NOTICE FOR WOMEN:  Rather than a wholely masculine feeling, interpret this energy as adding an expression of "solid stability and strength".


1. IMAGERY words that describe the feeling of masculine strength:

natural
earthy
mature
warm
mellow
multifaceted
informal

enriched
dependable
masculine
textured
coarse
rugged
oil paint

realistic
practical
sporty
cozy
secured
solid
complex

casual
neutral
true-to-life
rustic
heavy
comfortable
tapestry

structured
tailored
powerful
aged
country
unfinished
efficient


2. COLOR MODIFICATIONS that express masculine strength:

Any color that has been enriched by warmth or muted by brown-gray-black tones, or that grounds the color by giving it strength moves toward this feeling. To mellow and "dusty" a color, making the color duller in a rich way expresses subtlety and good taste (i.e. burgundy with cream colored lace conveys a richer feeling of quality than burgundy with stark white lace). An enriched creamy background in a kettle cloth print gives rich depth and character to the texture; a stark white background would look kitcheny and cheap. Neutral colors are more practical, adding a degree of background comfort—it's the warm thread that connects things.

TOOL — Create with duller colors when good taste, practicality and more obscurity is desired; such as for uniforms, business clothes, casual sportswear. Neutral articles of clothing may be used as backgrounds to set off jewelry and accent colors.

3. DETAIL LINES that illustrate masculine strength:

Any line that is straight, square, square-angled; enriches or underlines another line (top-stitching); stabilizes and tacks down other lines; and t3extures that add depth, heaviness or thickness—all lean toward a masculine feeling. These lines are large (enriched) in contrast to small tiny lines, but not exaggerated or extra large. Boxlike lines do tend to appear large. Most of these feelings can be derived from the square figure or squared lines. Detailed examples of these lines are as follows:

TWO
PIECE

BUSY





 

TACKED
DOWN

BUSY
PATTERNS

Square necklines, boat necks, square collars, flat square sleeves, cuffs on sleeves and pants form boxlike shapes, busy pants and jackets, shirtwaist dresses, square practical heels on shoes and boots, square toes and square insteps on shoes, square, square chain links, square faces on watches, short squared-off efficient hairstyles including straight bangs and hair parted on the side. Zipper openings, side openings on clothing, doubled breasted openings.

Two-piece outfits immediately say "more casual", even if the outfit is dressy. The more equal in space the two pieces are, the more boxy and casual they look, especially in contrast to one-piece classic lines. Therefore, low waistlines, mid-calf dress lengths, pedal-pushers and wide shoulders all create squarish lines. Regular shoulder pads and, especially, inset yokes at the shoulders, always make clothing appear more masculine and strong because of the squaring effect.

Busy lines are indicated by zigzag as well as by extra lines used to tack down, stabilized and strengthen things. This feeling even flows over into home-like qualities; being secure, natural and comfortable. A masculine heavy or thick feeling comes from materials in their raw, unrefined state such as thick natural leathers, wood buttons and buckles, rubber, stone, ceramic and petrified natural stones. The zigzag line used in homey cross-stitching or lace-ups on shoes, zippers, laced vests and clothing and even the crisscross lines of braided hair.

It is interesting to see how the many forms of being grounded, tacked down, secured or stabilized take on in clothing. Buttons certainly secure things, as do belts, belt carriers, button-down flaps, collars and cuffs. Suspenders are the epitome of "security"! Casualness and stability, as well as multiplicity of lines, is conveyed by top-stitching on slacks, shirts, dresses, pants, coats, jackets, gloves and sportswear. Military effects are extremely casual and masculine in feeling. This strong casual look is felt from top-stitching on leather goods in purses, wallets, luggage and shoes, especially when the stitching is visible in a lighter or darker color. The all-time loafer shoe with its top-stitching and squared moccasin toe is a prime example of this casual feeling.

Medium size patterns, busy plaids (the crossed lines stabilize and tack each other down), random dots, paisleys, random stripes of different widths), "true-to-life" scenes of nature, complex Persian effects, country designs, braid, rick-rack and "homey" cross-stitching.