Understanding garments
The ability to demonstrate an understanding of individual garments
is fundamental to fashion design and covers an area that we might
broadly describe as ‘flats’ and ‘specs’. While both terms are widely
used in design education and across the ready-to-wear fashion
industry, there are some important differences between them.
A flat is an individual garment, or series of garments, drawn in the
flat to represent a three-dimensional form as if it was laid down and
viewed from above. Front and back views are usual, although side
views can also be included depending on the visual information to
be conveyed. Flats are essentially linear drawings, which may be
enhanced for presentation purposes.
A spec (short for specification) is a more technically orientated and
exacting presentation of an individual garment, drawn in a precise
linear style to convey detailed technical information. The drawing is
presented on a specification sheet, an internal document that a
company uses for manufacturing purposes, which contains
essential technical information such as the assembly processes,
fabric, trimmings and costings.