What is drape?
"When designing, I'm always thinking about drape. What exactly is it? Good question. We use drape and "drapability" to describe the way our fabric creates pleats and dimension on the body. When fabric has good drapability, it creates highlights and shadows that enhance your natural shape, while flattering areas you'd rather not draw attention to. - Allison, the Designer
Why do we love it?
No more choosing between comfort and looking chic.
The way the fabric drapes creates highlights and shadows that enhance your natural shape, while subtly flattering areas you'd rather not draw attention to.
Bodice Drape
A well-draped top with a wider silhouette that skims the bust and pulls away from the midsection creates flattering shadows, adding dimension while enhancing confidence.
Flowy Sleeves
Drapes and cowls in the sleeve, highlights the width of your shoulders and really adds interest and accentuates the beauty of your back.
Graceful Movement
Movement and drape can be used to create beautiful and impactful designs. We try to use it where we can. Instead of having clothing cling to your midsection, our designs incorporate details that create movement, avoiding any unflattering tightness and ensuring a more flattering, comfortable fit.
More About Drape from Allison
As a designer, I love drape - the dimension that is created by drape adds interest to the style. The highlights and shadows created by the drape is what helps to accentuate your shape, while cleverly hiding (dare I say) the lumps and bumps we don't necessarily want to highlight.
Take for instance the dreaded midsection (gasp!). When a top is design with a visually interesting drape, it can skim the body without emphasizing the tummy. When I create a style - that is what I am thinking about; creating wider and slimmer parts of a top (or bottom) that will force a cowl or drape to happen. And in just the right places to help make you feel comfortable. No more unnecessary tugging and pulling at a "too tight" top.
A well-draped top can be stunning, adding movement and visual interest while gently downplaying the "softer areas." I love incorporating a wider silhouette at the top or bottom of a design, which naturally creates a flattering drape under the bust.
By crafting a style that lightly skims the bust and flows away from the midsection, it creates subtle shadows and dimension around the tummy, boosting confidence and adding a touch of intrigue to the look.
Tops that use this design detail: Emi, Chloe, Becca, Amelia, Sawyer, Mandy
The drape of a sleeve can be impactful and does more than just hide the sweaty parts of your body. Although, having a wider sleeve does give room in that area (and you wont have to worry about arm pit stains ever!)
But the real design focus of a draped sleeve, like our beloved dolman sleeve, is to create beautiful cowls, make a super comfortable fit (don't you hate it when arm holes touch your skin?) and it really increases the beauty of your back. Drapes and cowls in the sleeve, highlights the width of your shoulders while minimizing what's below.
Movement and drape can always be used to create beautiful and impactful designs. We try to use it where we can. Even in our sleeveless or shorter sleeve styles. I love to add wider armholes, to create drapey sleeves and adding an interesting smaller cowl under the arm and on the back.
Tops like: Emi, Becca, Sawyer, Mandy
I also like to add a wider armhole to my sleeveless and tank top designs. Wider armholes create a slight drape under the arm, but also in the front part of the armpit - which nicely hides the (don't know if you have this problem too) extra "stuff" under the armpit.
And, don't forget about styling to add interest and dimension. I love a great half tuck, or side tie to create more drape and interest. Need help figuring this out - watch our style videos for more styling suggestions.