CL dinnerware shapes are so confusing!

Today I saw a CL blue willow dinner set that a friend purchased,( the darker one) and she asked why were some of the side plates a different shape. I found that a couple of them were the same shape as the nouveau,(?) while the rest were the usual shape for that pattern. Then a bit later, while op-shopping, I saw a clearly earthstone coloured dinner set but the shape was not forma, but the shape usually associated with colourglaze! (?) I guess they were just using up bits and pieces?