A-LINE
The A-line is a garment shape that fits closely at the top (shoulders, bust or waist) and widens smoothly toward the hem, tracing the outline of a capital letter A. The term was introduced by couturier Christian Dior in his Spring 1955 collection as a development of his New Look. The A-line is versatile and remarkably flattering: it skims the hips, adds lightness and suits almost every body type. It is used in dresses, skirts and coats. Thanks to its balance between a restrained top and a free hem, the A-line remains one of the most classic and popular cuts in the history of fashion.
A-line is one of the classic silhouettes of modern fashion, popularized by Christian Dior in 1955 as an evolution of his New Look. The geometry of the letter A defines the cut: narrow at the top, gradually flared in the middle and bottom. This silhouette conceals features of the lower body and emphasizes the waist.
A-line is used in dresses, skirts, coats, raincoats. Ukrainian designers — Litkovska, The COAT by Katya Silchenko — often interpret A-line in classic coats and dresses for formal events. This is a universal form that works for all age categories.
Compare “A-line” with another term
Meaning, origins and distinction — side by side.
Distinction
Two fundamental dress silhouettes with opposite logic. The A-line fits at the shoulders and bust and flares gently downward like the letter A, skimming the hips and adding movement. The sheath is a narrow, straight cut that closely follows the body from bust to knee without flaring. The A-line is soft and universally flattering; the sheath is sharp, businesslike and body-defining.
