5. Bone Line

Bone lines are styling elements that are less pronounced than theme lines, the next term on this Top 10 list. White said a bone line “looks like it’s just under the surface of the car;” they’re “a bit softer than a lot of other lines.”

White also said, “It’s not right out in the open, [but] something under the surface.” Imagine seeing someone’s ribs. They’re covered with flesh but still clearly visible if the person is trim enough.

An example of a bone line can be found running down the side of Ford’s Freestyle crossover. It’s a subtle element but, “It’s pretty critical that it’s there,” noted White because the vehicle would be very dull without it (well, even duller than it already is).