Fit and Shape - article attributes
Here we outline the Fit and Shape attributes, and how to more accurately describe these details in your article descriptions.
Why is Fit and Shape important?
Garments are multi-dimensional items. The width, length, silhouette and volume of a garment are essential to describe a fit. Providing precise and consistent information about the fit and shape of an article when onboarding it can contribute to:
A better customer experience as they receive what they had hoped for without needing to exchange for a different size, or return their order completely.
Lower return rates for our partners.
The Shape attribute
The Shape is the intended silhouette of a garment in relation to the wearer’s body.
Fitted (hourglass, X-Line) | - Wider at top and bottom, slimmer fitted waistline. - This very popular shape emphasises the curves of the feminine figure. - Used for full-length garments. - Used for upper garments which are longer than the natural waistline. |
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Straight (rectangle, H-Line) | - Tubular. - Almost same dimension for the whole garment from top to the bottom. - Used for full-length-, upper and lower garments. |
Flared (triangle/trapezoid, A-Line) | - The garment is tight on top and wide at the bottom. - Used for full-length-, upper and lower garments. |
Tapered (inverted triangle/trapezoid, V-Line) | - The garment is wider on the top and gets tighter at the bottom. - Used for full-length-, upper and lower garments. |
Cocoon (circle, O-Line) | - The garment is fitted on the top and bottom and wide in the middle. - Used for full-length-, upper and lower garments. |
Body-hugging (Body-Line) | - The silhouette follows body contours. - Body-hugging is often combined with the skinny/bodycon fit, but garments with a slim or regular fit can also follow the body contours |
The Fit attribute
The Fit describes the width of a garment, i.e. how far away the garment is from the wearer’s body.
Skinny fit / Bodycon fit | - Garment fits like a second skin - closely fitted to the body, shows wearers body contours. - Almost no space between garment and body. - Mainly made of elastic materials, here often without darts or parting seams. - When non-elastic materials are used, darts and parting seams are needed. - Almost no wrinkles in static straight pose. - Bodycon fit is used for skirts, dresses and nightdresses. |
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Slim fit | - Garment fits closely to the body, follows the body contours. - Little space between garment and body. - Made of elastic materials, here often without darts or parting seams. - Also made of non-elastic materials, only possible with darts and shaped parting seams. - Fabric shows slight, flat folds. |
Regular fit | - Naturally fitted garment, not too close to the body contours. - Space between garment and body. - Made of elastic materials. - Made of non-elastic materials, darts and parting seams are not needed (can be Still applied as design elements). - Mid-deep movement folds on the inside of the elbow, knee, stomach area. |
Loose Fit / Relaxed fit | - (Very) wide fit, body contours are not visible, more hidden. - Proportions, the size of details and accessories, have a natural appearance. - The armhole seam is often on natural shoulder point or slightly dropped. - Made of elastic and non-elastic materials (no need for darts or parting seams). - The fabric is flattering and overlapping when moving, the folds are very deep and long. - Relaxed Fit is used for lower garments. |
Oversized fit | - Purposefully wider and longer than usual for the size, body is hidden. - Called an 'anti-fit' fit, often used for unisex items. - Exaggerated proportions like dropped armhole seam (wider shoulder), very wide sleeves and sleeve openings, big neck openings, huge collars, pockets, buttons. - Many deep folds or overlapping fabric, darts and parting seams only as design elements. |