. Appliques, lace inserts, embroidery in the neckline and hem area, and patch pockets are used as decorative elements. The photo shows a variety of cuts, colors, and decoration methods, so you can choose an a-line dress for any event and emphasize your own style.
Summer models are often short and very bright. For winter and autumn-spring, medium-length a-line dresses are offered. Knee-length samples look stylish and are appropriate to wear to the office, to friendly or business meetings. A-line summer dress is made of light and flowing fabrics. An elegant dress - a trapezoid above the knee made of chiffon will become a kind of tunic - this is a very convenient and comfortable outfit for walking and visiting a cafe or nightclub. A demi-season dress with lace or satin and guipure inserts looks cute and elegant, which is why it is used for special occasions. Winter models are made from wool, wool blend, viscose or knitwear.
The knitted a-line dress looks great, which adds luxury and elegance to the silhouette. A crocheted or knitted product with an openwork pattern remains fashionable for many years. Dresses for going out are made of neoprene or expensive fabrics - silk, satin. Neoprene dresses look stylish, outrageous and are suitable for a club party or disco. Such things emphasize individuality and add some zest to a woman’s image.
A classic option for a bride is an a-line wedding dress. Such products are gathered at the chest and waist, expanding towards the bottom, turning into waves into a luxurious train. A wedding dress with a belt will highlight your thin waist and add volume to your bust. It is preferable for slender and tall girls to use this model.
Who is suitable for a-line dress models?
It is important to choose the right style of a-line dress and its length depending on your build. If you have a figure or shape, then the dress will hide wide hips and a large belly. Tall and slender girls, wearing a trapeze-shaped dress, will be able to highlight the beauty of their legs. For broad-shouldered people For women, such products will add elegance to the shoulders and slimness to the figure.
For those with small breasts and a figure reminiscent of a woman, a trapeze dress with a yoke, with pockets on the chest or a cowl collar is suitable. For women with large breasts, stylists recommend wearing A-line dresses with darts on the chest or back. Mid-length dresses widened at the bottom - the best option for obese women. If you lightly decorate the product with lace inserts or contrasting fragments in the hip area, the dress will add elegance to the figure and help create a beautiful silhouette.
A trapezoidal dress from the chest is an acceptable and very comfortable outfit for expectant mothers. The main advantage of such products is that they provide freedom of movement, lightness and ease. The loose silhouette of the a-line dress allows you to adjust your figure, hide flaws and highlight its advantages. Stylists recommend choosing trapezoid-shaped products made from soft and elastic fabrics so as not to create the appearance of excess abdominal volume. For example, a knitted A-line dress fits beautifully over the shoulders and falls softly under the bust. Viscose, wool blend products with lace sleeves or elastic appliqués in the neckline and waist area look beautiful on the figure.
What to wear with an a-line dress?
Your imagination will tell you what to wear with an a-line dress. It could be a jacket, cardigan, golf shirt, bolero jacket or short leather jacket. When putting together a clothing ensemble, it is important to take into account the consistency of the fabric structure and the color spectrum of the elements. A dress made of perforated leather goes well with a leather jacket or denim jacket. Wool short sleeves can be paired with a fitted turtleneck, while viscose dresses can be paired with a wool blazer. A summer dress made of satin goes harmoniously with an openwork blouse or a short denim jacket. A light chiffon product can be decorated with a neckerchief or an elegant strap on the hips, without using unnecessary items of clothing.
A floor-length a-line dress requires a special approach to choosing elements of the ensemble. To create a romantic look, you can use a long cardigan, raincoat or cape. Products of medium length look harmonious with a jacket that reaches mid-thigh. Short dresses can be worn with short jackets, cardigans or boleros.
Shoes and accessories
The principle of using accessories is to observe moderation and the golden mean. to create a harmonious image. An elegant neckerchief, a wide leather belt, a chiffon scarf or a woven canvas strap can be used as decoration for the dress. If you are wearing a dress with a collar, then shawls and scarves should be excluded. To decorate such a dress, you can use a belt, watch, bracelet, earrings, and beads.
Choose accessories depending on the look and style you want to create. Beautiful jewelry will add tenderness and elegance. A short dress with a wide bracelet and a leather belt will add sexiness. A dress with a dropped shoulder and a bright clip in your hair will make you look a little frivolous. Gloves, a brooch on the chest and long earrings will help create a luxurious look.
Multi-colored models combine harmoniously with colored clutch bags and bright jewelry. An elegant dress with an animal print looks elegant in an ensemble with high boots and a bracelet made of natural wood. Gold jewelry stands out against the background of the red product. A short black dress from Chanel can be decorated with silver items. A cocktail dress combined with long gloves and an elegant handbag will help you create a festive look.
When putting together an ensemble and creating a certain image, all the details play an important role, even hair and makeup. If you want to look elegant, apply a collected hairstyle. Loose hair will add femininity and romance to your look. Waves and weaving will emphasize individuality and feminine beauty.
A dress with an a-line skirt looks stylish with high-heeled shoes. These could be boots or ankle boots, sandals or shoes. Recently, it has become fashionable to wear short A-line dresses with sneakers or moccasins. And yet, it is better to accentuate the style of the 60-70s with wedges, thick heels or platforms.
Without exaggeration, clothing has long become an integral part of the lives of each of us. But if in the old days it most often served as nothing more than a cover for the human body, while being as simple as possible, now clothing reflects the essence of a person. She can tell a lot about a person. And with the flow of time, clothing became more and more complex. Starting from simple loincloths up to the modern concept of a toilet, that is, a set of clothes, shoes, gloves, and various accessories that perfectly complement the image.
With the complication of clothing, concepts and silhouettes in clothing became an important element. The word “silhouette” itself has French roots and means the outline of an object. But if we are talking about the silhouette in clothing, then regardless of the complexity of the decoration, any clothing can be conventionally represented in the form of a simple geometric figure - a rectangle, trapezoid, oval or triangle.
Recently, designers have been focusing on several types of silhouettes in clothing. The most popular today are straight, semi-fitting, fitted and trapezoidal silhouettes:
- Straight silhouette in clothes It is distinguished by a rectangular geometric shape and is presented in several versions: a narrow and widened rectangle, as well as a square with truncated upper corners. The straight silhouette is the most versatile; it looks great in clothes regardless of your figure. The width of clothes of this silhouette in the chest and hips is the same.
- Semi-fitting silhouette in clothing characterized by a slight fit along the chest, waist, hips and a smooth, sometimes barely noticeable expansion downwards. In general, this silhouette repeats the outline of the figure, but does not fully reveal it.
- Fitted silhouette speaks for itself. The clothing has an extended shoulder line, a narrowed waist and hem.
- Trapeze silhouette in clothes also has its own characteristics. The main characteristic of the trapezoidal silhouette is the extension from the shoulder line or armhole. Clothes made in this silhouette can be either loose along the entire length or secured with an elegant belt at the waist. A significant expansion of clothing will be the best solution for tall women or women in an interesting position.
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A-line dresses are simple and comfortable, they do not restrict movement and correct some imperfections in the figure. Made from thin fabrics, they are suitable for the summer heat, and expectant mothers will appreciate the possibilities that this loose and effective cut provides.
For modeling, we take a proven pattern for the base of a semi-fitting silhouette or a pattern for a straight dress from a magazine, which you have already sewed on and were satisfied with the result. The minimum increases for CO (looseness of fit), which must be included in the pattern, are given for half-circumference: at the chest and waist - 4 cm, at the hips 2 cm. Darts along the waist line are not involved in the modeling, we ignore them.
Important! We extend the line of the chest dart to the VTG (the highest point of the chest), and we extend one of the sides of the shoulder dart on the back to the most convex part of the back (the line of the shoulder blades). We draw model lines (red lines in the drawing) and cut the pattern along them.
We close the chest dart on the front and the shoulder dart on the back. In our example, on the front along the bottom line of the dress, a new tuck opening of 25 cm was opened, but along the back the new opening was only 16 cm. We add the missing 9 cm (25-16) in the side cut along the bottom line of the back. Draw new side seams (red lines in the drawing).
Checking the pattern. The flare of the front and back halves of the dress should be the same. This means that in relation to the vertical, both side cuts must be located at the same angle. The front and back side seams should be equal in length. We make a right angle between the bottom line and the side seam so that the side seams in the finished dress do not hang. After everything has been checked, draw the bottom of the dress with a smooth line.
Modeling a blue dress
We reduce the flare of the dress in the side seams by 7-8 cm along the front and back (red lines in the drawing). We restore the right angle at the junction of the side cut and the bottom, and align the bottom line.
We model the sleeve on the basis of a narrow sleeve. Raise the line of the bottom of the sleeve above the elbow line by 4 cm, draw a parallel (red line in the drawing). We measure its length and write it down, in our example it is 29 cm. We cut off the pattern, the lower part will no longer be needed.
To build a shuttlecock you will need some small calculations.
According to the formula L = 2Р, where L is the length of the circle (the line of the shuttlecock), 2П = 6.28, R is the radius of the circle. We calculate the internal radius of the shuttlecock: R = 29/6.28 = 4.6 cm. Draw a circle (in red in the drawing) with a radius of 4.6 cm.
Judging by the photo from the front, the shuttlecock is 15-16 cm, at the back about 45 cm. On the sides, we take the average value between 16 and 45 = (16+45)/2 = 30.5 cm. We draw the shuttlecock with smooth lines.
Modeling a red dress
Judging by the photo, the flaring on the side seams of the red dress is not decreasing. We model the sleeve using the same base as the blue dress. Reduce the shoulder seam by 2 cm, draw new armhole lines on the front and back using smooth lines (red lines in the drawing). We draw a yoke and cut the pattern along it.
Don’t forget to put marks on the pattern for matching the side seams; these can be the waist or hip line.
If anything remains unclear, watch the video: Modeling dress patterns trapeze silhouette
How to sew an a-line dress without a pattern
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Needlework
The silhouette of clothing is one of the most important characteristics that shapes the image. A-line dress is one of the loosest and most comfortable clothing styles to wear. A flowy dress does not restrict movement and allows you to feel completely free. That is why the trapezoidal silhouette is the best clothing option for expectant mothers. But the most interesting feature of such a dress is that it adorns any woman, regardless of her figure type.
The A-line silhouette was extremely popular in the 60s. But even nowadays, designers are happy to include trapeze-shaped dresses in their collections. Photos from fashion shows of the design houses Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Chanel show modern versions of dresses with an a-line silhouette.
Fashionable solutions
A-line dresses are universal models, they are suitable for any season and for any age. Of course, the fabrics and design of the dresses must correspond to the purpose of the model.
For winter, a knitted trapeze dress or a model made from thick fabric is perfect. The dress can be with long sleeves or completely sleeveless. In the latter case, the model is worn with a turtleneck or jacket.
Office-style dresses are made from fabrics of subdued tones, knee-length. A laconic cut and suitable accessories allow you to create elegant, strict and, at the same time, very attractive ensembles.
Read also: Sundresses for pregnant women: easy and comfortable
A-line dress with a yoke, made from lightweight fabrics, is an excellent choice for summer. The colors of the outfits can be pastel or bright; bold, memorable prints are extremely popular. The top of a summer dress can be modeled in different ways, it can be an oval or V-neck, a turn-down collar or a stand-up collar in combination with an American armhole. A good solution for summer walks is a loose-fitting knitted dress with patch pockets.
Cocktail dresses should be made using beautiful and expensive materials - satin, guipure, velvet. Young and slender girls can choose a short elegant dress. For those overweight, a length just below the knee is preferable.
A trapezoidal evening dress is also made from expensive fabrics. It can be a long, floor-length model with a seductive neckline or with a stand-up collar and an open back. You can complement the outfit with a beautiful shawl or scarf.
What do fashion designers offer?
What options for a-line dresses do designers offer? Thus, the Gucci fashion house offers short a-line dresses, complemented by large flounces in the shoulder area. In addition, designers rely not only on a fashionable silhouette, but also on interesting prints. The most relevant are “animal” motifs: leopard or snake print will enliven and make even the simplest dress fashionable.
The fashion house of Emilio Pucci relies on mysterious oriental motifs and layering, offering fashionistas charming models decorated with rich embroidery and rhinestones.
Read also: A mohair sweater is a soft and cozy element in your wardrobe
The highlight of the Chanel a-line dress is the large pearls decorating the fabric and open shoulders. And Karl Lagerfeld offers laconic models made of printed fabrics with three-quarters hands free. The fashion house of Tommy Hilfiger presented long summer a-line dresses made of light fabrics that are ideal for hot summers.
Fashionable summer models of dresses with a trapezoid silhouette amaze with their variety. Designers prefer to use bright fabrics (various shades of yellow, from piercing lemon to rich orange are especially popular) and boldly combine them. Various prints are also relevant - geometric patterns, hearts, ornaments in ethnographic style.
Who is it suitable for?
The question of who suits an a-line dress has a clear answer: almost everyone! The loose cut perfectly hides any errors in the figure. For example, a protruding tummy or lack of a waist. Ladies with curvy hips will look slimmer by choosing a model below the knee length.
The most interesting thing about this model is that the trapeze dress is incredibly flattering for slender women. The loose cut not only successfully hides imperfections, but also emphasizes all the charms of the figure.
Slender girls can choose short outfits, and also one of the cut options is a fitted dress with an A-line silhouette. This dress is ideal for prom if you make it from chiffon or other light, flowing fabric. The loose cut and flowing fabric will highlight the youthful beauty of the graduates.
What to combine with?
All that remains is to figure out what to wear with an a-line dress to make the look complete. Of course, the choice of accessories depends on the purpose of the dress, fabric and cut features. Here are some recommendations:
- Dress made from shape-holding fabric without sleeves– Suitable business attire. In winter, it is worn with turtlenecks, jackets, thick tights, boots or ankle boots. The length of the dress is knee-length or slightly higher. The colors of a business attire should be neutral, preferring a combination of gray and white colors, restrained shades of brown. The bag for such an outfit can be of any convenient size, but its design should be extremely laconic. But a belt or sash is not suitable for an a-line dress; these details will not emphasize the waist, but will simply ruin the silhouette.
The a-line dress is a real find in a woman's wardrobe. It perfectly masks any figure imperfections and creates an elegant, slender female silhouette.
Previously, this style of dress was worn only by women after childbirth or during pregnancy, but now an a-line dress can be worn by absolutely any fashionista who wants to create a stylish and elegant look!
Features of a-line dress
The classic cut of an asymmetrical dress has a maximally narrowed upper part and widens towards the hem. There are also dresses with a fitted top and a-line hem and many other models.
Features of the cut allow women with absolutely any type of figure to wear the dress. Moreover, it is suitable not only for those with curvy figures, but also for those with a proportionate or thin figure.
The dress can be worn at any time of the year, the main thing is to choose the right fabric. For example, for cold weather, choose a dress made from thick, warm fabric, and for the warm season, from a flowing, light, airy material.
Styles and models
Dresses with an open back look stylish and romantic.
For those with a large bust, A-line dresses with recesses at the waist, back or chest are suitable. This way the dress will create an elegant, feminine and slender silhouette.
A straight or slightly flared cut of the dress is an excellent choice for ladies with a wide waist and petite breasts. Moreover, the chest should be emphasized by side darts, and the top should fit at the shoulders.
If you have wide hips and a thin waist, you should definitely wear an a-line dress with a belt at the waist, or choose models with a pronounced waistline.
What to wear with a dress?
Shoes. Depending on the time of year, shoes can be very different from classic pumps and sandals to sports colored sneakers, boots or over the knee boots.
Strap. By putting a belt around your waist, you will highlight the fragility and elegance of your figure.
Accessories. By choosing bright and original accessories, you will get new and unique fashionable looks. For example, a light scarf, long gloves, a miniature handbag and dark glasses.
A-line dress is suitable for special occasions, going to work, shopping, school or just for a walk. The main thing is to find the option that suits you to appreciate the versatility and convenience of this dress!
