What would be the opposite of "clean lines"? - YouLookFab Forum

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What would be the opposite of "clean lines"?

Anonymous

I hear Angie and others say they like clean lines. I've been pondering this, and wondering what the opposite of this is? ALGO? Dirty lines? Messy lines? What would some examples be?
Maybe this has been discussed already. If so, can someone give me a link to read about it?

General

22 replies

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catgirl

Veteran

Great question! I'm interested in the answer too...

Anonymous

My first thought is broken lines...like ruffles.

Anonymous

Yeah, I was wondering if it would include ruching or 3-dimensional aspects of clothing. The word "fussy" is sometimes used but I don't know exactly what that looks like. Sometimes a double-breasted trench can be one of the fussiest garments I can think of to "do up", but I think it still has clean lines. I dunnno. I'm stumped.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I need to go pick some kids up because.. gasp... they can't walk in the rain,

but as examples, I'd say that I tend to wear clean lines as well as Bella and Texas Sarah. Khris and Una are two that come to mind who I wouldn't classify as "clean line" gals. Not that there is anything wrong with either... it's just a preference in look.

rae

(website)

Veteran

"Rough edges"?

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think it's about fit and simplicity. Something with clean lines is like a classic Calvin Klein dress which is simple but works because it skims the body. All of the lines in the clothing work together to form one shape.

I don't think there's an opposite term, exactly - maybe unfitted?

Anonymous

Right, and whatever it is, the poor look has a negative connotation, since it's not "clean", lol!

Like the sad words that describe my coloring: ashen, muted, soft, mousey instead of happy words like clear, bright, strong and sharp.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Nah - Allsaints is the opposite of clean lines and it's awesome!! No need to have negative words vs positive - they are just different. I think of a lot of layering or texture or volume as the opposite of clean lines.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I agree with Mo.

Also, I love the words muted and soft.

catgirl

Veteran

I had a hard time thinking about this distinction after this post re: Paul Smith:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-and-flats

Because I loved this collection too for the unfussy, slouchy, edgy look of it, and was surprised to hear it described as "clean lines".

To me, clean lines means crisp fabric and symmetrical edges, which don't always interest me. But I'm also not really fussy, ruffles, muted or soft. Mo's example of Allsaints seems to ring most true to me as the opposite of "clean lines" (and they do have a slight grunge look, yes...).

Anonymous

I can't wait to see what Angie says!
Just like I've been picturing the wrong (old) definition of a midi in my mind, I think I might be imagining 90's severe plain-ness as synonymous with clean lines.

DressLover

Veteran

"Clean lines" is more of a design aesthetic than a set of rules. I think the easiest way to describe it is simple versus intricate. Things described as filigree, ornate, ruched etc, are likely not clean line design. Here are some photos below to illustrate this point. The odd numbers are not considered clean lines and the even are clean lines. Remember, this is all open to personal interpretation as are most things.

Note: I used white examples so you can focus on the lines. Something can still have clean lines and have pattern and color. What is important is the foundation when determining simple vs. ornate, not the color or pattern.

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catgirl

Veteran

DL, thank you for visuals! By that definition, I am much more of a clean lines person. That first wedding dress is much too floofy for me - and the second one is perfect to my eye. Same with the rings. I much prefer an emerald cut (which I know this is not) to any other!

HOWEVER, in Indian clothing, the more ornate and complicated, the better!

Interesting...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rough edges can be clean

Sammi and Dress Lover are spot on. Well done!

Messy lines are ornate and often "over designed". It's a style though - so it can totally be stylish.

DressLover

Veteran

Just to confuse things further... here are some dresses to illustrate color and pattern.

1 - clean lines, clean pattern
2 - clean lines, not clean pattern
3 - not clean lines, clean pattern
4 - not clean lines, not clean pattern

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Queen Mum

Veteran

great visuals DL.

FWIW, (and I can't speak for the other cleanies) but personally, I think the reason clean and simple works for me is because I don't have a "clean and simple" body. "Unclean" outfits usually look confusing on my hourglass frame and visually add more curves than I care to add. "Clean" outfits both reign my curves in and also allow them to be the star of the show rather than have to compete with tons of "noise" in an outfit. This is why *I* think a slender rectangle does ALGO so well. The "noise" of the outfit isn't competing with alot of bodily curves. (and when I say "noise", I"m NOT saying that in a negative way at all, just can't think of a better way to say it)

Take DL's kitchen pictures for example. In photo 1, my eye doesn't know where to look and keeps darting around trying to figure out what to rest on. In kitchen #2, I see a sleek, clean, simple kitchen and I quickly focus on the window. I know it isn't the best parallel to dressing our bodies, but those were just some observations.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the examples, DL! Hmm...I must be in the middle then, because I like clean lines, but I really like patterns and ruffles too

The first kitchen and building are too cluttered, but the second ones are too stark for me. I prefer the second ring and wedding dress and the first patterned dress, so I like simplicity, but in general plain neutrals are too boring for me. I'm not really into total minimalism. I guess I like mostly clean lines with a little ladylike flair. For example, here's a couple skirts I just ordered from the Rack to try on. What style would you call that? Classic with a twist? Ruffle butt? LOL!

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating discussion, and great visuals, DL! Thank you for that!

QueenMum, your theory about slender rectangles doing ALGO better than most is so interesting. A good friend of mine is a TALL slender rectangle and she is the definition of ALGO in her style. She's quirky, out there, and AMAZING! It works on her in a way it never would work on a curvier or shorter woman.

She's the person who convinced me to buy the brooch that I used as a belt ornament in my WritersFest Gala outfit. SHE would wear three of those (plus a lot of other stuff, and pattern) and she'd look great. Me, not so much!

Aida

Veteran

Love the dress examples, DL! Not too surprisingly I adore the two that are half-half

Marley

Veteran

Love the examples DL - and I like them all!

AJ

Veteran

Luv the visuals, DL!!

I lean towards ornate, but not too much. The ring in #5 is not my cuppa, but the kitchen in #1 speaks to me. I prefer pattern dress #3.

This is a very interesting discussion and I've gained a new insight into what styles appeal to me. Thanks everyone!!

Anonymous

Dresslover you are amazingly astute! thank you SO much for taking the time to ponder my question and put together the pictoral examples!

Kim, you hit the nail on the head with your thoughts on curvy vs. straight body types looking good in different types of clothing.

Wow, the more I learn, the more I realize I have to learn!